Hop'n with Haley

The kids birthday plan looked something like this:
Wake up, have doughnuts (a special treat for a special day, and since there is a doughnut place RIGHT next to where I swim {convenient, don't you think? Not sure how that helps those trying to lose weight...} it was easy to pick them up on the way home that morning), open presents, something something, lunch, nap, play with new presents, dinner out as a family, go for a walk, bed.

It was the something something that I was having trouble with. The night before I had settled on finding a splash park to play at, but we woke up to rain and thunderstorms so that was out. I also knew we NEEDED a nap that day because of the late night before and the good behavior expectations we have for restaurants (might as well throw those out the window if there isn't a nap beforehand). So at the last minute I decided to combine two of my kids current favorite things: jumpy places and Haley.

Haley is our 8 year old next door neighbor who is the second sweetest 8 year old I have ever met (love you, Grace!). She plays with Myka like they are the same age and is so good with Eli as well. Of course, any attention for Myka sparks instant attraction so she lives to see Haley anytime we are hanging out around the house. We also have a place called "Island Hop'n" right around the corner full of inflatable jump houses and slides that we have been to a couple times before. It worked out that Haley could come with us and I knew we were headed for a perfect day.

I see nap time working out just fine.

Our future's so bright

Every kid needs a new pair of shades on their birthday.

Even if they don't know how to work 'em...

But if your sister rocks them like a super model...
You figure it out pretty quick.
Lookin' Good!

Fathers, Mothers, and Kids. Oh My!

The day before the kid's birthdays was Father's Day, so we spent the day with my parents and brother's family in the Quad Cities to celebrate not only the dads in the group but Myka, Eli, Kurt, and my mom's birthdays. It was a hot yet fantastic day even though we were on constant watch for the horrible thunderstorms the weather people were 80% sure we were having. Good thing they were 100% wrong.

We started at the Niabi Zoo where Myka reunited with her favorite first cousins Grace and Jackson. Eli is a little slow to warm up to ANYONE these days so he just tagged along for awhile.

After the zoo we headed to a nearby park to celebrate (pretty much everyone in some form or another) and to unveil the pinata. Eli almost got into the excitement of opening presents, and I'm pretty sure by Christmas no unopened present will be safe from his wrath. It helps when you have an older cousin to explain the process to you.

And just to prove the Elmo pinata was a good idea, here he is with his new book. It was a hit, of course, until he opened the container of tennis balls...

Thanks for a fantastic day! Happy Father's Day and Birthdays, everyone!

Dormo the Pinata

I have two children.

Their birthday's are on the same day.

They each get their own cupcake with the respective number of candles. They get their own presents. They even get happy birthday sung separately to each of them.

But for some reason, I decided that they would share a pinata. That, in itself, is not a big deal. However, I also decided that this one pinata would cater to both of their interests. Simple. Eli will play with any ball that is given to him. Myka likes swimming. I proposed the idea to her of making a beach ball pinata. Everyone is happy. Easy. Done.

She wanted Dora.

And while Eli doesn't mind sitting in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn and following Dora (and BOOTS!) on the big adventure for the day, I felt like a Dora pinata was really favoring one of my children.

And he likes Elmo (almost as much as balls), so...

I would like to introduce you to Tickle-Me Dormo the Explorer:

And while it can not giggle when tickled or command you to speak Spanish LOUDER, when the right string is pulled, Dormo brings more excitement and happiness in 10 seconds than can be packed in any half hour show.

Five and Two

Another June 21st is almost over. Of my last five, I have delivered a baby on this day twice. Today was spent celebrating another milestone with the kids and being thankful I was NOT delivering a baby today.

I have many pictures and various stories to tell about this year's birthdays, so I told Kurt I'm going to post one story a day for the whole week so I can get it all down before I forget. Or before they turn six and three. I am writing this down for accountability. Feel free to hound me if there is a day without a post.

So to hold you until tomorrow, I leave you with these:

Happy Birthday, Myka and Eli!

Let the partying begin

There are the makings of a pinata hanging from the chandelier in my dining room.

It must be June!

Between Kurt's birthday, Eli's birthday, Myka's birthday, Tetley's birthday (really!), my mom's birthday, Kurt's twin's birthday, Father's Day, Flag Day, and National Doughnut Day, we do a lot of celebrating around here in June. And since there is so much to fit in, we start in May.

This year marked the second annual "Big Girl Day" for Myka, mommy, and my college roommates and their oldest daughters in Bettendorf, IA. We lucked out on weather and entertainment and had a fantastic time! The three girls celebrate their birthdays within a month of each other, with Myka being a year ahead, so it has become a tradition in lieu of gifts to get together for a day of fun.

Myka (almost 5), Kelly (almost 4), and Michaela (newly 4)

The water tables provided 3 hours of entertainment for the girls, and 3 hours of (mostly) uninterrupted catch-up time for the mommies. Priceless!

"I like cake!"
We happened upon a Justin Roberts concert in the parking lot of the museum where we were playing. The girls danced and sang their hearts out. While this may look like a moment of pure childhood bliss, it is really about 85% pure childhood exhaustion.

Can't wait to do it again!

Thought I would leave you with a little dance recital the girls provided for us in the afternoon. Please keep in mind that all of their mommies were swimmers, not dancers...