We had our typical 4th of July, and so far it is fantastic.
Today we did some things around the house (next post), and then headed to Frontier Park in St. Charles to watch the big fireworks.
The weather was AMAZING. There is little humidity, and it was almost cool. The kids rode carnival rides, and we ate funnel cake. Colin talked to me about Minecraft, Kevin read his book (He is reading the I Am Number Four series), and Gwyn just wandered around talking and whining. We even brought corn hole, so Kevin and I played that for about 45 minutes.
Tomorrow we are continuing the tradition of setting off fireworks and inviting neighbors. It started when the boys were pretty little and they went door-to-door inviting the houses around us. We did that for two years, and then figured the neighbors were tired of our kids. But the third year, a few neighbors asked us why they weren't invited. So it continues. I will spend some time making red, white and blue food with the kids, and Kevin will clean the house. This year I am not making strawberries. (They are so good.) But I am trying red, white and blue jello cups, chocolate covered pretzels, and rice krispie treats. No big deal, but a fun tradition for me and the kids.
I hope you have a great holiday!
Monday, July 3, 2017
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Kevin is back from camp.
Yes, I started crying three times on the way to picking him up. I didn't talk about him much when he was gone because I prefer to be in denial about how much I miss my kids when they are gone. There is less crying for my husband to deal with. But the drive down was very exciting for me. I was nervous about his mood when I picked him up. I drove down with his friend's mom, so I had someone to talk to on the way, and the boys got to ride home together.
He was so freaking happy when I picked him up! He was telling me about how he went horse back riding (his favorite of the trip), zip lining twice, and rock wall climbing. (He made it to the top.) At the closing event, he and Alex and the others sang their chants from camp, and I wish I got it on video. He was so happy in it. (And he voice was horse when I picked him up.) By the time I asked to get his picture, he was exhausted and didn't want a picture taken. (I don't know how he didn't fall asleep on the way home.)
Here is what he has to say about Camp Lakewood -
Cabins: It was nice, we had 16 beds, including the counselors. There was plenty of space, the bathrooms were fine. We got to play hide-and-go-seek in our free time and there were plenty of places to hide. We played games in our free time. (His cabin group was the smallest as there were only 6 kids in his group. There were plenty of open beds, and one of the boys was special needs and slept separately. Kevin and Alex mentioned his name first when we asked about making friends. I am so glad that all the kids felt like part of a group.)
Food: The food was nice. I liked it all. They had good food.
Cabin mates: They were fun. Ramorie was a lot of fun. Jo Jo loved his music and he was so much fun. I want to see him again next year. Edison was fun when he wasn't angry. And you know Alex. (His friend.)
Counselors: Sassquatch was fun and did fun stuff. Mumble was fun and did fun stuff as well. Racoon helped mainly with Jo Jo.
(Me:You keep saying fun. K3:Because it was so fun! That is the best word to use!)
Clinics: They were good. The only one I will change is soccer, otherwise they were all really good. I liked basketball, floor hockey and flag football. I want to change soccer to something else so I can try something new.
Other activities: I mainly played Gaga since I liked it. We did an indoor Gaga with the other side of my cabin. I played Medic Ball once and we played counselors v campers. Campers won. My horse was named Charlie Brown and he was nicely trained. The zip lining was okay but it was sort.
Do you want to go back: YES!
We have been trying to get the boys to attend camp since they were 8. I am so happy that this was a wonderful experience for Kevin, and both boys will attend next year! We have to wait two more years for Gwyn to join since you must be 8 years old to attend.
He was so freaking happy when I picked him up! He was telling me about how he went horse back riding (his favorite of the trip), zip lining twice, and rock wall climbing. (He made it to the top.) At the closing event, he and Alex and the others sang their chants from camp, and I wish I got it on video. He was so happy in it. (And he voice was horse when I picked him up.) By the time I asked to get his picture, he was exhausted and didn't want a picture taken. (I don't know how he didn't fall asleep on the way home.)
