Staying cool and the crazy people at the zoo

 

The boys are finding creative ways to stay cool lately with this crazy hot weather.  Matt turned on the sprinkler for them and they decided they also had to play baseball.

 

 

Today we met up with my aunt and cousins at Como Zoo.  I really appreciate them inviting us to join them.  It was ridiculous hot and we were some of the few crazies out and about. ;)

 

All three of us girls (my cousins and I) have four kids, so with only three families represented we had a total of 12 kids.

Talk about a bunch of monkeys!

 

 

 

 

We went one time around the zoo and then had a picnic for a little break.  Katie and her girls and Sharon headed home and Jenny and I and our kids headed back for one more round.  We walked through the Conservatory as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

There was one point where Jenny and I waited to count how many people walked by us as we were standing by the giraffes….ummm….none.  We were the only people in the area, the only crazy ones to be out in the heat that is. 

It was a great day though.  I love the Como Zoo.

Christmas celebration #2

Today we got together with my dad’s side.  I am so glad we still try to get together even though it’s hard for everyone now that the families are getting so big.  Someone said there were 85+ people there today and that was missing some.  It’s always fun to visit, though believe it or not I don’t even get to sit down and talk to everyone.   We had good food, played Farkle and cards as usual, sang songs, and enjoyed the company.

   

 

  

 

Earlier this week Matt and I took a day off and did our shopping in the cities.  We’ve been doing this for a few years now.  He takes the day off and I use one of my personal days.  We coordinate the day with some friends of ours and we meet up for lunch.  We joke about it being the one time all year that we see each other.  Matt and I had a productive day.  We are actually more ready than we have ever been. 

 

Lucas is obsessed with Elmo.  One night this week Elmo had to eat supper with us.

 

Connor and two of his good friends in school came up with the plan to earn some money at home by doing extra chores so that they could buy their teacher a present together.  One of the mom’s took the three of them shopping and they bought the most thoughtful gifts.  They put a ton of time and thought into what they picked out for her.  They got her a really  nice card, a poinsettia because they just read a story about it and did a cool art project with it, a scarf because she always wears scarves, a new coffee mug because her other one was getting old, iTunes card because she is always looking for new apps for the kids to use on the ipad, a frame because what mom or teacher doesn’t need a frame right? ;), some gum – not sure why.  It was so sweet.  They came in one day during recess and I brought them down to their classroom.  I got teary eyed watching them beam while she opened it and started to cry.  It was awesome to watch and experience.   Not that Christmas is all about presents and I don't want to put the emphasis on it, but it sure was cool to watch these kids go through the process of earning the money, working together, putting so much thought into their gifts, and getting so excited about giving it to her.    The best part of it was that their teacher was having a very rough day, something happened in the morning that had made her sad and hurt.  She was feeling pretty low and frustrated as a teacher.  Having these kids give up their recess and give the gift to her blew her away and caught her off guard.  She said the timing was unbelievable and she sat and cried after the kids left.  God works in mysterious ways and there is always a reason. 

SCFF 2010

It was that lovely time of year again!  The Steele County Free Fair.  We LOVE the fair.  Almost too much if that is possible.  We enjoy everything about it, the rides, the food, the exhibits, the shows/music, the animals, etc…

We were there every day.  Two of the days we were there for about 9 hours each….pretty ridiculous. ;) Especially because it was hot out the last few days.

Grandma and Grandpa buy the kids wrist bands that allow them to go on rides all week any time.  Boy, did we get our money’s worth.  I couldn’t even tell you how many rides we went on.  Connor is starting to love the big kid rides.  Jacob and Nolan would go on them too, but they aren’t quite tall enough yet.  Jacob was pumped to be able to go on the Tilt-a-Whirl all by himself.  Nolan needed to go with an adult though.  Matt and I even had a little bit of an evening with no kids. 

Lucas was a trooper through all of this.  He was either smiling and taking everything in from his stroller, or from the carrier. 

 

The boys were really cute this year looking out for each other.  They would wait for each other so they could go down or on rides together.  They would hold hands, or put their arms around each other. 

    

We had fun with so many people.  Grandma and Grandpa….

Uncle Mattey and Aunt K (funny how we were with Kristin and Kelsey at some point every day and I don’t have a single picture of Kristin…sorry K), Uncle Natey and Aunt Diane (Diane’s parents were even able to join us for an evening).  The boys love going on rides with their uncles.

The boys enjoyed going with Kelsey and were pretty proud to be the big cousins, helping her out.  Sometimes even being a little too smothering and overwhelming for Kelsey…

We hung out with my cousins and their kids for a day.

I was able to go on a few rides.

Brothers….   

We met up with Connor’s good friend Noah and his family.  The kids had a great time going on rides together.  Jacob and Noah’s sister are going to be in the same grade also.  They had a blast. 

Connor was a really good sport going on the kiddie rides with the boys and Kelsey, but was super excited when he had people to go on the big kid rides with.

To end it all, Connor and Matt and Noah and his mom, went on the zipper for their very last ride.  Matt and Connor had been talking about it all week long.  Matt said he had to talk him through it at the beginning but by the end of it he was loving it.  He came out grinning ear to ear and skipping.  I think he liked it.

We were ready to go home last night and all faired out.  However, we’re looking forward to next year….

Matt and I are thinking about getting a wrist band ourselves!