July recap

July came and went, as it always does, simply too fast. I love summer, it is my absolute favorite. The sun on my face, the long hours of daylight and never having to feel chilly! Being in a pandemic doesn't change that for me at all. We spent as much time this July as possible soaking in the sun, swimming and watching (or playing ball). 

Game break social distancing. No playing with new friends or running at the playground. 

Strawberry picking. Best social distancing activity! 

Late night, waiting on Ryan’s firework display 

Like father like son

New moves off the diving board. Feeling blessed to have the pool this year while safe at home. 

Our safe social "bubble" remained incredibly small, and consisted of one friend for each kid, plus Regan's softball team. And boy are we glad she has an amazing team, because we have been spending a lot of time with them! Mostly always outdoors of course :)  Sidney's season was cut to 3 weeks due to the pandemic as well as a significant financial theft from her association. However, Regan's club coach has invited Sidney to attend practices. It's turned into so much more than just helping, and Sidney is receiving 1:1 instructions from some amazingly talented coaching staff. We are forever grateful. 

Lost a couple teeth this summer 

Regan umping  Sidney’s sole scrimmage this summer 

More moves off the board, catching some mad air! 

Cutest pitcher around 

Burning energy in the pool

Biking around the fields because he isn’t allowed on the playground. I scored a new helmet and he loves it 

Regans team took first in our bracket at state. So much fun to watch these girls play. 

Sidney’s “team photo” after winning their scrimmage 

Lincoln learned to dive; totally self taught!

Regan’s team made the decision to travel south to Missouri for a national tournament. While we were nervous to leave the safety of home, we took every precaution possible and made the most of our road trip. I packed cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and even a UV light to disinfect the hotel room (thanks mom!). We were cautious and mindful but able to enjoy the heat and humidity of Missouri. The tournament was tough, but the bonds we created with teammates and friends made it all worthwhile. 

Team bonding, plus Lincoln and Sidney 

Ryan and Amy Lou deciding on the best KC barbecue that will deliver to our hotel. 

Catching on that turf was HOT. 150 degrees according to the tournament director. 

The outcome was not great, but the experience was wonderful. 

Grab and go breakfast bar, masked 

It. Was. Hot. 

Huddle up girls. 

Our only dinner out since this pandemic started. Regan’s coach knows me well...knew this was breaking every rule in my book as she watched me bathe in hand sanitizer throughout dinner. 

Girls just want to have fun 

We sure miss having family friends over each weekend to swim and grill. We miss seeing family. We miss a super busy social calendar. Yet we are reminded daily this pandemic is not over. And we must not become complacent. We still have groceries delivered. Everyday is a bit like Christmas with all of the Target/Amazon/online deliveries. We both work from home. We rarely get take out. 

For the most part, we remain at home or outside. August is bringing a new set of concerns with discussions about return to school and return to work in the hospital. One day at a time over here. 

 

"Confuser"

Sidney requested a diffuser and essential oils for her bedroom recently and since she had an Amazon gift card, it was a perfect time to place her order. She patiently waited for it to arrive and promptly set it up in her room (I had to admit my jealousy seeing as those her diffuser is pretty awesome compared to my dated diffuser in the kitchen).

Lincoln caught a glimpse of it all lit up before bed that night and quickly whined that he needed "a confuser" too. We have not stopped hearing him beg for a cool light up confuser too :)

 

Fall activities

This fall has honestly been a bit of a blur. Our calendar has been chalk full of practices and meets and lessons and games. We had one week of rain that cancelled our outdoor events for the most part and we all stared at each other wondering what we were supposed to do. HA! 

It really is so much fun to watch all 3 kiddos participate in extra-curricular activities. 

I'm not going to say it isn't a lot of work. Because it is. There is so much stress on ensuring everyone is where they need to be, with food in their bellies and everything they need. 

And then there is the coordination of it all. Making sure the right gear is in the right vehicle for the right activity. 

Sometimes we get a small moment, to really *be* with our kids and take a little of their love for an activity. Like when we get to learn how to sew elastic and ribbon onto super expensive pointe shoes. only to bring it all home and have grandma Jan do all of the grunt work! 

In all of the hustle and bustle this fall, we are ever thankful at how adaptable Lincoln is with all of the chaos. He finds fun no matter where we are, usually making a few friends along the way. The girls' friends all adore him and take him under their wing, begging to be his chosen friend who gets a hug. 

He knows many of the fields they play on, and knows what to expect when we arrive, which ones have playgrounds or which ones he needs to bring along his remote control car. 

Love him to pieces :) 

And lately he's been getting his own chance at an activity, breezing through all of the swim lessons at Foss. He's part-fish this little boy of ours. Currently in classes designed for 5-7 year olds where he's learning side breaths. Incredible skills and I love to spend 30 minutes each week watching it be *his turn* at something! 

