Killian's 5th Birthday

I am still behind, so here is a post on Killian!

On December 6th, my baby boy turned 5!  It is really how crazy how much faster the time seems to go when you have children.  There isn't a day that I am not thankful for the gift of my boys.  Here are some things about the birthday boy!!!

His favorite word continues to be "actually."

His favorite food seems to be Taco Bell or "prentzels" from the mall, with Sprite pop.

His favorite show is Fan Boy and Chum Chum (not mom's fav though...)

He continues to be a homebody; would prefer to stay in his pj's all the time and never leave.

He still has a promising career in stand-up since he learns new jokes everyday.... and....

He still has those gorgeous eyes!!!

STRIKE!

December, Kimberly & Amber

Somehow I forgot to post pics from a fun family night out!!!  Here are some pics from our bowling trip!!!

Killian's friend Jackson joined us for some bowling, unfortunately sad little Cohen didn't get to bowl.

Killian & Libby's Bible Lesson

Free Bible Lesson


Killian, Libby and Alex all stayed overnight with Amber a few weeks ago, deep thoughts by little people. (Click on the words Free Bible Lesson above)

Hello Christmas Break....

Dear Family and Sofa,
I have missed you greatly, so glad to be home:)
Love,
Kimberly

Last Concert of 2009...

So ready for this year of concerts to conclude, last concert tonight, woohoo....  Excited for that, and one more day of school until break, wooooohoooooo......

One more weekend...

I survived Grace Church Christmas Festival, Grace Pres. Grace Family Christmas and I am moving on to Sounds of Christmas this weekend, then PJHS Orchestra concert on Thursday then I am going to sit on this sofa until 2010!

Tis' the Season

Of lots and lots of concerts.  This past weekend I performed at Grace Church in Morton at their Christmas Festival, and this week is a marathon with Grace Family Christmas @ Grace Pres. in Peoria.  That concert series is televised on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; so you can see me on TV:)
It is always good to earn some extra cash and see old friends who I have performed with for years, I just wish I wasn't so old and felt so tired after the rehearsals and concerts!

Yum... Toes...

IMEA Festival

I think it is interesting looking back and starting to realize that I have been participating in the IMEA District III festival since about 1991; meaning we are getting close to 20 year that this has been a part of my life, WOW!!!  It has obviously changed my life for the better and I am glad now that I can share it with my co-workers and more importantly my students!  They did great, I had a record number of 11chosen to perform, so I am very happy with that, here are some pics from the day!

From top to bottom - Ruthie & I chillin' outside rehearsal; My two awesome violists (Daphne & Rebecca); PJHS Orchestra Reps for District III Jr. Orchestra; Unit 5 Staff (Missy, Ruthie, Diane, Chris & Myself)

Time Traveler's Wife

They have finally brought back the $1 theater to B-N (thank the lord for us poor people) and I was able to go this weekend with my friend Erin.  We went to see Time Traveler's Wife (which I actually was seeing for the second time,) and I loved it.  It made me cry even the second time!!!  But that is beside the point, here is my point:

In the movie Henry, the lead male, is a time traveler.  When he travels he seems to be drawn back to significant times and/or places in his life.  This made me really think.  Where would I be drawn back to???
Here are some of the places/times I think I might travel to (in no special order):

~McLean County Fair Grounds (the old ones)
~the spillway @ Lake Bloomington
~going through IVF
~the day I picked up my RIF letter from Unit 5 (the same day as a friend's funeral)
~my wedding day
~college graduation
~being in labor with Killian

Happy Halloween (a little late)

     This year was again tons of fun on Halloween, these holidays are SO much better with kids!  Cohen went as a Dragon (thank you to the Weavers for the costume loan) and Killian was Optimus Prime.  We all went out trick or treating and NyNy came to our house and handed out the candy.  I loved the fact that it fell on a Saturday this year, that part made it even better!

Chad is OLD...

It's official... Chad is OLD (well older than me...)

