Water, Water and More Water

This week has been all about playing in water, finding hidden water, and boating in the water.  We recently bought a small pool for Avery to play in during the week and decided to add her slide to make it a bit more fun.  She was a bit hesitant to go down the slide at first.

Then she went...

Needless to say, she never sat down again in the water.  Instead, she just let her toys go down the slide over and over again.

Then this week we discovered this mysterious hole in the back corner of our yard.  Inside is water, a bunch of mud, old mulch and about 15 slugs.  Now, I am not a fan of slugs at all.  Dave and Avery on the other hand think they are fun to "play" with.  Avery liked using the sticks to make them roll.

Being off in the summer sure has it's perks.  Today we were able to go up and spend the day with Gigi and Aunt Donna and cousin Tim.  This was an exciting day because it was Avery's first time on a boat.  She was very excited!  (We took lots of pictures today!)

All ready to go!

She was so interested in the tube behind the boat.  Maybe in a few years we can let her try that out!

She thought she was queen of the boat!

She kept telling cousin Tim to go faster and then she would squeal and wave her hands.

Avery loved walking around on the boat and sometimes her legs wouldn't quite cooperate.  She thought this was the funniest part of the boat ride.  Every time she'd lose her balance and fall, she would just giggle like crazy!

While on the boat, Avery had a snack and like a good little girl, she chose to share her pretzels.  After a few fell on the floor, Aunt Donna fed them to the fishes.  Avery thought this was a great idea and gave away about the next 20 pretzels!

Thanks Aunt Donna and Tim for the boat ride!!  We can't wait to do it again!

Busy Busy Bee

We are finding many ways to keep busy around our house and Central Illinois this summer.  Avery has been exceptionally helpful in getting our new garden planted.  I think she just really likes digging around in the dirt.

Avery's hard work always deserves a little reward!  This past week it came in the form of her first visit to the ice cream truck!  She was amazed at all the pictures and it took her forever to choose.  We finally decided on a push pop!

Another perk to being home during the summer is being able to visit the Peoria Zoo during the week without all the crowds.  It is also a major perk to having teacher friends with kids around Avery's age.  Avery also goes to daycare with Lucas so it was fun to get all three of these kiddos together.

Checking out the mama and baby giraffes.

The kids were all about holding hands- it was so cute!

And then after our picnic lunch, there was of course time to play at the playground.

Another perk to being home during the summer is having impromptu play dates with Papa!

The lake near our house set up play stations around the path for kids to do while out and about.  Avery like to walk to the lake and "talk" to the geese and the ducks.  This was our favorite play spot today!

Finally, Aunt Judy made this dress for Avery last year.  Unfortunately, she was too small to fit into it, so thankfully it fits her this year!  How cute is this???

XOXO from Bloomington!

Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime!

Summer vacation has begun!  I have been out of school now for not even a week and we have been super busy!  The end of the school year always includes a party with all of my co workers at my boss' house.  Luckily for Avery, her buddy from daycare was there to play with.  

Since the pool wasn't open yet, the kids were able to run across the cover.  Avery wanted no part of it!

She and Lucas enjoyed the hot tub instead.

We have been so lucky to have Avery in Megan's care all year long.  Megan has been caring and wonderful for Avery and Avery loves going to her each day!  We never really told Avery it was her last day at Megan's, but she cried her eyes out!  It was so sweet!  Thanks Megan!  

Not only is it summer time, but it is also garage sale time!  Check out these two fun finds!  

Sunglasses- $0.25

Rocking Horse- $5.00

We spent Memorial Day weekend at my mom and dad's for some family time and to check up on my mom's recovery after surgery.  Avery loves getting to spend time with Ga and Papa and Lucas and the rest of our big family.  Enjoy the pictures!

Enjoying some snuggle time with Lucas!

Papa tried to teach them to play golf.  Avery seems to be a bit concerned! :)

Popsicle Time

Auntie Ashley came over and surprised the kids at the back door.  They were so excited to see her!

Papa put the sprinkler out in the backyard for the kiddos to play with in the hot Chicago day.  Lucas loved it... Avery was not into it!  She just ran away and hit far from it.  Silly girl!

Later that night, Auntie Robyn made a super cool bath for the kids.  They loved the glow sticks in the tub!

Sunday afternoon, we headed to my grandma's house for a cookout with some of my dad's family.  

Check out this little diva!  We are going to be in trouble in a few years!

 

The neighbors behind my grandma's have 2 fake deer.  She would not leave them alone.  At one point, she was sitting in the grass talking to them.  How cute is that?

Right before we got ready to leave, I had Avery take a picture with Great Grandma.  

This was 3 minutes later!  She didn't get a nap that day and after running around with Lucas all day, she was tuckered out.  

Then Monday afternoon, we headed home to see daddy.  They were both so excited to see each other!

Avery, Dave and I spent a lovely Mother's Day together.  Avery woke me up in the morning with a cold diet coke!  (She knows what mama likes!)  The evening before, I was the very lucky recipient of a Cricut!  I cannot wait to use it and hope to make all sorts of crafts this summer.

Later that morning, we took Avery to my classroom to meet the baby chicks!  Each year, my third graders get eggs and get to watch them hatch.

A little apprehensive!  

Hi Chicks!
 

Then, we had to stop at the park...

After Avery's nap, Ga and Papa came over.  Not only was it Mother's Day, but it was Grandma G's birthday!  So we of course celebrated.  And took pictures!

We are always encouraging Avery to try new foods.  Sometimes she likes it, sometimes she doesn't.  This was a case of not liking.

Future Performer??

Dave got his own personal concert tonight...hope you enjoy it as much as we did!! :)