Sidney's 7th birthday

When it comes to birthdays, we try to make a big deal and celebrate all day long. Poor Sidney had to share her 7th birthday on Thursday with school and later Regan's softball so we ended up drawing out her birthday in a week long celebration. The weekend prior, we celebrated at the lake with my side of the family, and then she picked a dinner out to Red Cow and a trolley ride at Lake Harriet once we got back into town. 

I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of her on her actual birthday, though keep in mind it was 7am. She was up and at 'em bright and early, just waiting to see what was inside of those gifts!

I got a kick out of her expressions. She opened the Silly String first (our kids go nuts over that stuff....partially because we only give it to them once a year or so) and her face just lit up! On to a few more gifts with the same outcome. She saved the biggest for last (that large box pictured below)...far too big to wrap so a bow got slapped on the front and I called it good. She swore there would be a unicorn living inside. Yes folks, she insisted all week that there was a living/breathing unicorn in that box. I tried to tell her otherwise, but she wouldn't have it. 

As everyone is aware, there was no living unicorn in that box. And the expression of defeat swooped across her face. Thankfully it didn't last long and she perked up when she realized it was the overpriced Barbie limo she has been asking for for months. 

I got to spend lunch with her at school and we enjoyed Subway and some tasty chips that are otherwise off-limits (because they have cheese all over them). She and I were in chip heaven! I loved getting to know some of her new friends at school as they all chatted off my ears about life as a First Grader.

And finally, the day she had been waiting for finally arrived: her unicorn party!

She only came up with this theme a few weeks ago, prior to that, she has some fun cake that she wanted me to make! Bummer, she changed her mind and we were off in unicorn la-la-land. 

Oh, but this cake was pretty darn cute (clearly not made by me!).

She got all dolled up and told me exactly what she wanted for her decorations, down to where I was to hang balloons! This girl knows what she wants. 

But I love er to pieces and I simply wouldn't have it any other way. Some day she will move mountains, and it all starts with a unicorn party!

Lincoln didn't know what was all happening, still trying to get a grasp on this whole birthday party stuff. And unfortunately for him, he didn't get to eat any of that cute cake pictured above. Instead, I spent the day prior to her party making safe cookies and cake just for him. Uff-dah, talk about extra work!

She was thrilled to open all of her presents, which included books, toys, money and gift cards. She scored another wallet and that money is just burning a hole in it! 

Since the girls don't have any actual first cousins, they consider these 3 cuties as close as it gets. It's sure fun to have them all fairly close in age. I'm dreading the day, though, that Lincoln starts running around causing trouble with those two cute boys!

Goodness does she love the spot light. 

It wasn't all roses though, holy buckets did she have a few meltdowns! 

And all I could keep thinking was the silly song "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!". Sorry Sid, but you became a bit emotional with all of the craziness. We love you just the same and are so proud of you.  

Happy 7th birthday sweet Sidney! 

We're not done celebrating yet, she'll have a friend party in another few weeks. 

Birthday eve

There's a saying that goes something like: the days are long but the years are short. And though sometimes it feels like the days just fly by, it certainly always feels like the years are short. 

I'm just so surprised that our sweet Sidney will turn another year older when she wakes tomorrow morning. 

Seven. 

How in the world did she go from this......

to this. In what feels like a blink of an eye. 

She is the sweetest, most full-of-energy little girl around. She is spunky and emotional, tender and loving. I love her with every ounce of my body and am so lucky to be her mom. As she went to bed tonight, with a twinkle in her eye and a sly smile, she beamed with delight that tomorrow is her BIRTHDAY! 

We love you sweet Sidney! Happy birthday eve! 

Labor Day-Idelwilde

Every year, we look forward to spending Labor Day weekend at the lake. We pack up our entire house and make our way to Osakis/Alexandria area. We've moved resorts once or twice and I suspect we will move again in the near future, trying to check off a few more amenity boxes from all of the 21 of us that make the trek. 

We are happy as pie with whatever amenities are available, and just grateful to my parents for taking us along for the ride each year! Looking forward to the lake, the girls were excited to see some extended cousins, play with my brother's dogs and fish. Lincoln was super excited for the "boat" and spent two days prior saying "boat" non-stop. Every time we left the house, he thought we were finally going to see the boat. 

Jon and Ben brought their two fur-babies all the way from DC, and boy, those two puppies sure got a lot of loving from our crew. They were pet, played with and walked countless times throughout the weekend. When the heat got too bad outside, the girls would retreat inside and have some fun with the dogs. Lincoln impressed us all with his patience and politeness around the dogs. He's cautious with animals (and I think this is a big bonus), never ever touching until he's gotten a good look and the definite go-ahead from a nearby adult. 

Regan tried displaying her responsibility trait....man does that girl want a dog!