This year I got him good, I had his mom call and offer to watch the boys so that we could go out for a date night, dinner and a movie.  He totally took the bait and then I invited a bunch of his friends over for beer, pizza and hangin' out at home, something we all need more of:)  Anyway, it went well, Happy Birthday Old Man!

Cohen's 1st Haircut

I told you I was playing catch up....

I was trying to hold out as long as possible for Cohen to get his first haircut but the mullet look just wasn't working for him anymore, he did a very nice job and looks very handsome now!

Random Outfit?

Does anyone else ever come home to children dressed in very interesting outfits?

ISU Homecoming

My sister Dana and I!

Amber, my frozen niece                                  Alex, my great nephew

Here are a couple pics from ISU Homecoming Parade.  Let's just say it could have been warmer, but at least it wasn't raining.  (oh, and no comments about the gray hair!)

Brookfield Zoo

Over Labor Day Weekend we went up to Brookfield Zoo with Nicole & Lexi Grueneberg - it was really fun, here are some great pictures for our little day trip! Notice the silly daddy!  Over here on the right!!!

So behind...

I am SO behind.  I was home today with Killian (he had a fever) and was able to upload some pics, so get ready for a ton of blogging in the near future.

Spaghetti Supper

We have our annual Spaghetti Supper on Monday (11/2) @ West; tickets are $6 for Avanti's food (salad, bread, spaghetti, soda and dessert.)  Let me know if you want any tickets, performances by all the KJHS, PJHS and NCWHS music ensembles in the auditorium for free.

Hauntcert

Just an FYI for all of you; the Hauntcert is this Thursday night 10/22 @ 7 p.m. at either NCHS or WEST.  It is a pops concert, that this year has a scary music theme (but really the music isn't that scary!)  It is a family friendly and if kids come in costumes they can enter for prizes.  It is a great opportunity to expose your kids to classic music!

Verse

This is on our church website today; seems good:
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12)

Mowing Boss

Chad decided this weekend that he needed to get in at least one more mowing of the yard.  Since Killian loves being outside he decided to go "help."  Well that didn't really last long since he made Chad stop, telling him that he was a cool kid (referring to himself) and that cool kids are bosses, and bosses don't have to work.  He then told Chad to keep mowing and since he is cool he will stop.

IMEA News

I am happy to say that the results are in from the IMEA auditions and the PJHS Orchestra will be well represented this year.  I will have 11 students performing in the orchestra.  The best part is that there are only 12 violas in the entire orchestra and 6 of them are from PJHS!  Wow!

NCHS/ISU Homecoming

Just an FYI for some of you who maybe are out of the loop, this week is ISU and NCHS Homecoming.  NCHS parade/football on Friday and ISU parade/football on Saturday!  GO YOU REDBIRDS!

A moment to think...

Well, I am forced into isolation today, since one of my lovely students decided that he or she should infect me with strep throat... ugh... Anyway, I was able to clear out a few shows on the DVR and clear out my email box.
So anyway, here are some Kimberly updates:
1) My classroom is coming together really nicely (including an addition of Clefford, the fish).
2) I have realized that I am only 4 classes away from this 2nd master's degree being over and boy am I ready for it to be over.
3) I hung up real curtains in my kitchen. I realize this seems minor to some of you; but this is a big step for me. Blinds we do; curtains not so much. They look lovely:)

Vote for the Name

We got a fish in my classroom at PJHS this week, now it is time to name it; visit my school blog to vote: www.pjhsorchestra.blogspot.com

West Homecoming!

Just an FYI for our fellow alum, this week is the Normal West Homecoming. FB game Friday night, I will be stationed in the gazebo by the field taking down info from alums and sharing some tasty treats! Come see me.

Preschool

Killian is a few weeks into preschool and LOVING it! We are very fortunate that on preschool days our neighbor Erin is able to take him since her kids go there too. They are group by age; so Killian and Jackson are in the same class the 4's with Miss Denise and her assistant Miss Carrie. We think it is a great experience for him and we love listening to the excitement in his voice as he tells us all the things we learned.

