Pop-Its

How could I forget Pop-Its!?!! 

 Grandpa brought a few boxes of pop-its and introduced Caleb to the fun!  Hmm, what could be in that little box?

 Caleb is super noise sensitive, so we weren't sure how he'd respond, even with the little snap.  He LOVED it!

 Grandpa helped him the first few times and then...

 .....he was ready to try it out on his own!  It took a few tries but then...

 .....satisfaction!!!

 WOW, I never would have guessed how such little things could bring so much fun!!!

Thanks for some great memories Dad!!!  I think we need to go and buy some more!

4th of July

We had a WONDERFUL 4th, mainly because Mom and Dad were here!:)  We also found a fun event to go to together in the evening. 

 On the way we stopped to get some sparklers for later when Daddy was off of work.

 After the long hot walk on blacktop from the car to the event, we were ready for a swim.  No swimming but at least there was a food court in the shade to enjoy a pulled pork sandwich for dinner.  Once we felt more energized again, we headed to the ride area to look around.  Caleb was focused with the look on the picture above almost the whole time.

 So man colors, sounds, people and just crazy fun all around.  Maybe in a year or two he'll get to enjoy some of the crazy rides!  I wonder if Grandpa will give in and go with him. :)

 Next, we headed over to a BMX show.  

 Yes, Grandma, Oma and I were there too, but the two that were most fun to capture were Caleb and Grandpa.  They don't get to spend much time together all year, so it was great to see them having such a good time together.

 We didn't stay for the show for too long so I only took a couple quick pictures.  Caleb had seen some bounce houses and wasn't as interested in the bikes.

 Sadly, we left only to find that they had JUST deflated all of the free bounce houses and games.  Caleb was pretty bummed out.  At least Grandpa lifted him up onto it for a second.

 This was pretty neat and I'm sure he'll be trying it out in a couple years....look in the background at the clear balls.  Kids get to go inside and run and play while floating on water.

 We headed back to the BMX show, which had just finished and Caleb got a free helmet!

 Then we just enjoyed each others' company while waiting for the firework show.

 And why not fill him up on some extra sugar on this special day!

 Caleb first just froze for five minutes in my arms and then relaxed a bit.  He eventually got up and danced and ran around singing through the show.

 Even with the trees in our way it was still a nice show.

I wish I had taken pictures of the finale!  It was absolutely crazy!  So many fireworks that it made me wonder if they had accidentally set too many off at once.  

 Once over Caleb asked if they would do it again.  Sad to have to say, "next year."  Glad he enjoyed it!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Came!

YES!!! They came and we had an AMAZING few days together full of fun and memories.  Here's a few pictures, and more to come. 

 We all had a great time together, but I think that Caleb and Grandpa had the most fun!  It made ME happy since they don't get much time together at all.  Caleb just ADORES Grandpa!  I think the rest of us were just the tag-alongs the whole time. :) This is watching an episode of Peppa Pig, Caleb's favorite show at the moment, and laughing about the funny noises....and making a few too!

 Even eating lunch together feels special to us. 

 More Grandpa bonding over Peppa Pig. :) 

 Caleb even chose GRANDPA instead of MOMMY to put on his sunscreen.

 Matt had to work a lot while they were here, so we were really intentional about planning things to do together while he was off.  YUM, He even grilled for us for lunch!

 Grandma helping pick the best blackberries on a small vine near our place.  Caleb checks it every day now.

 And the next few I just couldn't pick from.  I think they just show how much Caleb enjoyed his time!

Of course it wasn't ALL about Caleb and Grandpa. :)  I enjoyed some great conversation and connecting with Mom and Dad, we went to a 4th of July event (next blog), went to the lake (another blog), and they even went shoe shopping with me. :)  Talk about loving parents! :)  We love you so much Mom and Dad!  Can't WAIT to have you here again!!!!

4th With Brady

Last minute I realized that I've gotten out of my groove in planning holiday activities for the boys and the 4th was a day ahead.  SOoooo, we did a couple last minute things. 

 Made flags and sang some songs.  The boys went around waving the flags singing, "America, America, America" with gusto!

 On the way to the store Caleb said he wanted to make cupcakes, which gave me the thought of the flag cake.  We grabbed some cheap cake mix and frosting at the Dollar Tree and headed home.  They loved mixing the batter so they could taste it!  Then we tried adding some food coloring to make the cake red, white and blue.  It turned out more like pink, yellow (they didn't have white cake) and light blue.  Oh well. :)

The berries were fun! I had to keep stopping them from pushing them all the way down to the bottom. Can you tell they are more interested in eating it than pictures.

Oh yes, and we made red, white and blue firework pictures with glitter as well, so I had to take a picture with everything!  Looks like they are pretty much thinking, "Come on, finish the pictures so we can get on with eating the cake."

Day with Daddy

While I was out of town in Portland, Matt and Caleb had some quality time together. 

 The highlight was going to a little league game together!

 Notice the remains of a blue push pop!  I think I heard more about that than the game from Caleb. 

 The whole game was too long for a two year old to watch, so part of the time they ran around in a neighboring field.

Bummer that they didn't get pictures of going to Chic-Filet a few days later.  Caleb ADORES the cow that walks around and hangs out with everyone.  He talked to him tons, game high fives, danced with him, and the cow even came and sat down at the table with them while they were eating. Caleb keeps asking when we're going back!