Random day of Summer fun

 We had ourselves  a nice little Sunday here in MN.  What started out as being awesome because Martin let me run out for a couple errands rather than doing it himself evolved into visitors and a back yard party.  I was loving life because Martin had both boys and I was able to go sit by the lake and watch all the different kinds of dragon flies buzz around.  I never paid attention, but there are so many colors and sizes of those darn things. . .

Anyway, then I got to go to FleetFarm and Family Dollar.  We had a picnic in the back yard with no major hotdog stealing incidents as the temperature outside was outside of Portos' 5 degree comfort zone.

 

THEN we got visitors.  Fun fun fun!!!

Kate and Claude and Abigail popped in for some lakeside relaxation.  The best part was the beginning when Martin and Ben and Claude and Abigail were all napping so Kate and Jimmy and I lounged lakeside.  The neighbors came over and there was a regular old party happening.  My favorite part was when Kate and I each had a glass of wine, the kids were all running wild through the lawn playing and not fighting and the men were playing Bocce ball.  Something seemed so right about that. .

 Three two year olds and water.   Life isn't much better.

 Sprinklers are just perfect.  Kids seem to just LOVE sprinklers.  At first they may be shy, but leave that water flowing and fun will be had. 

 Ben has been increasingly whiney lately so I needed to capture this picture of everyone being nice and having fun then Ben whining.

 I started something by voluntarily becoming "Ticklemonster" one afternoon.  Luckily that title has been handed over to Martin who is also the defacto swing pusher.  When I do get assigned to be tickle monster the kids give me a handicap.  I don't ask for it but they more jog than run.  IT is kind of funny that they assume I can't catch them.  Or sad. 

Happy 8 months my not so little Deuce

He isn't small.  That is for sure.  Your arms and back know you've been holding on to the little chunker.  Still sweet though.  Just starting to pull himself to a stand, but loves to have you just put him in that position.  Won't sit willingly - when we attempt it he arches his back and locks his knees so he goes down flat on his back.  Eats a lot.  Drinks a lot.  Sleeps. . . not a lot.  I don't know how he has the energy because he really doesn't sleep much.  Two short (like 20 minute) naps at daycare, most of the night through but with the cough is waking up and needing a little mammary help to go back to sleep.  Loves his brother, follows his with his eyes and his little commando crawl that he is just starting to figure out.  Weighs in just under 23 lbs, 22 lbs 15oz at last check.  Has a high pitched dophin like laugh and loves to say Da and Ba and Ga and can roll his tongue like none other.  He is little Jimmy and we love him to bits.

Here is a little snippet of Jimmy's lazy stand.

SAARON RETURNS

Not everyone can lead as leisurely of a life as Saaron.  One week they are vacationing in Boston, then in Montana and Minnesota.  Who can keep track of those guys?  Not I.  Luckily we have a nice international airport nearby so we get to see them occasionally.
The other bonus: they have great friends. 

We had some leftover fireworks from the 4th.  Well really they weren't left over.  Two other factors led us to having them.  1) we are cheap.  We waited until after the 4th to buy any.  2) where is no way we could compete, our neighbors put on a display that was like a cities, our little fountain and tanks were embarrassing next to those.  Anyway, Tall Skinny Ashleigh and her clan came over for dinner, then fireworks, then breakfast and lunch and cards and drinks and World Cup. . .

Ellie and Ben had met before and got along well,a nd didn't disappoint this time.  And she loved the swing.  I am going to document everyone and their love of the swing.

Ashleigh is craving babies right now so I pawned Jimmy off on her for her visits.

We let the little ones play with sparklers.  That is OK for a 2 year old right?

Even Gryff enjoyed the evening. 

The next day was serious business. . Argentina was playing in the finals of the World Cup.

We had to play outside before the game.  Ben couldn't get enough of Aaron.

I was in my usual position, holding Jimmy and giving in to his constant demand to eat.  He needs to keep those thighs plump.

Ben had an accident involving the corner of the wall the evening before - it isn't battle paint for the World Cup.

Gryff swam for three hours straight, then peed for one.

This picture is awkward.  and amazing.  Where are they looking?

The boys got to hang with their favorite local Auntie and Uncle.

And Uncle Aaron loved the swing.  So much.  so so much.  He has never been happier.  In his whole life.

Ben and our neighbor Sylvi were checking out fish.  They have become fast friends. 

Surprise!! International weekend visitors.

About a month ago Martin spoke to his brother who said he might be coming to visit this summer.  The dates weren't pinned down and nothing was really settled, then we had an idea when they were coming but no tickets were purchased so we kind of thought that it wasn't happening, but then at less than a weeks notice they got the tickets and came to visit.  Welcome to Minnesota Diego, Mariela and Luchi!!