Given that Sidney's birthday tends to fall close to Labor Day, we always take the opportunity to celebrate her big day. My mom made a cake safe for Lincoln too and Sidney enjoyed decorating each piece with sprinkles as she served them. After we sang her a quick "Happy Birthday", Lincoln was fussy and asked to be held. I couldn't get him to stop whining (Jon thought there was a teradactyl in the house with his screams!) and finally, I realized he wanted me to sing to HIM! That sure made him giggle with delight :)

Regan is our little fisher-woman. She baits her own hook and casts away. Unfortunately, despite fishing many times, both off the dock and in the boat, she caught one measly tiny fish all weekend long. Poor kiddo, she didn't get frustrated though and was always the first to ask "can we go fishing!". 

Hope took up residence for the weekend on one of the couches in my parents cabin. With all of the bedrooms full, she didn't mind one bit sleeping on the couch (a true college student!). We were thrilled that she came along for the fun, and I think Lookie enjoyed napping all morning long beside her. 

I had found a fun idea to write wishes and fears on rocks and toss them into the lake. Sidney was nearby and looking for a change in play-time so her and I had some fun as she wrote out her 'wishes' (ie, a unicorn!) and 'fears' (ie some dogs). 

We took them down to the dock, and one by one she tossed them in. And now she keeps asking when her wish will come true...meaning that darn unicorn! Oh brother. 

In a fleeting thought moment as I packed up the truck on Friday, I grabbed Lincoln's trike and hoped it would fit. My goodness was that a bright idea! He cruised around on that thing each and every day! He loves his "bike-a" and willingly went for a daily walk, even when the temps and humidity made it oppressive to be outside and the bugs could've carried us away. 

His little sandals are pretty beat up because he drags them with every push, but I'm holding out that this weather isn't going to stick around long and we'll be packing up all of the sandals for the season.

I just love the lake. For so many reasons. It gives us time to sit back and relax and just take in all of the scenery around us. Don't get me wrong, I don't get to actually sit much because I had to chase Lincoln all over the resort, play at the playground and keep him out of harms way. But it's a fun busy, instead of a clean/cook/chauffer the kids to activities kind of busy.

On Saturday, while my mom and Ryan met up with a buddy from home for a round of golf, I took the 3 kids to meet up with his wife and their 3 kiddos at a nearby apple orchard. This airplane ride was an enormous hit. Tyler (the oldest) would make an exaggerated THUD every time the teeter totter went his way and the kids started giggling. As they giggled, he grew louder, and eventually, Lincoln was laughing so hard I'm certain he peed himself at that very moment :) 

They played King of the Mountain (not really!) and got out their wiggles for a couple of hours. 

There was a corn pit and a slide and although we were all sweating, the kids didn't seem to mind and had a great time tossing the dusty corn around and later picking it out of their clothes. 

When we weren't fishing or boating, we found some fun on land playing catch or chasing bubbles. The bees made it mighty difficult to enjoy being outside at times, but if we kept moving, they couldn't keep up. 

Lincoln was a complete ham when I perched him upon the picnic table and asked for some pictures. He now says "cheeese" and tilts his head to the side with a semi-fake smile (side note: we should find a different word, because he always thinks we'll give him real cheese for the picture and he can't even eat cheese!). 

We climbed these steps at least 2 dozen times over the course of the weekend. They led from the cabins to the docks and he adored going near the water. The docks on the other hand, he could've done without. They're a bit unstable and wobbly and he always requested to be carried, especially on the long fishing dock. 

He was pretty upset when we went on our first boat ride. The boy wants nothing to do with a life jacket. Never has. But it's the law and so I insisted. I even donned one myself in hopes it would brighten his mood. He got ticked at first, but then as soon as the boat started moving, he giggled and was in love. By his second boat ride, he climbed aboard and pointed to his life jacket knowing he needed to put it on or we couldn't move. Every time Ben would slow down the boat, Lincoln would sign "more" and he would speed up again :) 

His hair turned into a complete fluff and we all got a good laugh out of how puffy it was. Hope had to snap a few pictures but they just don't do it justice! 

Every year we take a few pictures on this picnic table just before we head back home. This was the most beautiful morning out of all of them, we were all incredibly sad to leave. 

Hope and I didn't climb up on the picnic table but we snuggled up tight and smiled for the camera. I'm so happy that she took some time out of her busy work schedule, just before her junior year of college was to begin, and joined us for the long weekend. 

We all will spend the next 364 days looking forward to what next year's lake experience has to offer! Thanks a million mom and dad (and the rest of the fam) for helping to build these memories!

Hope you all had a fantastic Labor Day weekend! 

22 months

I need to hurry up and get this posted before it's long-overdue! Just a bit ago, Lincoln added a number and is now 22 months old. He's growing tall and lean, but with some nice chunky ankles still :) The last month was a big one as he got his first hair-cut and learned how to chew gum, all in one day! I looked back and it was this exact time for Sidney when she gave up her pacifier, and I'm thinking that Lincoln needs to follow suit. If he can chew gum, he doesn't need a pacifier! So my goal is to ditch it on Labor Day. Stay tuned.....

