Detroit Zoo Trip

Today we took our first summer trip to the Detroit Zoo. We got there right when it opened hoping that it would still be cool enough for the animals to be out. When we walked in the lady told us they would be feeding penguins in about 30 minutes. So we checked out a couple animals and then headed to the penguin house. It was neat for the kids to see the penguins being feed, but we thought it was very interesting that they feed the penguins one at a time and write down how much each one eats...it seems to be a very long process. After that we continued to walk around the zoo, luckily seeing most of the animals being very active. Jackson and Aubrin had a ball looking at all of the animals. They were both a bit bummed that the lions were not there because they are having a new habitat built, but we will be back to see them in the next couple of weeks.

We found a nice shady area for lunch as we were also joined by a peacock. Jackson and Aubrin were both a bit bothered by this. As they ate they both had one very close eye on it.

After lunch we walked around a bit more and then headed home just as it was starting to get really busy and really hot.

Happy Birthday Annie!

Today we had plans to go to Annie's 6th birthday party. The kids decided that we should make our own wrapping paper for Annie's gift so we painted it. Jackson and Aubrin had a great time. Although my poor kitchen floor needed a bit of love after they were done, they paper turned out very cute.

It was a beautiful afternoon for Annie's party. Annie is such a girly girl. She always has her nails painted, cute ribbons in her hair, accessories on and a purse in hand. So I wasn't surprised at all when we walked into the house and she had a very sparkly birthday crown on. Annie was handing out welcome notes to all of the guests that she had worked so hard on writing. (Of course the kindergarten teacher in me was loving that she spent so much time writing these cute little notes!)

The kids had a great time playing soccer, bouncing in the bounce house and of course watching Annie open her presents. It was a great afternoon spent celebrating Annie.

The end of the season

Jackson's t-ball season came to an end today. I wasn't able to go to the game, but Todd and Aubrin went to cheer him on. Todd and I have been so proud of Jackson during his season. He took directions from Coach Mike great, got along well with the other kids and went to each game wanting to play and always doing his best. Today they played a round robin. They played four games, but each game was only one inning. After the game, each player got a trophy. Jackson was so excited to get his first trophy! After the game Coach Mike and his family had a gathering back at their house for all of the families. Jackson is a bit sad that the season is over. He really liked going to the games and playing on a team. I have to admit I am a little sad the games are over too. I loved watching Jackson play and get excited when it was his turn to bat. We are already looking forward to next year!

Wemonwade Stand

Jackson and Aubrin have recently gone into business~The lemonade business. Our neighbors Lexie and Morgan often sell golf balls to golfers as they go by in their carts. Jackson said that he would like to try and sell lemonade. So we went to the store, bought lemonade, made a little sign to attach to the table and they were in business. Jackson and Aubrin were so funny. When a golfer would go by they would say, "Hello, would you like to buy some lemonade?" I was amazed at how many people stopped and actually bought it. A few stopped and said no thanks, but still gave them a dollar or two. I mean who could pass up two adorable kids that say "Would you like to buy some wemonwade?" After two hours the kids counted their money from their $0.50 a cup "wemonwade" stand and made $18.00. I think they could be in business!

Flint Children's Museum

This morning Mary and I decided to take an adventure to the Flint Children's Museum. It was about a 45 minute drive, but well worth it. We pack all four of the kids in Mary's van and off we went. When we got their Jackson and Aubrin were so excited to see all of the hands on things they could do. Camden and Nolan had been there before so they were able to show my babes around. First we started at the grocery store where the kids could shop, ring each other up and then put their grocery's away. Then we made it over to the pizza shop where they took our orders and went into the kitchen to prepare our food. The music room was great. The kids could run on the musical floor, and make lovely sounds with the instruments hanging on the wall. They also had a theater room. The boys loved dressing up and putting on a show. Aubrin enjoyed the post office where she could sort mail and deliver boxes to different mailboxes. Jackson also thought the fire truck was great. The four kids get along so well together and had a ball. Everything that they played with had such a rich educational value to it. They were learning so much, but didn't even realize it. I'm so happy we decided to make the trip.

Another Suprise Visit

Jackson had another surprise visit at his game. Grandma and Papa came! Jackson was very excited to see them. Jackson had a few good hits and did a great job catching the ball tonight. Aubrin loved sitting and being chatty with them and asking 100 questions~as usual! Grandma and Papa cheered Jackson on and then treated us to ice cream after the game. Jackson is so lucky to have so many great fans!

So silly...

While Todd and Jackson were out golfing, Aubrin and I took a few fun pictures. She is so silly!

The Whole Course

Since Jackson has gotten his new clubs he has been asking to play the whole course. It's tricky playing 18 holes of golf with a four year old. On most days the course is really busy and Todd didn't want to hold any other groups up. So Todd told Jackson that they would have to get up really early and be the first ones on the course. Well, you tell Jackson something like that and you better bet he will hold you to it. At 6:15 this morning Jackson comes downstairs ready to go. He said he just needed to get his golf shirt on and he was ready. Of course the night before he washed his clubs in the Slip n' Slide so they would be nice and clean. Jackson was so excited that he got to go out with Todd and it was only "the boys". Aubrin was feeling a bit sad that Todd didn't take her, but he promised that he would pick her up for the last two holes. She waited very patiently with her clubs. While we waited we played outside and played games. After golf was over Jackson felt very proud of his accomplishment and asked when they could go again.

