Monday, June 20, 2016

Father's Day 2016

I like to think Scott had a great Father's Day this year.  I tried to let Scott sleep in and kept the boys in the basement.  After a trip to Starbucks we headed down to help Scott's parents move some things for their upcoming garage sale.  Once everything was moved we head over to The Muddled Pig for a great brunch/lunch with Michelle.

Once we got to the restaurant and we were seating ourselves, Gabe helped Aunt Michelle bring high chairs and kids placemats over.  The boy walked around like he owned the place.  The food was great as usual - I mean check out their recent review.  Yes, I know shameless family plug on a post that should be all about Scott.  I'm sure he is ok with it.

After lunch we decided to check out a few model homes of a builder that we had never seen before.  We liked the houses, but the location was a little too far from Scott's work.  The boys loved checked out the houses.  It was an adventure for Gabriel to explore all the new rooms.  I think he will enjoy house hunting, once we get serious about it.  Bennett on the other hand, probably would have enjoyed a nap.

Once we were home and we attempted naps, it was early dinner and early to bed for the boys.  We had a busy/not busy weekend and the heat was getting to everyone.  We did manage to watch a little Zootopia before bed and the only picture I managed to get all day.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Down on the Farm

My friend from high school as been talking about taking our kids out to her dad's farm for some time.  We finally made a date work for all of us and it did not disappoint.  We had so much fun exploring the farm even thought it was mid-90s by 10am. 

We explored the lake and found shells, frogs and fish.  Bennett liked to explore but kept trying to walk into the lake, the kid loves water and has no fear.  Gabriel hung out with Allison, she was great at catching the tiniest of frogs and showing them. 


Searching for Shells



Then we went on a tractor ride around the property.  The tractor ride was a little toasty and Bennett was falling asleep, but Gabriel loved it.  It was the closet he has been to a moving tractor. 

Tractor Ride


Then as it was starting to get a little too hot for us to be out in the heat, we started a HUGE bonefire.  The boys had never really seen a fire like that before and being that close was incredibly hot.  We sat on the pack of the tractor in lawn chairs and watched tree slowly catch fire. 


Afterwards it was time for lunch and a drive home.  The boys slept like champs!

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

School Picnic Time

We all know how much I love going to St. Gabriel's school picnic.  This year was do different.  I started talking about the rides and what a carnival was a week before to get Gabe excited.  The  morning of the picnic, Scott and I really talked up how much fun the parade will be and the motorcycle rides. 

After a quick-ish stop at Donut Drive-In we headed to our spot around the park to eat and get ready for the parade to start.  This year was a little different.  We arrived a little later and only saw the parade once.  Which was good, we didn't need to get that much candy (we ended up with way more ending at the end of the parade).


As the parade went by Gabriel was a little shy about grabbing candy.  Once Scott helped him he wouldn't stop running out to get every. single. piece. of candy thrown at him.  Bennett wasn't too sure about all the noise and kids and stayed close to me throughout the parade.  The good part about being at the end of the parade was the old-time fire truck parked right in front of us and Gabe has his own private tour.   Lucky boy.

After the parade we got some tickets and started for the rides.  The motorcycles were first.  Gabe talked a big game about going on these all morning and was very excited.  Well, excited until Scott buckled him in and walked away. 

The terror on his face - zoom in on this one
After the terror of the motorcycles popping a wheelie and going in circles wore off, we opted for the safer ride, the Merry-Go-Round.  Of course we couldn't ride the horses - we had to sit on the bench the first time.  Then after watching Uncle Mike go, Gabe was ready to try the Merry-Go-Round a second time.  This time we had to do a horse since the bench was taken by Uncle Mike.  Gabe and Bennett loved riding the horses.  Maybe the rides were a little scary this year.  I'm sure next year he will be a little more excited to spin around. 

Since we still had a bunch of tickets left over we decided to play some games.  The trustworthy Duck Pond from my youth was still rocking.  And everyone is a winner at this game, what could go wrong?  Well we ran out of tickets and we had to pull children away from the booth. 


