Backyard Fun with Friends

We had a playdate with Andrew and Hudson and they showed my kids how to use their imaginations and play outside. We did stuff like this all the time as kids, but my kids don't. Am I suppossed to teach them? Hopefully arranging playdates with other kids will do the trick!

These were their "Animal Houses." The used just about every plastic container I had and most of our plastic animals. It was great. Kept them entertained for a long time!
Here's Elizabeth with our neighbor/BFF Natalia. It's a cross-cultural relationship. Natalia gives them all sorts of Polish food (mostly candy) and we give her some Japanese food, like these Spam Musubi. She liked it. My kids also think they're learning Polish. They often tell me, "Mom, I know how to say bum in Polish. Bum."

They had matching dresses that they were both growing out of, so we did a photoshoot one day. Let me tell you, having a neighbor close in age to your child is the best thing ever! They have so much fun together and get along great (most of the time!)

Johnny in June

I love this baby so much I have to hold myself back from squeezing him too tight, kissing him too hard and/or smothering him with syrup and eating him right up!
Do you blame me? And look, he sits up . . .
. . .momentarily.

Unfortunately, his older brother is not as good at holding himself back from expressing his love. And behavior like this. . .

. . . can leave a mark to prove it.

Yes folks, that is Johnny's 1st (and hopefully only) hickey.

Given too him by his overly adoring brother.
Johnny also became enamored with himself when he finally noticed his reflection in the mirror on his swing.

It's official. We're all in love!

Tiny Town

The week we got back from Hawaii (way back at the beginning of June) I tried to ensure that my kids wouldn't be too let down by keeping them busy with lots of fun activities. By the end of the week I was exhausted and the kids were ungrateful, but let's just remember it as being really fun!

We drove up into the mountains to

Later on in the summer this very train had a big accident when it derailed and sent 15 passengers to the hospital. Thankfully that didn't happen the day we were there!

We had fun with the Koenigs and the Johnsons.

Elizabeth's pants were falling down all day as evidenced by this classic picture!

Posing in front of her favorite house. The pink one, of course!

5 more June posts to come and then we're on to July!

I will catch up, I will catch up, I will not derail like the Tiny Town Train!

Let's Play Music

As always, I've got so much catching up to do, but I've got to start somewhere. So I'll start with a plug for our music class, in hopes of winning a giveaway.

You may have noticed the button for our Let's Play Music that I've had on my sidebar for a while now. One of my dear friends, Jenni, is a teacher for their amazing music program. It teaches kids a ton of music theory and technique through play. Harrison has learned so much in the year and 2 months that he's been going to music classes. Music has always come to him naturally, so I am thrilled to build on that and get him started at a young age. I will put Elizabeth in too, but for different reasons. She is not as musical, but I've already seen her come a long way just from listening to Let's Play Music CD's and watching Harrison practice. I am learning so much too!

Check to see if there is a Let's Play Music teacher in your area! You'll be so glad you did.

P.S. I vow to do at least one post a week until I'm caught up.