A Very...Contagious...Visit

 

Brooke had a great time with Lexi, Grandma, Taylor, Gigi and Grandpa Charlie in Branson the week before last, and Miles and I were excited to meet her in St. Louis that Wednesday. Matt had a bunch of golf plans, so we decided to stay for the week and get some solid visiting in, including seeing friends we don't have time to see on our shorter visits.

We went to Krissi's aunt's pool on Thursday and I was able to have dinner with my friends from OT school. While I was out, Krissi took the kids to a fireworks display (at a nursing home? Apparently that's fairly common down there?).

All that day, I had noticed that Miles' eyes seemed a little irritated, and in the back of my mind thought, "I hope that's not pink eye." Then he woke up with his eyes almost gunked shut on Friday and I knew that it was. So, we went to visit our friends at Urgent Care down there. Seriously, I feel like we deserve a "frequent visitor" card - or at least a first name greeting when we walk in. We got our diagnosis and eye drops (nearly impossible to give to a 15-month old, btw) and headed back to Tim and Krissi's. We tried to be diligent about keeping the kids out of Miles' face and washing hands, but the damage had kind of already been done. Again, SO sorry, guys! 

 

We then headed over to my parents' pool where the kids had a great time playing.

 

Look at what Krissi did to Brooke's hair! Maybe someday I'll venture away from the standard pig-and ponytails. But then I see it fall out after an hour (her hair is VERY fine) and think, "Pigtails are great!"

That night, a friend of Krissi's daughter was starring in a production of "The Sound of Music," so we took the girls. It was Brooke's first grown-up musical and she did a really good job. Although she did whisper, "How many more songs?" to me about 10 times.

The next day, Luke and I both woke up gunky. We were supposed to see Amy and her kids, but she was wise and decided to stay away. We had fun hanging out at the house. The girls played doctor with me. Forget drops, a band aid can fix anything!

Side note: I'm not sure if it was just this particular strand, but pink eye is BRUTAL. I have a pretty high pain tolerance but this lasted in Miles and me for almost a week. It was painful, itchy and just gross.

After cancelling plans with several other friends that I was excited to catch up with, we pretty much hunkered down at either Tim and Krissi's or my parents. Lexi and Tim also got it, and Brooke got it the day we headed home. Thankfully, hers was gone within a day.

My best effort at a decent group shot.

I mean, if they've both already got it....

We did get a trip to Target in the day before we left. Why we thought taking all 4 kids to the store was a good idea, I'm not sure...

Like all the kids do, Miles loved Prowler. He even started saying his variation of "Meow, Meow" when Prowler would come in the room.

The band aids on her shoulder are for a little sunburn she had. She insisted they would help.

Miles also got in some cuddles in with Gigi.

 Goofing off.

It wasn't quite the trip that I was hoping for, but as always, it was great to spend time with my family. And I'm happy to report that we all have clear eyes up here, although I intended to keep using the drops until they run out.

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?