Our First Field Trip

I think my excitement matched Brianna's for her first ever school field trip! We went to a farm and got to see sorts of baby animals; some only just days old... so cute! When it came to the baby chicks, my ears heard the farmer suggest some parents help pass around the chicks and I went straight up there. Can you say excited! 

One of my favorite memories from elementary school (not sure what year, maybe 1st grade), we got to learn about baby chicks, and they brought some into school. We all sat around in a circle and I couldn't wait to hold them. When it was finally my turn the baby chick cuddled up in my long hair and nestled in. I was so happy! That was then, so today when the farmer mentioned a couple parents or teachers could carry the chicks around I just walked right up!! I was so proud of Brianna for holding the baby chick and not being scared. She had perfect placement with her hands to hold it securely but not too tight. SO thankful for another preschool mom who snapped this picture of us and emailed it to me as we boarded the bus to go home. She also got to pet a lamb, a baby goat (a kid), a piglet, a calf, a kitten, a 10 day old puppy, and even took a hayride.  

Also, so thankful the crazy storms they had forecasted for today lightened up in the morning so that we could enjoy the farm in the warm sunshine! Wow, it's hard to believe Brianna is four and growing into a beautiful little lady. 

Negative Turned Positive

Just prior to nap/quiet times, I got a call from my sister saying she needed a little help. She went on a morning adventure and it just so happened her keys took their own adventure (thankfully just trapping themselves in the car). We had just finished lunch so I said I'd run and get the extra keys and help out! I'm glad I did! 

We had a fun excursion to a new park she had seen before but had never been to yet. It was pretty neat, tree house type theme, down by the river. I'm glad her little mishap happened and gave us an unexpected chance to get together! Plus, I grabbed her camera at one point and managed to shoot a super cute self portrait of the two of us. Probably the first picture in too long to be taken. Let's do this more often!!

I mean... look at the love rolling down this slide!! 

Thanks for sharing the pictures with me Margaret!

4 Hours - 50 Degrees

All talk after church this morning was focused on the weather and what your plans were for the beautiful afternoon. My response was to be outside, as was most everyones. I mean, can you blame us... after a crazy winter storm on Friday and now temps in the 50's, who wouldn't want to be outside!

With that said, not once did I think my response of being outside would have included four straight hours of play. Let me tell you, I am tired!!! After baking a loaf of bread and fixing a batch of cookies, I heard the sounds of children increase from the bedrooms below. Instead of struggle with them to be quiet for "quiet time," we headed outside. The kids and I played with neighbors, I cleaned out my car, the kids adventured around the yard, they played with Eko, we went for a walk to the end of the street, Jon took a break from his homework and we all went for a longer walk, on the way back our neighbors were out again so we played some more, we rode bikes, we stomped out some snow, played tag... I think you get the idea!

I am SO looking forward to being outside this spring and summer. Hoping that I can boost up my energy a little bit more, although I suppose being wiped out after a day of play isn't a bad thing!

Happy Spring!

I am so grateful to our neighbor across the street for getting such a kick out of us this morning, that she even brought out her camera to snap a few pictures! She said, "We have such good breakfast entertainment that I just had to come out and take a picture!" I love our new neighborhood!!

As soon as Carl saw the snow outside, as we were walking up the stairs from his bedroom, he asked if we could go outside. He has been dying to use his sled outside but the snow had all melted in our front yard. So when he asked, I just couldn't say no. We didn't even bother eating breakfast! Jon took a late morning because of the weather, so while he plowed the driveway, the kids and I took the sled out! This is pre-8 am on April 4... you've got to love spring in Minnesota! I'm actually truly grateful for the one last snow fall that didn't come with bitter cold.

Hope you had good travels today and are now enjoying the warmth of the sun!

What One Has, Can Be Lost

Today I was reminded that what one has, can be lost just as quick - especially when in the context of a 2.5 year old boy.

My sister knit this fabulous winter hat for Carl (and took this picture)! He loves it and loves the cowl too for that matter (also knit by my sister). He quickly puts both on whenever asked and generally doesn't leave home without it. This hasn't been an issue since it's been so cold, but now that spring is semi-here, I tend to forget when he has it and when he doesn't. With such sentimental value I feel sometimes as though it should set on a pedestal and not be worn... but what good would that do!

Earlier this winter, Carl dropped it in our local floral shop and after another stop and running home, we realized it was missing. AHH! Thankfully it's not a big shop and the hat is quite memorable on this smiley young boy, that when I called, the girl quickly checked and saw the hat on the floor. We returned to pick it up and I gave Carl a friendly reminder to hold onto his belongings.

