If there is one thing that excites both my children to the highest thrill, it is spending time with those who love them so....family. So when we told them we were going to spend the day at a Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin..they were excited. When we told them Nana, Uncle Brad and Auntie DeChantel were joining us for the day, their response was heightened and they were over the moon excited. Jumping up and down, shrilling in excitement and stating that this was going to be the best day EVER! was the beginning of the joy of the day.
We all met at our house first thing in the morning before piling all seven of us in my seven seater Acura MDX. After a few pit stops where we teased Makenna that the faire was all about driving through parking lots (lol) and after a urgent expressway pull over for the newly potty trained Rylan, we were on our way and soon arrived to Kenosha, Wisconsin at the grounds of the Renaissance Faire.
It was the most beautiful day, especially considering how hot and humid it has been all summer. I think we were the only ones not dressed for the event, and the costumes from everyone were amazing! We were immediately transplanted back in time, back to the medieval era, with a little bit of added magic.
We were immediately drawn into watching two men play in the mud, which was actually quite humorous (who would of thought).
As we walked the faire grounds, there was lots to do.
Rides for the kids and performers at every turn.
Kid tattoos.
Makenna wasn't so sure of trying this acrobatic move but after a few minutes of watching the other kids, she jumped right in and when she was done, she wanted to do it again!
Games for adults and kids alike. DeChantel rolled the cup right onto the magic spot, winning herself a very special jester hat and a certificate. The kids thought it looked like so much fun, they each took a turn at the roll.
Elephant rides.
And an all over very fun and magical day with everyone.
I agree with the kids...days together with our family rocks our world too. :)
SIDENOTE:
And because we didn't think Rylan would be at all interested in the porta potties, and honestly we didn't want to scare him, his Daddy showed him THE alternative :) Another foot into the world of boyhood. Now I just have to remind him that we still do use bathrooms most of the time and peeing outside is only when he isn't right by a bathroom. Ha ha..life with a little boy.
I have sat down to write this post for awhile now and I just can't finish it. At night I am tired, worn out and ready for a hot shower after my nice smelling days (see #3) that finishing a blog post just doesn't happen, as much as I try. I give in to relaxing with a few pages of a book or editing a few photos or doing some nonproductive Internet searching and then calling it a night. But alas, you are reading this so I must have finally put it together. :)
1. Right now we are in the thick of these horrible hot temperatures making our days spent more indoors than outside, even though it is summer. I think I heard the stat that we have over 33 days of 90+ degree days so far, and the number continues to climb. It has been on hot and humid summer with very little rain making us all yearn for milder days come fall.
2. Right now little miss Abby is growing fast. Seven pounds, 9 pounds, almost 12 pounds and now I am sure she is about 14 pounds. And she has only been in our lives for a bit over a month. Wowsers.
But her cuteness can't even be justified in words.
3. Right now we are working on potty training x2. Rylan has said good bye to diapers a bit quicker than Abby has gotten the idea of how to ask to go outside. I'll give her a break though, being only 3 months old and all. (Woot Woot Rylan!!!!!)
4. Right now I am thinking how in the world can this little boy of mine going to celebrate 3 next month and start preschool in the same week?
5. Last week we enjoyed a staycation and made trips to the city of Chicago via train and a weekend visit to Milwaukee. It's always such a great time when the four of us can be together with little interruptions. Yea for vacation time. We need more of it, please.
6. Right now Makenna Claire is changing right before our eyes. Interested in things like music, singing songs like "call me maybe", dancing all over the place and finding her with a face of make up is all the usual. Oh and also...." OK Mom," in a whatever, teenage tone. And "seriously..that is just so ridiculous!" Gasp...I think I will home school her after all. ;)
7. Right now I am starting to dive head deep in school project readiness. Rylan picked out his school shoes that are also his running shoes (as he calls it). Cool white tennies with none other Thomas the Train on them. He is thrilled with his choice and will happily show you just how cool they really are.
8. Makenna's preparations for all day Kindergarten is a bit more involved. I am waiting for PBK back packs to go on sale, although this impatient mommy is just about done with waiting. Lunch bag, cooler packs, thermoses, name labels and the ubiquitous school supply lists. Oy yea..and I still need to make that eye doctor appointment. Eeks. #mustgetittogethermommy
9. Right now I am trying to get ready for our first ever garage sale. Yikes..I'm not sure I'm ready for this!
10. And I guess my kids aren't the only ones singing this song! Go Olympians. Looking forward to opening ceremonies tonight.
A few weeks ago I celebrated my birthday. We didn't really make any concrete plans and awoke up to possibility of thunderstorms questioning whether we should go anywhere outside. And then we thought..why should that stop us? So we packed up the kids and headed downtown Chicago with an initial stop at our favorite Native Foods for lunch. YUM!
