Summer, Part 2

 

We splurged and bought this beauty of a pool last summer and I finally got around to blowing it up and filling it this summer. It was $12 well spent, even if the picture on the outside showed THREE grade-school kids playing in it. False advertisement much? Nevertheless, they've spent hours back there on afternoons when it's been too hot to go to the playground - or I just don't feel like leaving the house. She doesn't actually stick her face underwater, but Brooke really likes her goggles - as long as they aren't too tight.

I don't know if she meant to pose like this, but she looks a little sassy for my liking in this pic.

We also spent a rainy afternoon (we've had quite of few of those lately) at the DuPage Children's Museum.

We're big fans of eating outside, although Brooke's deathly fear of any type of bug other than a ladybug or butterfly is starting to put a damper on said dining experiences.

Getting ready for bath time. I cannot express how much pictures of them engaged together warms my heart.

The Troublemaker has figured out how to climb into Brooke's bed, but not out of it. This picture is blurry because I snapped it right before catching him falling out of the bed (priorities, right?).

Perfecting the selfie.

Lounging with Daddy. I'd bet $1,000 they're watching golf.

Taking her "babies" on a car ride to St. Louis. Her imagination and independent play is really taking off this summer. It's so fun to see.

He's getting MORE teeth. I think after this he's done for awhile. There's literally no more room in his mouth for more teeth. He also really likes to eat, so this picture is a pretty appropriate one.

We also had VBS at church last week. I taught Brooke's class and we were all pretty exhausted by the time we'd come home each day. We weren't allowed to take pictures because some of the parents didn't give consent. Plus, things were pretty hectic so I'm not sure I would've if I could've. We had a great time, though.

This week, Brooke is on a little getaway to Branson with my mom, grandparents, Lexi, and my cousin's daughter, Taylor. If they give me any pics, I'll be sure to post them (double-or-nothing my earlier bet that I don't get any). Miles and I are headed to St. Louis to meet them, so I'm sure my next post will be another St. Louis photo dump. Have a great week!

Ballgame

 

Also a couple of weeks ago (sorry I'm just catching you up on June), Matt and Brooke went to the White Sox game with our church. As promised, Matt took her to see Southpaw right off the bat (get it?).

The Sox were winning when they left the game in the 7th, but ended up losing in extra innings. I've not been paying close attention, but from what I've gathered from Matt's grumbling, that's the story of their year thus far.

We also went to the Kane County Cougars game that weekend. Aside from eating our dinner when we first arrived, Brooke and I literally spent the entire game in their bouncy house/slide area. She loved it.

Day Trip

A couple of weeks ago, Amy and I met in Bloomington so the kids could have a chance to play together and we could talk. While I'm sad we don't live close enough to see them on a weekly basis, I'm thankful that they're only a day trip away - and that the kids pick up right where they left off.

One of my friends who has family in the area referred us to an awesome playground/splash pad. The kids were entertained for hours. Storm clouds (and a 2-hour drive home) were the only things that prompted us to leave.

When Miles got tired of dodging the bigger kids running around, we moved over to the swings. Speaking of moving, I don't have any photos of Beckett because he spent most of his time climbing on the playground equipment.

It was a fun day and now that we know this place exists, I have the feeling we'll be there again.

Doesn't life just seem a little better in the summer?

Summer So Far

How are we almost halfway through June already? We've been staying busy here by trying out a bunch of new playgrounds. I'm actually thinking of making a list of the Wheaton/Warrenville parks and trying to hit every one by the end of summer. Exciting stuff. Try not to be jealous.

 

We've also had a few lazy mornings. 

 

Brooke has decided that it's okay to take baths with Miles again. I think because they do it on "Henry Hugglemonster", her new favorite show.

Brooke had a golf date with some classmates (not really - they were just playing with golf clubs and balls at the playground - but she is Matt's child, so I wouldn't put it past her).

 

And we went to the Arboretum again. We had a great time, but Brooke came back with a tick in her scalp (sorry, no pictures). Luckily, it wasn't in there deeply and Matt was able to tweeze it right out. We told her it was just dirt. She's scared enough of bugs as it is. Gag.

 

Brooke with Kali and Kate, a couple of her besties.