Here is what he has to say about Camp Lakewood -
Cabins: It was nice, we had 16 beds, including the counselors. There was plenty of space, the bathrooms were fine. We got to play hide-and-go-seek in our free time and there were plenty of places to hide. We played games in our free time. (His cabin group was the smallest as there were only 6 kids in his group. There were plenty of open beds, and one of the boys was special needs and slept separately. Kevin and Alex mentioned his name first when we asked about making friends. I am so glad that all the kids felt like part of a group.)
Food: The food was nice. I liked it all. They had good food.
Cabin mates: They were fun. Ramorie was a lot of fun. Jo Jo loved his music and he was so much fun. I want to see him again next year. Edison was fun when he wasn't angry. And you know Alex. (His friend.)
Counselors: Sassquatch was fun and did fun stuff. Mumble was fun and did fun stuff as well. Racoon helped mainly with Jo Jo.
(Me:You keep saying fun. K3:Because it was so fun! That is the best word to use!)
Clinics: They were good. The only one I will change is soccer, otherwise they were all really good. I liked basketball, floor hockey and flag football. I want to change soccer to something else so I can try something new.
Other activities: I mainly played Gaga since I liked it. We did an indoor Gaga with the other side of my cabin. I played Medic Ball once and we played counselors v campers. Campers won. My horse was named Charlie Brown and he was nicely trained. The zip lining was okay but it was sort.
Do you want to go back: YES!
We have been trying to get the boys to attend camp since they were 8. I am so happy that this was a wonderful experience for Kevin, and both boys will attend next year! We have to wait two more years for Gwyn to join since you must be 8 years old to attend.
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| Alex during the water fight. (Kevin said he stayed completely dry.) |
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| All the Raptors. Kevin is in bright green in the center. |
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| Kevin's cabin. (26L) Ramorie, Kevin, Edison, Alex and someone else. Jo Jo is not in the picture. |
Thursday, June 8, 2017
More Camp Lakewood
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| Colin thinks this egg throw has something to do with Humpty Dumpty. (The egg on the wall has legs!) |
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Camp Lakewood
I still have to write about our trip to Trout Lodge from last weekend, but for now I want to post pictures of Kevin at Camp Lakewood. (We dropped him off at his camp on Sunday, and finished our trip with just two kids. Colin and Gwyn have a week with just each other!)
The camp posts pictures from each day, and I tried to cut out other kids of the pictures I am posting. (I only feel fine posting since the pictures are available online anyway.)
It looks like Kevin is having fun!
The camp posts pictures from each day, and I tried to cut out other kids of the pictures I am posting. (I only feel fine posting since the pictures are available online anyway.)
It looks like Kevin is having fun!
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| The first night is utensils-optional spaghetti dinner. |
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| Crazy-clothes parade. |
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| One of his best friends is in his cabin with him! |
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| Playing hockey. |
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| Football. |
Monday, May 29, 2017
Penny Jane Wall
My sister had her baby today, on Memorial Day! Penny Jane Wall was born shortly after 10 am this morning. Her nicknames are already PJ and Pia. (Pia because big sis Ruby can not say Penny, and says Pia.)I went up to the hospital to see Cathy and Dave around 8:30 this morning, along with my mom. Dave's mom arrived not long after.
Every thing went well, and Cathy and Penny are doing great. When we left the hospital around 3 (my family arrived around 2:15) we took Ruby with us. She hasn't been to our house in about 2 weeks, which is a long time for us. I plan on taking her to the zoo tomorrow with Gwyn, even if it is supposed to rain. We will just bring towels.
Every thing went well, and Cathy and Penny are doing great. When we left the hospital around 3 (my family arrived around 2:15) we took Ruby with us. She hasn't been to our house in about 2 weeks, which is a long time for us. I plan on taking her to the zoo tomorrow with Gwyn, even if it is supposed to rain. We will just bring towels.
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| She looks so much like her big sister, Ruby! |
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Mother's Day
Mother's Day 2017 was celebrated on May 21st, because May 14th is a very important date in our family that shouldn't be shared with other holidays.
Colin
Favorite thing about Mommy: She is a good snuggler.
