Zoo and Ruby's BDay

We have really enjoyed using our zoo membership this summer. The boys and I love to go right when it opens when there aren't many people around and the animals are very active. We just went with the Dillons and Gunsoreks for a visit. Seven kids and three adults makes for a fun but very busy visit! It was Ruby's first birthday on the day we went and Meghan brought cookies to celebrate. :)

I want to be....

a garbage man when I grow up. This and I want to be a daddy are frequent conversations in our house. Will likes to practices for his future profession when we take walks. He hops off a little car Miles rides in at each driveway to collect the pretend trash and recyclables. At grocery stores (if I let him walk by himself), he will play garbage man down each aisle picking up food that is "his garbage". One night during dinner, he couldn't concentrate on eating because the truck was making its rounds outside. Once it was in front of our house we let him run out and stand on the porch as he watched them do their job. He will even tell us if he notices one of the garbage men doing their job wrong. What a character!

Miles learns to use a spoon....

enough said!

The Strunk's Visit

The Strunk family came up from Cincy to visit when they had to take Jason to the CBus airport. We are very proud of Jason as he begins his career in CA as part of the navy. The boys loved having family visit during the week :)

Paci Fairy

Will has given up his pacis! We always knew the day would come and it would be a hard one for all of us. Will is a true paci fan. It was in his mouth from day one and even though the last year and a half he can only have it at nap and bedtime, he still would sneak in his room to enjoy it. On a random Wednesday after catching him using his paci when he shouldn't have been, I decided that as sad as it was going to be, it was time. So we prepared and the paci fairy visited us during nap. The only problem was it took about two hours to get to sleep and then we only lasted about fifteen minutes. Gradually every day got better, and by day 4 he didn't even ask about them. As a reward, he got to pick out a toy in the toy aisle, the paci fairy left him little treats under his bed, and he enjoyed his first Graeter's sundae. It is hard to believe our little man is such a big boy!

Brotherly Love

They are a hoot together. One minute they are best of buds, and the next minute we feel like referees in the WWE. Or as Will says, "I'm just practicing my hockey mommy". It is so fun to see them spend so much time together this summer.

Miles' 1st Haircut

I took the boys to get haircuts on one of my first Mondays of summer break. Will is a champ and loves to have his hair cut while sitting in some kind of fun seat, eating a sucker, and watching a show on TV. Miles, not so much! He cried hysterically for the first ten minutes, sobbed for the next five, and then finally sat with a frown on his face for the last two. Even with the paci, if I moved from next to him he would start screaming. Hopefully next time will go better!

Creekside 5K

We have this wonderful community park right down the street from us. They had a 5K on Saturday morning that Pete ran in. He did awesome!! The boys and I went to cheer him on.

Summer Festival

It was fun to take the boys to the summer festival at a nearby catholic church. Will LOVES the rides, and Miles is warming up to the idea :) We have to get some practice in before Sesame Place in August.

Warrior Dash

Pete participated in the Warrior Dash (a 5K through obstacles, fire, mud, and barbed wire) with our friend Jason. It was a blast! Elissa and I braved the 100 degree temps and muddy grass and took all 5 kids...including a new baby :) Did we mention you couldn't bring strollers and that everyone had to take school bus to the site?!? That was by far the kids highlight! That had so much fun and by 8 pm we realized that hadn't eaten yet so we all plopped down on the grass and had a picnic. Will was a little scared of Pete when he was so muddy...he likes to stay clean! Pete and Jason are already planning on going next year!