Cohen Update

Just wanting to update the two of you who read this;)
I called and talked with Marissa (Cohen's primary caregiver) and she said it seems like he has been there for months, he is doing great and already exploring all over the classroom. She also mentioned how stinkin' cute he is when he sucks his thumb and rubs his hair when he is tired.

Katie's Kids

It is decided, Cohen starts Katie's Kids today. I am sure that he will do fine, but mommy can't help but being a little nervous. Wish us luck!

Cohen pics

Birthday party pics; sorry, just catching up....

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Vacation...

So just checking our blog and realized that I never blogged about our vacation. Opps... Anyway this year we had a short get away between my summer classes and going back to school. We decided to go back to Wisconsin Dells. It was great for us, just far enough to get away but not far enough that anyone got crabby in the car! We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge which was perfect for our family, we really wouldn't have had to leave if we didn't want to. There were slides, pools, snacks, fun things to look at tons of fun for us. The Funk Family had their vaca at the same time so that was nice for us. I am going to add a smilebox of pics:)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Cohen 14 Months

Wow; we are back in school and time is flying by again.

So here is the latest on Cohen Wyler:

10 teeth (two being molars)

Walking (trying to run)

Out eating his brother at nearly every meal

Words: Daddy, Doggie, Mama, Dada K or key-n (for Killian) Mmma (Emma,) EE (Nyny,) kitty, birdie, no, no, no, no, no, Hi, Bye, Nite (well a version of it,) biiiite, aggie (Maggie, Dece's dog,) uck and lots of babbling

He loves going outside now that he can walk, loves being at home and seems to like football; Daddy is very proud.

hard to believe...

As I sit here doing homework; ok and blogging; I keep checking my calendar over and over and over again. Would you believe that today there is absolutely nothing on my calendar? Mark it down in history; August 29th, 2009 Kimberly Martin-Boyd had nobody to report to and nowhere to be... Ahhhh......

Accepting Donations...

Just an FYI we will be accepting donations to the Cohen Boyd Childcare fund!

Our sitter Sara, has decided that she needs to have more time with her own children so we are on the search for new childcare. It would be much easier if we had more time and or a better schedule. This situation is complicated by the fact that right now Killian and Cohen do not go to the same place and Killian is going to two sitters, plus preschool, each week. The coordination of it all is a nightmare.
Chad and I took a bit of time this morning to go visit the new daycare center right near our home, Katie's Kids. It is brand new, seems very clean, family friendly and has great hours. Unfortunately it also has a great big price tag... So we will definitely have to discuss all of this further before we make a decision about what to do!

Corn Fest

Yesterday we were lucky enough to have some much needed family time. Don't get me wrong I still had to do some work, starting my day with a difficult homework assignment, self-reflection on responsibility and authenticity, much harder than I anticipated. Let's just say I now know why I am so stressed out all the time.
Then we packed up and headed down to the Normal Corn Festival (in uptown, formerly know as downtown Normal.) Nyny came in and joined in the excitement. Unfortunately every other person in Bloomington-Normal had the same idea as us and it was PACKED! Who knew corn on the cob was such a draw? We didn't even get any corn because the line was SO long. We decided instead to move on to CornDogs (get it corn-dogs, hahaha) and get un-cooked corn to just take home and cook up later. Yeah, well that plan backfired as well they completely sold out.
After that excursion I headed to Sam's and Kroger (bought some corn!) and came home, for the first almost all week we were able to sit down as a family at home and have a meal, that was great!
Finally Chad and I ended the night with a date to go see District 9; as we sat down I quickly discovered I was a good wife as there were only about 3 women in the entire theater and Chad and I discovered we couldn't even remember the last movie we saw together in the theater. Unfortunately once you have kids you can usually afford the movie or the sitter, not both, so usually we go separately to movies. Oh well... it was good anyway.
Today we are able to have a little more family time but have some lessons to teach and reading to do for homework as well.

