Cali!

Andrew had a work thing in California a couple weeks ago.  We conned Grandma D into coming and watching the kids for a few days.  We stayed in Santa Monica and were only a few blocks from the ocean.  The weather was quite chilly compared to the clothes we packed but it made for great beach workouts.  

We rented beach cruiser bikes from the hotel one morning.  They were fun and easy to ride.  It was enjoyable to ride bikes without a goal of riding a million miles or a million hours which is usually my goal.  There were bike lanes and walking lanes which cut down significantly on weaving in and out of people.  And we got up before all the Californians.

After bike riding and spending some time on the Santa Monica Pier we went back to the hotel and showered up to go back out and get a bite to eat.  We ended up at a fun place for heavy appetizers and then to a bar for a beverage.  The bar was recommended by one of Andrew's co-workers so we had to stop in and say we'd been. It was worth the stop. So much people watching in California.  So much.

While we were in California I had the luxury of meeting up with an old friend.  I have known Crystal since we were in 3rd grade.  We had moved to Omaha and we spent endless days together. I would spend weekends at a time at her house. I was part of the family :) Crystal and her family moved overseas in middle school. We sort of stayed in touch. She was never great at writing letters but I try to see her when I go to CA.  We pick up where we left off without skipping a beat.  It's great to have friends like that in the world.  It really is a treasure.  

Ohio Family Trip pt 2

On Sunday morning we ventured to downtown Cincinnati.  We arrived with a three car caravan hauling everyone.  We walked over the Purple People Bridge to arrive in Newport, Kentucky.  There was definitely more going on in downtown Newport than Cincinnati.  We wondered around the pedestrian area for a few hours while the kids played games, rode the train, nosed through the book store, did character drawings and ate at a Shark Tank restaurant called Tom & Chee - which served, as you may have guessed, tomato soups and grilled cheese sandwiches!

 You can't get all 10 kids to be looking/smiling at the same time! When Will doesn't want to smile he absolutely refuses to participate/cooperate.  Bribery doesn't even work.  Jumping around like a moron doesn't work.  He just doesn't want to have his picture taken and that's the end of the story.

Willie learned a song about Kentucky in the Circle Room this year in preschool and was so excited when we were able to remember it half way across the bridge.  We sang and danced our way across the bridge and then took a picture to send to his teacher to tell her we'd made it to Kentucky :) 

Cam, Ella and Cater!

Ohio Trip pt 3 Indy Zoo

We headed to Indianapolis Sunday evening.  After we'd returned to Nathan and Cathy's house we packed up our remaining items and headed to Indy for the night.  We have been wanting to go to the Indianapolis Zoo for awhile since Willie loves Walruses.  There are very few places in the world with Walruses in captivity and it just so happened that Indy was one of the places.  

Walruses are very active animals as we learned from the 30 minute animal education session.  They were fun to watch b/c they were always swimming and being playful.  I could have sat and watched them all day but the kids needed to press onward.

We couldn't go through the zoo without riding the carousel or any of the other rides they had on property. 

Willie's cheese face. Oh dear.

Her choice of item to purchase upon leaving the zoo.  Fly free parrot. Fly free.

Miss M's last day of Kindergarten

For about the first time this school year we weren't rushed to get out the door b/c Miss M and Willie were up at 6:30am.  Plenty of time to get ready!  

Since they were dressed and ready so quickly Andrew took them through the McDonald's drive through. Nothing says the last day of school like a McDonald's breakfast. I have friends who do fun things like waffles and ice cream for breakfast but I'd prefer someone else make breakfast on the last day. It's like a treat for me since I have been responsible for breakfast for the past 9 months (well actually the past six years).  

I wasn't sure if they were eating at McDonald's or coming home so I shot end of the year pictures as quickly as I could before they left.  

Miss M was not pleased or remotely thrilled with the idea of Big Will being in her pictures.  He just wants to be with her and do whatever she does all day.  We are all going to have a long summer dealing with this.  

Hip Hip Hooray - Kindergarten is complete!

First day - last day. I think it's safe to say she's grown a little bit.

First kindergarten breakfast. Last kindergarten breakfast. 

Last walk to the bus.

