Backyard Fun

Normally, we just go to the pool because it is so close, but last weekend it was a hot morning so we just got the sprinkler out. Ayden loved playing in it, but Cael wasn't sure what to think. I think the water was too cold for him.

Not sure why Cael decided to lay down on the sidewalk...

Nope, not a fan... I'm pretty sure he doesn't realize he can move and get out of the spray of the water. I had to go move him...

Cael loves the swing that my dad made for us.

Buddies... :)

Fire Station Storytime and Tour

A few weeks ago the library had storytime at the Fire Station, and the kids got to tour the fire house afterwards. It was pretty cool, and Ayden was so excited. We had to skip gymnastics that day and make it up another time, but Ayden thought it was really neat that we got to see the firemen, fire trucks, and where they live and sleep while they are working. It was a hot day that day too, but luckily we were only in the heat while a fireman read a story to us. Then we got to go inside where is was air conditioned and take the tour.

Smyles the library mascot was there, too.

They had a fireman puppet too.

A fireman read the kids a story called "Firefighters A to Z."

Another fireman put on all his gear to show the kids. He said he can get into it all in less than a minute!

Love the huge mask!

A fireman showing the kids how to stop, drop and roll! The big screen tv in the background is in their entertainment room along with about ten lazy-boy rockers.

Everyone has their own room with a bed in it.

All the buttons on the outside of the fire truck.

The kids got to go inside the fire truck too, but I didn't get a good picture of Ayden. He was talking about the fire station and the firemen for the rest of the day. He didn't want to leave. I think Cael enjoyed it too!

The boys and I sitting on the back of the fire truck. Neither one cooperating...

The best I could get...

The outside of the fire station.

Midnight Madness

Our Goals in Motion group put together a team of people to run Midnight Madness, which took place in Ames on the evening of July 5th. We all wore the same bright orange Goals in Motion shirt, and other GIM'ers were there to cheer us on as we ran. I was thinking about running the 10k race, but decided to just sign up for the 5k since it was most likely going to be very hot and humid, and it was. Joel ran the 5k, and then ran the 10k. They add your times together for both and that's how you get the 15k times. Of course, he hadn't run at all since running Dam to Dam and did great. I ran probably a total of about four times since running Dam to Dam. It has just been too hot, and I would much rather stick with my kickboxing, it's much more fun and a better workout :) My time wasn't too bad, it was around 32 minutes. Not bad considering how hot and humid it was that evening. I got water at every water station, too. We took a big group picture before the race, and Kim took pictures before and during the race as we ran by.

Before the race they had a kid's run. It was really cute. The kids got capes and ran about a block (maybe a little more) so even some little kids not much older than Cael ran it. I think the boys would really like to do that next year so we will have to sign them up! The capes were a cute touch :) They also had food, drinks, music, and beer after the race. I didn't stick around because I had to go home and let the babysitter go while Joel ran his next race. It was a good time and I will definitely do it next year!

Joel and I before the race.

Big group picture of GIM.

Running...

Almost done!

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!