Sandboxes and swimming pools

We (and by 'we' I mean Andy and his helpers- our next door neighbor, Tyler, Andy's dad and brother) finished the sandbox for peanut this week.  It was a labor of love and my pleas for purple sand were veto'd.  (Kidding) I was fine with not taking out a second mortgage to fund our sandbox project.  And who are we kidding, peanut loves SAND! No matter what color it is.  And for the record purple sand is, like, totally expensive. :)

We wanted to have everyone over to test out the new sandbox and swim! It was a great day weather-wise and the kids had a great time. Thanks to all for helping us complete this latest phase on peanut's play set!

Now we just have to lay grass seed, plant some hostas around the shed and I think we're good for 2012! Oh yeah, and pay the bill.

Tada! The finished product:

View from the deck:

Peanut says, "Ooooh! Sand!"

The three amigos:

Time to cool off:

Hope everyone enjoyed this beautiful summer day!

Wordless Wednesday~ tea party!

Trip to the zoo

Yesterday we decided to chance the cloudy weather and take a trip to the zoo! 

They have made some improvements although I was a bit disheartened to learn that despite paying a fee to get in, all the 'extras' also had a cost- the train ride, the camel ride, feeding the giraffes, riding the carousel, feeding the birds- all extra.  Not sure we'll go back again this year but despite the rain, Rea had fun looking at the animals and loved being with her friends!



The otters! (We told the kids they were smooching but I think it was a serious, knock-down, drag-out otter fight)

They hatched!

Hesitant at first but then giggled....

Checking for sea lions...

There they are!

Notice the thumb in mouth... was a little scared with this one.

Hope she doesn't have a lead foot like her mama!

Where are the giraffes?

Right there!

Checking out the monkeys...

Jacque's little boy, Keefer. Rea lovingly refers to him as "MY brother."
(and no the vehicle was not moving, for cute pic purposes only)

A great day at the zoo!

My 8 year old self would be in hysterics right now.

I splurged and bought a season pass to Adventureland.  My 8 year old self would be high-fiving me and jumping up and down. You only live once right? 

I should say, I bought a season pass to Adventureland and lived to tell about it.

Roller coasters aren't my thing. I'm more a 'mini donut/funnel cake' kinda girl.  However, roller coasters are a favorite thing for my 2 year old. Who has no fear.  She sweet talked me into riding the log ride and my picture on the picture cam was less than favorable.  If you didn't know me, you'd think I had a medical condition,what with all the screaming.

Here's to a summer of fun experiences and great memories with our friends! And hopefully I don't lose my voice permanently with all that screaming.

Wordless Wednesday~ "earrings"

Take me out to the ball game...

The rain held off just long enough for us to enjoy our annual Icubs game at Principal Park Friday night.  We enjoyed the view from a sky box and Rea did really well.  She loved eating a hot dog and cheering on her team.  She wasn't too sure about Cubbie Bear but we told her he was just 'a costume' and she goes,"Oh! Then I'm not scared!" 

A few pics:

Hanging in the sky box:

Cheering after a hit:

The view from mommy's lap:

"Mommy this glove is too big for my hand." 

Hmmm....not too sure about that bear.

Smiles!

Father's Day 2012

I was going to title this post, "The adventures of mini golf....with a 2 year old" but that would just take away from the fact that despite us trying to take a 2 year old on a mini golf adventure (and FAILING) we had a great day celebrating with our family!

Okay so the mini golf really wasn't that bad if I can ignore the fact that my 2 year old wanted to pick up everyone's ball, jump in the ponds, climb on the rocks, throw the rocks into the pond... I know, I know...she's a 2 year old.  But the sun was shining, we were laughing and with family- that's all that matters.

After mini golf we headed back to our place for grilling and swimming!  I attempted a new dessert and I'm happy to report it turned out really tasty... and by tasty I mean, I shoveled down 3 pieces on my own. That kinda tasty.

Hope everyone had a great Father's day!

Future golf pro?

Loves her daddy!

Pool time!

Caramel brownie dessert (courtesy of last Sunday's paper):
1 box family size brownie mix, prepared according to box
Let cool 30 minutes
Poke holes with end of a wooden spoon
Drizzle 3/4 jar of caramel sauce into holes
Mix 1/4 remaining caramel with 1 tub creamy cool whip
Spread on brownies
Sprinkle chopped nuts (omitted due to 2 year old)
Maraschino cherry on top!

Happy Father's Day!

"Anyone can be a father.  But it takes someone special to be a daddy." ~Unknown

Happy father's day to the best daddy we know!

Wordless Wednesday~ Happy birthday Sage!

Reagan-ism

The scene:  the parking lot at Lowe's

Me to Rea:  "Hold mommy's hand please and let's check for cars."

Rea to me:  "Mom, don't freak out."

Uh... excuse me?  First of all, why is she calling me mom and not mommy and secondly, how does she know what freak out even means?!?! Maybe I misheard her. Yes that has to be it.

Me to Rea:  "I'm sorry honey, what did you say?"

Rea to me:  "I said don't freak out mommy."

And then I just laughed and laughed and laughed because if she's already telling me this at age 2, what will she tell me at age 12. And then I went home and ate a Klondike bar.

Swing set in progress

When we asked peanut's Grandpa K. to build her a swing set, I'm pretty sure we were thinking a piece of wood with a couple swings on it. What transpired was beyond our wildest imaginations... and peanut LOVES it! 

The swing set itself will evolve over a few years- when she's older to appreciate the 'club house' Grandpa K. has in mind for her- and a larger spiral slide  will be added to finish off the 'walk way' above the current swings. 

It still needs some work- we need to stain it, reseed the grass, and finish her sandbox... but Rea has been on it every day since its inception.  Thanks Grandpa K.!  And thanks to daddy, Grandma K. and Grandpa & Grandma W. for helping out too!

The pics:

Summer 2012

Even though the official first day of summer isn't until June 20th, it sure has felt like summer around here!  We have gotten a great start to the summer...

Playing outside with cousins!

Eating Popsicles!

First time at Adventureland!  Thanks to Rea's amazing daycare provider, who took the kids to Adventureland last week.  Rea LOVED it and wanted to go on all the big kid rides. Go figure. I can't even handle the teacups, let alone the Silly Silo.  Rea can get in for free until she's 4 so that is a nice option for us during the summer.

Poolside!

Rea enjoying her brand new swing set courtesy of Grandpa K.!  Daddy, Grandma K. and Grandpa W. helped too and the first time Rea swung on her glider she exclaimed, "This makes me so happy!"  The making of the swing set deserves a post all of its own so stay tuned....

We have a fun filled summer just waiting for us!  A visit from out of town cousins, Icubs ball games, a trip to Mall of America, hanging in our pool, a trip to the zoo, and maybe a drive in movie!  Let the good times roll!