Oh Boy!

Have a ball!

Cold Cones

This is the way to end a hot day. The cones were so big that we all shared them and endured the brain freezes....and the Christian music blaring from the speaker above our table. Sorry, I am Christian, but I don't do the the Jesus Rock. Maybe I am old fashioned. But, the kids were extremely well behaved on this outing...Maybe there are subliminal messages...be good...honor your mother and father...eat mor chikn.....

Right after these moments we got back into the zoom zoom and headed home. I had snuck away and done some shopping at Target. We were driving along and I pulled out Jack's new big boy underwear - all mickey mouse and race cars. And I picked up a pack of princess panties for the GiGi. They both exclaimed, "OH MY GOSH! WOW!" I wuv them! I wuv Belle panties! Jack is so proud. He beams in his little tighty whities. I have to admit...one of the cutest things I have ever seen are these mini boy undies. I love them, too! This is genetic!

Sunday in the Park

Derek took the kids to our favorite park before the oppressive heat set in for the day. Greta is a leader. She introduces herself to all of the other children and she initiates play with them. Derek said he was so proud. She came home and told me all about her new friends. She is going to be more than ready to start preschool in a few weeks. I have fewer fears each time we go out and I see her testing her limits trying new things and her courtesy to other children around her. I hoped so much that she wouldn't grow out of her sweet ways, and it seems as though they are the root of her.

Jack is almost potty trained! He runs diaper free while we are at home and tells me when he needs to visit the potty! On our errands and play dates he is also coming home with a dry diaper! I can hardly believe it, myself. I thought we would have another year of diapers...But, Jack has different plans. The funny part is that it has been almost effortless. I just didn't really believe it could happen because he is still barely talking. We haven't given him stickers or candy treats or anything. He is proud and all I have to do is clap my hands and he smiles and nods and points at his business. He also has to throw a square of TP in because that is what sister does.

We have also been trying a lot of new things to eat! Greta loves home grown tomatoes and will eat them like apples with drippy wet elbows. She also likes asparagus and onions. Jack is not so sure about some of these vegetables, but in true form, he is a meat and potatoes guy. We grilled KC strips last night and he cleaned up his plate and then stood up in his high chair and beat his chest. That's my boy. We added tacos to our list and gyros from our favorite Greek restaurant. I love to hear, "I like it, mamma!" If they keep this up, I WILL let them have chocolate ice cream for breakfast and not be scared I am ruining them! (But, that is between you and me!)

Their naps are long in their cool, dim bedrooms while the sun is glaring outside. It reminds me of summer when I was a kid, and, especially now that the cicadas are singing at dusk. Greta and Derek went outside right before bedtime as I was rocking Jack to sleep a few nights ago and caught fireflies. Greta kept one in a little clear box with some grass on her nightstand and said that, "Her flashlight glowed all night!" We let it go in the morning so it could live. Greta likes to hear the cicadas and so do I. I never knew when I was little that I would have memories of such simple things - like the cicadas and fireflies, and that they would come back and make me feel like a kid again...Just like that.

ikids

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Derek brought an ipad home from work to let the kids read books and play. I was amazed at how easy it was for them, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised..I know their father well. What fun it is to be a kid with all the newest toys. ilove.

Ice Cream Social

I really don't think there is anything cuter than kids licking drippy, yummy ice cream cones. We had so much fun watching them enjoy and then we turned on the sprinkler to keep them socially acceptable.

Kids in America

Now I am feeling quite nostalgic. This was the first Fourth that we have celebrated with Greta (and Jack) where she kind of knew what the deal was. She tried to learn "Grand Ole Flag" by listening to me sing it to her over and over and over again. She was excited for fireworks and all of the people dressed in stars and stripes. Jack, well, he just loves to be a part of what ever is going on.

We woke up and partied at the Prairie Village Festival. They call it Perfect Village for a reason. It was perfect....kind of Norman Rockwell. They had so many fun things to do and see. The DooDads and Mr. Stinky Feet were playing on stage, and then there were also bands with good old bluegrass to keep the people dancing. There were burgers and dogs and sodas for cheap and picnic tables to enjoy them with your family. There were flags everywhere, a kid parade down Mission Rd., fire trucks and inflatable slides, rides and animals. There were clowns and face painters that did a great job...some kids looked so cool! They had a chinook land and take off and it was incredible to see. We had so much fun together. That was it...we were together and life is good. I feel very happy about it and about all the fun things we are going to get to do in our future...I feel very lucky to be a part of this.