 

We're calling him Mr. Trouble. He's into everything lately. (WHY do my pictures keep distorting on here?!?)

And I ran my first 10K with Jamie. Pardon Brooke's hair. I was impressed that Matt got them both up and there by the time the race was over.

Finally, the Pool

Yesterday was kind of warm and kind of sunny and we didn't have much going on, so we decided to head out to the pool after church. We ended up having a great time, despite some shivering by the end of the visit.

Miles loved the water. He was crawling all over the place. His poor knees. Summer just started and I am already SO ready for him to be walking.

And this was halfway through his second missed nap.

Brooke had her first time off the diving board. She'd been talking about it all winter. The first time she did it, she walked out to the edge of the board, had Matt move about 5 times to the exact position that she wanted, then said she didn't want to do it. While Matt was trying to convince her, a little boy went flying off the board next to her. She got a huge smile on her face, then jumped. This was about her 10th time off and Grandpa got it on his phone.

Miles exploring the pool.

We're hoping for many more of these days to come!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Mike!

 

We celebrated Mike's birthday a couple of Fridays ago and I'm pretty much doing this blog post because Brooke was actually photogenic that evening (and because we love you and want to give you a shout-out, of course, Mike).

The kids had fun, as always, playing with Jamie and Will, Mike and Jane, and Grammie Deb and Grandpa. Brooke also worked on her soccer/ring-around-the-rosy/duck-duck-goose skills. Kind of all at one time. At least she's practicing multi-tasking?

 

Before I Forget...

Miles is 14 months old today, so I thought I'd give some quick updates. I feel like things are really starting to click for him, just in the last couple of weeks. He definitely has "Mama" down and has quickly learned how to use it to his advantage. Melt my heart. He also has approximations for several other words, including "mah" for more, "ees" for cheers, and "ba" for bonk (what we say when he falls or bumps himself - a game that he finds pretty funny). His main mode of communication continues to be grunting and pointing, though. I really need to get a video of it, but the song, "Ceiling Can't Hold Us" makes him dance almost every time.

 

Right now he really seems to be into buttons and switches. He also likes trucks, cars and planes. It's so funny to see the boy/girl differences. He likes to pretend to brush his hair, use a ponytail holder (an effect of getting ready with 2 girls every morning), and put on hats. When it comes to eating, he's a garbage disposal and not picky.

He's really enjoying "walking" while holding someone's hand. One of his favorite people to practice this with is Grandpa. He's pulling up all over the place and his standing balance is getting pretty good. (Brooke was almost 18 months when she walked, so for our kids this is advanced.) He's doing the standard crawl most of the time now. He LOVES stairs (though he hasn't quite mastered getting down them) and getting into cabinets and drawers, especially the ones that he isn't supposed to get into.

He's still taking a morning nap when we're home (about half the time) and naps for several hours in the afternoon. He usually sleeps about 12 hours (7:30-7:30) at night. He had another ear infection last week, poor guy, but is still very happy and content, especially if I'm holding him. He's getting more and more compliments on his tan complexion and his curls. I really could eat him up.

And while I'm giving an update, Brooke has also said and done some pretty cute things lately. She's gotten so observant and anytime I sound remotely upset, she'll ask what's wrong and what I'm talking about.

Jamie and I went for another run on Monday and she wanted to "run" with us again when we got back. We walked in the door and she greeted us at the door and yelled upstairs, "Daddy, Miles, we'll be back in a little while. We're going to run 20 miles!" If only 20 miles were that easy...

She's getting pretty independent at dressing, but still needs help putting her shirt on. I was reassuring her that this was okay and she said, "I'll probably do it when I'm 14 or something." Let's hope it's a little sooner than that, kiddo...

The other day, we were heading to meet Matt for lunch and she asked if I was going to have wine or water to drink. I laughed and she added, "Or coffee?" Then, when I asked her what she thought Matt would drink, she said, "Soda or beer." Yikes.

She's also pooping on the potty about half the time now (you know you care) - thanks in large part to not napping as much. Speaking of, she's also getting the hang of entertaining herself during "quiet time".

Matt also introduced her to Kiddie Cocktails and she's hooked. Maybe I should have titled this post "Drinking with the Alleys."

I'm probably a little biased, but I've got some pretty great kids (I say as they enter hour 2 of napping...).