We would not have life any other way. I know it's exhausting, and the piles of laundry and papers are endless. Yet we all adore the busy-ness of this lifestyle and thrive on the strict schedule it creates. 

Slowing down, silly fun

I've been trying hard to push the "pause" button this month. Doing things like putting down my phone, soaking in the kids and simply enjoying the moment. Our days have been so full between incredibly demanding roles at work, 3 super active children who are all striving for our attention and phones that go buzz buzz buzz requiring replies to emails, attention to lost packages and stolen identities (sadly, yes that too is occurring).

But when we slow down a little and let go of everything for a moment, we see what's really important to us. And the smiles on those faces make it all worth the tasks piling up on the other end!

Summer fun: family style

I'm only moderately embarrassed by the number of pictures on my iPhone. But what's worse, is that I am keeping all of these great moments locked up on my phone! Life has just been so full for us that I'm having a hard time finding a quiet moment to share our memories and photos. But here we go....

A few weeks back, I took a week off from work to spend gallivanting around this wonderful metropolis, having a grand time with the kiddos.We saw some things new, experienced some things old but most importantly, made memories to last a lifetime. I love making the most of our days! 

We spent some time on the renovated Old Cedar Avenue bridge, a place that only Lincoln and I had visited last fall during the grand opening. Turns out, it makes a great location for some great pictures. 

And because it feels a bit like a hidden gem, it's a nice open spot for Regan to race along on her hoover board. Talk about perfect location! 

I get so happy when my kiddos oblige and let me take photo after photo without complaining (too much). 

I was blessed with a visit from my BFF and her adorable kiddos, sadly this was the only photo I took! I'm going to say we were simply too wrapped up in conversation to think about taking photos. 

The kids ask every summer if we can rent bikes at Minihaha Falls. We adore the falls in any season, but in summer they rent out bikes for a whole family. Let's just say Regan and I got worked that morning as we pedaled around the falls :) 

We had some time before the rental place opened so we hiked down to the bottom of the falls and around one of my most favorite places in the middle of the city. 

We're finally at a point in life where I don't have to carry a small (or big!) child up those stairs. I'm both happy and sad about that fact....

It was H.O.T. that morning and we got a workout! But we got many laughs as well! Lincoln refused to sit up front with Sidney, thinking he could instead "drive". Thankfully Regan's steering wheel didn't actually control anything; but when he hopped on her lap to "drive", it rendered her virtually useless to pedal. Yea that didn't last very long as I tried to move that thing on my own. I may have also driven us into a few tree branches which created belly laughs for all of us. Oh, and Sidney is a little long to be sitting up front and we had to enlist the help of some passer-bys to help free her from her perch! 

I think I've mentioned before that we used to take the girls to Como Park/Zoo several times every year. And by the time Lincoln came along, they were over the excitement of that place and it often feels like I'm dragging them along. However, Como opens up their ride/amusement park in the summer and our kids still enjoy going on rides (Ryan included  though he had to work). I'm so happy the girls take a break from the sole roller coaster for a few kiddie rides with their little bro. 

Helps that we added a few friends to the mix at Como. Each girl had a buddy join us and it meant I had an adult to chat the day away! 

And it worked out well that everyone wanted to take a ride break and walk around the zoo, checking out all the lazy animals, many of who were taking their afternoon nap. Boo :( 

Of course, there was plenty of time spent swimming in the backyard, on one of (what feels like) 100 inflatables. Seriously, we are busting at the seams with inflatable toys around here! Our pool shed is filled to the max and they keep wanting to add more! 

Summer is never complete without a trip to Wild Rumpus bookstore. Even if we don't purchase anything, the experience alone is one to write about. It reminds me of the family-owned book store in the movie "You've Got Mail'....

only better. 

Because Wild Rumpus has animals. Cats, tarantulas, chickens, all roaming free around the place! Yes, it's incredible!
And this picture below is in the bathroom mirror. When the lights are off, it glows a real fish tank. Turn the lights on, and you're staring at your reflection in the mirror. 

The kids (and adults!) just love it! 

Lincoln's balance bike abilities have soared this summer. He's so good and really fun to watch. Toss in a little commentary from me: "not so fast!", "be careful!", "watch out!" and you've got yourself some entertainment too. (Click HERE for a short video). He brought the bike around the nearby lake when we went for a walk, errr, I ended up running along side him. He's that good!

 I took this photo of Regan because I have the same photo of her as a little girl. And I just can't believe how grown up she is already. 

7 years ago already....how did that happen?!

We had an incredible 10 days together; memories to last a lifetime. These 3 are our entire world and I'm so happy to find new adventures with them!