July 30, 2008

Today was Ellie's last art class, and afterwards we went to a friend's house for lunch. Their little girl was in preschool with C and E, and they also have an 8 year old boy. Conor thinks he is SO cool. He's not into the same thing as Conor as all - no sports, more computer games - but he's just old enough that Conor has a ton of fun with him. He is amazingly kind to Conor as well. Today the girls did a lot of art projects after lunch, and the boys played Matchbox cars the entire time. That meant that I got time to talk to another grown up, so all in all it was a wonderful afternoon!

They were kind enough to give us their old train tracks. They were thinking that Rowan would like it. Little did they know that it would be used way before Rowan was old enough!

July 29, 2008

On Tuesday we made smoothies for snack. No one had the same kind, and neither Conor nor Ellie came close to finishing theirs. They did have fun helping though!

July 28, 2008

Two guesses where he got this from.

July 27, 2008

Someday Rowan will be able to play outside with the big kids. For now he watches (not usually this quietly) and tries to chew on the windowsill.

July 26, 2008

Tonight was the first Saturday of the Balloon Festival. We missed it last year, but I think this was our fourth year. It's always amazing. Tonight was a mass ascension, and over 80 balloons took off within about 45 minutes.

C and E didn't really remember going in past years, but this year they were really into it. It helped that two of the balloons were "hares" with banners hanging out of their baskets. The rest were "hounds" and had to find the hares and I think land on the banners. We didn't stay for the finish, just the takeoff.

July 25, 2008

When you're six, you get from one side of the gate to the other any way you can.

July 24, 2008

We got home this morning, and this afternoon C and E had their 6 year old doctor appointment. All is well, of course. Conor is in the 90th percentile for height (48.5"), and 75th for weight (51 lbs). Ellie is in the 60th for height (46 3/8") and 50th for weight (44.6 lbs).

Later Jon adjusted a bike for Conor. His old one is too small, but this new one is a bit big. So soon we'll be purchasing another bike, I think. He uses it way too much!

July 23, 2008

On Wednesday we went to Adventureland. C and E had never been there, but after their Summerfest experience, they were excited to try it. We started on the ferris wheel, where Conor held on tightly to the center pole, and I had to tell Ellie to please not kneel on the seat to look over the edge. They both tried any ride suggested to them, including the Tea Cups (which I can't even watch without getting sick). After that, Jo Dee asked Ellie if she wanted to try a ride that was faster than the Tea Cups. "Yeah, I'll do that!" So they did. I couldn't believe it! They got soaked on the log ride, but had a blast. They even both willingly rode the Tornado (a rollercoaster). I sat with Conor, and the whole time I could tell he didn't like it, but what could we do? When we got off, he couldn't stop laughing, but admited "I almost started to cry". Ellie said "I didn't expect it to go that fast!" Ellie's favorite was the Tilt A Whirl, and Conor doesn't know his. I'd say it was the bumper cars.

July 22, 2008

On Tuesday we went to Jon's parents' for a few days. Jo Dee and Bria were in Iowa, so the whole family was there. In the afternoon we went to the Aquatic Center in Pella, which is amazing. Ellie wasn't quite tall enough for the water slides, but Conor was, and went three times - twice on the one that was dark. He loved it. Ellie and I went on the lazy river, and had a good time. Rowan wasn't as into it as usual, but he still had fun.

We ended the day with pizza, birthday cake, and a concert.

July 19, 2008

Saturday was such a great day. We were at the farm for a family reunion. Horse and buggy rides, more time on the 4-wheeler, more swimming, fireworks, and lightening bugs. The kids stayed up way too late, and had such a fun time!

Obligatory cute picture of Rowan:

And the wagon rides? Not just for the kids.

July 18, 2008

Jon worked on Friday, so the kids and I hung out in Sheldon. We walked to HyVee, played at "the best park we've ever been to" and had Subway for lunch. Then we swam in the hotel pool and 2 of the 4 of us had a good nap. Then we went swimming with cousins, and played at the farm a bit. Not a bad vacation day - for us anyway. Jon's didn't go as well.

Six of the fourteen (?) second cousins.

July 17, 2008

On Thursday we fed the ducks at a local park. Normally we only do this after Ellie's art class, but this was an extra trip. We found baby ducks this time - but we were all out of bread. Next time, Conor says.

