Beach Bums

We don't have salty air, warm aqua water or even a resemblance of a real wave, but it's water nonetheless! During the Midwest's hot and humid summer, we'll take what we can get. A dirty lake is about the closest thing we have to the beach and these two boys didn't seem to mind. They got to swim, swim, play in the sand and swim some more. All in all, we went home full of sand, a little more tan and VERY TIRED! Seems like a good day!!

Don't oooh and ahhh over the picture below. Don't let the arms around each other fool you. That boy you see, looking so protective of his younger brother is doing just the opposite. He's slowly walking him out to the deep water. "Just to see if he can reach." That smaller boy you see, he's clinging to the waist of his older brother, pleading for his life. "No, Mas-yew, I can't weach. Mom told you to stop. You hear her?!" Can you hear the evil laugh coming from that older boy?! Yep, trust me. I heard it. That was my clue that it was time to go home.

This little boy was asleep in less than 5 minutes.

Lethocerus Americanus

Lethocerus Americanus

Scientific name for GIANT WATER BUG.

In just one short year, Ethan has morphed into a fearless swimmer. He spends more time under the water than he does out of the water. It is almost exhausting watching him swim because he's nonstop motion. He usually doesn't slow down until the ride home...in which case, he's sound asleep.

Mater-fied!

Who doesn't love the movie Cars?

Who doesn't love Mater??

Who doesn't love Mater's teeth on my little men?!

The Soap Experiment

I found a very boy thing to do online and KNEW that my two little men would LOVE the science behind it. Take one bar of Ivory soap, put it in a microwaveable container, and heat the soap for two minutes. After only 30 seconds, you will see it start to foam. After 90 seconds, it will look like a huge ball of foam!! The kids were so excited to get it out and play, but be warned...it's warm. It's actually kinda of neat, they washed their hands and feet and didn't even have a clue they were doing it! Ahhh, we might have to try this again for bath time!!

Lunch on a Stick!

Honestly, how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can I make in a week?! Even me, the queen of the PB&J, couldn't stand another day! After being sick for the past week, I figured I would surprise them with something a little different...and they LOVED the idea!!

Even Guinness LOVED the idea of lunch on a stick...even if she couldn't get to it!!

Another Season is OVER!!

Closing ceremonies take FOREVER. Usually, the kids will sit patiently, waiting to receive their trophies. This year, half of them were half asleep, laying in the grass. My two darlings were crying because the grass was 'scratchy' and because it was so hot they were going to die. (It was a beautiful 73 degrees!)

We made it! We survived our last year of instructional baseball. Next year, Matthew will be in the minors and Ethan will start T-ball. I have a feeling I'm going to be doing a lot of driving next year!! Congratulations, Matthew on another well-played year!!

Camping Expedition

For Father's Day, Bryan got a tent for his many camping expeditions with the two boys! I think he was very surprised and VERY excited to test it out. So, for two days, the three boys slept in the backyard. Needless to say, Bryan is pretty sore from sleeping on the ground, but at least they had fun...and I had a couple VERY quiet nights to myself. (Too bad I was too sick to enjoy it!)

The Morning After:

The donut delivery service came and all was right with the world. I just wish that delivery service would stop at Starbucks. Ahh, who am I kidding?! I was in NO mood to drive through town for a coffee, when I can just settle for a Boston Creme. :)

Chill'n Out

Last year, I saw this activity in a Family Fun magazine and waited too long to try it. So, one warm afternoon, the race was one to reclaim their toys from the ice block. Ethan gave up quickly. Matthew was much more persistent. Either way, it was a fun way to cool off.

I think this goofy picture caught them dancing around after their fingers were a bit frozen.

They tried everything to get their goodies out of the ice, but licking it seemed so much more fun! After a while, a LOOOONG while, Matthew figured out that hosing the ice blocks worked the fastest. It was fun while it lasted...

Day 2 - Florida

The second day we did a lot of the settling in stuff. Before we went to the timeshare, though, the boys had a chance to relax and swim.

Captain Underpaints

The Master

Our View

Getting there is half the fun...

Flying out of Milwaukee saved so much money, both on the tickets AND the parking!! It was an hour and a half drive, filled with "are we there yets" and lots of bribery!

4 kids, 1 Nonny, 1 Great Grandma and a long walk...

The day before we left for vacation, my mom and I got a bright idea to walk the kids (and Great Grandma) to the park. What a day!! It was gorgeous out, so I can't complain...and the kids (and Great Grandma) all had fun!!

Abby gave me her famous 'cheese' face. Nonny and Owen Didn't I tell you that Great Grandma had a good time!!?? When my dad and Tim showed up for lunch, Tim decided to torture Ethan. The faces that this kid made on a swing were the funniest things I've ever seen. Home at last...wearing smiles, too!