summer days

Summer days are the best. They make me feel like a kid again. And it's even more fun seeing summer through your children's eyes. How amazing life must be to them!

You know it is Summer at our house when...

...a waterfight could break out at any moment.

... fireworks come from a box in the garage instead of the store.

...ice cream and popsicles are a daily menu item.

...taking your clothes off in the driveway is just a normal occurrence.

...a trip to the pool is how we cool off after dinner.

... strawberries!

... and lots of sunscreen...

This summer, I really wanted to embrace the fact that I have a lot of excess vacation time (which I attribute to my kids blessed immunity to all illnesses known to children now that they've finally come of age and have had them all). And so I've decided to take my vacation on some random days when I can and enjoy making memories with the kids.

So far, so good.

(Oh, and just to be clear- it was Kiley that took her clothes off.)

A few weeks ago on a fairly nicish night, the kids seemed antsy to get in the sprinkler, so we made it happen. Of course, as soon as I got everything hooked up and sprinkler on, everyone just stared at it and tried to figure out how to get to the other side without getting wet. Which, if I'm not mistaken, is the point.

 Eventually, after playing with the sprinkler for a whole five minutes, we had to switch it out to a different one. Pretty typical.

 We liked this one much better apparently. That caterpillar is just too crazy!

 Of course, it didn't stay on the ground long.

A couple weekends ago, we had some of Kiley's (and Jaxon's) friends to the Lake Elmo Beach for a little birthday celebration...

 We flew a kite to let everyone know where we were at!

 

 While Jaxon and Scott were getting the kite going, Kiley was sitting with me at the picnic table. She saw bugs. Thus the scared face. Apparently we are going through a love-hate relationship with bugs. She seems to enjoy watching 'baby ants', but if it flies, it ain't cool.

 I mean, she's still cute though, right?

Then it was time for the beach! Auntie Jenny got there and took right over. She is the best!

 Party time would not be complete without cupcakes (and a pretend candle).

 And keeping with tradition, we went to pick strawberries last week at Pine Tree Apple Orchard. Last year I think we did about ten pounds. This year I was ambitious. We went for twenty.

 We had some good helpers. Though they enjoyed a few too many I think!

 Aren't they pretty?

They turned into 13 half-pints of strawberry jam, 10 half-pints of strawberry-rhubarb jam, and 4 loaves of strawberry bread, with two bags of frozen strawberries to spare. Anyone want some jam?

 

 

Just because:

And then it turned into a 90 degree, hot, sticky day. And we got the water out. And Kiley got naked. How could I not take photos?

We also could not forget about the 4th of July- Scott's favorite holiday besides Thanksgiving (because of the turkey and mashed potatoes).

 These guys were hilarious. They certainly know how to have fun together!

 

And to top it all off, we ended up at ValleyFair for a family fun night. I just love this picture of Kiley and I, going on the Snoopy Rocket RollerCoaster! She had so much fun, thanks to her daddy for teaching her to stand on her tippy toes when she got measured- just barely 36 inches and tall enough for most of the kids' rides!

Jaxon was beyond excited.

 

And that's our summer so far- and it's only July 8th! I can't wait to find out what other memories we will make this summer.

a birthday wish

Dear Kiley,

 

Smile. You have a gift of making people's hearts open when you do.

Keep opening the windows, turning the music up, and dancing. It doesn't matter if you're good at it or what you look like, as long as you feel the music!

Make funny faces. Why not?

 

You decide. What you want, when you want it. I remember reading somewhere that colicky babies grow up to be very headstrong, good business people, because they know what they want and how to get it. As an example, tonight you convinced me that you needed your sheets changed because there was a spot on them and it might get you. You also had to put three bandaids on very specific locations on your knees where they were barely scraped in a fall, and had me holding you and cuddling you so that nothing touched those owies. Oh, and you also had to have some very scary looking books (The Way I Feel and Underpants Zoo) taken out of the room because they were 'looking at you' and you didn't like that.

 

 Girl, you are going to go far. 'nough said.

 

 

Wear a striped skirt, your swimsuit top, and loud shoes. And accessorize with your Hello Kitty purse and polkadot bows. It doesn't matter what other people think- you've got your own style and you know it. Have confidence in yourself and you can do anything.

Keep up with the boys. You are at a stage where you constantly follow Jaxon around, copying everything he does, says, and shouldn't do. Don't ever let someone tell you that you can't do something because you're a girl. Just prove them wrong, and then do it better.

Cherish the simple things. Right now, you are amused by birds and bugs and bunnies. You love to put colors and stamps all over yourself just to see what it does. You delight in making up stories, telling jokes about eating apples, and you are plenty satisfied with a day at home, pretending to be a teacher or a mom or even a baby. Don't ever make life complicated like the rest of us. It's about spending time with the ones you love and making memories. Pure and simple.

Be careful who you choose as your friends. They will shape who you become. They won't make choices for you, but they will influence you beyond what you consciously are aware. I can tell you're pretty good about this already. You have a few friends at school- Charlotte and Liberty. But mostly you stick to yourself or with Jaxon or the teachers, people you trust. I know you'll make some mistakes someday, but when you find those true friends, hang on to them and don't let them go. Life is long and it's easier when you have positive, uplifting people in your life.

 

Be yourself. You're beyond words. I hope someday you know this and believe it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are my wishes for you on your third birthday. I love you with all my heart, Happy Birthday baby girl!

Those magic summer days .....with Grandma & Grandpa.....

Hi, this is "Puppy Grandma" writing a guest blog post for Kiley & Jaxon. 

I remember spending long summer days with my Grandparents, they were the best days of the year, great food, afternoons at the pool, trips to the park, and battles to beat Grandpa playing board games.

So you can imagine, how excited this "Puppy" Grandma & Grandpa were when Zoe, Jaxon and Kiley came for a 4 day visit a few weeks ago.  It was  time to make some magical summer memories.

 All three playing catch with Grandpa and a football with fins toy......

Zoe and Jaxon racing for the fun of it.....

Grandpa getting creative with the football fins!!

 Zoe and Jaxon had a great time at Park # 2, trying the firemen's pole..Jaxon's favorite at this park!!

 

 Kiley & Grandpa spent most of their time on the big slide.... Smiles all around..

Even as we were leaving the park, heading home....lots of smiles.  We headed home for a game of Qwirkle with Jaxon keeping score.

Kiley & Grandpa not sure about that score...

Grandpa had a surprise for the kids, a water pistols fight!!

Zoe & Jaxon trying to get each other wet!!

Jaxon in his element!! This boy loves to battle his cousin Zoe and Grandpa!!

Grandpa encouraging Kiley to join the battles!!

Nothing like 2 grand kids ganging up on Grandpa!!

Kiley was happy watering Grandpa's flowers.

So it was a wild weekend full of games both outdoor and indoor, visits to 5 parks....lots of laughter, giggles, smiles, and Grandma is hoping, memories that will stay with her grand kids for years to come.  We ended the weekend with a camp-out in the family room, complete with tent, flashlights, sleeping bags, popcorn and a movie.  We also told some stories and listed to Kiley's 5 minute joke monologue.  Unforgettable and forever etched in this Grandma and Grandpa "Puppy's" memories. 

Grandma & Grandpa "Puppy's" favorite grand kids!!