Neighborhood Picnic

In my spare time, I worked with a neighbor to plan our neighborhood picnic...picture it.  250 people, clowns, bouncy houses, face painters, live music, BBQ, sno cones...all put on by donations alone.  HUGE effort but great return.  Not only a fun time had by all, but by our family and a great way to get to know our neighbors.  We have an amazing community. 

 

Tyler is behind the balloon.

The firemen came and had a good time too!  I've taken the kids a couple of times to the fire station and it is slowly becoming our favorite thing to do. They get to climb in the trucks and one time, they got a call when we were there so we got to see them zoom out of there with sirens and all. 

My Mini Me

While I've not been blogging we've been doing incredible things like COMPLETING THE HALF IRONMAN - yes, we did it! Another post on that soon.

However, this link is just too easy to post and something I just had to share.  My sister, Karen put this together to show the resemblance of me to Tyler and her to her daughter, Caroline.  Check it out.

http://keithandkarensfamily.com/ourdaughter/2013/07/22/baby-pictures-2/ 

Boating!

The afternoon was sunny and available.  To the 'yellow boat' we went.  Last summer Julia was scared of the yellow boat so Brett was apprehensive that this first 2013 outing would be fun.  But as in many aspects of a preschooler, last year was a phase and this year she is loving it.  Especially paddling around in the 'blueberry' boat...named by Oli when we was closer to Julia's age.

 whats cooler, Julia's glasses or Oli's hair?

 Looking like she's been driving for years.

 Driving like he's been driving for years.

Oh you didnt just play a double Zebra hand on Snap did you?

Oli getting his workout in for the day, Julia just happy to be along for the ride.

 "I'm a good driver.."

 "I've got a cool guy reputation to keep up"

We never leave the dock without a deck of cards to play card games in a quiet bay.

Julia Graduates!

I know... a bit ridiculous but there was a preschool graduation for Julia's 'big' preschool.  It was a simple affair...storytime, fruit platter and homemade graduation caps.  But the take-away's were huge...she loved showing off her classroom and I loved seeing her in her element, yearning to learn and being accepted and liked by her peers.

She seems to get along with everyone and that kid in the blue really likes her.  Can they possibly have crushes at age 3/4?

A special treat on the last day of school to be able to lay on their tummies instead of 'criss cross apple sauce'.

Julia needed a bit of cuddling since she tripped on her way up to Miss Jenny to accept her diploma. Isn't that what every girl dreads doing while walking up for her diploma?

Miss Jenny is fantastic and we are sad she has quit as the preschool teacher we are  loving it that she will be our nanny this summer.

If you could read the picture they are holding, it is the answer to the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  Her answer: A pirate.

"Hey Guys, Whatcha Doin'?"

Tyler is getting more and more aware of his surroundings and realizes when he is missing out on the cool stuff (tracing letters on the ipad)

This was the first day in his shoes.  That plus a collared shirt (that Oli chose for him) and his new unfortunate haircut , he aged months in the past week.

He often is referred to as a 'chill guy' which he is but he is a boy through and through.  Some kids have lovey's, he finds any type of ball soothing.  If he is upset and crying, just hand him a ball and he cheers up.  

Painting Nails

There are few things I had always imagined doing with my daughter.  Painting nails is one of them.  Julia LOVES to paint and likes to feel beautiful so painting nails is right up her alley.  We don't do it often which makes it that much more fun. 

Tyler's First Birthday

Tyler's actual birthday started off with breakfast at the Pancake House...a fave for the kids.  Tyler was indeed a fan of chocolate chip pancakes just like his siblings. 

That spikey hair will be back, mark my words

Tooth fairy was busy the night before...two teeth lost in one day.

Love how she looks up to him.

Love how he makes her feel special.  This is Oli opening a gift from Julia.  She loves to do art projects and loves to wrap them up.  Oli gets a LOT of these gifts yet he still says, "Oh sweetheart, it is really good. I LOVE it!".  

Tyler patiently letting his big bro help him open cards.  

Yes, that is Tyler riding a dinosaur.  Grandpa Ron's photoshop skills at work!

This girl could color, glue, paint all day long.  Has a bit of Pop's artistic patience.

Tyler's birthday ended with a nice afternoon at Kidsquest Museum.  This is where we took Julia on her first birthday.  A nice tradition.