I should really blog more often!!

Ialso forgot about going to the Fayetteville square before Kevin left to check out the lights and ride in Cinderella's carriage. We were just about the only people out there. I guess the 10 degree Thursday night doesn't appeal to everyone :). I am also posting a picture of Kinley's sleeping beauties. She has been tucking her babies in all over the house. She gets angry if you step on them, and quite frequently they go to time out because they won't stop"talking to each other". She tries to put pajamas on all of them (including barbies). It is quite funny to see a 6 inch barbie in 4T clothing. But there is no convincing her otherwise!

Christmas Party

I forgot to mention that in the midst of my single parenthood Kyle and Danielle kept Kinley for a sleep over, so I could go to my work Christmas party. It was a ton of fun (especially because it meant a night off for me). The party was at Lindsey's house, and sometime after the dirty Santa game Ragan and Jason snuck out to put some "affectionate" deer on her lawn (the deer have now made their way all over NWA). It was very funny. And once again Ragan I am sorry that I immediately knew you did it. I can's help that you are always mischievous.

December

Christmas was a whirlwind like usual this year. Kevin spent two weeks in Jackson, MS for training at his new job (a proud new pharmaceutical rep). He was gone from the 7th-19. He got back at midnight on the 20th due to flight delays. We were very glad to have him home. I had spent the weekend before "finishing" Christmas wrapping and shopping. I even cleaned the house on Thursday, so we could laze around on Saturday. Being a single mom is a VERY tough job! I am glad that I wasn't the one away from Kinley, but by the time we got home, changed, fixed dinner, cleaned up, took baths, and fixed our lunches for the next day (we're still trying to be financially responsible) it was time for bed. We would go to sleep and have to start all over again! Anyway, after Kevin got home, the next day was our immediate family Christmas at Kyle and Danielle's house and AC's 4th birthday. It was a ton of fun until about 4 in the morning Sunday when I woke up with a stomach bug. It managed to linger with me for a whole week! Kinley and Kevin never got it, but Kim, Nick, and Christy and her brew all got it. In the midst of Kevin being gone I all had volunteered to help with the Christmas eve mass (I needed volunteer hours per school requirements). It was very neat. It would have been even better had Mom and I not been scrambling around to find the manger scene costumes that had disappeared, but none the less the make shift costumes worked out. Kinley sang her heart out and then we came back to the house for dinner with the parents/in-laws. Kinley woke up at 630 the next morning and asked if she could watch cartoons. After asking if she thought Santa might have come, she promptly sprang out of bed to find out if he had. I couldn't believe she had forgotten!!! I am pretty sure that other than her Diamond castles barbies, her favorite present was clothes from her aunt and granny....such a girl. I was very proud of how gracious and thankful she was for every present, even if she already had one of the same thing. OH and I got a pair of UGGS!!!! Finally, after years of loathing for them! I am pretty sure the only time they have come off is to sleep and to work today. They seriously are a great investment :).

FAMILY PICTURES

This is Kinley's first school picture. We didn't get a choice, so I was pretty nervous when I opened them up. I was pleasantly suprised! I can't believe I have my own little Catholic school girl! She is loving school. That is mostly because her and Anna Claire are partners in crime. When they actually behave at school Ms. Roxy is most proud of them, but it is a rare occurance. They act just like sisters. They don't want to be separated, but when together they fight and make up all day. The other pictures from October. We had a family photo session (finally!), and those were just a few of my favorites. Although, I had to scan one twice (my setting were off, and I couldn't figure out how to delete.

Kinley and Ballet

I just want everyone to know that I did NOT pose Kinley. If you saw the other pics you would laugh. They are all these crazy poses. When we were trying on leotards/tutus in the store she was in front of the mirror dancing and bowing to the other "ladies and gentlemen".

We finally got a new camera!!!!

These pics are from Kinley at some point during the first week of school. She is doing very well. She told me that she has a new boyfriend names Eric. I asked if he was cute..."yes", is he nice?..."yes". Then she preceded to tell me that he has alot of money from working and he was going to buy her a boat! Kevin and I have been looking at possibly getting a boat, but can't decided if we want to make another financial commitment. She, obviously, would like a boat very much too!

The other ones are from the Gentry drive through zoo. I loved the kangaroos. They came right up and were very gentle. You can see that one of the kangaroos has a baby in her pouch (you can see the legs). She was asleep about 5 minutes after leaving the "zoo". We had alot of fun! A few hours ago we went in search of a ballet costume for Kinley to wear for Halloween. I couldn't find any, and I had been telling her for ages I would get one, so we checked out the ballet store. I ended up spending less there than the price of a costume, and she will be able to wear it when I decided to switch her over to ball (she is desperate to take ballet).

Dad's Suprise Party

We went swimming at Mom and Dad's house on Saturday. She had just gotten back in town from school in Omaha. We had a little cookout. I was starting to just ache for my mom by the time she got back. I can't remember a single time in my life I have gone a whole month without seeing her in person. Sunday we went bowling. Kinley had been bugging me forever to go. Once we actually went, she was finished bowling after 3 frames. And the pink ball was 8lbs, she was very discouraged that she couldn't use it. We laid low all week because of the heat. It was miserable.