But first. . our new neighborhood goes bonkers for the 4th of July.  We had been hearing stories about since we moved in and have been eagerly anticipating it for the last year.  IT did not dissapoint.  Jimmy was happy to be surrounded by some of the older ladies of the neighborhood and Jules.

The first order of business was to get out and see the lake.  Mariela and I were happy to oblige and let the Felices brothers and their first born venture out on the canoe.

A weekend isn't much time to experience a ton of MN things - especially when shopping needs to happen - but we managed to get out to the Como Zoo and conservatory.  Ben loved hanging out with Luchi (perhaps because the first morning she left some M&M's and TicTacs unattended. . .)

Attached is ComoTown - a year round carnival type place. 

After the adventure at Bay Beach - all Ben wanted to do was ride on different rides.  They have a very lenient height requirement at this place.  Luchi loved this swing ride. 

Ben went between terrified and having the time of his life.

It happened to be the first day of the summer to reach 90 degrees so we played with the waterballoon launcher.

And had fun swimming at the park at the end of the road.

And capped off Luchi's birthday with a trip to the Rainforest Cafe at the Mall of America.

Luchi was perfectly content playing in the backyard and loved the swing that we put up. Thank goodness.  Her joy will hopefully be replicated by Ben in the near future. 

It was a short but sweet visit and a much shorter trip than from Argentina.  Hopefully they'll come again!

Door County Day Trip

The way we used to roll is no more.  We have decidedly and regularly left our first ginger menace home alone when we go for a weekend.   I don't feel a bit guilty in enjoying that freedom immensely.
Yes, we used to go to DooDoo and Nana's with Portos, Wallace, Ben, Jimmy, Me, Martin and all six of our things crammed in the subaru.  But Portos doesn't just ride along, his bed is set up luxuriously somewhere in the car.  Wallace wasn't outdone, he was free to roam so that the person in the passenger seat was constantly on Wallace patrol so he wouldn't get under the drivers feet.  I HATED that.  Now Wallace hangs out at home with four times the amount of food he needs while we all cram in the car for fun.  Good thing he is used to it because our destination was Sarah's house - a designated cat free zone especially with all that carpet that would love to soak up some cat dander.  They invited us over so they could send us out for our 5th anniversary.  It was originally going to be  a night away while they babysat.  It evolved into a nice dinner for Martin and me without kiddos with lots of quality Saaron time. 
My favorite thing to do when with company is to let others hold and watch my children while I let my mind wander into a daze.  Sarah did a great job with Jimmy.

The weather was amazing and they have a yard that is top notch, so we spent most of the first day chillin in the kiddie pool and looking around at all the planting they have done.  Those kids have been busy.  Now let's see if they keep up with the weeding ;)

Gryff loves water, Ben loves to spray anything and everything with the hose.  We found the perfect way for them both to get their fixes and none of us are bothered.

I don't know, does he like the bubbles?  Aaron went to the Dollar General and got a bag of cheapie goodies to entertain Ben.  Wonderful idea.  I think the bubbles were the best of the bunch.  And they were legit good bubbles.  The last couple batches I have purchased didn't really make too many bubbles, the bubble to blow ratio was not favorable.  These were stupendous.  I think generic bubbles win.

There is an amusement park near their house that my parents used to bring Sarah and me to when we were little chirruns.  Bay Beach.  Ben LOVED it.

The highlight for him was watching the bumper cars I think. But he had fun on the ferris wheel and helicopters and race cars too.

 Because all the cool kids are doing it we attempted a group selfie on the mini train that I have no idea how Aaron fit into, let alone squeezed in the seat next to Sarah.  I was cramped with Jimmy.

The next day was the expedition to Door County.  We arrived to Peninsula State Park with no plans and the water was frigid and Ben wanted to go in it so we quickly decided that a bike ride would be fun.  (We also have been tossing around the idea of getting these bike trailers so it was a good trial before buying anything)

While there are many fun things about spending time with Saaron, one of my favorite things is that they enjoy posing in my pictures.  Martin does not.  Ben is over it.  Jimmy, well once he is more aware of his surroundings will be like the other Felices men I imagine.

We had to prove to Ben that he was too small for Uncle Aaron's bike.

When there are three adults pestering even Martin will show some teeth for the camera.

But he mostly likes these broody side shots.

The weather literally could not have been nicer.  It was such an unexpected and pleasant surprise.  Oh.  And with my new job I have Mondays off, as does Sarah, so our trip was on a Sunday which really helped because the throngs of flatlanders had already headed back to Illinois.

I quote as he is running away from me at warp speed to the end of the dock "Cheese mommy with anchor" 

I guess shoe water isn't the tastiest.

Neither is ice cream.  Man these boys.

Thanks Saaron for the wonderful weekend!!