Her-MEOW-ne

This t-shirt was Madelyn's souvenir from our trip to Seattle. Yes, there is absolutely nothing about it that screams Seattle. But, looking at it reminds me of our walks back from Pikes Market, under the monorail, and the little mall we'd go past each time. Also, that's where we saw the woman "sleeping" in the street. So, I guess it does remind me of Seattle after all.

Now, for those of you muggles who are unfamiliar with Harry Potter, the picture pays homage to the time Hermione turned herself into her cat. My kids tell me it was in "Chamber of Secrets" and the polyjuice potion. (I'm no muggle. I just couldn't remember which book.) AND it's a fantastic play on words and we all know someone who likes a good pun and/or play on words. **Cough, cough. Honey.**

Last week, we met some of my friends and their kids at "the good" Jumpstreet in Ken Caryl for an afternoon of fun. Between my friends and I, we had six kids and our six kids were just about the only kids in the place. They let the kids jump well beyond what we paid for which was awesome. Happy, tired kids + happy mamas = Summer win for everyone.

Now, at Jumpstreet, this shirt made Madelyn a new friend. My friend's daughter who is a year younger than Madelyn came up to Madelyn and said, "You like Harry Potter and cats? I like Harry Potter and cats. Let's be friends." And, that's where it all started.

I wish we could all find friends who like Harry Potter and cats or whatever simple thing it is in life that makes us happy.

Sawyer speak.

Graduated from calling his sister "Madden" to "Madewyn" and it's too cute.

Anything, and I mean anything, can be a phone -- banana, red onion, pancake. These are all from our play food.

"Mommy, do airplanes have penises?" This was just the start of the conversation we had in Jo-Ann Fabric about airplanes, helicopters, and anatomy.

Steamboat sillies

Sawyer aka Houdini escaped twice from his Pack N Play on Friday evening. One of those times, we are certain he had assistance from his older sister. As for the other, no one is quite sure or will admit to anything. On Saturday afternoon, he managed to get into the Pack N Play unassisted only to find himself stuck. Oh, Sawyer.

I never get tired of delightful decor of mountain condos. As is the stereotype, there was a lot of antique ski pictures, posters, and gear. However, this condo also had an equestrian theme which included a bridle, reins, and bull whip hanging on the family room wall and a friendly sign on the front door reading "Please wipe your hooves!" which we did. Sawyer was even so kind to wipe his hooves on the way out the door as well.

And, I almost missed this little beauty. Thank goodness I noticed it on Sunday afternoon so I could capture its essence.

One of the downstairs bedrooms featured denim bed spreads along with this fancy matching valence. Yep, handkerchiefs and jeans. Do you suppose this was found on Pinterest?

Children drinking coffee. NO, we didn't actually let them drink coffee but they did get to have their milk out of coffee cups each day.

On our gondola ride on Sunday, Sawyer literally had sweaty paw pads and left steamy handprints on the gondola window. He wasn't so sure about the whole thing. Luckily, he was able to relax a little on the way down.

All in all, I'd say we had a pretty good trip. Madelyn was sad to leave on Monday morning and return to the city. But, it was also time to go home to the rest of our family, including cats, and friends. Interestingly enough, Griff and I stayed at this same condo complex in August 2004. Hopefully it's not another 9 years before we return! Something tells me we'll be back sooner.

Movember

Greetings from our house to yours for a happy Movember.

Afro Circus

This boy is always ready for a good time.
 

The things they learn.

Two weekends ago, Madelyn and Sawyer spent an overnight weekend (two nights) with Grammy and Grandad. This isn't the first overnight they've had away from us but what they came home with after such a short time was remarkable.

1. Madelyn developed a southern accent and discovered she likes gum.
2. Grandad's special yogurt contains more chocolate, cookies, and brownies than yogurt.
3. Madelyn and Sawyer learned how to shoot spider webs out of their wrists a la Spiderman. In fact, an entire car ride in the days following their overnight was filled with wrist flinging, "tsss-ing", and giggles.
4. Someone informed Madelyn that the dog food truck is actually an ice cream truck.

I have so many fun memories of my own of special things that were grandparents-only like Shasta in every flavor imaginable and lots of lefse with butter and sugar. It makes me happy to know my children are having similar experiences with their grandparents.

Thanks, Grammy and Grandad and Aunt Shelley and Uncle Mike for the fun weekend!

Stay classy, San Diego.