As for the rest of life,

* Lincoln is talking more and more, picking up words that he hears and repeating them often. Some of my favorite sounds come directly from his mouth. The way he says "yea" in a high pitch tone can be most adorable, as if he is saying "yea mom, of course!". I love it!
* he is all boy. everyday. Trucks, buses, lions and lawnmowers are some of his favorite things to see and discuss. The world stops in its tracks when the medic-helicopter flies overhead our house. Sadly I had hoped we would see one at the hospital when they visited last week (sad because it means someone is gravely needing medical care). But boy would he have loved it!
* he sleeps with his rear up in the air and his arms/legs/feet tucked underneath his body. Boy is it ever sweet. 

*and in that crib of his, he is joined by 2 special blankets, a small "lovey" blanket and recently, a special stuffed puppy that travels everywhere with us! He spotted the thing as I sifted through the stuffed animal bin to discard some. And he hasn't let go since. It was Regan's dog "Parker" and we all call it that still. 

* he is sweet and snuggly and still loves to run his fingers thru my hair. 

* he asks to go on the potty all of the time, but never produces results. In hopeful it will make a good transition to true potty training soon. 

I know there's more, but that's all for now! Love you big boy! 

Back to school

And just like that, summer is over. Well, in terms of the school year it's over (I'm still hanging onto this awesome heat and we're living it up as much as we can!). 

The girls were nervously excited for 9/1, their big day to return to school. Regan has a slew of friends in her 4th grade class, so many that I almost feel bad for her teacher! Totally kidding. I'm so proud that she has a bunch of different groups of friends; girls she met in kindergarten, all the way on up. Some she knows only from sports activities, others have been in her class 2 or 3 times already. It's a good skill to have different friend groups and I hope she continues on that journey. She came bouncing home after her first day and announced the best part of it all was...."meeting a new friend"! Way to go kiddo. 

Sidney on the other hand, had only 1 girl in class that she knows from last year. Sidney's teacher unfortunately has been suffering from a rare ear infection and has wound up with a hearing aide for the first day of school (and this is a guy probably younger than me!). Despite all of that, she is really excited for first grade and couldn't wait to tell us about her first day: all of the stories they read and.....meeting a new friend! Super proud of her for branching out and discovering new relationships. 

Of course, what's the first day back without a picture together with our awesome principal and mascot-Stripes!

Welcome back girls! Here's hoping for a most wonderful 2015-16 school year! 

Great MN Get together!

As per our usual routine, we headed over to the State Fair on the second day of the fair. It was a lot of fun and we were blessed to be joined by both sets of grandparents as well as Hope. We had so much fun going on rides, eating food, people watching, eating food, and taking in all that the fair has to offer.

Ryan's sole request was to find the massive tornado (representing the number of bags thrown away every 5 seconds instead of recycled). We spent quite a bit of time exploring the Eco building exhibits. 

My mom, Hope and I got our blood sugar checked....we won't talk about results ;) Blame the food, right!?

We went on loads of rides!

My mom and Hope took the girls on the sky-ride, which totally blew me away. My mom, the one who barely mustered up enough nerve to climb the Eiffel Tower after we traveled all the way to Paris went on the sky-ride. My mom, the one who's heart skips a beat when anyone leans over a railing went on the sky-ride! Oh the things you do for a grandchild :)

We saw animals, including the big pig. The really big pig and his...errr, well, see for yourself. lol. Grandma Sheri sent Sidney my way when she asked her "what's between his legs??" For those wondering, I told her the truth :)

Lincolns face cracked us up. He spotted the pig in my phone as I snapped the picture. His expression says it all! 

We ate lots of food, and I cried a few tears. While I felt that we did an amazing job of finding safe foods for Lincoln, it made me so sad to have fear as we walked around, careful to avoid any possibility of a reaction. When he fell asleep we darted to the Cheese Curds and the girls ate some ice cream. This is our reality, and it breaks my heart. I stumbled across a booth set up for (children) with food allergies. As I chatted with the family manning the booth  my mom came over to listen. I introduced her and jokingly commented that "grandparents, the ones most at risk for causing a reaction" (though I know my mom is overly cautious and won't even touch an allergen food when she babysits!). Well, it was good for her to hear first hand, this family admitted that "both sets of grandparents have caused" their little guy a trip to the ER. YIKES! So now I have more fear. Even so, we found Lincoln a plain hot dog (not exactly healthy) and he ate the ENTIRE thing. Later for dinner he ate a whole hamburger too! This boy can eat I tell you!

In the end, we had a grand ole' time once again and will spend the next 364 days looking forward to next year!

Thanks for a great day!