Go Cardinals!

We woke up on Monday morning to a thunderstorm. That lasted for several hours. But we were still hopeful that we could go to the baseball game. Our beloved Cardinals were playing the Royals in KC. 

 We headed out to the stadium even though it was raining.  By the time we sat down, the rain had stopped and the sun was coming out. I had no sunglasses or sunscreen for the kids. 

This was Lila's first baseball game! Ironically at the same stadium as Nate's first game in 2007. Weird that it would be at the Royals stadium, but kind of neat at the same time. At least this time we watched the Cardinals win! I don't remember who they played for Nate's first game:)  

 I am glad they had their hats. Nate absorbed the sun well, but Lila's arms were a little pink when we got home. I felt terrible! But it didn't slow her down. 

Lila fell in love with Yadier Molina. She has said YADI no less than 562 times since Monday. She even told her teachers all about him yesterday. Very cute and my heart swells with pride when my kids remember the Cardinals players names:) 

We had a great weekend and love love love the Pooleys! Good friends are such a gift and we are so lucky to have found them! 

Memorial Day Weekend in KC!

We had a spectacular Memorial Day weekend! Due to everyone's busy schedules, we had not seen the Pooleys since August! So off to Kansas City we went to meet up with Ryan, Audra, Quinn & Sullivan. 

7, 7, 4, 2

 Kansas City added some new attractions since the last time we were there. One that was particularly up our alley. LEGOLAND! 

 These girls look too big! 

 Nate of course enjoyed himself. This is where a scale told you how many Lego bricks you weighed. I did not get on. 

 But all the kids did. 

 And were excited when the number kept climbing. 

 So much that they all got on to see how much they would weigh. The scale stopped working:)

 Nate getting his height measured in bricks. 

 He is in his element at this place. It is newer than the one we went to in Chicago - many of the same features with a little different twist. 

 I was excited to go on the ride since I didn't get to in Chicago (Lila was teeny tiny). Audra, Quinn, Nate & I shot up some targets. I even shot the dragon at the end until Nate shouted, "Mom! He's our FRIEND!" Oops. 

 Lila rode with Scott and did not meltdown. Progress. 

 There was also a Lego city with all of Kansas City's landmarks. 

And since we were so close to Kansas, there was a huge Wizard of Oz display. Very very cool. 

Emerald City complete with the Wizard & Toto. 

 Sweet Sullivan Grace!

 There was another ride that was similar to the one we rode in Chicago. Nate was very unsure about it, even though he had done it before. 

 He continued to remain unsure and was mad at Scott for "forcing" him to do it. His favorite word these days:)

 Lila ran around like she owned the place. She loved climbing on all the Lego animals.  

 This pit was so cool, I wish we had one at our house. 

 Lila of course had to join the big kids. 

 Sweet babies! Where did the time go for these 2?? 

 My cheesers...

 Many less pictures of our Sunday adventure to the new aquarium. They don't let you use flash. 

 The kids enjoyed it very much. Nate & Quinn loved doing the little quiz they handed out. 

 My review: If you are there, it is worth seeing. It's not the best, but it's not the worst!

 Dusting for fossils. I love how well the kids play together!

We were off to the baseball game on Monday. More pics to come! 

2.5

Oh Lila, you are two and a half years old. I would say that time flies, but we all know how I can go on about that. 

 You are the funniest girl that your Dad and I know and can make us double over in laughter with your humor. 

 You are always in motion and I have to beg you to hug and kiss me. 

 We think you will be a gymnast. Or a stunt woman maybe. Fearless, you are. 

 You love your brother fiercely. Sometimes a little too fiercely. 

Here are some of your notables from the past 6 months:

You moved into a big girl bed and have not looked back. You always go to bed fine, but like to get out of bed early in the morning. Please, I beg you, learn the art of sleeping in...at least until 6:30. 

You do wonderful at school and love your teachers. You of course crack them up too with all of your tall tales. They won't even tell us some of them for fear we would be embarrassed. 

You still have an obsession with chapstick and end up eating more than you wear. And the obsession over face sunscreen did not wear off over the winter. 

You decided one day that you would be potty trained and much to our shock and amazement, you did it all by yourself and have not looked back. 

You still love Elmo the best. But have incorporated Bob the Builder and Sid the Science Kid into your rotation. Seems we had those lying around from a once toddler boy that lived in this house. 

You love gum and we can get you to do almost anything with a promise of gum. 

You have grown into a little girl, not so much a toddler anymore. We will get your stats at the doctor next week. 

You still call Nate, Bobo. But less and less all the time. Makes me sad. 

We love you so very much and enjoy all the wonderfulness you bring to our family! 

Memory Lane

Let's take a walk down memory lane...

Nate's first day of Kindergarten...August 2011

Oh the baby face!

 Nate's first day of 1st Grade...August 2012

No more baby face:(

 Nate's last day of First Grade...May 2013

Typical Nate face:)  

I love you sweet boy and am so proud of you for having a rock star 1st grade year!  

First Grade Celebration

Today was Nate's First Grade celebration. Yes. Tears people. Then I'm snapped back to real life when this is what life really looks like. Nate lying on the floor screaming and Lila chucking Duplos at his head. I kid you not. 

After recovering, it was off to school for all of us to celebrate with breakfast and a presentation in his classroom. Seriously, when did this happen?

I love this picture. It actually reminds me of my Grandpa. I remember him crossing his arms and talking sideways and would love to find a picture of him doing just this. Nate was so sweet to let Lila sit beside him.

Mrs. S put a slide show together. Yes. There were a few tears, but I was distracted by talking to other parents about second grade.

Each student presented something...a joke, a poem, or a song. Nate told a joke. 

Of course all of the pictures I took of other kids turned out better than Nate's! Of course.

Sweet Mrs. S. She cried. A lot. How amazing it is to see someone else care so much for your child.

Mrs. S. read a goodbye letter to her class. She said what she loved about each child. I love what she said about Nate.

"Nate: for your ability to create and admire beautiful art and your unending

desire to challenge yourself."

Tears. Many of them. Happy ones. Sad ones. Thankful ones.

Fun in the Sun

Since Friday, we have been out to play in the pool and sprinkler at least twice a day. I'm glad that the kids are so entertained by it! 

 Lila was a little unsure about the sprinkler at first, but quickly came to appreciate it. 

 She jumped for a while off to the side until I suggested to Nate that he move the trampoline over by the sprinkler. 

 They loved this!

Good weekend, most of it spent outside. When we were doing our "What are you thankful for" at dinner last night, Nate said, "Being Outside." I totally agree!