8.5 and 3.5

I probably shouldn't, but I feel bad for my kids that their birthdays are right in the thick of the holiday season. Celebrating their birthdays feels rushed sometimes because of all the other "stuff" we have going on at Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I like to take a day in the summer to celebrate their half birthdays. They, of course, love it and I like the slower pace of celebrating them getting older. 

We started off the weekend with a visit to the doctor for well visits. I love that I've finally gotten their yearly visits switched around to the summer (due to school physicals, etc...) so we don't have to try to schedule these appointments around their birthdays anymore, which just happen to be in the middle of the holidays, in case I hadn't mentioned it. 

They were both very well and are growing like weeds. They wanted Lila to wear a gown, and I had to all but hold her down to get her to put it on. Then after she was done with the doctor, she refused to take it off and put on her clothes. She is such a dear little child with a mind of her own. 

On Saturday night after we got home from the pool, I surprised them with the Lego DVD to start the celebration. Lila did not buy that the movie was for her too, so after dinner, she took a nice warm bath instead.

Sunday morning after breakfast, we told them to sit at the table for a half birthday surprise.

Lila's eyes were still closed. She took the instruction very seriously.

She has been wanting a Doc McStuffins doctor bag for a sweet forever and she was so excited! All of her stuffed animals have received many check ups now!

Nate has been wanting a skate board, and Scott found this one on a super sale after Christmas this past year. We've been saving it and he was also very excited!

After dinner last night, we had the last surprise of a special dessert. We usually do cupcakes, but I decided to do something different. I was very pleased with the deal I got on this cookie cake! And of course, they loved it.

Happy Half Birthday Nate & Lila! We love you so much! You'll be 9 & 4 before you know it...say it isn't so:)

Nate's First Swim Meet

Nate had his first swim meet on Thursday. I was surprised that he wasn't nervous (I was, of course). I don't think he knew what to expect, which was probably a good thing. I tried very hard not to make him nervous by my own nerves, and thankfully Thursday was a really busy day so I didn't have much time to impart my nervousness on to him. 

Before the big meet, a swimmer has to have some pasta. 

And then the swimmer's mother has to take a bunch of pictures. And relive her own swimming days (I'm sure he's tired of hearing about them).  

Then we were off to the swim meet! My mom came to help wrangle Lila so that I could be assured that I could watch Nate. She was really good, considering there was not much to do while we watched (and waited for Nate to swim).

He swam all 4 strokes - freestyle, breast, back, and butterfly.

And he did all of them to "code." I was and am so proud.

The swim team he's on is very low pressure - and it's a perfect way for him to get his feet wet with competitive swimming. He has loved it way more than I expected so far, so I'm still hopeful it will really catch on for him! We are very proud and excited that he has maybe found a "sport" since we think he's wanted one for a while. Hurray!

Fence, Cold Water & Sushi

We wrapped up last week with our new fence finally getting installed! It's been put off several times due to the wet weather, so we were all thankful when it got completed on Thursday! It's so nice and we're glad to be rid of the old fence and all the out of control vegetation that was growing on it (neighbors are all wonderful, aren't they?) 

My mom came to visit us on Friday and we were all very glad to see her. Most of all me. It doesn't matter how old you are, your mom always makes everything better just by her presence. I hope my kids feel the same way when they are all grown-up!

We made a trip to the pool while she was here. The kids had fun for a little bit, but the cooler temperatures made it not bearable for very long. We went back on Saturday and had the same kind of experience - but they both love it so much that it makes even the chilly days worth it.

On Sunday, we celebrated the Dad in our house. I made red velvet cake balls (they should be illegal) and we showered him with a few gifts before he left for work.

Lila was adamant that she open all gifts and cards and being the good Dad he is, Scott let her.

You can't see it here, but Nate is already in his evil court jester costume. At 6:45 AM. I do not believe my children will ever out grow the getting up early stage. And no, in case you were going to suggest it, I'm not willing to keep them up any later at night. It's called sanity and I'd like to keep mine.

After another visit to the pool on Sunday, when it was finally warm enough to swim, we went to Dierbergs to grab some dinner. The kids usually get a sushi roll - which for them consists of rice, shrimp, carrots, and seaweed - so we waited patiently for the chef to make it special for us. Then they proceeded to eat every single bite once we got home. I think there are 15 pieces in this box, and I bet Lila ate 10 of them herself.

These are the kids that won't eat tacos. But they'll eat sushi. Figures.

My Swimmer

I'm so proud of Nate. I know we're just on the second week of swim team, but he has really enjoyed it so far, and has had such a great attitude! And since summer has decided that 74 degrees as a high is good enough this week, it's been COLD in the mornings. He has not complained at all. 

I was worried that the spandex jammer shorts would be a deal breaker for him. But he was so excited when they arrived in the mail! 

