Parent-Teacher Conferences

I never worry about what will be said about the children at parent-teacher conferences. The kids always get rave reviews (well, besides that Dade got his shoelaces taken away all the time in kindergarten) from their teachers, and tonight was no exception.

First, we spoke with Brody's teacher, Mr. C. Mr. C. said that Brody is always a positive class leader, doesn't mess around in hallways when he goes to use the restroom or run an errand, gets along with everyone, and always does great on his school work. We are so proud of him!

Then we went to talk with Evelyn's teacher, Mrs. K. Mrs. K. said that Evie is outstanding. She sets a good example. She helps the teacher and classmates. Mrs. K. added that Evelyn was the only student in the class to get perfect scores on a few of the skills tests she gave the class. I guess she must've had a great preschool teacher, ahem. Evelyn is already learning to use punctuation and spacing in her sentences, something Mrs. K. said she doesn't expect them to know until the end of the year.

Now that I've gotten out all that bragging, I can move on with my night. I was just bursting with pride.

On a more stressful note, Soren freaked out at swimming lessons today because the substitute teacher was a boy. She laid one eye on him and started crying for Daddy and clinging to me. Needless to say, there was no swimming today.

Welcome, Baby Kort!

Baby Kort was born yesterday healthy and handsome! We made the trip to Omaha to meet him because the kids were so excited. All the kids wanted to hold him, but I got first dibs.







Big brother Ethan was happy to see his cousins, and he and Evelyn were like two peas in a pod (if peas were naughty).



The trip home wasn't so pleasant. Soren cried for about 45 minutes of the hour. It was all worth it to meet the newest member of the Vescapades extended family. Welcome to the world Kort Herbert (Sherbert) Vesely!

Chuck E. Cheese

All women with children have something that they hate to do with their kids. My list is quite long, but here are the worst: I hate the zoo, and I hate Chuck E. Cheese. I put aside my disdain, and we headed to Chuck's for Soren's birthday party.


Colby and the other dads had fun playing skee-ball, basketball, and other things with the kids. Thank goodness my designated area was guarding the purses, presents, and cupcakes with all the other moms. We must have went through about a thousand game tokens as the kids ran wild playing games and riding on stuff. Soren rode with Taver in the car that takes photos until the thing was out of photo paper.


She said, "Mom, don't take my picture in here! It takes the picture by itslelf!" You can see her pointing at the machine's built-in camera.


The boy is taller than me!!


Our nephew Ethan came along with Grandpa and Grandma. Ethan will be a big brother on the 12th. Yay, Ethan! We can't wait to meet the new little Vesely.


My "little" brother came along with my parents and other brother and sisters. I told him I needed a photo of him with his pretty cupcake and princess plate. What 16-year-old boy doesn't want a photo with his pretty cupcake?


Soren and Reese on the caterpillar ride.


When it came time to open presents, Soren literally tore the wrapping off and threw the new toys aside. She didn't even see what she got, she just wanted to get them all opened up. She got really great gifts from our really great group of friends and family. Thanks!!

But the best part of the day (despite this day being a day of celebration for Soren) was when Brody let me take his photo without any complaint. Mark it on your calendars, people.

Getting Ready for the Party

Soren's big Chuck E. Cheese party is this afternoon. In preparation, I have baked some cupcakes and purchased copious amounts of frilly sprinkles.

I frosted all the cupcakes but decided to leave the application of sprinkles to the girls. They (meaning Evie because there's no way Soren could sprinkle cupcakes up to Evie's high standards) got right to work.

You'll notice in the next photo that Soren is doing the quality assurance test on the frosting. (sidenote: never eat peanut butter or cupcakes that come from our house. They are full of Soren cooties. Sorry to all those who ate them at the birthday party).

The cupcakes were beautiful if not a little over-sprinkled. I'm sure more than a few folks were scraping off sprinkles before they ate the cupcake.

Another Birthday Party

It seems like we've had a lot of birthdays to celebrate lately, and we still have a lot more to go this month. I'm not complaining at all, don't get me wrong, but I bet we'll go through a long spell without any parties to attend. It's such a bummer.

Today was Evelyn's classmate's party. Evelyn, Soren, and I spent two hours at Abbey's house running, playing, beating a pinata, and eating sweets. It's a fabulous day, and what could be better than a party?

Evie pinned the berry on the vine.


Here's Evie with the birthday girl.


Evie's friend Kennedy was there, too.


Evelyn took some big swings at the pinata but didn't break it open.

Tomorrow is the big Chuck E. Cheese adventure. Hopefully we'll make it out alive.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Soren!

I can't believe my baby is three. Of course, I will never forget the night she was born, but the pain of the moment is vastly overshadowed by elation. Her birth was the end of a pretty bad spell in our lives and the beginning of our new life in Lincoln. When she was born, we were nearly 30 years old and living with our three kids in my parents' house. Two weeks after Soren's birth we were in our own home setting down roots and enjoying our new flower.

I found this photo of Soren, with her dark hair that faded to blonde, at about six months old.

For her birthday dinner we went to Cracker Barrel. She wanted a burger, as usual, but ended up eating mostly other people's food (as usual). While we waited for our food, Soren sat by her favorite person in the world and sang BINGO a few (hundred) times..


She also got a birthday phone call from Grandpa Dean.


When will the food get here???


She got a free sundae, but I had to take Evie to the bathroom during supper (as usual...she always has to poop during supper. Always.), so I didn't get to watch her enjoy it.

After supper we went to Toys R Us where Soren got to pick out a special present. She picked a baby Belle.


Her big party at Chuck E. Cheese awaits her on Sunday. She can't wait to see everyone and maybe open a few presents.

Finally Friends

Tiger has finally come to terms with Annie's presence in the house. In fact, I think he kind of likes her. They started off sleeping on opposite sides of Dade's bed.


Now they sleep next to each other on Dade's bed. Dade's bed is the hot spot for pets of all species to settle in at naptime.


She surely likes sleeping in our clothes hamper.


I have to take Annie to the vet Monday as her digestive system hasn't been working right since we brought her home. She often pukes up all her food right after she eats, and I'm thinking maybe she just eats too much too fast. She also has intermittent diarrhea which is both disgusting and sad. We had to clean Annie's bottom off in the shower because of the poop mess, and Soren said, "I remember one time I had diarrhea all over myself, and you washed me in the shower." Yep, sure enough, more than once actually, but I'd like to forget that.