Last week, we went on our first family vacation as a foursome. We flew to San Diego on July 4 and enjoyed five fun-filled days. Below are a just a few highlights of our trip -

  

Parade, park, grilling, and fireworks on Coronado. Grandpa was right when he said that it doesn't get any more American than 4th of July on Coronado.

Paddle boarding and sand castle building at Glorietta Bay.

A great bike ride around the island (sans children).

More beach time at the ocean including sand castle building and swimming.

Hours of endless playing with cousins at Aunt Sandi and Uncle Jerky's house including dungeon master and sprinkler/hose fun.

LegoLand.

San Diego Zoo.

It was such a great trip. Even though we were all wiped out by the time we returned home, every minute was worth it.

Grandpa - Thank you for opening your home to us. After spending a few days with you, we can understand why you love Coronado so much. We look forward to coming back and spending more time together. Madelyn plans to learn to swim before next time so she can paddle board out farther with you.

Uncle Jerky, Aunt Sandi, Emery, and Camden - Thank you for sharing your stroller, car, and toys with us. I don't have to tell you how much fun Madelyn and Sawyer had with Emery and Camden. The dirty bath water and exhausted children each night was proof! Wherever your travels take you, we'll fondly recall all the fun we've had with you at Pipit Place.

Easter egg hunt (Part II)

Part II of this year's Easter egg hunt was a success. Two fields were prepared at Honey and Poppie's house - an outdoor one for walkers/runners and an indoor one for crawlers. Each participant collected all their respective eggs and then gathered together to examine their haul. By the way, Madelyn was an excellent big sister helping point Sawyer to his eggs if he didn't see them right away.

I was unsuccessful in getting a "good" picture of Madelyn and Sawyer. My hopes were to get one with them both looking and smiling. But, it turns out I still captured them quite well.

Hope you all had an enjoyable Easter! Many thanks to Kate and Trish for travelling to Colorado and spending the weekend with us. And, thanks to Honey for hosting such a wonderful Easter brunch. Good thing the Easter bunny came to your house!

Easter egg hunt (Part I)

Tuesday was the Moms Club Easter Party at St Luke's United Methodist Church. Madelyn, Sawyer, and I took her Easter basket and attended the festivities. The invitation indicated there would be an Easter egg hunt, possibly outdoors if the weather was nice.

We arrived at the party and had a few snacks to kick things off. Then, we visited with some friends and later headed to the bathroom for a potty break. In the bathroom, Madelyn politely asked if she could have a cupcake when we got back to the party. Since she was polite, and had been VERY good about not helping herself to the table full of sweets, I agreed.

We finished up in the bathroom and headed back to the party. As we crossed the hallway, we saw all the other children, with their picnic baskets, headed outside for the egg hunt. Ever the competitive one, I said, "Get your basket! They're headed outside!" Madelyn ran to our table, grabbed her basket, and ran to catch up with the other kids. Normally, at these events, she doesn't stray too far from my side. Not this time. She was not about to be left out of the Easter egg hunt.

By the time Sawyer and I caught up with everyone outside, Madelyn was already running from egg to egg, scooping them up, and putting them in her basket. Fortunately, she was wearing a bright pink shirt so she was easy to see. It's amazing how age makes you a good Easter egg hunter. Oh, and practicing last weekend at the Noltemeyer's didn't hurt either! At three years old, she was one of the older children at the party. Needless to say, she cleaned up. When the egg hunt was finished, Madelyn continued her pursuit by checking behind bushes and under rocks. (Thanks, Uncle Matt!)

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures. Between holding Sawyer and the excitement of the egg hunt, I had no chance. I don't recall the final count of eggs she collected but she did well. She (we) are still enjoying the candy she collected on Tuesday. Last year for Easter, we only hid a dozen eggs. This year, might we need two? Or, maybe more?

Ahhh BOO!

Guess who?

Let's play a fun little game and see if you can guess which baby is which.  Madelyn or Sawyer?  Or, is it multiple pictures of the same baby?

Seriously, which is which?!

Hot mess

After a good playground date and time well spent digging and playing this morning in a very wet sandbox, all you need is an apple and your skivvies to unwind.

From this point forward, I'll keep a swimsuit and a change of clothes in the diaper bag should we encounter any other wet and/or messy places that need our attention.

ABC's Make Me Giggle

Honey and Poppie, this one's for you. Hopefully you have sound...and this is posted before you make it to the liberry!