This brings us to today - strike number two. After a lovely day spent with my mom at the flower show, lunch, and a little shopping, we returned home and continued our day. When we decided to go back outside to play a little before dinner, again I realized there was no hat. I called my mom and it was not left in her car, which meant it was left where we had been shopping, a good 40 minutes away. UGH! I tried calling the store, but their recommendation was to call back in the morning, because "it's a big store and we don't usually sweep through the store until after closing." Well a lot of good that call did. I wasn't going to wait, so instead of playing we packed back in the car to the store.

Upon arrival I asked Carl where he left his hat. He told me, "in there!" Well good, that's where we are headed! I searched every place the kids rushed into or by or stopped to look. As we approached the very back of the store, in the far corner, blending perfectly into the concrete floor, was the hat. WHEW! I could not believe it. Carl and I had a deep heart to heart right there in the store, to which he apologized to me. What a sweetie! We headed home with still enough time to play before dinner.

I was ready to give up, deeply saddened by it's loss, but really what can you do? Things happen, little boys happen! We talk about responsibility with our toys and belongings, but again... he's 2.5!!

Here's hoping that strike number three never strikes!

One Thing I Love...

One thing I love - there are so many but today I focus on one - is that where these three are together, you can guarantee there is laughter! Carl frequently, as soon as Jon gets in the door from work, will run to the living room carpet and request to be tickled, "tickle me daddy!" Brianna quickly joins in and before you know it, uncontrollable laughter has erupted! It really is hilarious to watch them go to a point where they almost can't breath because they are laughing so hard, recover, then ask for more. It is quite something.

I love that Jon can put smiles on all of our faces in a matter of seconds (I think we could start our very own variety show). One of the many reasons I fell in love with him. Here's to laughter today! Enjoy a good laugh with someone you love!

Phew... We do still exist.

For those that check back from time to time - I apologize for the laps in blog posts!
For those that haven't checked in a few months - welcome back (I include myself in this category)!!

The last few months have been a little blurry for us! We have been keeping super busy - Jon's work and work functions, 2 rambunctious ready for winter to be over kids, church, a few house projects on the house, managing ice dams and the knee high snow on the roof, church, a women's retreat, outdoor activities when it hasn't been too cold out, and time with family and friends. Oh, and one more, adjusting to a new job! That's right, as of December 15th, I am now working 15 hours a week for our church.  Which means we've spent the last few months adjusting to and balancing our "church work" and our "24/7 work" or really just LIFE! It's taken a few months to really settle into a groove, but I think we're finally getting it. After all, it had been just about 4 years since having Brianna then deciding to stay home full time. I think a few months is acceptable!

Besides just taking time to figure all these new things out and adjust, it has been such a joy to be using my brain in this new capacity. My title is Project Manager, which means I might be asked to do just about anything but layered in there is a focus on communications. It's perfect for me since I love to work on many different types of tasks and I like to tinker! Carl really enjoys his time at the office too! When Brianna goes to preschool in the morning, Carl and I head into the office - which is literally right across the street. (talk about convenient!)

I've been so thankful for my mom, Jon's mom, my two sisters, and some friends that have helped me watch B & C on the days I have a meeting. They have loved the added time with Grandmas and Aunts, and I've been blessed to know they are in good hands!

SO... if you don't see consistent blog posts from me for a while, it means I'm choosing family time over screen time! As much as I'd love to keep you up to date, in some seasons of life, it's just not in the cards. However!! You are welcome to stop on by and see what we're up to!

Monkey's Eat Bread, Right?

One thing we have not had as a family in ages is Monkey Bread. It has long time been a delicious morning treat around the holidays in my family, but something I had yet to conquer gluten free. I was so grateful to receive a new cookbook this year with a recipe in there for Monkey Bread!

Yes, that's homemade dough everyone!! Very proud!

We were so excited! Even the kids who really had no idea of what I was talking about. Carl kept telling me that “Monkey’s no eat bread!” I think he was a little confused!

It turned out so yummy! I’d make a few modifications but it’s good to have it back in the running as a family tradition! I'm just a little sad I didn't get a picture of the final product... to busy wanting to eat it...

Turning 4 - Princess Cake and All

I truly cannot believe my little girl turned 4! I'm pretty sure she is hitting a growth spurt too, because she's definitely getting taller, and just all around more grown up. I am so amazed by her comforting, loving, helpful, tender spirit. She can still be shy and clam up in front of groups (like she did when opening her birthday gifts), but for the most part she's happy and loves to share her stories. She received many new books for her birthday which will be great, since she loves looking through and "reading" her books.