Rough Day

So yesterday was a rough day. It start ok, arriving at school almost on time, getting work done, etc. But quickly went down hill.
When I left PJ to travel to West to delvier things for recruitment I found out that I had a flat tire. That conviently none of my co-workers could help with or allow their students to help with, grrr... so I had to call in Chad. Luckily it made him feel useful and he was glad to help, THANK YOU!
Then as I was really behind schedule and rushing around school I totally bit the dust and fell down in the middle of the cafeteria! Wonderful! Some lovely 8th grade boys did come over and make sure that I was "alive." But I just fought back the tears, trying not to let on how hurt I actually was.
Of course then I couldn't rest as we had recruitment all night, wonderful. I ended up home well after 9 p.m. with a swollen knee and bruised up back, great!
Welcome back to school Mrs. Boyd!

Start of school...

Well, it is here, there is no more delaying the inevitable. We had our first half day with students yesterday, first full day is today. I told my 8th graders I missed them for about 30 seconds, then they started talking. Really though, I did kind of miss them. There is something to say about a normal routine. (If you can say that a music teacher has a "normal" routine.) The other nice thing is since I do teach the same students for up to 8 years it is fun to watch them grow up, emotionally and physically, some of them grew inches literally!
Unfortunately there is no easing into school for us. The new schedules require me to be at school at about 7 a.m. which is early! Then this week we are doing instrumental recruitment at not and I will not return home until 10 p.m. at the earliest, so I might not see my boys again until Saturday. I guess this is the price I pay for a few days off here and there!
Better get to work.

Oh Killian...

So glad that Killian is with our nieghbor, Erin today. She emailed me a little while ago stating her favorite Killian quote of day: "Remember in Tommy Boy where they ran over the beer and cried?"

Chad vs. Kimberly

So the other night I was laying in bed tossing and turning and Chad being the sweet man that he is was like, What's wrong with you? Well then I started listing off all the three thousand things that go through my head as I try to sleep at night, you know how that goes. I should have done more laundry today... I wish I would clean our bathroom it is disgusting... I don't think I played enough with Killian today... What should we have for dinner tomorrow night... I wish I could cook better... Is Cohen going to be behind on everything, he walked 2 whole months later than Killian... and on and on and on.. So I start telling Chad all this and say to him, what do you think about when you lay here? He responded not much, but I did think about how good that toast was I had at lunch yesterday. REALLY???? UGH!!!! This does not help.

LeRoy Fall Festival

So today in a little town called LeRoy there was a bandstand which held a hot steamy afternoon concert. We went. Why? This concert was a tribute to my Uncle Roy who passed away this last year. His band Roy Satterfeal and the Horizons; now just The Horizons, played a concert in the park in LeRoy for their Fall Festival. It was a nice concert and Killian enjoyed the freebies (note the scary face painting) and the rides of course.
It does put things into perspective though. When I was little I remember going with my mom to LeRoy (she was from there) all the time, visiting this Aunt or another; watching them play card for HOURS, bowling, hangin' out and of course going to the fall festival. My Uncle Roy has probably had this band since before I was born and I really until I was an adult thought that is what he did. Like for a job. I later found out he had other various jobs, but he did many service things too; like serve as Fall Festival President (hence the memorial today,) and serve on a board for the country music association (thank you Uncle Roy for throwing you weight around when I needed a college music scholarship, who knew those country musicians liked cellists!)
The sad part is watching my mom (although she can be crabby about things, she still loves her family!) lose her brothers and sisters. Most have died from cancer (very scary) and she always does a count down when one passes away. this might seem odd but this makes me want to have about 20 kids. I don't want my kids to be alone, I don't want them to only have one to count down, how sad right! This is why I thank God for Cohen so that Killian now has someone when we are gone.
We did see some family today and hear a nice little concert; it is just sad losing those you care about. I am sure Uncle Roy was proud today as they celebrated his life. No if only he can send someone a message to let them know "Hey LeRoy, it is not FALL! HELLO!!!!"

Tooth Tally

In case you were wondering we are up to 9 teeth for Cohen now. One of those is a molar!!! Watch out world!!!

