A Hike, A Soccer Ball, and 1st Grade

On a beautiful August day, I took the kids to Lincoln Memorial Gardens for a hike with their friends Dominic and Michael (and mom Kara). After a picnic lunch, with the kids more interested in feeding the ants, we gave Olivia and Dominic a trail map and followed them. Here is a group shot of them by Lake Springfield.

Another pose by Olivia. The flowers were in full bloom at the Gardens, and it was a beautiful walk.

Olivia and Ethan again by the Lake.

There was a small beach of sorts off one of the hiking trails that the kids spent a long time exploring.

And they explored in the Lake as well!

Olivia has started YMCA soccer this year. She is #6 on the Sidekicks team. While she is not the only new player to the sport, many of her co-ed teammates have played before. Luckily, Olivia seems intent on learning the game so she will hopefully not kick the ball into the wrong goal!

An action shot of Olivia on defense. She is the player in white closest to the ball, getting ready to kick it away from the goal. The kids play four quarters on a full sized field, and at each break the kids rotate taking a quarter break or playing offense/defense. She will play each Saturday through October.

Olivia in the middle of the action. Her team won the game 4-2.

On Monday, Olivia started first grade (!). She is in a class of 19 students, and she knew her teacher from when she was in kindergarten. Thus far she seems very happy with her class, especially because this year she starts taking music, art, and gym class at school (budget cuts took these classes away from kindergardeners a few years ago).

The very fancy backpack she selected for the year. As you maybe noticed by her poses in this posting, Olivia enjoys being fancy - dresses, jewelry, sequins, ruffles, etc.

The kids' after school activity - creating and decorating sand castles. Both kids still talk about our California vacation and playing on the beach, so playing in the sand remains a favorite activity at home.

Summer Fun

Here is a blog summing up the last month around here. Starting with this picture of dad and Rachel with the 3 layer chocolate cake she made for him for his birthday. It was unbelievable - and that is before adding the homemade raspberry sauce!

Joe and Ethan swimming in my parent's pool.

I have lived in Springfield for 10 years now, and we had yet to make it to the Lincoln Presidential Museum. We finally corrected that oversight in July. Here is Ethan right at home with the Lincoln family. This was at the beginning of our visit. At the end, both kids were literally running in circles playing hide and seek directly around the original Gettysburg Address, Lincoln's Top Hot, and Lincoln's blood stained gloves from the night he was assassinated. That was a sure sign that it was time to go.

Olivia and Ethan playing in Mrs. Lincoln's Attic.

Ethan and Olivia swimming with grammy and grandpa Brett in their hotel pool (they stayed in Springfield during Brennan's Muni run).

We finally made it to Busch Stadium in July - the latest in the season ever for my first game. Olivia and Ethan made homemade signs to hold up during the game. Olivia's says "Go Cardinals" with the Cubs crossed out (even though it was not a Cubs game we were still proud of her for knowing that they still stink).

Olivia printed "Go Cardinals" for Ethan, and then he added his own "words".

Ethan and Joe watching batting practice.

During our game we were lucky enough to watch the Cardinals retire Whitey Herzog's jersey number. It is always a treat (for adults and kids!) when the Clydesdales are brought out!

The kids displaying their ladybug cake.

Joe turned 34 in August this year and requested a Jello cake (one of his favorite summer treats). The kids were more than willing to help blow out the candles!

And the State Fair. We have attended twice thus far (it continues until August 22), and I think that that is enough for us. Here are the kids with the Butter Cow (displayed with butter corn this year).

Ice cream from the Dairy Building. Ethan was a complete sticky mess after he finished his cone!

Time to milk a cow! Both kids were brave enough to milk it this year (Ethan just watched last year). It is always an education for them when they see where their milk comes from!

We always make a point of walking through the animal barns each year. The kids especially enjoyed seeing the pigs this year as they were very very loud with their squealing and grunting (the pigs not the kids).

Olivia checking out the sheep. We also saw the cows and some horses.

Much of our time was spent in Conservation World this year. These picture opportunities were everywhere in this area so I will not bore you with ALL of them - just the cutest two.