Happy Father's Day

This year for Father's Day we stayed home and had a quiet day. It was a weird feeling not seeing my dad or Todd's dad. We saw both dads on Saturday at Aubrin's party. We celebrated a bit after Aubrin's party with my dad since Erin was in town. It seemed that my dad was okay with having a quiet day with my mom and Todd's dad seemed to have the same feeling. So we woke up and had a Father's Day breakfast play at home and just played around the house. Aubrin and Jackson love playing with Aubrin's new hopscotch game. They played it most of the morning. We also played outside. It was a nice day.

Our Big Girl Turns 3!

On Monday morning when Aubrin woke up I wanted to scream happy birthday to her and celebrate how wonderful she is, but instead we acted like it was typical Monday morning. Our family had the busiest day on Monday. Todd and I both had to work, Todd had a baseball game and Jackson had a t-ball game. We would not be home to eat together, open presents together or have cake together, so we told Aubin her birthday was on Tuesday- UGH! I felt like a horrible mom. Although Aubrin knew no different, I did, and I felt terrible. Todd and I decided we wanted to celebrate Aubrin's birthday as a family so Tuesday it would be. So...
On Tuesday morning when Aubrin woke up, we screamed happy birthday and celebrated how wonderful she is. Todd and I both had to work, so Shelia took the kids out for a special lunch. I got home from work as fast as I could so we could start our festivities. Jackson couldn't wait to give Aubrin her present. He and I went our shopping a few weeks before. He knew exactly what he wanted to buy her.

Aubrin loved her Sleeping Beauty dress and pink baseball glove that Jackson picked out for her. She said, "Jackson, I love it so much. Thank you buddy. Come over here and give me a hug." Of course Jackson wanted to go outside and play catch with her right away. Aubrin said sure but first she needed to get into her princess dress. Then Todd and I gave Aubrin our present. She was so excited to get her pink Big Wheel.

On Saturday morning Aubrin celebrated her birthday with friends and family at her princess party. Aubrin had a great time playing with her family and friends.

We had a princess crown pinata that finally Emma and Nate cracked open for all to enjoy. Aubrin had her own princess cake to enjoy, although we never ended up cutting it because she had a cupcake instead~oh well! We were so excited that Aunt Erin came into town for the party. It meant a lot to all of us that we was able to come and be in town for less than 24 hours. Thank you Aunt Erin! Aubrin loved all of her presents. She got so many cute new clothes, an ironing board, clothes for her Bitty Baby, a princess sleeping bag, Lite Brite and a princess hop scotch game. I'm sure she will be very busy playing with all of her new treasures this summer. We were so happy that everyone could celebrate our little lady.

Happy Birthday Violet and Stephen

Today we celebrated Violet and Stephen's 1st birthday. It's hard to believe that it has already been a year since these two beautiful babes blessed our family. Michele and Tony had everyone over to their house for a little celebration. As always, Jackson and Aubrin had a great time playing with their cousins. Aunt Krista, Uncle Kyle and Aunt Colleen had a great soccer game going with all of the big kids. The little kids played on the play structure and drove each other around in the toy jeep and car. Jackson dabbled in both, but always seemed to find his way back to where ever Annie was playing.

The Chair

When Jackson was born I searched for the perfect chair to put in his room. Something comfortable and nice looking. I remember sleeping many nights in that chair with Jackson when he was a baby and reading books to him each night. Then my parents bought Jackson a big boy chair for his room when Aubrin was born. I remember Jackson having a hard time when the chair left his room. When it was time to read books at night he would always bring his books into Aubrin's room so we could sit together and read. I also spent many nights sleeping in the chair with Aubrin when she was a baby and countless hours of sitting and reading together. The chair became a sitting place for Jackson, Aubrin and I to cozy up and read stories.

For the past couple of months Aubrin has mentioned to me that she would like a big girl chair, just like Jackson's. Although, I don't think she thought it through and realized that the rocking chair would be leave her room.

As an early birthday present my parents came over and surprised Aubrin with a purple and white polka dot big girl chair. My dad put it up in Aubrin's room and then called her up. Aubrin LOVED it! She said, "Oh my goodness, I love it! Thanks guys!" It is too cute!

When it came time for bed and stories Aubrin realized that our rocking chair was moved down into our office. She cried a bit and asked if we could please bring it back upstairs so we could sit together. Although she loves her chair, she loves our cuddle time too! She was sad until she realized that now daddy and I can lay in her bed and read books just like we do with Jackson.

Over the past couple of weeks I have found that during the day we sit in the chair and cuddle and read and in the evening we cuddle in bed and read~everyone is happy.