Listening through the monitor

As I lay in bed this morning I heard the following thru the monitor (that is in Cohen's room, Chad was in there getting Cohen up.)
Chad: "How was your ni-nite?"
Killian: "Don't know, still having it."
Chad: "Then why are you standing up?"
Killian: no response......

Random Thoughts by Killian M. Boyd

Where does wood come from?
Where does icing come from?
How do they make paper?
Why isn't white in the rainbow? (then in response to Chad's lengthy discussion of white isn't a color... Then how do you make pink?)
Mom tell me everything you know about cars?
How do you make trees?
Why does the sun have to shine through windows?
What does the top of the car look like when we are driving?

Among others.. hoping Chad chimes in here, he makes us laugh so hard!

Curious Case of Crabby Cohen...

Well, while we were on vacation Cohen was REALLY crabby, tired and had a low grade temp. We attributed the fever to teething and the crabby to his dislike of the water. (A side note is that he fell asleep on both the lazy river and the wave pool.) Well, the fever broke before we returned from Wisconsin, but when we woke up the first morning back home he had little red dots all over his face and chest. Turns out he had roseola, bummer... So... we are tired, he doesn't want to eat, play or do much of anything other than be held. Here is an article about it, don't be scared, it sounds worse than it was for us:
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/roseola-topic-overview

Aliens?

Killian says that he would like to be an Alien for Halloween. I immediately asked if Cohen could be an alien as well (gotta keep a theme here,) and he said "Yeah, he looks like one and he has a huge head!" Oh poor Cohen... Momma loves your LITTLE head:)

Cohen 13 months

Well I am a few days late on this post, but considering the size of the project I am turning in today before my final in public relations I think you might all give me some slack on this!

Cohen's List:
7 1/2 teeth (yes, 1/2 for some reason he is being punished with the early arrival of a molar:( not good!)

Can walk, refuses to actually do it

Expanding vocabulary: a version of Killian, no-no-no, dada, momma, bye-bye, e-e (for Ny-Ny,) Mma (Emma,) up, ide (which I think means outside,) and geeet dada

On the food front he currently can out eat his brother, he eats everything!

And here's the big one, no more bottle

His birthday party seems so long ago, although it really wasn't, since I am a slacker I will try to post pics from the party today!

Two Sleeps...

Two more sleeps and couting...

3 sleeps...

Only 3 sleeps until vacation, we are pumped! We all need a get away and some family time. This will be Cohen's first vacation and first time in a hotel, so those of you with children know we need you to send us positive thoughts. Hoping he does better than Killian did! Killian is so pumped to go on vacation it isn't even funny. Check out our destination: http://www.greatwolf.com/dells/waterpark

Killian Quote

Chad caught this great one last night:
"Cohen is ruining my day..... Sweet...."

McLean County Fair

For Chad and I the McLean County Fair is a tradition. It is the technical beginning of our relationship, interesting, I know. Anyway, even though the fair grounds have moved since our first date in 1995; it is the thought that counts right?
Since we have had children we are trying to take them as well. The most interesting thing about this is how different Chad and I were growing up. I was a total 4-H girl, projects, day/night at the fair, a little country. He on the other hand is a city boy! It will be interesting to see if I can convince him that there is more to 4-H than sheep and pigs:) So that he will let the boys participate. I think a lot of my leadership skills and knowledge of running meetings came out of my 4-H experience and some of my best friends growing up (some of whom I still talk to) were in 4-H with me.
So... we did go to the fair yesterday, completely different experience as an adult with kids (when you have to foot the bill yourself,) versus when you are a carefree teenager, but the lemonade shake-ups still taste the same and the barns still have the same smell.
Killian's take on it was that although he couldn't see our house from the top of the Ferris wheel he could see Africa. Interesting, very interesting.

Wee Ball

Killian will not soon be in the major leagues but Wee Ball (through Normal Parks & Rec) was a good experience for him this summer. He is very entertaining despite his lack of focus on baseball at the moment.