I'm not letting myself get too excited yet, but I would be tickled pink if he decided to take up swimming!! Maybe I've mentioned that before:)

A Zoo Afternoon

Busy week already! So I'm just getting around to last weekend's activities. The River's Edge at the Zoo got a makeover and last Friday was the Member Preview Day. Scott was off work and we were very glad to be able to make it. I feel like we went to the Zoo a lot more when Nate was little so I'm always happy to carry on this tradition with Lila. 

This picture cracks me up and is now on the home screen of my phone. It shows their personalities so well at this stage of life. Lila is always acting goofy and Nate is always thinking she's crazy. I love it. 

We got to see the new baby elephant! It was so sweet.

I didn't get a picture of it because there were so many people in front of the rail and I figured I'd be back on not such a crowded day.

Checking out jaguar teeth or something...:)

After we got done seeing the bears, hippos, hyenas, and mongooses, we went over to the area where they have music on Friday nights to eat our picnic. We had our picnic blanket with us but were a late arrival so there was no place on the grass. We sat at a table instead but the kids still wanted to sit on the blanket. Figures.

Scott took them to get ice cream after dinner and they came back with these 2 giant cones. Definitely not Mom approved! So messy. But they had fun.

Lila's favorite thing is to ride the carousel so we did that before going home. Nate looks thrilled:)

On our way out, we had to pass by the mister one more time. Which Lila thoroughly enjoyed.

And just for fun, I had to throw in a picture of Truman. Eating the channel changer. I don't know what it is about our house that makes cats act like dogs. Or maybe just like insane cats. Good to know we nurture them to greatness.

Happy Wednesday!

2nd Grade Wrap-Up

Nate's last day of 2nd grade was May 23rd. We couldn't have asked for a better year for him. His teacher, Mrs. S., was exactly who he needed to encourage him to be the best student he can be. We are very excited that Nate gets to have her for 3rd grade. The second year of the loop is always the best because there are no school starting jitters. Everything is the same and it's so nice for the students and the parents! 

Nate received 2 awards for High Excellence this year: Personal & Social Growth and Reading, Writing, Math & Inquiry (Social Studies/Science). 

We are so proud of him! He has grown so much this year physically, academically, and socially. I was in England on his last day, so I didn't get a comparison picture from the 1st day to the last day of school. The above was taken yesterday and the below on the first day of 2nd grade.

Nate has a few camps to attend this summer, but his big activity is swim team! He started this week and so far so good. He even went so far to tell me on a scale of 1-10, it was a 10! So thankful:)

We are so very proud of you Nate! I'll go ahead and be cliche` and say I can't believe you are a 3rd grader! How can it be?!?

Stitch Fix

A few months ago, I started hearing about Stitch Fix on several blogs that I read. It is a personal stylist service that mails you 5 clothing or accessory items based on information you tell about yourself (size, shape, preference, etc...) They send you the prices for the items and the $20 styling fee goes towards anything you would like to purchase. Whatever you don't like, you package up in the pre-paid envelope and mail back to them. Easy enough. I thought it sounded like something I would like to try once, so I submitted my information and waited for the "fix" to arrive. 

I finally received my box and it contained 4 clothing items and 1 pair of earrings. They also include a card that tells you how to style the clothes. I tried on all the clothes and everything was just so-so. Every item did fit but was not necessarily my style and I knew I just wouldn't get much wear out of any of the pieces. I did like the earrings, so I kept them and sent the rest back. 

In the mean time, I told my Mom about it and she scheduled her fix. She loved the clothes they sent her! And she looks so cute and stylish in what they picked out for her. She was such a big fan, that I decided to adjust my preferences a little bit and try one more time. 

The package arrived the day before I left for England. I had been stressing about what bag to take as my carry-on for the trip. I wanted something large to fit all of my stuff, but not too large that it would bother me to carry it. I had not located anything yet and was feeling worried about it (yes, I worry about everything). 

There were 4 clothing items included in the box. I tried them all on and again, they were just so-so. I liked some of them, but not enough to justify the price. But then, lo and behold, the 5th item was a travel tote. Yes, a TOTE. On the day before I left for England. It was fate.  

Au Revoir Tote
www.tossdesigns.com

I absolutely adored the tote. Mine is navy blue with navy and white stripes inside, but I kind of dig the red too! I immediately packaged everything else up to send back and then loaded up my tote for the next day's travel.

It is literally the best bag I have ever owned for travel. It is big and roomy but not bulky or heavy. I got many compliments on it and it served every purpose that I needed it to serve. I'm so excited to use it for my work bag when I travel now too!

So Stitch Fix did not end up being a winner for me with the clothes. I think I've figured out that I like trying things on in the store to make sure I like them before they come home with me. But for someone in a rural area (like my Mom) or a very busy on the go lady, I would still recommend it! I hear they do get better the more feedback you give them.

But I'll forever be grateful to them for sending me the Au Revoir tote in my time of need:)