August

I saw a sign a few weeks that read "August, the Sunday of Summer" and I thought that it was pretty accurate.  With that mindset, we soaked up every last bit of fun that we could in August before Charlie started kindergarten (gulp) in September.

Early in the month I was picking some items up in the toy room when I heard "alright bad guy, what's going on here?"  I turned around to find Lucy in a police uniform trying to enforce some law of the land.  

BJ and I made a quick trip to KC to see Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean  at Arrowhead.  It was don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it18 hour trip but great to see some friends and always great to see KC.

The conversations between these two never surprise me.  It can range from giggles about who is tooting to serious life lessons like Charlie teaching Lucy about the importance of making new friends, but keeping old friends.  Knowing that it will be a few years before we are guaranteed to have them heading to the same location to spend their days, I tried to soak in our family time via commute.  

But it wasn't all fun and giggles.  Lucy decided that a green marker to her face was the perfect accessory.  She was strong in her denial that she didn't write on her face with a marker but the photographic evidence proved to the contrary.

We enjoyed some painting outside one Saturday morning and I considered it a success since more paint made it to the paper than the back patio.

We went swimming every chance that we could.  It's been great to see how comfortable they both are in the water and even better that Lucy's floatie is virtually Lucy-proof!

We have a Tropic Sno in our neighborhood but the way that it is situated, it's very hard to tell if it's open (although adult logic would tell you that it's been open since early May).  I finally decided that it was time for a snow cone so we walked there one night after dinner and proceeded to eat the largest "small" snow cones I've ever seen.

Of course we had our regular trips to the mall, which now require a photo by the presidential statues.

And more swimming.  Charlie was pretty good to pull/push Lucy along in the water and he even spent some time with her in the splash pad.

Lucy's birthday weekend fell on the same weekend as Iowa's Family Day so we decided to combine activities and started the day at Kinnick.

Nana, Papa and Miles joined us for some pre-party fun.

Football is fun, but popcorn is way more exciting!

 After a quick change for the birthday girl, we headed to the party at a local pizza place.  My niece, Jacey, celebrates her birthday a few days after Lucy so we decided to combine the birthday celebration(s).

Lucy and Uncle Barney.

Lucy and some cousins enjoying a pre-party carousel ride.

 Nieces patiently waiting for lunch with the Doc McStuffins' plates that Lucy selected.

 Daddy, Uncle Barney, Uncle Marty and Grandpa Bill at the bar waiting for the festivities to begin.  They managed to find the bar when the rest of us were loading all of the cousins on the carousel.  Well played, well played.

 Jacey - the other birthday girl!  Jacey was turning 6 and started kindergarten this year!

 A quick group shot while we were enjoying pizza.

 Unfortunately, Lucy started to have some tummy troubles right before lunch so she went from pure excitement for her party to sad and pretty clingy.  She forged ahead with opening some great presents from very generous family members.  We are set for Doc McStuffins costumes and medical equipment, princess shoes, a jewelry box and plenty of other stuff!

 Unfortunately, while Jacey was opening her presents Lucy's discomfort became unbearable.  The only want to comfort her was for she and I to head to the car and drive around.  So no pictures of her with her cupcake or candles or Birthday Song...:(.

 Check out the awesome cake that Jacey's mom, Maria, made for the party!

Much later that night, after Lucy's tummy troubles were over, she was very happy to try out some of her gifts.

 And we managed to sing happy birthday to her later that night at Aunt Molly's house.

 ...and I repurposed some of her birthday decorations for our family of 4 the following day at home.

 I think that I felt so bad that she missed out on her actual party that it felt like we had 3 mini birthday celebrations - oh well!

She was surprised to receive her gift from us - a kitchen sink piece that completes the set that Santa brought at Christmas.

A couple of things about Lucy at age 3 that I want to remember.  She talks - a lot and usually very loudly.  Some of the funny things that she says include:

• That dog's woofing at me (if she hears barking).
• I don't need to go potty because the pee is still sleeping (or eating its breakfast).
• Don't worry, I got you mommy (when I'm carrying her and my other arm is full as well).
• Shhhh, there's a mean bad guy coming (usually when playing with Charlie).
• Where's my packback?  (meaning backpack)
• Have you seen my doll...Joanie Joanie, the one with the blue marker on her face?  Joanie Joanie has been part of our life since Christmas and the blue marker was an "accident" that Lucy copped to a few weeks later.  It's funny that when she's looking for her she always uses her name and the fact that she has blue marker on her face.

Her memory is pretty remarkable and she's a creature of habit.  If we visited exhibits at the Science Center in a certain order the last time we were there, she'd like us to repeat that sequence for every subsequent visit.  Charlie continues to be her favorite playmate and she's already expressed concern about him leaving her for kindergarten.

Lucy is my hoarder.  I thought that Charlie was bad but to my dismay Lucy is worse.  She usually has at least 3 items with her at all times - usually a backpack, a purse and Joanie Joanie.  On any given night she falls asleep with those items and an array of other crap in her bed.

Her appetite is as little as ever.  For all of the meals that I refused to try when I was a child, I'm sorry food karma God.  Please, I'll go back and try anything if it means that my daughter will eat something other than noodles, Cheerios, grapes or bananas.  Not surprising, she's on the small side weighing in at 26 pounds (11th percentile) and measuring a whopping 2 feet and 11 inches "tall" (8th percentile).  She's a shorty alright but her spunk and sass more than make up for lack of stature.