Wow...

Facebook never ceases to amaze me. My cousin Jill is on it more than me, (I think,) if you can believe that. Anyway, long story short, she posted a note tonight about our family reunion with a picture attached. Very cool, I do not have a picture of my great grandparents, but here you go. My grandpa Satterfeal (my mom's dad) is Leo.

Mancation 2009

So a few years ago us ladies thought it would be a good idea to book a vacation for all the guys and give it to them as a surprise Father's Day gift. Well, it is now tradition, so currently they are all gone on Mancation 2009.
This year they are spicing it up a little with come adventure.
http://www.clementscanoes.com/
Although we miss them it is nice that they are all still so close and have this time. The best part for me now is listening to Killian tell people where Daddy is and explain that when he is bigger he will be a man and get to go too!

Pictures from DO Conference

Here are a few good pics; I have some on my facebook photo page also!


Getting to see old friends is one of the best parts. The pics with the collegiates are them holding up their stacks of awards:)

Killian the trend setter?

So this morning I left the boys with Nyny and went to my eye dr. appointment. When I came home Killian was in different clothes (because the others I picked didn't fit, go figure.) This is what I came home to, note the fact that he is wearing his 1 year old brother's shirt!

Delta Omicron Triennial Conference

For those of you who do not know Delta Omicron is 100 years old this year! I am currently in Cincinnati (well, kind of Cincinnati, actually Erlanger, KY,) serving as Conference Co-Chair (again, only minus Molly, sad face.) I am also here as I continue to serve as Delta Province President.
I am hoping to get some pictures I can post from my trip, although I haven't actually got out of the hotel much and probably won't. I did ride along to downtown Cincinnati this afternoon and got to do the drive by of the Bengals/Reds Stadiums as well as a bit of the hood and the University of Cincinnait/CCM campus. I was hoping to see the "birthplace" of DO, but no luck the original building/plaque is not there anymore, but still it is a really beautiful campus, I only wish I had more time to take a tour or something.
Most of my pre-conference work is done and I am enjoying time in a private room, as well as finishing up "Stori Telling" by Tori Spelling, great summer read if you like her! Now I just have to wait for Mommywood in paperback or hit the library to read the follow up!
Hoping to post pics soon, missing my boys. ~KMB

Trip to the ER

Well, many of you have already heard about this by now, but we made 1 and 1/2 trips to the ER this week. It started on Tuesday I think, with Killian face-planting into the sofa, causing his nose to puff up immediately and his eyes to turn black. We went to prompt care, they didn't take our insurance, great, back in the car. Killian's solution was "Just call Dr. Weaver, he will come over." After talking to Dr. Toohill who was on call, we decided to go home. Luckily the next day everything was pretty much back to normal. So that was the 1/2 trip.
Cohen was not so lucky... His trip was for real. On Thursday night after bath Chad was getting him ready for bed and he decided to take a dive off the bed, needless to say that didn't go so well and he hit his head on the nightstand. It was pretty ugly, a gash on the front with a bump/bruise and a big bump on the back. Not pretty, see pic... Again though we were lucky, no stitches or glue, just a million bandaids and instructions to wake him during the night. He is already looking much better. Poor boys... YIKES! Wish Chad luck as I leave him alone with the Dukes of Hazard for a week!

Cute Killian Quote of the Week

"Mom, Monsters have feelings."

What you have all been waiting for!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Killian the King of Infomercials

Mommy, "Killian, what do you want to get your brother for a birthday present?"
Killian, "A snuggie."
Mommy, "Don't you think he should have something he could play with, I think a snuggie would be too big for him."
Killian after much debate with Mommy finally changed his mind... "Ok, if we can't get the snuggie then I want to get him the sock monkey from Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium."

Newest Addition

No, not ours, but December's new puppy..... Maggie.........

4 Teeth

It's official, Cohen now has 4 wonderful teeth, 2 top and 2 bottom:)

Congratulations December & Jeremy

They're ENGAGED!!! Woooo HOOOOO!!!!!