WHITE TREAT

Grandpa J and Grandma S came to visit this weekend (and babysit for a few hours). The kids always soak up lots of love from grandparents! All week JP has been asking me for the "white treats" that Grandma S gave him ... after staring in my cupboards and asking JP over and over what he means, I finally figured it out! Grandma S found some marshmallows in my cupboard (who knows how old those are) ... what a great new (white!) snack!

BALL

She shoots.

And she scores.

SIBLINGS

Our unseasonably warm weather brought endless outdoor play activities to our family over the weekend. In a matter of minutes our front yard was strewn with bikes, trikes, helmets, play lawnmowers, wagons, strollers, sidewalk chalk, t-balls, soccer balls, kickballs, sandbox toys, and the jeep.



Of all the activities, sitting together in the jeep and having sibling sharing time was the favorite. These two are hilarious! We are going to have a fun summer!

TEETH

Yep, my 15 month old ONLY has her two bottom teeth! I snapped a photo today as I'm guessing that next week at this time she may be up to SIX!

THE BAD GUYS

The little green leprechauns didn't make a debut at our home today. I told them to come back next year.

When I dropped the kids off at daycare yesterday, we found gold glitter and tiny four leaf clovers scattered all of the way from the front door to each of the classrooms. Upon entering the classrooms, we were told that the leprechauns had come earlier that morning and they were coming back to visit. The whole sight and story was really quite charming.

When I picked JP up from daycare, he and his little classmates immediately told me that the leprechauns were "so naughty!" When all of the kids were outside playing, the leprechauns came into JP's classroom again, knocked down all of the chairs, and left green milk and rainbow stickers. When the preschoolers arrived back to their room, they were astonished to see the big mess and they all thought the green milk was disgusting. I'm told that the leprechauns were a much bigger hit in the older classrooms ... perhaps 2.5 year olds are too young to get it!

Nonetheless, we decided to not freak JP out with more green milk. Instead we enjoyed the 80+ degree MN weather!





We loaded up the kids in the bike trailer and took a stroll to the Dairy Queen for some green ice cream! Thankfully, there was no talk of the "bad guys."

BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday

Aunt K!

FEEL BETTER

On the last night of our vacation to CA earlier this month, I received a phone call from my dear friend's mom. Sara and Chris were in a horrible car accident. Since this phone call, my life has changed inside out. My friends both remain hospitalized, fighting each day for another day. I've been back and forth visiting them many times; several of these visits have involved A dropping me off at the hospital with the kids in the car. It's amazing how much JP picks up on things ... even after my first hospital visit, he asked, "Momma, is Miss Sara sick?" Since this day, JP continues to ask me if I'm sad; he wonders if Mr. Chris is still hurt; JP asks me to tell my friends to "feel better". Chris and Sara are the first people he "God Blesses" at night during prayer time. JP continues to be such an example to me ... how I need to have faith like a child. I find myself getting wrapped up in all of the medical details of Chris and Sara's recovery instead of just letting God take over. JP's innocence and honesty, even during one of life's greatest challenges, keeps me grounded and rooted in the things I know to be true.

"Feel better" Mr. Chris and Ms. Sara! We love you!

BEACH

The absolute favorite part of our 5 day vacation to Coronado?

The Beach!

VACATION: PART III

Each morning, Lil' AA sprung from her crib to give us all the weather report for the day.

We definitely kept busy ... but made time to have ice cream with Elvis.

Although AA didn't get a dish of ice cream of her own, I'm confident she had more than the rest of us.

Both of the kids were amazed by the water fall.

We made sure to take advantage of the gingersnaps and fresh lemonade offered by our hotel each afternoon!

One of our favorite finds was the "Single Scoop" family bicycle!

VACATION: PART II

We spent the second half of our vacation away from home ...

we loaded up the kids (and 2 car seats, one high chair, many diapers, clothes, sunglasses, and snacks) and flew to the sunny Coronado Island.

We were fortunate enough to have Grandpa T join along.

The first stop was the famous San Diego Zoo.

The close up visit to the sea lion show was one of the favorites.

After 6+ hours of JP and AA chasing the animals (and the adults chasing the kids), it was naptime!