February

January has come to a close and here is what happened during the last week of that month. 

Eleanor is obsessed with shoes, even when they don't match and they're on the wrong foot. 

We had this cake frozen in the freezer and I pulled it out for the boys to decorate for an after school snack. They asked if we could do a Chiefs cake!

I registered Austin for KINDERGARTEN!! He's sooo excited and can't wait. I'm going to be so heartbroken when he leaves. Eleanor is definitely going to miss her playmate. 

We went to the Dollar Tree and Austin asked if he could get a craft for him and Eli to do after school. I love how the boys think about each other. 

On Wednesday we went to the Hallmark kids' museum with our playgroup. It's free and parking is free. I had a gift card for $3 at Panera so we also stopped and grabbed a free cookie. I love free things.

This was a special moment - Grandpa Volk reading books to the boys. 

Eli's teacher sent me this - Be the I in kind. 

And Eli hoped off the bus with this hat and it made me smile. He also lost his top front tooth!

On Friday we went back to the Hallmark Museum with different friends. It really is a fun place for kids to create and make messes and leave so happy with papers and stickers. 

  

We packed lunches and enjoyed lunch at the Crown Center. 

Saturday morning: We had breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa Volk before they headed home after being here for 2 weeks. We loved our time with them. The kids were sad to see them leave. They'll be back soon!! After breakfast we went to Eli's basketball game. Eleanor was a great cheerleader!

Our Saturday was packed - I then ran to a baby shower and then we ran to a birthday party. 

My Uncle Johnny passed away earlier this week and I cried and cried when I heard the news. He was one of my mom's siblings that I was extremely close to. I loved him and his dedication to living the gospel and serving. He strived so hard to keep our extended family connected. He sent out family newsletters several times throughout the year and was happy to do so. When I cried one morning, Austin was so quick to say, "Mom, you'll get to see him again." I know that to be true and I'm grateful for the memories I have with him. I attended the temple on Thursday and I felt so close to him and my grandparents and I know they're striving to help us all choose the right so we can be together forever. What a happy reunion it will be, I just know it. I was able to find a plane ticket out to Utah so I'm leaving Thursday evening. The weather is supposed to be snowy so I'm praying I make it to Utah for the funeral. Anyway, I've been reflecting so much about the life I'm living and the way I'm mothering. The weather on Sunday was so beautiful and I wanted to take some pictures with my happy children. I love them at this age and I never want to forget these special years together. 

Our Sunday school teacher taught our lesson and at the end of it, he spelled, "Go Chiefs." So funny. It was the Super Bowl on Sunday and the Chiefs did WIN! When Aaron and I got married, we decided that we wouldn't watch any TV on Sunday. We don't even watch that much TV during the week and Sundays have been easy EXCEPT when it's the Super Bowl. I loved watching the Super Bowl together with my family when I was young and it's a happy memory. I was so proud of the boys for not making a big fuss about the game. We enjoyed an evening with a fire in our backyard where we roasted hot dogs and smores. This morning I showed the kids the highlights of the game and they were so excited to see the Chiefs WIN!