Summer Activities

We've had lots of activities to keep everyone busy this summer. Cael was in Kindermusik at the beginning of June, and Ayden has had gymnastics on Mondays, Mini Chefs on Wednesdays, swimming lessons this past month on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and at the beginning of August he has Kindermusik camp for a few hours in the afternoon every day for a week. I'm ready for fall to get here, and for things to start to slow down a little! I don't think they will slow down much though. Ayden will have preschool on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, gymnastics on Thursday mornings, and Cael will have Kindermusik on Wednesday mornings. It's good to keep kids busy, right?

I previously posted some pictures from Kindermusik with Cael. I don't have any recent gymnastics pictures of Ayden because he goes all by himself now, and I have to keep Cael entertained which usually means going to a store and grabbing a few groceries so he won't run around the gym. I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures in this post. I keep my spare Sony camera that is about five years old in the diaper bag for quick pictures. My Canon is much nicer (but bigger), and I forgot to bring it along.

In Ayden's Mini Chefs class I dropped him off at 9:00 am and picked him up at 10:15 am. Each week had a theme and the kids would make something, read a book that had that theme, and sing some songs. I wasn't there so I'm not sure what other things they did. I usually saw just the very end of the class. Some examples of food they made are: hamburger cookies, popcorn balls, chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins, trail mix, and english muffin pizzas. Ayden always said he had a lot of fun, and he was always excited about going to class. Last week was the last class, and I think he was pretty disappointed it was over.

We enrolled Ayden in Preschool Level 1 swimming lessons. In the spring he was in the Parent/Child class where Joel took him. It didn't always go that well according to Joel. Ayden hated getting his head wet and would scream if he got water in his eyes. He hated going to them and it was not fun for him or Joel most times. I was not looking forward to the summer swimming lessons, especially since Ayden was on his own with the instructors, and parents just watched this time around. Well, Ayden really surprised us. He is doing amazing! He loves going to his lessons and is disappointed if it's not a swimming lessons night. He doesn't have a problem with getting his head wet, or getting water in his eyes. Is this the same kid as in March?! I really think it's because we have gone to the pool so much this summer. At first he would try to keep his head dry and not get his eyes wet, but as the summer goes on he has gotten more more used to the water and really loves it. He will even stand under the huge bucket that dumps out water on people, where as before if he accidentally got caught under it he would scream. He loves going down the slides and will jump into the pool now without any help. I think it has really helped Cael too. Both boys really love the water. Cael was a little weary at the beginning of the summer, but now he likes to go down the slides and gets mad if I won't let him. He doesn't mind getting his head wet, and loves to stand on the edge and jump in while I catch him. When we first got the season passes for the pool I was wondering if it would be worth the money, but now I think it's been money well spent!

Ayden at his Mini Chefs class. I think they are eating what they made that day.

Singing "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around."

(Going upstairs).

Swimming lessons.

Ada Hayden

On one of the cooler days we have had this summer, and on a day we didn't have any morning activities, I took the boys to Ada Hayden. Ayden rode his bike and I pushed Cael in the stroller. Cael really wanted to be out and running around so I let him out about halfway through our walk. He loved chasing Ayden on his bike, and Ayden kept looking back and yelling, "Baby Cael, come get me!" It was adorable. I loved how the pictures turned out, and Cael only fell a few times. That boy just wants to run everywhere! We had a lot of fun :)

Cael trying out Ayden's bike.

Love this one too!

4th of July Shirts

As I mentioned in a previous post, I made the boys their 4th of July shirts. Sadly, I have not had much time or ambition to sew this summer, but hopefully I can get some more projects done this fall when we are not so busy with activities, playing outside, and going to the pool!

Ayden's shirt.

Cael's shirt.

4th of July

The Independence parade started at 9 am on the 4th. My parents got there early to save everyone seats. The parade was filled with lots of tractors, fire trucks, cars, and floats. Ayden sat by the curb on a blanket so that he was in a good spot to run and pick up candy. Cael played musical laps for some of the time, and did not want to sit still, but if I put him down he would definitely head for the road or run off down the sidewalk. He's just on the go all the time. I'm looking forward to the days when he will at least understand to stay near us and not wander or run off. A few years ago they stopped allowing sirens during the parade. It has been nice to not jump every time a siren blares. The only loud part of the parade is at the beginning when they shoot off a cannon. The parade ended around 10:30.

My aunt and uncle, my cousin and her two kids, my brother and his family, and my sister and her husband all came to the parade too. We all headed back to my parents house for lunch after the parade. We had lots of snacks and hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch. Ayden loved playing with my cousin Kathy's son, Wyatt. He is a few months older than Ayden. She also has an adorable little girl, who is two, named Avery. The kids loved playing with the kiddie Gator, and then my dad took them for rides in the big Gator.

We decided to head back to Ames after the boys took naps. Last year we took Ayden to the Independence fireworks, which they set off over the river, and they were amazing. This year, Joel had to work on Tuesday so we decided to go back and watch the Ames fireworks with Ayden. I was hoping we would be able to see them from our house, but no luck. I ended up driving Ayden to the stadium parking lot and watching them from their. They weren't as impressive as the Independence ones, and they were much shorter. Ayden seemed to like them alright, but I don't think he remembered how neat they were last year, and I was disappointed. I think we will definitely stay and watch the Independence ones next year. They are much better than the Ames fireworks.