Brianna,
You are a perfect reminder to me of how to love God and love others. Your affection and tender heart melt mine almost daily. I love when you remind me that, "I'm still little mom, and sometime little girls need help." It keeps me focused on today and how I get to treasure these moments, because they will certainly not last long. You are strong, curious, insightful, and extremely helpful. I love you Brianna B. Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom

Absolutely Worth Celebrating

We were invited to the baptism of one of the young girls from within our small group. It was a fabulous day for celebrating such a important decision. We were thrilled to have been invited and honored to be involved. She is such a sweet heart and loves giving attention to Brianna and the other even younger girls in the group. We are so blessed to have them in our lives, and Brianna simply adores them!

They had yummy food and dessert! Here is Carl showing off the delicious gluten-free cupcake that they made. If memory serves me right, I think he had more frosting than actual cupcake... but it was all still really good!

What do you do with 2 year old boys... follow them and make sure they don't get into trouble! It wasn't worth containing him anymore so Jon just started following Carl, then his buddy came over and they were just hanging out. Carl kept counting noticing all the boats on the lake, "One, two boats. One, two boats."

When Life Pulls You - You WoBoKaMc

It all started with a simple conversation in the car about friends keeping in touch no matter where life brings us. Then a name was created to easily recognize it from other weekends in the course of our everyday lives. And so, a yearly WoBoKaMcKi weekend began! (the name is a combination of the first two letters of each of the couples last names... it just sounded the best!)

I believe this year marked our fifth year of getting together. A lot has changed but we still manage to have a lot of fun! We are all at the stage where we have little kids, so organized chaos was our goal.

We were able to go swimming and get the boat out to take a few joy rides. The guys decided to take all the kids out once... that was fun!

Get the fishing poles down to see if we could catch some fish.

Built a fire so we could enjoy yummy smores.

Played, played, played.

The guys even were able to get out and have a few moments just for them! They are, after all, the reason we all know each other; friends through high school and even before, it's amazing.

Such a fun tradition and yearly hangout. I look forward to the years we adults will no longer be entertainers, yet I treasure these chaotic moments of just being together. Especially since our kids (6 under 5) all play so well together. Ahh... good times and good excuse to get away!

A Collaborative Masterpiece by Brianna and Carl

August 1: We headed outside after nap to have some creative time with paint, crayons, dry erase markers, and even some face painting crayons. They each took turns painting different things on different papers, but at one point they were both working on the same piece of paper. This was the finished creation...

I looked at it right away and couldn't believe that their random markings together on this one page actually turned into something so visually interesting! I took it upon myself to share their great work with the world, or rather the "friends" I have on Facebook.

Perhaps none of the strokes were intentional, but... you never know!

Reading Stories

Brianna loves reading books. She loves listening to stories and she loves sharing stories. Frequently I see her encouraging Carl to sit down and listen while she "reads" a book to him. Or there are multiple times where I've seen her cousins come up to her and ask her to read them a book. She gladly accepts!

One evening she read Carl the entire story of the Three Little Pigs, Disney's version, one of Carl's all time favorite books. It was almost word for word, she's got it memorized! It was so hard to decide which of the three videos to share of her reading so... I combined them into one really long video. If you feel a desire to catch up on your children's stories, please... enjoy the Three Little Pigs read for you by Brianna Bonkoski!

(Recorded on July 31)

ECC Warriors

Jon has been playing softball with our church softball team for a few seasons now. At the end of July was their tournament; the kids and I packed up and headed to the ball fields to watch. It was a chilly morning, but when we got there it was blue skies! Carl loves baseball, so whenever there is a chance to watch, he's happy to go. However, he loves running too, so that posed a fun challenge when trying to sit and watch a game! We stayed for one game then went home for lunch and naps. By the time we left, the clouds had already rolled in and it looked like the rain was coming.

Later that afternoon we went back out to watch the other ECC team play their last game. It was even colder and we could tell we might get rained on! Jon ran out to grab some dinner, and when he got back, sure enough, it was raining! Thankfully there was a large shelter with picnic tables on the second level and a large overhang. We ate dinner and still had a good view of the game. It was so much fun to get out and cheer on our teams! Although we didn't come home champions this year, it was still fun getting out and being in community!

The Epitome of Comfort

Every time pillows have taken residence on the floor, Eko takes the opportunity and confiscated at least one of them... if not more!!