Friday we through a surprise party for Dad's 60th birthday. We arrived in Ft. Smith before 10 am and I literally did not sit down until our trip back up the hill at 11 pm. We had it at the St. Boniface parish hall. Christy ordered 50s decorations, and we spent the day decorating. My sister put together a slide show from Dad's birth up to now, and it was quite a tear jerker. There were 75-100 people there. It was neat to meet some of Mom and Dad's friends and to see some that I haven't seen in years. Lots of fun, but it took ALL day Saturday in bed and lounging around to recuperate! I think that we all have that same feeling! But I am so glad that we did it. Love you Dad!!

Oh, and my camera isn't fixed, these are from a disposable camera. We do have plans to buy a new camera though!

BUSY WEEK!!!

One of Kevin's best friends came in town from Utah on Monday, July 28th. We haven't seen him since before Kinley was born. We missed his wedding last year in Utah because we went to New York the next week. He was in town for a job interview, so we all went out to dinner. Of course, he hadn't met Kinley so we decided to bring her along, but her patience ran short quickly (as did mine with her!). It was funny, she showed off for the boys all night. She didn't understand that the "boys" wanted to talk shop/sports/catch up/etc... Poor "Uncle" Heath can't say no to her though. He would have ended up watching Diego in my room w/ her all evening if I hadn't put the cabosh on her plans.
Tuesday we went to Olivia's adoption. She is officially a Koprovic. I am glad that I was there to be part of it. She was very excited and was wondering the whole time where her presents were (I am glad that I thought to get one!). After that I got to meet 6 week old Mackenzie, Christy's latest foster child (that makes 6 kids total). Yes Christy, you are crazy!!!! We went straight from there to gymnastics in Springdale, then home for dinner. Kevin left shortly after hang out with Matt, who had missed his flight out.
Then, on Thursday I worked all day and at the last minute decided to go out to PF Chang's with coworkers for a going away party for Terri. I was on call so I was taking a rick going, but we really don't get called in all that often. Everyone was drinking it up as I watched, just I was finishing up my meal, and my boredom was about to set in, my pager went off. It was a relief to not have to sit there and be sad I wasn't getting to partake in the festivities, but sad because I know that they had alot of fun.
Friday, I planned on taking it easy, and Kyle and Danielle called. Never one to pass up an evening out I said sounds great! We just had dinner. So it was a good compromise for my long week. And I slept......

The BIG 2 8

I turned 28 on July 23rd. I am officially older than Kevin again (he likes to remind me). I think that he forgets that *technically* I am older than him all the time! It was a very uneventful day. Kevin got me a CHI flat iron because mine was on its last leg. Kinley spotted Toys R Us the day before and decided that she needed to buy me a birthday present. I decided to humor her since I thought it was sweet of her to want to get me something. I steered her to the mermaid barbie that she has been eyeing for a while now (another girl at the water park has one). So, I am the proud owner of a pink mermaid barbie. Whenever she can't find it she asks me to go find *my* barbie. My coworkers bought me a cake, and Kevin (who was at home with a sick bellied Kinley) came up to work to eat lunch. At home we ate pizza and cookie cake. If Kevin is in charge of dinner it is always pizza or sandwiches. I followed up my birthday with being on call for 4 days straight, but it was a pretty calm weekend thankfully.

We had a lazy day on Sunday. We were literally on our way to Branson, Kin and I finished up errands and Kevin was at home finishing up mowing, and we just backed out of it. We opted for a lazy summer day. We went to Shogun for dinner as a prebirthday dinner (or in celebration of Mom and Dad's birthday's :) ). We ran into several friends and past schoolmates. We stopped to get Kinley a snow cones on the way home. Just as we were turning onto Joyce Kevin ran a VERY orange light, and the next thing you know we are being pulled over (Kevin's defense to me was he had just given me whiplash at the light previous). We got off with a warning (very good since our money is tight), but it was a very good lesson for Kinley that if we don't follow the rules there are consequences. I guess Kevin was reminded of that lesson :).
Kinley and I went to the waterpark in Springdale yesterday, but was short lived due to Kinley's stomach issues. I was quite glad because it was hot enough outside to melt the crayons that Kinley left in my car (true story). Later that night we were watching TV and a Jenny Craig commercial came on. I wasn't really paying attention until Kinley turned around and said "Have you called Jenny yet?" Which I replied, "no, not yet baby." She looked at me and scoured, "well, they just said that you NEED to call Jenny!" :) Crack me up.

