Lila's Canoeing Adventure

My mom called a few weeks ago and asked if they could take Lila on a canoe trip with them. I initially said no, because selfishly, I didn't want her to be away for that long. But after I thought about it some more and saw how our week was stacking up with Nate's activities and a work trip for me, I decided to let her go. 

Of course, she had a great time. And Nate got to be an only child for a week. I think they both were very happy. 

Sarah, Hamil & Thane went too, so Lila got to have some fun cousin bonding time.

These pictures crack me up. I love Thane's facial expressions!

Lila also caught fish, but my mom said she did not like when they got on the hook. She would simply lay the pole down if she caught one.

Thane loves Lila and my mom told me he liked to turn the screw and try to see if he could bother her. I'd say he'll carry on the Corse name proudly.

I missed her so much and was so glad when it was finally time to get her back on Friday. She was very glad to see me, which is not what I expected since I think my kids would rather go live with any of their grandparents any day:) But she gave me a big hug and kept telling me that she was so glad to be home.

I'm so thankful she had the opportunity to go canoeing - I do have fond memories of it from my childhood. Just not so much that I enjoy doing it in my adulthood:)

Another Summer Weekend

Last week was a busy one - and I breathed a sigh of relief when Friday rolled around. Nate went to Lego Camp at Bricks 4 Kidz again and enjoyed learning some new techniques with motion and programming. Lila & I went to watch his final program on Friday. He was the cutest one there of course. 

He and his partner made a chainsaw that actually made noise. I was very impressed with all the gears and the programming they had to use to make the noises. He initiated a conversation that afternoon about what college classes you had to take to be an engineer. So proud that he's thinking ahead:)

Lila was wiggly at best during the presentation. But she made it. And wanted her picture taken as proof.

We were scheduled to go to swim & dinner with Evan & Olga and their girls, but Friday was one of those days when we woke up and nothing was going right. The kids had most certainly hit their wall and it wasn't even 10:00 AM yet. With the day ahead filled with the dentist and camp, I decided to make a hard Mom decision and cancel. I hated to do it as we were really looking forward to seeing them, but sometimes you just know that "it ain't gonna go well" and you should just throw in the towel before you get there.

So after camp, we came home, made brownies and took early baths.

 They needed it after the brownie bowl licking.

Especially after Lila tried to put it in Nate's hair.

They had fun though, and we were able to salvage the day's end.  

On Saturday, we headed to the pool right when they opened at 11:00 AM. It's really the best time on the weekends because no one really shows up until almost 1:00 PM, just when we're starting to wind down.

I've been so proud of my kids this year regarding the concession stand. We don't ever eat there and we always take our own lunch, dinner or snack. They never complain and never ask to go to the concession stand. But one of the things that they put on their "must-do" summer list was eat at the concession stand.

So we picked Saturday to do that.

And they thought it was such a treat.

It was a good summer weekend. Here's to another week!

A Few of My Favorite Things - Summer Edition

I have had a pair of brown Clark's flip flops for the past few summers that I wear all the time. I needed to replace them last year. And maybe the year before that. But I just couldn't ever find anything I liked, so I kept wearing them. Well. The toe strap is about to come off, so this summer I had to find a replacement. After searching high and low (because apparently Clark's quit making the style), I found these Sperry ones when I popped into Macy's last week. I love them! They are so comfortable and have plenty of support overall and extra in the arch. Perfection. Maybe I should buy 2 pairs because when I wear these out, I'm sure they won't be making them any more!

www.sperrytopsider.com

We found these ice cream bars last summer at Aldi. And we can't keep them in stock at our house. They are low calorie, but with tons of taste. Yes, I'm an Aldi commercial. The kids don't like them, which is awesome, so Scott & I get all of them.

www.aldi.com

I confess that I have not always taken care of my skin. And I did spend a lot of time outside when I was younger. Baking. So I have a few dark spots on my face that I all of the sudden don't like. When I saw Jennifer Anniston advertising this tone corrector, I knew I had to get some. And I wish I had taken a before picture because it works! I'm still using it to even out some more, but I was pleasantly surprised with the initial results.

www.aveeno.com

Happy Summer!

The Fourth

We had a relaxing, productive, non-eventful 4th of July. It's just what we needed around here. We didn't have any plans other than to do stuff around the house and grill something, since that is our American duty of course. 

On Friday, Scott & Nate headed to the VP Parade. It was held in Forest Park this year since there is construction down by the Arch. Lila & I ran errands instead and were pleasantly surprised with how empty the stores were because it was a holiday. I let Nate take my little camera and they managed to get a few pictures. 

