July 22

Today was a rainy day! The weather forecast called for rain just in the morning and clearing in the afternoon. It rained mostly all day and night. Today we went over to our friends house for a play date. A lot of our friends were there. We got to play with Julia and Kat, Samantha and Shepard, and Brody and Mollie. Mommy got to catch up with Carolyn, Amy, and Jill which was nice also. Right before we left, Ethan sat on the couch to watch a little bit of a movie with the girls.

Emma liked playing with all of the new toys.

Ethan sharing his cookies that he brought over for a snack. He wanted to make these sugar cookies and then didn't want to eat them so we decided to share them with our friends. If you can see, he has an apple on his napkin. He may be a picky eater but at least he will almost always turn his nose up at sweets for fruit or cheese.

July 21

Today we went to Six Flags with a bunch of our friends, literally. Mommy had a van full, 8 people to be exact. It was Mommy, Trystan, Ethan, Emma, Benjamin, Garrett, Kathy, and Ellie in our van and Stephanie and Tyler met us out there. We had a lot of fun. Mommy even had a good time, though stressful, being responsible for 5 kids. Once you have 2 it is no more difficult to have 5! Here are Ethan and Tyler on the Speedway ride.

Ethan going down the slide.

Emma will literally sleep anywhere.

Benjamin and Ethan in the water park.

Ethan and Benjamin riding the swings.

July 20

Sunday we decided to take advantage of the nice fall-like weather and go downtown for a bike ride. We rode about 10 miles and stopped all along the way to enjoy the parks and other scenery. We even rode our bikes across the bridge over the river. The pictures are from a little area at waterfront park where there are a lot of artwork things of birds. We thought that it would be fun to stop and take pictures with the chickens.

July 18

Yesterday was Daddy birthday so "Happy Birthday to you Daddy!" It also happens to be our friend Brady's birthday so we got up early and went out to All About Kids for his birthday party and then back to his house for cake and presents. Daddy discovered the plasma car.

This just could be the next family vehicle.

Or maybe this could be. (Although not if Ethan has anything to say about it!)

We convinced Ethan to give it a try. You never know at this age what they will love and what will scare the pants off of them. This seemed right up his alley, but...

he hated it!

Daddy and Trystan had a good time on it though.

This morning was Ethan's 3rd tee ball game. The lady working the game got a new idea and this only applies to our team. When the other team hits the ball, she throws out about 5 more balls for the kids to catch. You would think that this would eliminate the fists fighting over the ball when it is hit. Let's just say it drastically reduced it but I wouldn't say that it is gone.

Ethan rounding the bases...

and running it in home.

This video is from All About Kids yesterday. Everyone around, including the gymnist working, couldn't believe Emma. She asked me if she learned how to do this from taking gymnastics or just from coming here on open gym. I told her that I didn't even know that they had gymnastics for 1 year olds. She said that they have a class starting up in 3 weeks and wanted me to sign her up. Not sure we are quite ready for that (even though she may be!) I have a feeling I can see what is in her future! (Hooray!)

July 16

This morning we got up and went to Six Flags. Although you can't tell from this picture, Ethan really was excited about taking his picture with Sylvester and Tweety. He was the one that insisted to go over to talk to them. He was being a little shy though. Emma will still have nothing to do with any of the characters.

Ethan is pretty new to this ride. He has only ridden it a few times. He is starting to like it though.

Now with Daffy. Once again, not for Emma.

Ethan loves this ride and it is the first time this year that he has been able to ride it. It is usually not open.

After dinner Mommy went out to the mall with Kathy (and only Kathy, no kids.) It was nice to get some shopping done without any "help" or goldfish crackers.

Then we rode our bikes over to the park and played on the playground. They close off the path to go to the top of the hill at dusk and we love riding up there when there are no cars. They closed it a little early tonight. Once summer is over, they close it for good. That is what we like. Our thought is that you should be rewarded for your exercise to get up there without a car by not having a crowd to fight up there.

July 15

Today is was raining and so we decided to go check out story time at the library. This is a good activity for when the weather doesn't seem to want to cooperate. Ethan did surprisingly well sitting still and listening to the story. His attention span is growing and it is so fun to watch as his interest level can now be something more than 2 seconds.

Emma loves books and so she really liked to idea of "book" (which sounds like duke with a b"). She did really good as well. She even sat down on the carpet next to Ethan some of the time.

She also liked being up in the front and pointing to the book. It was a good thing that the other kids could see right over her head. It is also a good thing that people don't expect "toddler" story time to be perfect.

Ethan still sitting and listening to the story.

After the story there is a craft time. Today all the books were about birds and so their craft was to make a duck. Ethan decided to help Emma out with the glue stick. They both really liked glue sticks.

Ethan and Emma worked really hard on their ducks. They had a good time. We will have to do that one again sometime.

July 14

Today we got up and went downtown again to the other part of the waterfront park. We have decided that we really like the parks downtown. They are surprisingly nice. Here is Emma trying out the see saw.

Ethan digging in the sand.

Emma climbing on one of the playsets.

Emma riding on the tractor.

Ethan climbing up to one of the playsets.

Emma checking out the top part of the playset.

Emma climbing up the tires.

Emma in the splash park area.

Ethan in the splash park area.

Ethan playing in the water.

Ethan wanted me to take another picture of him so that he could say cheese this time.

Emma playing on the littler playset for kids her age.

Trystan and Ethan on top of the big hill.