During the rest of the month, I had lots of help in the kitchen.

We were feeling brave at the end of the month and went to the State Fair on Saturday and Adentureland on Sunday.  I'm tired just remembering that weekend.

The kids didn't know that we were going to Adventureland on Sunday so we let them ride a few rides at the State Fair.

We rode the giant slide as a family and I snapped an actions shot as we climbed the steps.

Adventureland was great - the weather was a little cool but the crowd was virtually non-existent.

Enjoying the view from daddy's shoulders.

Charlie was pretty patient to ride some of the "little kid" rides with Lucy.

The Log Ride is going away after this summer so we decided to ride it as a family and I snapped this family selfie before we boarded.  My Grandma Jane always went to Adventureland with us and she loved the rides so I couldn't help but think of her and all of the times that she rode the ride with me when I was younger.  We definitely got splashed and I know that she was smiling down watching all of us.

Another day, another trip to the mall and another photo with the presidential statues outside of Scheel's.  Who needs presidential museums when you have the Jordan Creek Mall?

We enjoyed a last summer hurrah overnight with Emma, Claire and Hannah.  It was too cool for the pool but we enjoyed some ice cream and toppings.  And yes, the picture below was the best picture of Charlie - he was in his goon phase.

So August was a sweet end to a fun summer.  Between Lucy turning 3 and Charlie preparing for kindergarten to start, I found myself a little nostalgic for the days when they were younger, but occasionally wishing for the days when they are older and hopefully sleep later than 6:30 :)).

We'll see you again next summer August, it was fun.

July

July - you were good to us and we have the swimsuit lines and late nights to show for it.  The Fourth of July was a great mix of swimming, food, family and friends.  So much so that I failed to capture many pictures.

Uncle Marty came for a quick visit and served as an important consultant for some serious Lego-building.  Charlie put him to work finding some key Lego pieces and I'm hopeful that Marty left with an appreciation of why we don't need any more Legos in our house.  Ever.

Lucy is infamous for finding something that Charlie built and taking credit for it.  The picture below is no exception.  Don't get me wrong, she's a smart cookie but she hasn't yet mastered how to create a functional Lego car.  Give her time though!

Friends were in town for a basketball tournament so we were able to take some of their girls to the pool in the afternoon.  Later that night we were able to walk outside of our house and catch a glimpse of two different fireworks displays.

Homemakers has a giant Adirondack chair in its lobby and the kids couldn't have been more impressed.  I told Charlie that it reminded me of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" and he gave me a blank stare.  So I added watch "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" as an important item to do before kindergarten starts in a few weeks.

Charlie's a pretty good negotiator because when it's time to pick out books before bed he always goes for a Star Wars book and he's convinced Lucy to pick a book about Legos.  He should enjoy it while it lasts because it's only a matter of time before Peppa Pig or Doc McStuffin are back in the mix!

We went to see the Minions movie when my sister and her family were in town.  Our theater has a "Peanuts" display in the lobby and I couldn't resist capturing my Charlie and Lucy with the original Charlie and Lucy.  Now we just need a Snoopy to complete our family and we'll check the "Peanuts" box for good!

Movies are always better with cousins who are willing to share their snacks!

I've decided to give in and support Charlie's Star Wars obsession by buying him this backpack for school.

I don't have anything against Star Wars, I just don't know that much about it so it's the first disconnect where he is passionate about something and I don't know what he's talking about.  In one of his more desperate attempts to explain Star Wars to me I apologized and told him that I just don't know that much about it.  He looked frustrated for a minute and finally said, "That's OK mommy.  You just know stuff about being a mom and making cheese quesadillas, right?"  Charlie, some days even a cheese quesadilla is a stretch for me!

Charlie had a birthday party at an inflatable gym and this little lady scored herself a pity invitation. She fit right in with the big kids and was annoyed whenever Charlie tried to help her.  I am holding tight to the notion that her need for independence will serve her well.  If it doesn't, we're all in trouble!

I turned 35 at the end of the month and BJ and the kids greeted me after my morning workout with some goodies.  My gift from the kids?  A Princess Leia costume to wear when we go trick-or-treating.  The kids were thrilled.  Me?  That's my "I can't believe you ordered this for me to wear" look to BJ.  Charlie's already planning to go as Darth Vader, BJ as Luke Skywalker and Lucy will either be Yoda or Princess Leia.  What we do for our kids!

We celebrated my birthday with a quick overnight visit to Omaha.  We weren't sure about renting a double stroller but given the ridiculously high temperatures, it was a great decision.

It was so hot that this tiger spent his team facing the big fan that blew into his cage.  I was wishing that I could join him.

Petting and feeding the stingrays was a blast!

Crazy kids waiting for the train to take off.

Most of the animals were hiding or sleeping due to the heat but we were able to get a decent look at this gorilla.

We also enjoyed camel rides, a Skyline ride, the aquarium, an Imax show and all that the zoo had to offer.  It was a full day and we swam for an hour before heading to dinner.

Lucy cashed out before we were seated and spent the entire dinner sleeping next to me in the booth.  It was pretty peaceful for the rest of us :).

The next morning we spent some time at the Omaha Children's Museum, which has a great outdoor play area.  The museum also had a Lego Exhibit and a special princess sing-a-long so it was great for our kids.

While I joke that my twenty-five year old self thought that the birthday plans for my thirty-five year old self were lame, we had a great time.

We plan to spend August soaking in as much pool time as possible before we are living with a legitimate school calendar!