Getting some candy from Superman...

The infamous "veiled prophets" - if you look closely at the boat in front (left), you will see 2 veiled men. They kind of creep me out, but it is a St. Louis tradition, so I tolerate it.  

There is a big celebration theme this summer here in St. Louis - it is the city's 250th birthday!

On Saturday, I did some shopping, the kids & Scott went to the pool and made ice cream, and we spent too much time in Home Depot picking out a new grill. It was a fairly lazy day.

On Sunday, I decided it was finally time to paint the end tables in the living room. It's only been 6 months since we made over that room. So we got them outside and Lila started with giving them a good clean.

Then we primed and started painting. Pictures to come when they are finished and back in the living room!

We finally broke down and got a gas grill. We both prefer charcoal, but I wanted to be able to grill when Scott wasn't home and let's face it, ain't nobody got time for the coals to heat up on a week night.

So we found one that he liked and the kids enjoyed the boxes.

Lila loves to help so she stayed outside for most of the time he was putting it together. I'm not sure how much help she is, but she does have staying power, I'll give her that.

The kids have been talking about Truman's birthday since we got him last year. We've never celebrated Kitty P's birthday, but they were bound and determined we we were going to celebrate Truman's.

We don't know exactly when he was born but it was around now, so we celebrated with canned cat food.

We couldn't leave Kitty P out so we celebrated her birthday too. Whenever that may be.

I think for the first time, she appreciated that Truman had been born. Since she got to eat canned cat food and all. She's back to thinking he ruined her life today.

They are never this close to each other unless Truman is on her back biting the heck out of her neck. So it was a sweet moment.

And of course we grilled on the new grill last night! I can't wait to do it myself!

Happy Monday!

Thursday's Random Thoughts & Musings

I was asking Lila if she was my baby and she kept saying NO. So I asked her if she was my big girl and she continued to say NO. I asked her "whose she was." And she said "Nobody's. I live in the country."

Nate now comes home from swim team to tell me who he's "beat" that day. That competitive fire lighting isn't going to take as long as I thought.

I turned in the withdrawal form this week to Lila's school. For the first time in 7 years, the whole time we've lived in St. Louis, the SLCH CDC will not be part of our daily lives come August. Sad, but there are good things to come!

Nate discovered Minecraft this week. Help.us.all.

I booked our flights for Orlando this week. Disney, here we come! I've already been looking at the Bibbidi Bobbity Boutique online for Lila. Tips on this are welcome!

When the kids were getting ready to be separated last week (Nate staying at home, Lila going to my parents), Nate was telling Lila that he didn't want her to leave. She, very matter of factly, answered, "Well Nate, I'll pretend to text you." On her pretend phone.

I think July forgot what temperature it was supposed to be this week.

We got Lila a timer light to tell her when she can get up in the mornings. I told Truman this morning that I think he needs the same light. No trying to mame Kitty P before 6:00 AM, please.

I sort of have to agree with the Post Dispatch headline this week. The Cardinals are bad and boring again. Breaks my heart.

I think we've been to the July 4th VP Parade downtown every year since we've lived in St. Louis. It's one of our family traditions. But this year, I'm going to stay home with Lila while Nate & Scott go. The fear of fire engines and loud noises is just too much for her. She is, after all, the descendant of some serious ear plug users.

Week in Pictures

I feel like I only take pictures on the weekends, so last week, I tried to record our week's adventures on my phone. Some pretty good stuff happens even on the week days. 

Nate posing with his ribbon from the 1st swim meet. He was sad they didn't get one after they swam, so he was very excited that they handed them out at practice!

I picked up Lila on Monday afternoon, and glanced back at her when we were stopped at a stoplight. Who knew I was the chauffeur of a movie star!

On Tuesday, after her bath, she curled up to watch Doc McStuffins on the couch. With her sunglasses on.

Then, on Wednesday, she hopped in the car to go to school with her crown on. A princess and a movie star in the same week. I'm a lucky mom.  (Note: It's water play days at school, so her outfit looks much the same every day. Yes, I hate it.)

Nate swam in his 2nd swim meet on Thursday. He did great! His form is very good, and now I just have to light his competitive fire. He's figuring out what the BLUE ribbon means:)

Lila went to my parents house a day early to get her weekend started. So I had some special one on one time with Nate. We went to Bread Co and to get some new soap at Bath & Body. It was a great date!

 Happy Monday!