On The Move

Tueday Kinley and I ended up going to Chuck E Cheese for lunch. Kevin met us there since it is right across the interstate. I decided that it was just too hot to go to Gentry. Maybe one morning we will get up early to beat the heat. Wednesday Jenny and Taylor came over to prepare for an interview with Kevin. Kinley hasn't hung out with him that much, but she had a blast. He is a year younger, so I think Kinley like bossing him around the most (sorry Taylor). Kevin went out of town unexpectedly Thursday evening to Little Rock. We have to make Kinley's schedule out a week in advance so she ended up needing to go work with me from 630-730 (yes am). Yesterday she recapped my work day... "You go to work and put on work pants, and work shirts, and shoes. Then you take out a big book and color, then you go to the teria (cafeteria)." Oh well, I don't have to work much harder than that everyday anyway!
We went to Devil's Den yesterday with a coworker and her son , Carter. The dogs (Mallory and Magenta) came too. It was alot of fun, but very tiring and HOT! We planned on going to the water park today in Branson, but I don't think I can take the heat! We will either go swim at Mom and Dad's house or maybe go to Celebration CIty tonight (Branson). It is my "birthday weekend", and I wanted it to be action packed :). By the way, happy birthday to my wonderful parents Cody and Cindy. I love you! Dad, hope you had a safe trip.
Paula, my camera is officially broken, I have been taken pics on my iphone, but I am not sure how to get them on here(epecially since my phone is broken now too), so you are going to have to give me some leeway :)

Losing

Yesterday Christy, Brittney, BrigitteOliviaBethany (I found out they like to be called BOB), Koby and Audrey came up to go to build-a-bear. You find out real quick why having 6 kids is not for the obsessive compulsive type like myself. All in all they were very well behaved. I think I would lose my mind trying to keep up with them all! Props to Christy for her bravery. Kinley only got new clothes for her bear..a Cinderella costume of course. Danielle, we really need to get together. Kinley named her bear "Princess AnnaClaire Teddy Bear". I know she misses AC!
We ended up coming up with some last minute tickets to the Arkansas Naturals baseball game (our minor league team). So, after Kinley debating on with razorback outfit to wear (she is under the assumption that anything that starts with Arkansas includes a razorback), we headed out to get Dad and head to the game. We sat at the picnic benches behind home plate all night because it gave us shade and Kinley a place to play. Apparently it was "baseball bingo" night. Easy to play, hard to explain. But just as I won (yes, I was yelling I won, I won), the announcer called it a fielder's option instead of a single!! I felt very jipped. I was tempted to make everyone stay an extra inning just so I could try to still win (I can't help it, I hate to lose). In the end I sucked it up and went home sad :(. It was alot of fun though. Kevin had Kinley yelling "get some glasses" to the ref a few times, which I know is completely bad manners, but was quite humorous. Kinley and I even made it on the big screen dancing to "Jump". Of course as soon as we told her she stopped dancing so she could look at herself on the screen. I am glad you readily agreed to come Dad, we enjoyed your company.
On a different note, Kinley's school uniforms came in yesterday for 3 yr old preschool at St. Raphael's. It was a little bittersweet. My little baby girl is going to "school". I know that she would be in pre K at Coleman's (her daycare) too if she had stayed there, but the uniforms make it seem so much more official. I am losing my little girl!
Today we have gymnastics and are contimplating going to Gentry to the drive through zoo. Maybe we will just stay home. It is hot outside!

Letters

I ended up going to work for a few hours this morning to help out. I had to promise Kinley that I would bring her a "presaprize" (her unique combination of present and surprise). I usually get her a sucker or a stick of gum, but I had nothing. So when she asked where it was I told her at the store (I was going to Hobby Lobby anyway). We found this stationary kit with envelopes, a notebook, colored pencils, stickers, etc. Needless to say she was ecstatic. Later in the day we were getting ready for dinner, and she told me to hold on she had to finish her letters. I was thinking alphabet, but no she brings we an envelope telling me it was for me. I opened it and she had scribbled all over it. She then told me it said"Dear mommy, thank you for my presaprize". I turned the envelope over and she had put a sticker EXACTLY when a stamp should go. I thought it was a fluke until she gave her daddy a different letter that also had a sticker in the stamp box. I hate to brag, but......I really do have the smartest little girl around. Now if only I could make her a little less spoiled!

Kinley is the "cute" pirate........
......but Daddy was more convincing.

I am the mom of a comical 3 yr old, Kinley, who even if she is not trying, makes me laugh like no one else can. No one will think that she is as funny as I do, but in light of my mom going off to college and Deedra in VB, I think I will give it a try explaining my daily laughs. Just remember to ignore grammatical errors! I will start with Saturday, I was *desperate* to see my mom before she went to Omaha. I knew they had church until 5, so after running some errands we went over there (it was 5:02 or so). They weren't there, so I called and they were about to go out to dinner. Kevin and I invited ourselves only to find out we were inviting ourselves to be the 3rd leg on their anniversary dinner. Way to go Rowe family (and sorry Mom and Dad). After dinner we went to go carts (or as Kin calls them roller coasters), because Kinley had talked about going ALL day. Of course, when we got there she was too afraid to ride them. As we were driving to swim yesterday she screams from the back seat "I think that tomorrow I am going to get bigger, and go ride go carts!"

We are still make very slow progress on getting her to sleep in her own bed. She is falling asleep on the couch, Kevin moves her to her bed around 1030pm, then she comes into our bed at 2am or so. I guess a little progress is better than none at all.