Family and Fun

We headed down to Illinois for a few days for a long overdue visit with three of our Great-Grandparents.  We filled our Saturday with a drive into Chicago to see Grandma Chia and our Great-Uncle Mike.  Snuggles, the cutest dog on earth, was a bonus, and can you believe that Mom didn't get one picture of him.  A few hours later we were back on the road to see Great Grandma and Grandpa Ruiz.  Great Grandpa had just been fitted with new hearing aides so he was able to hear ALL of the silly things we say.  For dinner it was back to Gigi's and Pop Pops' new house, where we met up with Titi Molly, Uncle Craig, Marc, and our new cousin, Landon.  We've only seen him via pictures or face time so we were pretty excited to get to see him for real!  We enjoyed a true Midwest summer night driving over to Ranch Frostie after dinner for some delicious ice cream which hit the spot!  It was a busy day, but one filled with lots of family and fun!

Memorial Day Weekend 2014

We drove up late Friday for a long three day weekend up at the cottage, and our cousin AJ decided to surprise us and tag along.  We could not have asked for more beautiful weather, which we were a bit worried about after the cold winter and spring we've suffered through.  We were beginning to think that Wisconsin would never be warm again, but boy were we wrong.  It was 85 degrees and sunny each day.  The lake was still a bit cold, but that didn't stop us from diving in.  We also took the new paddle boards out for their inaugural runs (and spent some time playing with all of the bubble wrap they came in).  I enjoyed tooling around the lake with AJ, while Lily tried one out all by herself.  Last year when we rented them she was able to do it while kneeling, but this year she was a pro at it while standing as well.  With such nice weather we spent almost every waking minute outside.  If we weren't on or in the lake, we were taking Wrigley for walks, playing walkie-talkie hide n' seek, or enjoying giant s'mores by the campfire.  We even took an afternoon to visit Uncle Pat and Aunt Mary (or Saint Mary as I like to call her) at their cottage.  John and James were up too so we swam some more and played water gun tag.  We were so busy with all of our activities all weekend that we didn't even make it to the candy store, which is a first for us.  I guess nice weather trumps the candy store here in our world!

2-1

Lily wants to play a game; well, challenge accepted.  It is now officially 2-1 after I lost my first tooth today at school.  I made sure to clean it up and put it carefully under my pillow just right...in a pouch that is open a little bit, hanging just off the edge of the bed, but not too far off the edge so that it might fall.  It really isn't that big of a deal though...except for the money and CHOCOLATE COIN the Tooth Fairy might leave me!

Batter Up

After a few wet, cold practices, and a canceled first game due to rain, the baseball season has officially started.  I am in a new league (TYMBA), on a new team (Colorado Rockies), and playing at a new level (coach pitch); and I am loving every minute of it (especially the snack that is provided after the game).  I am learning all sorts of new skills this year like how to hit a ball coming at me at what feels like 100 mph, while not being able to feel your hands due to the cold.  I guess this is what baseball in the Midwest is all about!

Be Kind To Animals

Today was the awards ceremony for the Be Kind To Animals Art contest.  You may remember that I received a letter a few weeks ago congratulating me on third place in the Kindergarten category.  Today we made it official at the Humane Society in Ozaukee County, where I received a ribbon and a certificate for a job well done!  I had to shake some hands, take some pictures, and eat some cake which was my favorite part of the ceremony.  After all of the hoopla, we were given free reign of the Humane Society and we were able to see cats, rabbits, rats, dogs, and birds.  My picture was even hung in one of the hallways, along with all of the other winners.  One of my friends, Maggie, took second place in the Kindergarten category as well so Lily and I posed along with her and her brother with our pictures.  Our teacher, Mrs. Differt, even showed up to surprise us which made the ceremony that much better!