I finally figured out how to use Google to help me with my picture overload issues. :) I have my home laptop which is nearly completely full so I cannot add any more pictures, and my work laptop which for some reason won't let me upload pictures from my phone. Hopefully Google photo archives will help me post more regularly.
It seems like as soon as school was out it got HOT over here! Well, everyday except the day of Ben's school pool party. It was in the upper 60's and the water was tepid at best, but that didn't stop the boys! They both had fun, but Joshy absolutely LOVED jumping in! They had pizza, adult beverages, cake, and a snow-cone truck! It was the perfect kick-off to summer!
We also took advantage of the zoo being open in the evening this past week! We love the zoo! The goats were out for the season so the boys were excited. They both made sure they had 2 quarters in their pockets so they could buy goat food. Even Genevieve liked the goats and was very vocal around them.
Andy had his half marathon on Saturday so of course his fan club was out in full force! He rocked it and beat his goal. (Like he always does!) Ben had his bike and I pushed the other 2 in the double stroller. Watching the boys yell, "go daddy, go!!" was the cutest thing. Ben was so proud that daddy got a medal. (Even though everyone got a medal. ;) )
Andy was hungry after 13.1 and so we were! We had a delicious lunch at one of our favorite restaurants. Auntie Anna brought the boys chop sticks home from China and they couldn't wait to test them out. Joshy preferred to use them as drumsticks.
Another major highlight of the weekend was the fact that my cousin's pool is open for the season! It was in the 90's over the weekend, so we went swimming both Saturday and Sunday. It was glorious! Ben was a little timid in the water and had no interest in getting his hair wet. Joshy, on the other hand, was jumping off the diving board like a pro!
It was a great weekend and of course I'm excited that we are more than half way to the next one!
It might not officially be summer just yet, but our weekend could not have felt more summery if we tried! I haven't taken my 31 week picture yet, so a weekend post it is! Plus, it's only Tuesday and I could use a little weekend reminder. :)
We kicked off the weekend with our first swim at my cousin's pool on Friday night. Josh loves the tub and he has loved when we went to a water park and kiddie pool in the past, so we thought he would be equally excited about this pool. For whatever reason, he was a little hesitant at first. It was hard to get him to smile without tickling his feet, but by the end of the evening he was a true fish! Uncle Joe and Auntie Anna even met us there. Ben didn't have time for photos! He was going down the slide (with his puddle jumper on) like a champ!
We did not want to stay out too late because we had to get up early for Andy's quarter marathon on Saturday morning! We had gone to the expo earlier in the week and the boys made signs (that we forgot to use) to cheer on Andy during the run! Watching them color is one of my favorite things! Ben is getting so good at actually writing letters and drawing things and Joshy is just so intense when he colors. He LOVES markers and coloring on everything. Stinker! What they didn't love was that lion! Joshy crawled over the table to me so quickly!
Andy rocked his first quarter marathon! The boys loved watching him! It made me miss running and I hope to run it next year.
Andy had a little time to recover before it was on to zoo class with Ben! They learned all about hippos and Ben was totally in his element! He was so proud of the hippo costume he made and Andy said he was just enthralled the whole time. Good thing because I signed him up for a few more classes throughout the summer! Joshy too!
I can't remember what we did on Saturday night, but I bet it involved going to bed early after that busy day. I should also add that it was H-O-T HOT on Saturday, like over 90 degrees! Too hot for this pregnant momma!
On Sunday morning, Andy and the boys went to Andy's parents' house to help plant some trees, so I had a nice, quiet morning to myself. I ended up doing laundry and cleaning, but it was nice to not have extra hands helping undoing everything. After they got home, we went to our old church's festival! Ben loved it, of course! He could not get enough of the sports games! He even won a 2L bottle of ORANGE soda for having the fastest pitch of anyone 6 years old or younger. 27mph!
Joshy was napping in the car with Andy for a good 45 minutes before they joined us, and Ben was so sweet in picking out prizes for Joshy, including these cool shades!
After Josh woke up, we headed over to the ping pong fish game! They were both so serious about throwing their balls.
Neither of them actually got a ball in the little bowl, but they both came very close and Josh even got one in the big fish tank in the middle of the table. Somehow, they both walked away with a new fish! Even more amazing, they are still alive 3 days later. I'm pretty sure that did not happen last year!
After the festival, it was definitely time for a nap! Josh had already napped, but Ben was out and woke up just in time for….. the ice cream truck! It was almost dinner time, but it was the first time that the ice cream truck made an appearance on our street, so we couldn't pass it up! If ice cream truck doesn't scream summer I don't know what does!
