Free to Play

We're feeling thankful on Memorial Day for all the military people, and their families, who have made it possible for us to enjoy our freedoms. Eli and Evelyn recently exercised their freedom to play with their buddies (or at least play side-by-side, as is the toddler style).

Puzzling

Who needs toys when you can chew on Mommy's sweatshirt string?

Building project in progress

Introducing baby Eva to tools

One of many attempts at a group picture

Success! They are all in the picture (next time we'll try for all smiling!).

All the photo shoot excitement was too much for Eva.

Zoo, Big Rigs, and Trips to Market...But Not All in One Day (Whew!)

It's really happening. THAT moment. Right now. That precious, precious moment when both kids are napping, neither one on my lap thereby rendering me glued to the easy chair for the duration of the afternoon (although that is a handy excuse to get caught up on all my recorded TV shows...). After the initial minute of walking frantically in circles around the house (ahh! free moment! what to do? throw in a load of laundry? go pee? nap? organize the items crammed in their baby books?), followed by the minute of disbelief (they're really asleep?? is the sound of my scoop of coffee ice cream landing in my bowl too loud?? are they still asleep??), I've now done the prep work for tonight's dinner (chicken and portobello mushroom quesadillas, hopefully on the grill if these scattered showers scatter elsewhere), so next up I'll catch up on some blogging:

Lately we've had some of those rare, perfect, late spring days where it is sunny and starting to heat up, but has not yet turned into the feels-like-you-are-a-sweat-loaded-sponge-the-second-you-leave-air-conditioning-due-to-crazy-Wisconsin-humidity days. Hmm...spell checker hates what I did with all those hyphens just now. We'll press on.

Smooshing a lot of outdoor fun into one post, here's the summary of some recent adventures on these beautiful days.

Zoo Visit with Mimi

We called up Mimi on a random morning and asked her if she wanted to drive over to go to the zoo with us...and she said yes! Lucky us!

Eli showed Mimi all his favorite animals

Evelyn decided the best way to explore the zoo was in Mommy's arms

Evelyn relaxed on the picnic blanket with Mommy...

...while Mimi and Eli sought out adventure on the playground

Big Rig Gig

Oh my. Could there be anything more exciting to a toddler than having the opportunity to climb into all the city's cool trucks (fire truck, snow plow, dump truck, etc) and honk the horn, play with the power seats, and push buttons!? Running into Eli's friend Ben at the event sweetened the deal even more.

Ready to roll

Those are some big wheels

Helping the firemen make sure that all their equipment is loaded properly

Finding sticks in the park was almost as exciting as climbing in the big trucks

Farmers' Market

One of this mama's favorite weekend activities is the trip to the farmers' market to reload on delicious seasonal fresh foods, and of course enjoy scones and coffee during the walk around the square. It warms my heart to share this activity (and hopefully this enthusiasm for good food) with my kiddos.

Eli and Daddy take a break

Eli: "I have something to show ya"

Hmm. Kids are still sleeping. Is it weird that I spend a good portion of the day hoping and praying that they'll take good naps, in their own room, and then I miss them when they're doing so? A tiny part of me wants them to wake up and come play with me (but a larger, heavier part of me sits on that tiny part and tells her to cease with the crazy talk, go get some more coffee ice cream and enjoy the break!).

Heading East in Search of Reinforcements

What's a mama to do when faced with the prospect of being outnumbered two to one for a full work week?? Pack up what seems like half the house (thank goodness for the minivan!) and head for the hills, a.k.a. Mimi and Pa's house, where there is guaranteed to be grandparents to share love with the kiddos, different toys to inspire hours of play-time fun, delicious Mimi-cooked meals, and two more adults to tip the scale back to avoid a zone defense.

Unfortunately, the kiddos were so excited about the visit that they wanted to maximize ALL the potential available fun time at Mimi and Pa's, resulting in many night-time wake-ups (ahem, Evelyn) and rising with the birds at the crickety-crack of dawn (yep, Eli, you got that covered). Thankfully, Mimi and Pa are superheros (also very patient...perhaps it helped that they knew our visit did have a specific end date...), and the week really did fly by way too quickly, filled with the simple joys of playing at parks, visiting with relatives, and helping Mimi in the yard.

One of the most exciting activities from this trip, at least to a certain toddler, was a visit to Pa's office, where Eli could have easily spent HOURS chatting with Pa about all the tools, what they do, and why, why, why! Eli helped catch Daddy up on what he had missed by reenacting essentially the entire trip to Pa's office (Eli's room was Pa's office at our house) when we all reunited at home; clearly we found the must-see attraction for future visits!

WI spring...one day bundled up

Next day, in shorts!

Going for a ride

Cousin Isaac helps clean up outside

Lots of projects going on outside

Traveling to the park in style

Lovely ladies staying cool in the shade

Three generations (and the fourth taking the picture)

Yummy eats at Mimi's house

A rousing rendition of Wheels on the Bus

Pizza dough...even better than crayons while waiting for your lunch!

The wonderful world of tools...soaking it all in at Pa's office

A Taste of Spring/Summer

Adventures outside, the return of the outdoor farmers' market, and keeping our fingers crossed that spring is here to stay!

Table for two on the front porch

Sunny dinner on the back deck

First farmers market with the family...a little slice of heaven for this mommy!

He's my baby and my big boy and a light in my life

 Playing cars on a sunny morning

Ah, the pure joy that is a visit to see the screwdrivers at Home Depot

Crazylegs (and Wheels)

Last weekend, the sit and stand stroller made its maiden voyage at the Crazylegs Classic. It was a perfect day for walking (or strolling), and the race was followed by a cookout at Daddy's work.

Ready to roll

 Pilot to Co-Pilot, are we ready for take-off?

At the starting line

Daddy and Evie sporting their Nordic green

Whole Smiles for a Half Birthday!

Evelyn is half way through her first year. Yikes, that sounds way too old, so let's just stick with saying she is six months old. :)

Pretty little lady

She is so focused these days

Showing off her silly side

More sweet smiles

Playing dress-up in some of Mommy's baby clothes

More from the vintage collection

Our sweet angel