Light it up!

My husband is turning into quite the handy man.  Let's face it, we have pretty big laundry list of things we'd like to do to our house.  We don't plan on living here forever, but there are things that we need/would like to do before baby #3 arrives.  One of which is installing ceiling fans in the boys rooms.  Let's not get crazy, Scott didn't install fans, but it prompted us to really look at the pendant lighting while buying fans.

If you remember, we had a globe light over the sink.  It was ugly and it didn't function well.  The kitchen was very dark, because the globe was painted glass.  Why we didn't take it down a long time ago, we will never know.  Here is the old light, from an old picture.  It's not great, but either was the fixture.

After we got home from the store we decided it was time to get rid of the light.  We had to wait for naps to be over so we could enlist our cute helpers.

Once the newness of the project wore off, the boys when on to play while I helped Scott hang the light.  It is still taking Scott and I awhile to get used to the brightness and how low the lights hang.  I tend to think there is a balloon over the sink if I look that way quickly.  I do love the light and it's just amazing to think how much better the kitchen looks with this little change.

Daylight viewing

1904 World's Fair

On Sunday you couldn't ask for better weather.  So we loaded the boys up and headed to Forest Park.  We knew the Zoo was in order, at least before the crowds kicked in.  And then it was off to meet some friends at the World's Fare event just down the way. 

We had a blast at the zoo, we saw the polar come out for the day and look for fish, talked to the sea lions and even found Gerald the Giraffe.  It was a great time.

After the zoo, we walked down the street to check out the World's Fair event. 

There were kid games, make your own buttons, fire truck, food trucks, rides and more that we didn't get to see. 

Newest Firefighters

We weren't there too long, but it was a fun event.

Little B was dunzo

Homework

It has started.  Gabriel had his first homework assignment and did great completing it.  It wasn't anything big, just working on writing the letter A.  He hasn't really had focus on writing or someone helping guide his hand a certain way, but it is getting better each day. 

As a bigger bonus, he seems to really like writing and bringing home library books from school.  He is always happy to go to school and show it off to Bennett.  He even loves to tell us about school when we pick him up.  He is one happy boy!

End of First Swim Class

Gabriel just completed his first swim class.  He officially graduated from Pike to Pike Plus.  It's a big deal.  In 6 short weeks he went from just playing in the water to having more confidence in himself and can swim on his own.  His class did focus a lot of using the noodles as support, but he was swimming on his own and the noodle got in his way. 

Gabe had a great teacher, Joan, who guided him along the way.  She really made his class fun for him.  If you remember at the beginning of the lessons he was a tearful kid sitting on the side of the pool.  Now he can't wait for swim lessons!

Gabe swimming with Joan

On Sunday's Scott and I take the boys up to the Y to play while we work out then swim.  Gabe has really been able to show us his new skills and pass some of it along to water-fearless, Bennett.

Congratulations Gabriel on your first (of many) swim report cards!

Grub & Groove

We had a great time at the 5th annual Grub and Groove.  We haven't been too consistent in going each year due to naps, weather, and other events popping up.  But this year my mom was in town and I knew she would like to check it out.  I'm pretty sure she was amazed at the amount of people that came to the park, in 90+ degree heat for live music, great food and family fun. 

I had talked the Bubble Bus up to the boys the entire day.  Thankfully, that bus delivered a bit of fun.  After the bubble bus the boys played at the playground for about an hour.  With them successfully exhausted and me overheated, it was time to grab dinner and head home. 

Exhausted B

First Day of School

It's official, we now have a school schedule to follow. 

Gabriel started preschool on my birthday.  We had been driving him past his new school for a few weeks and we have been reading a lot of Bernastein Bears Go To School.  I think he was ready.  He was very excited the morning he woke up. 

When we dropped him off, Scott and I did not even get a hug from him.  He saw his friend Drake and off he went to play. 

I am happy to report that his first day was a success and he loves preschool. When we picked him up he was so excited to tell us about his day and new teachers and friends.  This is a great start to school for Gabe.

Omaha

Somewhere in the middle of America...

My mom and I took a quick trip up to Omaha to celebrate Callie, my soon to be cousin.  She is marrying my youngest cousin, Scott, on October 1.  Since we are unable to attend due to Baby A's arrival the next month, I wanted to go to her bridal shower. 

We left STL early on a Friday and made it to Kansas City for an early lunch.  Then on to Omaha by 3:45.  It was nice to leave the rainy STL weather for low 80s and sun. 

Friday night we hung out at my aunt's house, while other aunts and uncles and my only other girl cousin came over for dinner and catching up.  It had been 3 years since I've last seen everyone.  We needed this upcoming wedding to catch up. 

On Saturday morning we had the bridal shower.  It was a beautiful shower at my Aunt Denise's house.  I was able to meet some more second cousins that have been born since my last trip to Omaha.  I love seeing all the new babies and hated that my boys did not get to meet their cousins.  Maybe in our next trip up.  We managed to get some Husker gear shopping in.  This was an essential stop for me.  My boys, all 3, did not have anything to wear for the upcoming season.  We're good now! 

Saturday night we all hung out at my Aunt Denise's for dinner and chatting.  We hung out on her beautiful deck, enjoying the lake and the boaters.  A great end to a very relaxing weekend.  On Sunday morning, my mom and 2 of my aunts had a casual breakfast and then we were on the road.  It was so nice to be home and see my boys again.  As much as I needed a break, I needed to get home to see them too.

A big, HUGE, thanks to Scott, who held down the fort for the weekend.  I'm still hearing about how much fun the boys had swimming at the Y.

Birth-a-versary 2016

Scott and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary and our birthdays a little early this year.  My mom is in town to go to a bridal shower in Omaha over our actual wedding anniversary. 

This year my mom was in town and Scott and I were able to have a night child-free.  We stayed at the same hotel we did on our wedding night, then Mayfair, now Magnolia.  It's a historical hotel in downtown.  I did not remember the hotel at all, we were only there for about 6 hours the last time.  This time we got checked in and were able to causally relax/nap before our dinner reservations.

I had made reservations at Kemoll's.  I had only heard of the restaurant and never been.  It did not disappoint.  It was only a short walk from our hotel to the Metropolitan building, then up to the 40th floor.  The views all around were amazing.  We were able to watch the sun set as we ate dinner.  It was a peaceful and not-rushed dinner, things we are not used to. 

Sunday morning we took our time leaving the hotel.  Again, it was so nice to not rush to get ready and out the door.  We had a great Sunday breakfast and Benton Park Café and then ran a few errands on the way home.  It was a great night out, that was sorely needed for both of us.

Big THANK YOU to Grammie who stayed overnight with the boys!