the weekend was just what we needed

Posted on June 17, 2014August 1, 2014 by mommyinthemidwest

Life with a 3 and 4 year old, not to mention a house that needs (and is semi-in-the-process-of) remodeling inside and out is busy and hectic to say the least. I feel like we are going, going, going nonstop but not with anything particularly substantial. Ryan is working on the house and I’m trying to keep the boys busy and entertained. That’s the story of our life lately. It was really. REALLY. fun (and needed) to connect with each other as a family of four, all while reconnecting with some friends we hadn’t seen for far too long to live only 2 hours away.

We spent the weekend with Ryan’s friend from school and his family. They live in beautiful town with lakes all over the place. We’d only visited in the winter before and didn’t fully realize how lovely the surroundings were at the time. I think we’re both looking forward to the (warm) day when we can visit again.

Saturday morning started off with a walk to the playground and throwing rocks into a retention pond across from it. That’s just about all that kids need to be content.

Such a sweet family.

Look at these two cuties (4 & 2) and their beautiful eyes!

Taking a cruise around the lake on the pontoon boat.

Little mister was thisclose to falling asleep while mom drove us around.

A milestone! Theo and Dexter got their first rides on a jet ski. And they LOVED it. I love that they are afraid of almost nothing.

Sole bit of photographic evidence that I was actually present.

A long day winding down. Rides on the gator.

As we were loading up to head back to our friends’ house, I had to get back out of the car to snap this quick photo. Oh, to drive up to that view whenever we wanted…so gorgeous, peaceful, and relaxing there.

So when we planned this weekend with our friends, I don’t think any of us realized it was also Father’s Day weekend. In fact, I didn’t realize it until last Monday. That’s okay – I had time to throw together a book for Ryan with the boys help. Read their answers to my Father’s Day Q&A here. The book had the interviews, some recent photos, some artwork, and tickets to an upcoming pro soccer game. He was surprised, and I think pretty pleased!

Sleepy boy on the stairs.

After enjoying a Father’s Day Feast (I feel like we ate so much delicious food all weekend — like literally nonstop “all weekend”), we went to a nearby park and then a cute ice cream shop. The town has these lifelike bronze statues all around right now to promote a local community summer event, First Fridays. I wish I’d taken the time to walk around and photograph more of them.

Some great guys – and a great girl.

There was a little festival going on around the ice cream shop we visited so of course the kids had to play on the bounce houses for a few minutes before Ryan, me, and the boys headed back home.

It was such a great weekend…returning home to all the chores that failed to get done was a bit of a disappointment after feeling like we’d been catered to by the best hosts all weekend long. I think we might see how much rent they’d charge to let us just take over their basement…

xo,

~C~

strawberries & fire trucks: 2014

Posted on June 11, 2014August 2, 2014 by mommyinthemidwest

A look back:

Strawberries & Fire Trucks: 2013
Strawberries & Fire Trucks: 2012

Apparently this festival is now a family tradition. How do we go three years in a row and not plan our return again in 2015? We enjoyed another component of the festival this year — fireworks at 10pm. The boys couldn’t stay up late enough the last two years but this time it worked out perfectly.

We went this year with some friends who had never been before. The weather was comfortable – a change from the past two years when it was in the 80s and 90s.

This year we went with our friends, Erin, James, and their little boy, L.

As I mentioned in my posts from the past 2 years, the festival is put on by the local fire department and what makes it so neat for kids is that they can see and talk to firemen and police officers, up close and personal. They also get to climb in and on fire trucks, ambulances, and even a LifeLine helicopter.

I know I’m feeling a little sentimental after looking at the past two years’ posts from this event, but … is it just me or does it look like Theo’s legs go on for days?? SO. BIG.

Waiting for the yearly extrication demonstration – my favorite part of the fest.

The firefighters rescue a “victim” from a crashed vehicle by safely removing the windows and doors using the Jaws of Life. Very neat to watch them work.

While they are helping their “patient,” a LifeLine helicopter lands in the field. The patient is loaded onto the helicopter, then they fly away and circle back around, landing again in the field. Afterwards, kids can climb through and take a look at all those cool knobs and buttons.

And let’s not forget the tastiest treat around town – strawberry shortcakes!

Yum, yum, yum.

The kids played on the playground for awhile. Once it began to get dark, we found our perfect spot in the grass to watch the fireworks.

Aside from a few fireworks that the boys saw at Disney World, I guess they’d never seen an entire “show.” They laid down flat on their backs and watch as the firecrackers exploded overhead. Their excitement and joyous exclamations each time a new color exploded above us was too cute. Dexter even said, “Theo! It’s like we’re at Disney World!” Then my heart burst, just like those fireworks. Other than that, there was a lot of “LOOK! A BLUE one!” and “LOOK! A GOLDEN one!” So super cute.

We had a lot of fun with our friends. The next day, Theo was still talking about the fireworks and how they were his favorite part of our very long, busy, fun day. Another great time at the annual fire trucks and strawberry fest!!

xo,

~C~

s is for strawberries

Posted on June 3, 2014 by mommyinthemidwest

Sunday morning Ryan had work to do around the house so the boys and I loaded up and headed off to The Apple Works, an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, strawberry field, and so much more, a short drive south of us. I had never been strawberry picking before and neither had the boys. It. Was. Hot. But we had fun anyway.

They were serious about finding the very best berries, dark red from top to bottom. I was disappointed after driving to the top of the hill to find that there was no one there passing out any type of container to fill. Luckily, the boys had snacked on pretzels in the car and we still had their plastic storage bags handy.

Is this a good one, mom?

Poor Dex, his little face goes bright red as soon as he gets in the sun (from heat, not sunburn).

They were entertained by the hunt and the picking until their baggies were about half full. They wandered around, enjoying their freedom, while I continued filling the bags. Isn’t it sweet how Dexter’s never far behind Theo? Well, on this day it was. It’s not always. Ha.

After we were done picking, we drove back down the hill and parked at the store. We paid for our berries and I got the boys a small bottle of sweet apple cider. They chugged it on the porch of the store and enjoyed a cool breeze and some shade. Perfect moment in time.

The berries are small but you’ll never taste one sweeter. So delicious.

It was a fun mommy, son, and son date that I won’t forget. Making memories with these boys of mine – that’s what it’s all about. I think this might have to be a new annual family tradition. But next time we’ll take Daddy. 🙂

xo,
~C~