Vacation: Day One

We enjoyed breakfast in our hotel, a morning swim, a yummy coffee shop in Manitowoc and a tour of this submarine before catching our 2:00 ferry.  The sub tour was very entertaining for all.  I can't imagine a worse job.  I could barely breathe by the end of the tour.  I can not imagine being crammed in there with 80+ men.  Let alone operating it in hot humid conditions.  The average temp. was 90 with some areas of the sub. around 130 degrees!  Think of that the next time you see an old service man in a parade!

Relaxing on the S.S. Badger.  This is not the cheapest way to go, but it was very relaxing & fun for all.

At the end of the day we met up with Auntie Jenny.  She had made a gluten free fruit pizza in honor of Craig's 40th.  The 40 was made out of dark chocolate which he was nice enough to share with us all!

One Already?!

Right before starting our vacation we went to Emmaleise's backyard birthday party.

I think Mama Mel is having as much fun as the kids! 

She outdid herself as usual.  There was tub of green goo, a tub of colored bubbles & a wading pool to clean up in.  We started off our trip by stripping down the girls, cleaning up a bit & then had them travel in their pj's!

Flying

Trampoline = best investment ever!  Finding a great deal on Craigslist makes it that much sweeter.  Bouncing with the cousins is icing on the cake!

Snapshots From Early Summer

Finding ways to keep 5 kids entertained on Tuesdays & Wednesdays (baby-sitting days).  Luckily the library program is on Wednesday.  I just love the library!

Visiting our new love.  Sweet baby Sophia.

Learning to swim.

Celebrating 40!

Happiness Is......Feathered Friends

The cousins have this awesome little bird that Kaia couldn't get enough of.

Auntie Jo tried to convince us that we needed our own bird at home.

I reminded her that we have several birds.  They live in the chicken coop.  When we can catch them & force them in there that is.

Kaia sadly informed us that even though we have chickens they never ever come to her.  She always has to catch them if she feels like holding a bird.

Hmmm.......I wonder why that is ?!

Summer Days

Ahhhh, summer at last!  Today is the beginning of our first full week of vacation.  We've already got one week-end trip under our belt.  The kids & I scooted down to hang with the cousins for a couple of days.  Today we're easing into a more laid back routine.  Sleeping in a bit, jumping on the trampoline a bit, reading a bit etc. etc.  So far we have no fighting thanks to some handed down Lincoln Logs.  They are vintage.  In fact I'm pretty sure they are the ones that Daddy played with when he was little.  He showed absolutely no nostalgia when he opened the trunk to help me unload & found them there.  Actually, I think he was a bit offended I was bringing more junk into the house!  I think any stay-at-home mom would choose a bit more junk if it brings about sibling peace, though.  Am I right?

What is keeping your kids happy these days?

Our First Track And Field Day

OK, this event made me feel like a seriously inept mother.  I was under the impression that Micah would have a couple of events & that then we could leave for the day.  I kept waiting to hear the exact time of his first event so I could get there right before it started.  When he asked & then told me to be there at 9:00 I came.  I had my camera, a smallish lunch for Micah, a couple of bottles of water and my sunglasses.

The other mom's had things like chilled water in a spray bottle to cool their kids off after running, coolers over packed with food, hats and SUNSCREEN.  Micah did not get burnt, because he doesn't burn.  I used to be just like him.  USED to be.  I currently have the worst burn I've ever had.  The next three years I will be prepared.  For anything!

I love the above photo.  Look at the gym teacher looking at the mom goofing off for my benefit!  I seriously wonder what he was thinking!

These four buddies all qualified for the relay race.  They were quite pleased to get 1st place.