Favorite things to do with Mommy: Read or snuggle while watching TV.
How Mommy takes care of me: She drives me some places. She talks to my friends moms so I can play with them.
Why is Mommy Special: Because she is the best mom.
Favorite memory: Going to Universal Studios and riding some of the rides. Daddy, Kevin, and Gwyn were on another ride and the park was about to close at night and we rode Buckbeak over and over and over again.
Final thought: She is very nice to me.
Kevin
Favorite thing about Mommy: She is fun.
Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Read.
How Mommy takes care of me: She helps me when I need help with stuff. Like homework questions I don't really understand.
Why is Mommy special: Because she is the one Momma I'll ever have.
Favorite Memory of Mommy: Reading with Mommy while I'm reading my book and she is reading her book and we are snuggling.
Final thought: Nothing.
Gwyneth
Favorite thing about Mommy: That she snuggles with me.
Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Build my Guardians of the Galaxy Lego set.
How Mommy takes care of me: She made me be alive. She helps me get dressed. Nothing else.
Why is Mommy special: Because she is my Mommy.
Favorite memory of Mommy: When she brushes my hair or building my lego set.
Final thought: Nothing.
Colin
Favorite thing about Mommy: She is a good snuggler.
Favorite things to do with Mommy: Read or snuggle while watching TV.
How Mommy takes care of me: She drives me some places. She talks to my friends moms so I can play with them.
Why is Mommy Special: Because she is the best mom.
Favorite memory: Going to Universal Studios and riding some of the rides. Daddy, Kevin, and Gwyn were on another ride and the park was about to close at night and we rode Buckbeak over and over and over again.
Final thought: She is very nice to me.
Kevin
Favorite thing about Mommy: She is fun.
Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Read.
How Mommy takes care of me: She helps me when I need help with stuff. Like homework questions I don't really understand.
Why is Mommy special: Because she is the one Momma I'll ever have.
Favorite Memory of Mommy: Reading with Mommy while I'm reading my book and she is reading her book and we are snuggling.
Final thought: Nothing.
Gwyneth
Favorite thing about Mommy: That she snuggles with me.
Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Build my Guardians of the Galaxy Lego set.
How Mommy takes care of me: She made me be alive. She helps me get dressed. Nothing else.
Why is Mommy special: Because she is my Mommy.
Favorite memory of Mommy: When she brushes my hair or building my lego set.
Final thought: Nothing.
Friday, May 19, 2017
Spring Mornings
I just want to remember how mornings have been over the past few weeks.
I started snuggling with Gwyn a while ago to wake her up. She used to be grumpy, but now she demands it. We talk about our day and I play with her hair. I love it.
Colin has taken to having time in the morning now as well. He will get in our bed sometimes when he hears Kevin get in the shower. He is so wide awake and happy, so we get to talk before I get in the shower. Sometimes he is even in there when we get home from running!
I love it, and just want to remember these moments.
I started snuggling with Gwyn a while ago to wake her up. She used to be grumpy, but now she demands it. We talk about our day and I play with her hair. I love it.
Colin has taken to having time in the morning now as well. He will get in our bed sometimes when he hears Kevin get in the shower. He is so wide awake and happy, so we get to talk before I get in the shower. Sometimes he is even in there when we get home from running!
I love it, and just want to remember these moments.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Happy Birthday Colin!
This past Sunday was Colin's 9th birthday. (Mother's Day will be a week late for us.) I hope he had fun. Last weekend, we had three friends stay the night. This weekend he had his family party. Today (Sunday, his actual birthday) we went to Kokomo Joes for a bit and he chose Uncle Bill's Pancake House for dinner.
Favorite part about this year's birthday: dinner at Uncle Bill's, presents, playing outside with family
He is so amazing and sweet. He is so much kinder than people give him credit for! And if you are quiet enough, you will hear him be a great brother. I love him so much!
Favorite part about this year's birthday: dinner at Uncle Bill's, presents, playing outside with family
He is so amazing and sweet. He is so much kinder than people give him credit for! And if you are quiet enough, you will hear him be a great brother. I love him so much!
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