July 15, 2008

On Tuesday C and E went to a party at the library for the summer reading program. It was "way fun." Cubbie Bear was there, and there were worm races, using real worms. Ellie didn't participate, but "Miss Sherry said 'Just go ahead and pick a prize'". Ellie chose stick on earrings, which she loved. She still has no interest in really getting them pierced, which is fine. I think the rule at our house might be you have to be twelve.

July 14, 2008

For about a year now, Jon and Conor have worked on the $20 pass. Jon throws the football from one end of our backyard, to Conor, who's standing in the neighbor's yard (on the other side). If Conor ever caught it, he'd get $20. Normally Jon has to convince Conor to even try it, and then after two or three attempts Conor will have a fit and roll around on the grass and not want to play anything for awhile. Tonight, however, he asked Jon to throw some. Our neighbor was out, and after five passes, Jon explained what they were doing. On the next pass, Conor caught it, with an audience no less.

I'm pretty sure that this amazing effort tonight is for a reason. Both kids try to climb the rope in gymnastics, and both are frustrated by it. The reward for being able to do it is $20. (They like cash, okay)? Tonight Ellie got amazingly close - I need to bring the camera next week close. And this caused unbelievable concern for Conor. He had a hard time concentrating on his class because he was watching her. He was excited for her, but a bit threatened. I don't think he likes the idea of her being first to do something like that.

I think we need to find a reward other than cash, as we will soon be out of it at this rate. Too bad there's nothing else that motivates them quite as much.

July 13, 2008

Today Jon and Grandma and Grandpa Wilson took the big kids to Summerfest. They each got to pick 4 rides, and in true C and E fashion, they did the same thing. They rode the cars, the carousel, and then they got up the nerve to try the kids roller coaster. Ellie told me as soon as she got home "I didn't really want to try it, but it was so fun!!" They went on that twice, and on the second time, Ellie held her hands up. I'm pretty excited to try Adventureland.
The first time on the roller coaster:

July 12, 2008

Today was the Summerfest parade. Don't they look just thrilled? They were tired of waiting. Yes, those are sweatshirts, and they were needed. I didn't take one, and I was freezing. Luckily Jon gave me his.
Because soon it started to rain. It never really poured, but it was a good rain a couple of different times. That didn't stop the candy from being thrown though. Those are grocery sacks that we brought to fill up. And we pretty much did.

July 9, 2008

Rowan figured it out today. It's slow, but he's got it!

You can't quite tell, but at the end Ellie is crying. She doesn't want him to grow up.

July 6, 2008

Today was a good day. Swimming and popsicles.

July 5, 2008

I can't remember if I've mentioned this, but Rowan is only eating big people food now. Even if we're having something a little too spicy for him, the baby food is gone.

July 4, 2008

Our town's summer celebration is next weekend, and that's when we have a parade and fireworks, so there's no official activities for Independence Day. Fortunately, for as long as we've lived in this house, two of our neighbors have a little competition in the street, one on each side of our house. This year it appears they combined forces, and set off all of their purchases at King of the Hill's house. (This is good, as it's one house further away from us than the other guy). So last night we sat outside (until the mosquitos got too bad) and watched.

It was the first fireworks C and E can remember seeing. Ellie was a little nervous, but Conor would have liked to get a bit closer, I think. He had stayed outside playing with friends until almost 9:00, and they were still out. At 10:00 he wasn't ready for bed. "My goal is midnight," he whispered to me. Apparently that's how late Mitchell gets to stay up.

July 3, 2008

On Thursdays this summer, C and E are taking turns making dinner. They get to pick out what we have, and then help me make it. This time it was Conor's turn, and we had tacos. I really thought that on those days they were playing outside with the entire neighborhood I'd never get him in to help. He comes in pleasantly though, so I was wrong.

July 2, 2008

Conor was biking, and came in to get sunglasses (not usual). I told him he looked cool, and he said "Oh. Thanks." I didn't think he thought it was a big deal until I saw him go into the bathroom to check the mirror on his way back outside. I overheard him say "Wow. I knew I looked cool, but I didn't think I looked that cool." He came back to the kitchen to request a photo. How could I not??

July 1, 2008

Rowan's snack on laundry day. Please note the crossed feet.