Snowcones and Pool Passes

We are well on our way working thru our summer bucket list.  

We went to the local ice cream place for snow cones which was something Jones has been requesting.  They come in cups but it’s still the same thing.  The kids were big fans.  We even sat outside between rainstorms and ate them.

I bought our pool passes last Friday too.  And so far we have been 3 times.  We’ve seen lots of people we know there as well.  I think i mentioned it before too our local pool is open until 8 so this is a perfect after work activity on hot days, we can pop in before or after dinner and it helps the kids sleep.

Tuesday 10 - it’s hella hot

It’s Tuesday people and it was a HOT HOT weekend.  It was 99 outside yesterday, so hot that broke a sweat just walking to the car.  I just wanted some 70s for a few weeks (climate change is real).  Anyhow a list of things I am loving:

1. hint water in watermelon & blackberry

2. Pineapple fried rice

3. Fresh picked strawberries

4. Frequent pool trips (so glad the local pool is open until 8pm)

5. New tank tops (I bought myself 5 new tank tops after seeing a photo of myself in 2008 but I still wear).

6.  Thea fashionista.  She just rocks whatever she wants

7.  The end of teeball.  Jones improved so much but I am glad for the end.   

8. The royal wedding.  I didn’t care about the last one but I was totally into this one.

9.  Ahh the joy of boxes to toddlers.

10. Reusable paper towels. I bought a 100 earlier this year and I love them.  

summer bucket list

Finally my phone is big enough to have space for apps again!  I wrote this summer bucket list after having a chat with the kids about summer activities a few weeks ago.  We actually did tie dye already but I am keeping it on here as the kids want to do it again.  Jones would like to wear his tie dye daily so he might need more.  

Anyhow here’s our summer bucket list:

• Drive In Movies
• Pool Passes - check
• Tie Dye
• Snow Cones - check 
• Go to a beach - check 
• Summer Reading Program- check
• Thursday Band Concerts -check
• Reds Game -check 
• Art Project - check 
• Church Campout
• Visit Aquarium -check 
• Children’s Museum - check 
• Trip to Chicago/Columbus
• Make Challah 
• Ride Ferris Wheel
• Campfire with S’mores
• Spend night at Kathleen’s -check
• Service Project
• Family vacation -check 
• Fruit Kabobs

I want to make a poster with our list but I have yet to do so.  Maybe this week.

Theaburf 24 Months Way Late

I am way late posting this although the pictures are old.

Dear Thea lady 

At age 2 you are finally getting real hair. 

you have opinions about everything. 

you use you song voice when thinking. 

you are resilient, strong, determined, and sooooo energetic.  

you love watching Wheels on the Bus.

You frequently request to wear kitty pants.

you eat dipping sauce with a spoon. 

You enjoy playing babies.

You like reading books especially Cinderella and 3 bears.  

You love running especially away from mommy!  

Also you enjoy being “first”.

You want to do everything Jones does, but you also bring your own twist or try to go further or do more.

You think rain boots go with everything.

You love vegetables and salad but usually don’t bother much with meat.

You struggle wanting to go to sleep.

You bring so much joy.

Love you so, mommy

36 - Cereal-ously its Your Party

This is such a fun idea for a party.  Ask your friends to bring a box of cereal serve with milk and other topping options like fruit, nuts, chocolate, whip cream etc.  We didn’t even get repeats of cereal.  My kids loved it.  It was perfect for Kathleen who always appreciates theme birthdays.  

This is what jones put in his cereal.  He also later added more cereal, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. 







We got auntie Kathleen this letter board for her birthday which we put to use for  the party too (it also had a gnome theme.)

I made simple gnome photo booth props so people would gnome themselves. Worked well except I needed better tape.  

Tee-ball

Tee-ball is also happening here in the Midwest.  Jones is on the Reds team and he is loving it.  I think his biggest complaint has been that the ball doesnt always come to him as when we play in the yard.  

It’s so fun to watch the toddlers playing and learning the game.  Usually 4-8 kids go after the ball, nobody is even on first when the ball is thrown there,  the kids often run to third or to the pitcher mound, they carry their bats with them.  Such a good time to watch.  

Jones’s uniform is easily 3x too big and we have to wear a belt to keep his pants up.  



They also had a big opening day celebration at the community park with Ice cream and bounce houses and a band and little parade.  It was a huge hit with the kids.  









I look forward to seeing more progress as the season goes on.  The kids are already hitting better.  

Our garden

So far our garden is NOT going well.  We transplanted our tomatoes, peppers, squash and peas.  And currently all the peas were snatched up by rabbits.  All the squash got killed by a late frost.  And two of my Pepper plants thea stepped on.  

We still have lots of seedlings to transplant but this does not make me excited to have lost so many plants already.  I am planning to start a few more squash plantsin egg cartons soon.  And i have been adding organic plant food to the soil with hopes I can turn it around.  Wish us luck. 

Ice show 2018

This past weekend was the ice show. After skating lessons wrapped up jones had expressed interest in the show.  So we signed up.  This was like 8 additional skating lessons and two big event shows.  At first he was discouraged as he was one of two three year olds but he ended up loving his coach, and justhaving the best time. His favorite part was the finale where they get to just free skate until the zamboni kicks them off the Ice.  He was very discouraged after like the 3rd practice because he wasn’t going fast so he decided to use a bucket and I totally support this because it made him feel confident and special.  Additionally he actually gave the program director some ideas for the show which they incorporated and I love that.   He is already asking me when the next ice skating is again and when he can get his hockey sticks like the older boys.  

Also funny story some of the college students who coach the skating were coaching Jones on potential poses for his individual and team photos.  And he literally I think attempted all of them with the photographer including jumping with his skates on.  I can’t wait to see the final pictures.