No Clone Home

Somehow our daughter got some horrible thought in her head the other day from another kid at school, and before we knew it she was walking around the house yelling "Let's Go Cyclones"! Needless to say, we put a stop to that quickly. In fact, Amy went as far as telling her and the rest of our children that we would throw them out on the street if we heard that again in our house (jokingly of course........well, maybe not).

So, last night we were at a church couples group and had one of our babysitters (Maddy) over who is a high school senior. When we got home we asked her how things went and she responded with this story:

She was getting the kids ready for bed and somehow a discussion began about what Maddy was going to do after she graduated high school. Well, Maddy is interested in veterinary school and is planning on going to ISU, so she told the kids she was going to go to Iowa State.

Kinnick instantly responded by telling her "Don't tell my mom that or she will throw you out of the house!"

Now that's a message we're glad went through loud and clear. :-)

Our Winter Home

This winter Carver Hawkeye Arena has been our second home. This past weekend was the high point with a schedule of wrestling on Friday, men's basketball on Saturday, wrestling again on Sunday, and women's gymnastics Monday night. Amy and I have season tickets for both wrestling and men's basketball, and Carver of course loves to go to events at "his" arena.

Due to the inclement weather Friday night we did not make it to the wrestling meet, but did end up watching it on the internet. The kids were able to go with us on Sunday and Monday, and of course you can't go to Carver Hawkeye Arena without getting the soft serve ice cream.

Our friend Rob and his daughter Eleanor enjoyed the wrestling meet with us on Sunday. This was Eleanor's first trip to CHA and she did wonderful.

Monday night we enjoyed "Pink Night" at the women's gymnastics dual versus the evil Cyclones.

We had a great time as we attended this event with our good friends, Bill and Katie Iverson.

Sweet Six..........

Much to our disbelief, our little girl turned 6 this past Thursday. For her birthday celebration at school Tay took cookies to share with her classmates that we all made here at home.

Also, that day I (Daddy) made a surprise visit to Tay's school and joined her for lunch and recess. I had a wonderful time and Taylor was beyond delighted with the surprise. I felt like Billy Madison out at recess, and found myself being the "monkey bar helper" for 50 kids! Tay's school day was followed up with the tradition of letting the birthday kids choose where or what we eat for dinner, in which Taylor chose Carlos O' Kelley's.

On Saturday, we celebrated Tay's birthday once again by having a birthday party at our house. Turning 6, means Taylor was allowed to invite 6 of her friends. In addition to the 6 girls from school that joined us, we also had family including both sets of Taylor's grandparents, Tia Beth's family, Cousin Leah and Marc, and Cousin Drew. It was a fabulous time and Taylor raked in some wonderful gifts.

The party started with lunch.

Threw in some old school games of The Bozo Game and Drop the Clothespin in the Jar.

Opened gifts.....

Had fun with friends......

And last, but certainl not least, enjoyed another one of Amy's wonderful cakes!

To see more pictures of this masterpiece, visit www.amystreats.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Taylor! We Love You!

The Things Kids Say

While I was taking Kinnick to a Iowa men's basketball game a couple of weeks ago, we drove by the Mayflower dormitory where Amy once lived while going to school at Iowa. From the back seat Kinnick shouted to me "That's where Mommy used to live".

Now, I think we may have pointed that out to him once and it was at least one year ago since mentioned. Surprised by his memory I said "You're right Kinnick, how did you get so smart?"

In which Kinnick replied......."Because I ate my lima beans at school today Dad!"