The weather was in the low 70's (i.e. perfection!!) on Sunday, so we decided to use a gift card that we had to eat dinner outside. It was wonderful. The boys were well-behaved, good eaters, and happy little guys. There was a guy playing guitar while we ate and the only thing that would have made it even better is if I could have had a glass of wine or a summer cocktail of some sort! ;)
And I think it is worth mentioning that we all survived over a week with my mom being out of the country. This is Ben modeling his new shirt from London.
That's our weekend! Almost half way to next weekend! We might need to have a mini half birthday party for Joshers! Lots of fun plans to look forward to!
Ben is in bed (after pooping A LOT in the tub tonight), the Packers are on, there's pumpkin beer for Andy and a pumpkin candle going for me, baby has been kicking like crazy, and I finally have time to blog! Life is so good. A lot has happened over the past week. Of course, we always love a 3 day weekend over here. Weekends are going to be a little different around here with Andy in school and needing to study all the time, but you better believe we are still going try and make the best of our time together. On Saturday morning, I went to the gym and Andy and Ben (in stroller) ran to check out the Great Clips near our house. I met the boys there for Ben's 23rd haircut. Ok, not quite that many, but his hair sure grows fast! (Don't mind Andy's sweat, remember he RAN there and it was pretty muggy that day!) Ben wasn't too sure of things at first, but any time he got upset, we would ask him what color sucker he was going to pick for being so brave and he would be happy once again.
For the first time since his first haircut, there were no tears! He is growing up waaaay too fast. I always get a little sad when he gets a haircut because he looks older. I miss the mop, but he is equally handsome with his short 'do.
I kindly drove Andy home after the haircut so he could study, and Ben and I did a little shopping. First stop: the mall. First stop at the mall: the food court for some fries. This was still in the 10:00 hour, mind you. First batch of the day!
I haven't gone shopping one on one with Ben lately, but he is busier than I remembered him being. I finally let him out of the stroller at Baby Gap, which wasn't my best move. I would look at something for a millisecond and someone would disappear… He thinks he is so darn funny. (He is.)
Super Nana aka my mom magically appeared and for some reason wanted to take him on her off day, so I did get to shop in peace for awhile. ;) After our mall trip, we went to….Hobby Lobby!! I forgot that there is a new-ish Hobby Lobby about 25 minutes from our house. Since I have been itching for some new fall decor, I was beyond excited to check it out. I wish I could say the same for my shopping buddy…
Yes, those are Christmas trees and ornaments and yes, it is a wee bit early for such things, but I would be lying if I said it didn't make me a wee bit excited. ;) I may have gone a little overboard on the fake pumpkin decor, but I absolutely love our fall house! The pumpkins make all of us happy so they are here to stay until it is time for Christmas festiveness.
Sunday was my mom's birthday, so Ben and I stopped over there for a bit. We've had so many birthdays in our family lately that Ben has really gotten in to cake. Whenever we ask him what he wants for his birthday, he says, "CAKE!" I'm sure you won't take much more than a bite or 2 of your cake, but you better believe you will be getting a nice big "uh-nilla" cake.
After cake, we headed to the pool! I couldn't believe that the last time we were at this pool it was Memorial Day weekend. I blinked and it was Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately Fortunately for me, I didn't even pack our swimming stuff, but Nana just so happened to have a spare swimming suit, swimming diaper, sandals, and a flotation device for Ben. He had the whole little pool to himself.
I think his favorite part was splashing Auntie Anna though!
After a fun day at the pool, it was time to go hang out with daddy! I forgot that I had a massage scheduled on Sunday evening, so went to have the most amazing massage I've had in a long time while the boys went to Andy's parents' house since they were having people over. I got a massage and a solo Target trip while Ben and Andy got to eat, socialize, and play with balls outside--a perfect night for all!
Our labor day was pretty free of labor. Well, except for Andy who studied hard for almost the whole day. I am drawing blanks on what Ben and I did all day, but I'm sure it was fun. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the mommy-Benji one on one time I've been getting lately. He is such a fun boy to hang out with! Auntie Anna's birthday is September 2, so on Monday evening, we celebrated my mom's birthday and Anna birthday as well. I don't have many pictures from the day, but it was your typical meals of fruit for Ben, chicken for me, and steak for everyone else. :) Love that little nugget's face!
Ben had to get up close for the singing/cake/candle action!
We had a blast celebrating some of our favorite people this past weekend! We had so much fun that we wanted to celebrate Auntie Anna on her actual birthday as well. We met her for Noodles and Andy RAN (6 miles) to meet us afterwards for fro-yo. Everyone wants to celebrate Auntie Anna!
We were out a little later than we probably should have been since Ben had his 1st day of SCHOOL the next day, but it was worth it! I'll save the first day fun for its own post. :)