Last hike up the steps of the bus.

There was a kindergarten block party from 10-1 on the last day of school.  The kids had the entire street blocked off for their games and horsing around.  There was crafts, bubbles, parachutes, snacks, pizza, drinks, chalk, balls, and face paint.  It was the biggest hit.  The woman painting faces was incredible.  She had minimal artistic ability but painted the same thing on each kids face except in whatever color they wanted. It was genius.  They were all over the moon happy about it.

Almost the entire gang...Will refused a picture.

Because he'd had enough and was exhausted.

First day last day pics with friends/neighbors.

Kindergarten for Miss M is in the books.  I have to say I found the end of the school year more emotional than the beginning of the school year.  She had a good year in Kindergarten. Her teacher was a great partner with whom I had the pleasure working with to further Miss M's learning. I hope next year's teacher is a wonderful (and flexible about homework) as Ms. Bretl.  We're gonna miss her.  

Last Kindergarden Field Trip!!!

The last week of school provided for a lot of parent involvement and not a lot of learning.  The kindergartners went on a field trip to the zoo.  I didn't quite know what I was getting myself into by offering (begrudgingly) to volunteer, but a few of my neighbors were going, and I convinced myself there was strength in numbers.  It was nothing like the other field trips this year.  We were handed our child and told we could roam the zoo as we pleased.  There were very few kids without their parents. Our group ended up being three adults and eight kids...and 7 of the kids were ours.  Not bad odds.  We took the little kids too which they loved because they got to hang out with the big ones. 

Cater and Hazel Girl.  

Almost all of them...

The girls wanted their pictures taken together.  I hope they are in the same class next year. They are good for each other.

Peek-a-boo!

Willie loving spending time with the older boys and looking at boy things like snakes!

We only lost one kid for a short period of time. Unfortunately, it was the only kid that didn't belong to one of us.  It was really stressful for about three minutes until he came out of the bathroom where we learned he needed to refill his water bottle.  

Overall, it was a fun day. I would do the zoo trip again, but I am glad I have a few months before I have to commit or consider committing to any field trips.  

Ohio Family Trip pt 1

The kids and I loaded up the minivan on Friday of Memorial Day weekend to head to see (most) of the Borders family. Andrew flew in from NC that morning and we met him there.  Cathy had a whole weekend planned with food, games, activities and more food to celebrate Nathan's heart surgery in January. 

Nathan and Cathy had made a Jenga set which is where we got the idea (reason) to make ours. I am forever indebted :)

There is a park within walking distance from their house. It had a zip line type activity and Miss M loved riding back and forth on it.  She's pretty strong.

Pistol Annie wouldn't be left behind.

Cathy has a real snow cone machine with all the syrups. It was a hit.  The kids went bonkers getting to pick their flavors and pour on as much sugary goodness as they wanted. The adults were pretty excited for a cool treat too as it was pretty hot.

Serious about snow cones.

The baby pool was a hit with kids of all ages.  I think they threw a bunch of marbles in the pool and were fishing around for them.  They splashed around together for quite awhile while sharing the small space without arguing.  Impressive.

Craft time in the mud room.  The kids all got along so well. It was impressive. We didn't see much of them b/c they entertained themselves with all sorts of activities.

Cathy had games planned for the adults too. She always has games planned for the adults.  She usually excuses herself from the games and then laughs at everyone else.  This year she participated even though she knew what the games were. Nathan and I were on her team and we won the game of using our soapy toes to get the marbles out of the pool.  I dominated that game.  Andrew always tells me my toes look like tater tots and those tater tots came in handy. Who's laughing now :)

Auds and Drew having a rest in the shade.

There was a heart piñata to go with the theme of celebrating Nathan's heart surgery.  Thankfully it was a piñata where you pull strings to find the string that opens the trap door instead of entrusting kids of all sizes with a bat.

6 of 10 cousins! This pictures is my favorite from the weekend.

The boys went out for a fun night on the town and the ladies ended up hanging out in the backyard.  I don't know how it happened but we busted out the blood pressure cuff and went around the circle. Grandma had the lowest blood pressure...I take offense at this :)

Just hanging out.

Fire pit! S'mores time!