Ayden's favorites are the tractors.

Waiting for candy.

They tossed out beaded necklaces at some point. Cael is watching on Angie's lap.

The boys in their 4th of July name shirts I made them.

My cousin's son Wyatt, my nieces Cassidy and Courtney, and Ayden.

We found Cael and got him in the picture too before he was off again.

The sun was too bright for the boys.

Ayden and Wyatt driving the gator. Wyatt is my cousin's son and is a few months older than Ayden. They had a lot of fun playing together.

Ayden and Avery in the gator. Avery is Wyatt's 2 year old sister. I love that they all have blond hair and blue eyes. So cute!

4th of July Weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's

We always head up to my parent's for the 4th of July. I grew up in Independence and the town always has a big parade and amazing fireworks. My mom always invites some relatives over after the parade and we grill out and eat way too much food. This year the 4th was on a Monday. I took the boys up on Saturday morning and Joel planned on coming later in the day because he had a 60 mile bike ride/race around where he grew up near Conrad. We had a relaxing weekend, and didn't do too much. My mom was busy making all kinds of food for Monday and feeding us while we were there.

On Saturday night my dad made a bonfire so we could roast marshmallows and have s'mores. Ayden was really excited. We had had some bonfires there the previous summer, but Ayden wouldn't eat s'mores or marshmallows, just the chocolate. We went out after I put Cael to bed. There was no way I was going to let him get anywhere near a fire. Ayden had so much fun roasting marshmallows with Grandpa, and he loved eating s'mores!

Ready to roast marshmallows!

Roasting marshmallows with Grandpa.

Messy face!

We had a leg wrestling contest too! Angie and I always had leg wrestling contests when we were kids. Joel and Angie's husband Jeff had never heard of it before (Indian leg wrestling). Angie and I demonstrated, but she always beats me so she and Joel faced off. She beat him too. She has really long legs so I think that is why she always wins.

Angie and Joel face off.

Joel needed some help winning so he thought it would help if he put his foot in Angie's face.

It was a fun weekend!

Build-a-Bear Workshop

Part of Ayden's birthday present was to take him to Build-a-Bear to pick out a stuffed animal and stuff it. He was really excited about it, and talked about it for days before actually going. My sister and her husband came to visit and we went to Jordan Creek to do some shopping as well. We went to Build-A-Bear first though because Ayden just couldn't wait! He picked out an orange cat, and then helped to put the stuffing in.

Ayden pumped the pedal up and down which made the stuffing go into the cat.

Next he rubbed the heart between his hands and made a wish before putting it inside his cat.

He loved giving his cat an air bath and brushing him.

Next, we worked on his cat's birth certificate. He decided to name his cat Freddy.

I also let Ayden pick out an outfit for Freddy. He picked out some Cars pajamas. Angie and Jeff bought Freddy some boxers and a pair of Cars slippers to match his pajamas. Ayden had so much fun at Build-A-Bear. He still talks about it, and sleeps with Freddy every night.

Ayden and Freddy

Freddy

Afterwards, we went to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. It was a good time, and we had a really funny waiter. I shared a piece of Red Velvet Cheesecake with the boys for dessert. They both loved it. I couldn't get a good picture of Ayden because I was borrowing my sister's camera, but a few of Cael turned out okay.

Yummy....Red Velvet Cheesecake! I learned on the Today show the other day that it was about 1500 calories though......YIKES! Good thing I shared and got in my kickboxing class that morning :)

Cael is a fan!

He doesn't look happy here, but he really did love it!

We took a trip to the University Bookstore with Angie and Jeff when they were here. Ayden loves Cy :)

Ayden's Birthday

On Ayden's birthday my parents came to spend the day with us. Ayden had his mini chefs class from 9:00-10:15 that morning, and when we came back to the house afterwards my parents had arrived. They took us to Hickory Park for lunch and Ayden got a hot fudge sundae for his birthday and the employees sang Happy Birthday to him. He seemed a little shy/embarrassed when they sang and grabbed onto me. He loves Hickory Park and always loves the ice cream there. The rest of us also got some ice cream. After that we headed to the pool. Ayden loved showing off on the slides and in the water for grandpa and grandma. Cael, of course, showed how he loves to walk up and down the stairs. It was a nice day for the pool and was a lot of fun. We left close to 2:00 pm because Cael needed his nap. Since my parents were here, and it was his birthday, I told Ayden he didn't need to take a nap. He got to open up his presents from grandpa and grandma. He loved the Mobigo, carrying case, and games he got from them along with a pirate book. He also opened up a present from Uncle Greg, Aunt Des, and his cousins. He got a neat scooter, that I remember using in gym class as a kid, a gerty ball, and these walking shoe contraption things that you can see in the last picture below.

Joel and I were going to get him a V-Tech V-Reader, but the day before his birthday I saw that LeapFrog is coming out with a LeapPad next month. It's like an iPad for kids. I think he would get a lot more use out of that since he will be able to play games, read books, and do other things on it. We ended up not giving him the V-Reader, returning it, and pre-ordering the LeapPad. We also got him some books, magnetic letters for the fridge, and a few games for his Mobigo.

Ayden wanted pizza from Casey's for supper, so that is what we ate! He had a fun and busy day, and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow!

Opening presents from mom and dad.

Walking contraption things from Uncle Greg and Aunt Des.