We walked through the baby pig shed and received a hat. Here is Olivia doing a pig pose (yeah, I don't see the resemblance either).

Thank goodness Olivia was old enough to ride the giant slide by herself this year - it is an uncomfortable ride that neither Joe nor I wanted to do! Olivia is on the very far left.

Probably Olivia's last year riding the very little kids rides - she was a bit too tall to ride them this year but the workers looked the other way for her.

Ethan driving his car.

Ethan riding the boats.

Joe and Ethan in the petting zoo feeding Ethan's favorite animal ever - the camel.

Olivia feeding the very greedy goats.

Ethan at the entrance to the Sky Ride.

Mmmmm, mini donuts (taken from the Sky Ride). I still love watching the little donut machine inside the stand.

Ethan and I enjoying the ride.

Living with Judas

Joe's brother, Brennan, lived with us for about 2 months this summer. Aside from frequently explaining to the kids why Uncle Brennan slept until 3pm every day, the stay went very smoothly. He stayed with us for his rehearsals as the role of Judas in the Springfield Muni production of Jesus Christ Superstar. We had previously seen Brennan in this exact role 2 years ago and greatly enjoyed it, but this production was on an entirely different level with the post-apocalyptic set and some modernization to the script.

Brennan/Judas is in the center dressed in black.

Judas' death scene. We had to cover the kids' eyes for this one - a little too much to watch Uncle Brennan shoot himself in the head. The good thing is that he came back for another song which was a great relief for the kids.

Judas and Jesus.

Brennan singing Jesus Christ Superstar. I did miss the glitzy outfit change from the traditional take on the show.

The kids with "Uncle Brennan the rock star" (as Ethan phrased it). However, at intermission I asked Olivia what she thought of Uncle Brennan, and she said "he is good, but Mary (Magadelene) has the prettiest voice". The kids had a difficult time wrapping their head around watching their uncle on stage performing when just 3 hours earlier he had been in our basement playing Wii with them!

Brennan with parents Kim and Brett. He is striking his Judas pose.

The kids with Uncle Brennan and Josh (who played the role of Jesus).

Olivia Turns 6

Our little girl turned six on August 1. We celebrated all day, starting with a donut breakfast - complete with many rounds of Happy Birthday and a candle on the donut. And, of course, a mountain of presents. Here she is very excited about a sticker book and Playmobile set.

Another doll to add to her collection and a jewelry box.

Donut time! She is attempting to imitate Fancy Nancy in this picture (which, coincidentally, was the theme of her birthday party).

We had 15 kids at our home for her pool party. This is the before picture of the backyard. I am guessing that this will be her last co-ed party for awhile. She struggled with whether or not to invite boys to her party, deciding that this year she would "allow" them to come this year. None of the boys would wear the Fancy Nancy party hats, though!

Cake time! Just in case Fancy Nancy wasn't girly enough, she opted for a Princess cake that lit up.

Family picture.

Olivia had to pretend to blow out the candles at her party. After lighting them multiple times we finally gave in to the wind and assured her that her wish would still come true (in addition to her breakfast wish that she had already made).

Cake time for the kids. Yes, I made them sit in the grass to eat, but they could have sat anywhere! Their choice to sit as close as possible together!

And of course present time.

More water fun with the sprinkler. At this point we were attempting to move the water play to a different part of the yard to give the swing set area a break!

Part of the party aftermath. After 3 sprinklers, a water balloon fight, 3 pools, and the kids turning the slide into a water slide using buckets of water, our poor grass will never be the same. Permanent muddy looking ruts all around. A sign of a well lived in yard! We can fix it in 10 years.

After her friend party, Olivia then had a family party. Here she is with grandma opening more gifts!

Ethan took this picture of Great Grandma Phyllis with daddy.

Yes, the "used cake" looks a little sad, but at least the candles stayed lit this time around!

Olivia and Ethan showing Great Grandma our recent San Diego vacation pictures.

Olivia and Great Grandma Phyllis.

Ethan and Great Grandma Phyllis. He is very tired at the end of a long party day!