Although rain showers did indeed fall, immediately after lunch the clouds passed and the sun shined brightly on a glorious warm, but not too hot, beautiful afternoon. After a walk to the bakery we headed to the Chicago River and boarded the Wedella Boat for a two hour cruise along the rive and Lake Michigan. And it was wonderful. Great to be a tourist in your own town.
Our afternoon in photographs.
Chicago River
Sears Willis Tower
Barge, going from the river to the lake height
Navy Pier
Such a fantastic day. Thank you to all of you who reached out to me to wish me a happy day-I felt the love. And here's a quick collage I did for our books. Have a great weekend and try and stay cool.
1. We are in the thick of summer and I am trying to keep the balance between keeping our kiddos busy enough with activities and outings but also trying to keep up with the necessities.
2. The outings are definitely winning out at the moment.
3. Right Now...We are enjoying the low 80 degree weather but bracing for the icky 90-100 degree humid mess that is about to be blown in for the next week.
4. Right Now.. I have quickly come to the realization that having a puppy is a lot of work. A LOT. As in all the toys must be kept off the floor, electrical cords have to be monitored, wood tables have to be protected, shoes up and generally, she must be watched 100% of the time. If I need to get anything done, it's during her nap time in her temporary home of a crate.
5. Guess that's one reason why number #1 isn't working so well (although Abby just came into our lives so scratch that excuse).
6. But with saying that, we are so happy with our newest addition and I wouldn't change a thing.
7. Right Now.. I am sneaking in a few minutes on the computer while hopefully Ry will soon fall asleep on the couch for a very long much needed nap since it is the only way he naps currently.
8. Right Now.. I am so behind in my pictures (like a month plus behind). So once I have them processed, there will be many more stories to share.
9. Right Now.. Makenna is loving her camp days and all her friend time this summer. Oh..to be 5 again.
10. Right Now..I think I better sign off and start knocking down my to do list while the baby sleeps and hopefully the bigger baby, ok, my little boy, slumbers soon.
We have a new little love.
A new member to our family.
She is only a bit under 8 pounds now, but surely grow to at least 60-70 pounds.
And because she is only a wee bitty one now, she loves to crawl under tables, in between furniture and swizzle her little bendable body into all sorts of small areas.
Which of course, those days are clearly numbered.
She won our hearts over at hello and has filled part of our soul that we didn't realize was needing fulfillment.
Without further ado, welcome little miss Abby girl to our family and to this blog.
We love her so much already and she has settled right in to our home and our hearts. Excuse me why I go love on her sweet puppy breath and hold her in my arms while I can, especially now that I have her all to myself while the kids sleep. I'll be back soon. xo,K
I know many people think that their one is the best Daddy evah and I am glad to be able to say this myself. One of the initial things I noted when I first met Scott was what a compassionate, kind, loving person he is and what an amazing father he would be one day. And all that has come to fruition. He shows our children such love and guidance on a daily basis so it was only appropriate to celebrate him on Father's Day.
We had our families over and BBQ'd. It was a gorgeous, but hot, day. A day that my father in law loves so it was perfect.
Happy Father's Day Dads!
And once the hose came out, the party turned to a wet one for Rylan and he was in heaven.
"More Uncle Brad..more please!!!"
Did you ever know that a diaper can hold up to 20 pounds of water?
Rylan discovered that one, and once I took it off of him, I wondered how he waddled around with it for so long. Oh to be a child again.
Settling in for presents and desserts as the sun retreated into the night.
And since my birthday is so close to Father's Day every year, we make it a two for one. We closed the night with this absolutely amazing cake and I had my two favorite little people help me bring in my wish for my next year. Happy Father's Day to all those best Daddy's!
Last Thursday Makenna Claire had her official last day of preschool. On the way to drop her off, I unexpectantly started crying, realizing that this was closing one chapter in our lives and moving forward with a new start. Of course she only felt the excitement of the day, so I did my best to hide my tears.
"Mommy, do your glasses hurt your eyes?" lol.. She's always so concerned about others..which is one of the many things I love about her. "No Makenna, mommy's ok," and I was.
In her years at Just For Kids preschool, Makenna has flourished, embracing each day with such joy, excitement and eagerness. She has gone from a little girl who eagerly wanted to make more friends to one who can write, spell and is on the verge of reading, and of course still maintaining all those most important friendships and social life!
Thankfully I processed most of my sadness on Thursday and Friday was a day of happiness. She was crowned her first graduation hat and gown and received her "diploma."
She is now a kindergartner. I have always thought all the graduation steps were a bit much for preschool, but I have to admit, it was a nice way for a send off and those lasts hugs to her teachers.
Of course, we'll back to the preschool next year for Rylan, so it is only a temporary good bye.
And we'll be sure to stay in touch with all of her friends.
We are all so proud of you Makenna and I know this is just the beginning of the many great things you will accomplish. We all love you so much.