The party ended and we napped. We woke up to Derek heating up the coals to grill KC strip steaks and asparagus. I made cookies and packed up a cooler with drinks and snacks....we were off to Leawood's celebration! (Are we city crashers, or what?) Leawood had live music and all kinds of food vendors set up around bouncy things for the kids. We laid down a quilt and chairs and our goodies and dove into the jumping. But, then the sky opened and it began to rain. Then it poured. We were rained out. Back to the car, and soaking wet we ate cookies and laughed as a bottle of Coke blew up all over me. Greta sang Gaga for us. We got home and looked for a festive way to end our fun. It was the Boston Pops Orchestra and fireworks in HD on Derek's big ole TV. Jack got out all of the instruments we have and we played along. Doesn't this sound cheesy? It was freakin fun. I love kids and I love life...and I love John Philip Sousa! I am not sure any finale would top this one, for me! Happy Independence Day!

Firecrackers

It is safe to say that our weekend of the fourth of July began with blue waffles and strawberries with whipped cream. I thought it was pretty great to see their faces when they looked a little closer at breakfast. I was never much into shooting of the fireworks, myself, so I choose to celebrate in ways that I am comfortable...with food and beverage. Let the fun begin.

We dressed and drove to my hometown, Clinton, for the Olde Glory Days Parade. You would start to say how hot it was and then a nice cool breeze would go by. The sun was out, but not glaring. There were old friends to see every where you looked. It was such a great idea for the weekend - to be back home and share it with my husband and babies. Our first stop was Hunt's Home Decorating Store to see Gee. Now that my dad is staying at the Veteran's Home, my mother has put her passion into the store and giving it new life. She is beyond creative and talented. The store looks amazing with what little she has done so far. She says there is so much more to do and I know it will be so good for her and this little community. Hunt's is now a high end antique store with custom picture framing and the expertise of a life long antique-er. My mother is a gem with her knowledge and the store is proof.

Gee had a surprise for the kids. There were two rows of candy jars and bags to fill. Runts, Jelly Bellies, Swedish Fish, gum drops, gum balls, ropes of red licorice...We decided to take some and meet a best friend from clear back to my childhood, and her family, at the parade. I knew where they would be - on the corner of the square nearest to her parent's newspaper. We put up chairs and watched our kids take it in. Emily and I used to be those kids watching the parade on the Clinton Square from in front of our Grandparent's businesses. It is good that some things never change. And, it didn't even make me feel old...Just proud.

The parade was full of all of my favorites. I love the Shriner's in their little cars. I love the marching band and flags (although they seem so young now!) I love the hometown feel that Clinton gave us this Fourth of July. There was so much candy -Greta and Jack were in awe. One of my favorite memories was this....Candy was thrown to the crowd of children who ran to gather it with both hands. Greta, Nick, Jonathan, Kate, Daniel would all get some, and share with each other, but Jack ran behind them to gather candy from the piles they left behind at their seats! Jack got caught by a boy down the row a bit! He said, "Hey, you better stop that!" Jack said he no speak English.

We left the parade a little bit early to find relief from the sun. Greta and Jack were due for naps and Gee had a picnic waiting at the store. It was so nice to spread out a quilt and share hot dogs, pasta salad, baked beans and fresh fruit in the coolness of the store...just us...and Gee had a ginger beer for Derek. Then Katie, Chase, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Don joined us for a visit. The kids love them, too. Chase is adored and kissed on and his hands are held as we all "awe" at the cuteness. As fun as that was, we were keeping up momentum and Clifford the Big Red Dog was scheduled to make an appearance on the square and Greta was eager. We were off quickly to give him a "Big red hug". He was smaller than she expected. But was soft and nice.

And then there is the carnival. Greta saw the "Dragon Wagon". She was determined and would not be talked out of it. I thought I was going to panic for her. I could feel my heart racing and envisioned seeing her on this kiddy coaster in total terror and me not being able to get her off fast enough. I told the man running it that it was her first EVER ride and I didn't know what would happen. He said I could stand on the first step of the landing. I put her in the car and buckled her seat belt and I put her hands on the bar in front and told her to hang on tight. The dragon took off. I waited and it seemed like horrible slow motion for the car to make the first turn and show me her face...Would it be screaming and full of fright or laughter!? Neither. She was concentrating with one little corner of her mouth curling up. She liked it! She was thrilled and felt so big. She is braver than I am.









This Fourth of July is definitely building up for a great finale!