Irvine Park

Today we met some friends at Irvine Park!  It was great to spend time with Bo, Laney, Clover, and Brenley.  (And Brooke and Lisa too of course!)

Ethan and Macie had a great time playing, while I was able to enjoy some adult conversation!

First, we played in the park . . .

Then we visited the animals in the petting zoo . . .

Next we had a yummy picnic, and finally we played in the sprinkler park!  It was a fantastic day!

Candy's Birthday

Last night we had fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house celebrating Candy's birthday.  Candy is from Hong Kong and has been going to college here for the past few years - Grandma and Grandpa are her "support family" here in the United States.   All the cousins got together to celebrate her birthday with her!

Picnik Pictures

I have been having way too much fun editing photos with my new premium subscription to Picnik!

Busy, Busy . . . .

We've had a busy couple of days!  Angela, Lily, and Finn came for a visit.  Above, Ethan and Lily str enjoying their mac-and-cheese and rainbow fruit salad.  It was so fun for the kids to play together, and for Angela and I to have some time to catch up!

Ethan had his last day of "school."  He's been going to a speech and language group at S.P.O.T.S. house in Chippewa Falls, and has LOVED it!  Grandma, Macie and I walked around outside while we waited for Ethan.  When we went to pick him up, we found him in this big bin of balls!  Next week Ethan starts a new group there - It's an OT group focusing on parachute play - should be fun!

After school, Carrie and baby Megan came over to play!  It was really great to see how big Megan has gotten, and, of course, great to have time to chat with Carrie while the kids played. (Although, I have to say, there wasn't much time for sitting and chatting - the kids kept us on our toes :).

Today Evan and Kyra stopped by for lunch and a little play time.  It was so fun to see them!  Evan and Macie had fun together - except when he tried to hug and kiss her and she pushed him away and said, "No!"  Oh well, prom is still a few years off, so hopefully they're on better terms by then!

Yesterday we all went to Oliver's 4th birthday party!  It was really fun!  Ethan had a blast playing in the sprinkler with all the boys.

Since Macie was the only girl there, she got to hang out with Grandma.

Of course the best part was CAKE!

Macie Helping Mommy Read (16 months)

Summer Fun!

Yesterday we went swimming at the Osseo Campground pool with Grandma.  It was so fun!  It's a perfect place to go if you have little kids - it's not too busy, and there's a great shallow area for the little ones to play in.

Macie LOVED going down the frog slide . . .

Ethan enjoyed splashing around in his floaty.

And back home - Ethan showing Macie some brotherly love :)

Healthy Again!

Spending some time with cousins Ben and Oliver

Blowing Bubbles in the porch

The debut of  1 little pigtail in the top of Macie's  head.  I never thought I'd do that to her, but . . . well . . . I just couldn't help myself. 

Baby Gap was having an amazing sale on pajamas today!  I picked up these for only $2.50.  I also stocked up for next year, buying 1 size up (including a 2nd pair of the ones in the picture for next summer!). Who can resist such a great deal?

Still Sick . . .

Ok, so here's a little recap of our last couple weeks:
1.)  Macie seemed sick so we took her in and the Dr. said she had a virus so didn't give her any medicine
2.)  Mom got strep throat
3.)  Macie was still sick so we took her in and she had a double ear infection with 1 ruptured ear drum
4.)  Daddy got strep
5.)  Ethan got strep
6.)  Macie STILL seemed sick so I took her in yesterday to find out she STILL has a double ear infection, (the antibiotics weren't working) blisters on her throat from hand, foot, mouth disease, and she's teething.  No wonder the poor girl is up all night screaming!!!

Last night every time I went in when she was screaming, I picked her up and she fell right asleep in my arms.  Unfortunately, the moment I laid her down in her crib the screaming continued.  The only solution was for daddy to go in and give her a bottle - she refused to take it from me, but would take it from dad, and then put herself to sleep. 

It's been a rough couple weeks!  Things can only improve from here!!

Some Weekend Pics

Well, due to illness (Ethan got strep on Saturday!) our plans to go camping at the lake with the family were changed.  Although E. had strep, he was still up for a picnic at the park.  He's still wearing his sticker from the clinic in the pic above.

Brave little Macie loves to go down big slides!

Can somebody please teach me to smile so I don't show so many teeth??  I look kind of scary, but love this pic of Macie :)

On Saturday afternoon we set up our new swimming pool.  The kids LOVED it!

We waited a long time for Macie to get hair . . . now it's wild!

Play Date

Yesterday we headed to Clear Lake for some time with mom's friends Jane and Theresa, and the kids' friends Cole, Isaac, and Lily.  We all had a lot of fun, but unfortunately we had to delay the trip a day because I had strep and Macie had a double ear infection.  Then, although we were planning on having a sleepover, Ethan got sick in the evening so we headed home.  Today Ethan is still very sick - he has the stomach flu. (Daddy got strep also!)  So, we've been quite the sick family.  Anyway, here are some pictures from our fun play date!

Here is Cole - he's about Macie's age - such a cutie!

Isaac and Ethan spending some quality time together in the sand box.

Lily hanging out in the toy bucket.

Ethan is very serious about giving the car a good wash.

Macie had fun playing in the water.

What a great day with dear friends!