Since it was 90 by 10:30am we headed down to see the Birch's before walking back to the car.  Mathew was the only one home, so he got extra Gabe and Bennett time.  The boys love playing hockey with Mathew and they have a new appreciation for playing the piano. 

Mozart they aren't
I think it was a good thing Mathew was the only one home.  After a long walk back through the picnic to the car, we all were hot and ready for a/c and lunch.  Until next year school picnic, the unofficial South City holiday.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Weekend Update

We did a lot this weekend.  We had absolutely nothing planned. besides haircuts for the boys.  And sometimes, no plans make for the best weekends.  We got haircuts early Saturday morning and since it was rainy, we went to the Magic House.  Better get our use out of that membership.  It was packed - it seemed as though all parents wanted out of the house and this was next best thing than dealing with rain in the summer. 





After the magic House a quick lunch at Jason's Deli and then home for some much needed naps.  We decided the boys would be crazy at night if we didn't get them out to play a little more.  So we ended up at the Y swimming.  Both boys are doing amazing in the water.  They really don't have much fear of the pool, which is good and bad.  I have yet to put either one in water wings or puddle jumpers at the Y.  They love jumping off the side, using the kick boards and of course the bubble couch.  I wish I had pictures of the bubble couch!

On Sunday, we had nothing planned except mowing the yard.  Of course the boys had to jump in and help with that task. 

Afterwards, Scott and I decided that we were going to try out the free babysitting at the Y.  It went well for Gabriel, he loved having "teachers" and playing with new toys. I had one of the teachers pop in while I was on a treadmill, say Bennett kept crying.  So I went over 5 minutes later to check and he was comfortably sitting on a teachers lap playing with a puzzle.  I ended up staying out of view and waited for Scott to finish working out.  We treated the boys to Starbucks for doing so well. 

Later that afternoon, the boys helped Scott hang the new curtains and curtain rod in the living room.  As you can tell, the boys were all ready to help with their tools and safety glasses.  We love the new look to our living room and the bit of color that helps with all the brown.


 


 
After our home improvements we took the boys for a walk in the wagon.  On the way to the playground Gabe enjoyed the ride.  But he decided that he wanted to pull Bennett all the way home.  And really, who are Scott and I to deny him that fun.  When we got home he was so sweaty, but he loved it. 



Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Memorial Day Weekend 2016

We had a great Memorial Day weekend.  We did a lot, but we also enjoyed some relaxing time at home.  On Saturday morning the boys woke up early (6am), I quickly thought of what we could do to get them down for early naps...and the zoo won!  We stopped and donut drive in and at on the way over.  Perfect start to what would be a very busy day.  We hung out at the zoo for about 3 hours.  We saw lots of animals and the boys did great playing. 

Pretty sure there is a picture of me in this same Hippo


First goats of the day


Polar Bear showing off
After naps, we headed out to my friend Kristin's mom's house.  She has a farm in New Haven, MO.  Lots of goats, sheep, geese, and a couple donkeys.  The boys got to pet the animals and play outside.  It was a lot of fun.  Gabriel found a butter maker and sat at the counter just spinning away.  I later walked in the house and Kristin's mom was adding the heavy cream and away he went making real butter.  It took Gabe, Scott and Bennett about 20 minutes of fast spinning to make homemade butter. 

Churning that butter
On Sunday we had nothing planned and enjoyed staying home and going to playgrounds.  It was a fairly easy day.  On Monday we went to a playground in the morning and then after a quick stop at Target we had a new pool. 

All the way to the top

After naps, the boys were able to do some swimming while Scott BBQ'ed some ribs.  The boys sure loved seeing Nana, Grandpa Ron, and Aunt Michelle.

How cute is he in his Jon Jon?!
I took Tuesday off since our sitter was closed and had some fun with the boys.  It was so nice out that we played in the yard most of the morning.  We also had some excitement with tree trimmers down the street and watching a bobcat pick up huge tree branches. 




Playing catch - Gabe was Yadi!

Lots of fun!