BIG Girl Bed

A couple of months ago we got a letter in the mail stating that Madelyn's convertible crib had been recalled. Ugh, she had been using it as the toddler version and we had planned on her keeping it as her bed through her high school years. After a little checking into it we were able to return her crib, yes take the whole stinking thing down, and drive it back to the store where we were given our full purchase price back. Yeah!!! So, I dwelled on what to buy her because that's what I do when my perfectly set plans are ruined. In the end we purchased a metal framed full sized bed frame with a matching white dresser. We already had a full sized mattress in storage so we dug it. I love the scroll design of it and hopefully she will too even into her older years. The dresser is being delivered this weekend and she has been enjoying her new bed for a couple of months now. We were super duper nervous about her falling out because it is such a big bed and the pillow top mattress makes it a long splat down but she has done really well. We put the large shams on the sides of the bed to act as a bumper and she loves getting to have tons of babydolls sleep with her!

I caught this while she was asleep one of the first mornings she woke up in her new bed.

Vacation Part 3

We also took advantage of the indoor pool at our hotel which was supposed to be heated but it was down right chilly. Oh well, toddlers will endure anything for more swim time. It is amazing how comfortable Madelyn is in the water now. She took these giant leaps off the edge to our arms.

Mommy squeeze for more warmth!

Perfecting the back float, we practice in the bath tub.

We also drove the "The Hill" in Saint Louis which is their Italian district. It is this little old neightborhood to walk around in and it has all types of italian restaurants, meat markets, decorative stores, and more. Let me tell you our food was AMAZING!!!

One last stop before home was Trader Joe's. Some friends had told us we had to go and we weren't really sure what exactly it was all about. In short, it is an off brand grocery store that has an amazing liquor/wine section. We left with 5, yes 5 cases of wine. Sadly not all were for us. We were told there will be one opening next spring in KC. Yeah!!

Vacation Part 2

While in Saint Louis we went downtown to see the Arch. Madelyn was amazed at the height of it and thought it was a mountain. We took one of the riverboat rides and learned some of the history of the downtown. Although Madelyn wasn't too into it she hasn't stopped talking about it and wants to go back and visit the Mississippi River.

I can't reach!

We also walked around downtown and stopped to play in every fountain. Then we walked up to Busch Stadium. We didn't see a game but enjoyed a scrumptious turkey burger from a street cart and soaked up the atmosphere.

Vacation Part I

We recently went to Saint Louis for a little family vacation. It was so nice to just get away, sleep in, and not worry about anything!! On the way out of town we had planned on dropping the dog off at the vet but realized as we got to the east side of the city that in the excitement of getting away, we still had the dog in the back of the car. So after a slight detour home we were on our way. First stop, The Magic House. It is an amazing, enormous house that they converted into different rooms with activities. Here's some photos from The Magic House.

Climbing the giant beanstalk which spanned three floors. I was so proud of her, she is usually way to caution to do things like this.

Musical piano that blows bubbles.

This was our favorite activity. Fishing for little magnetic bobbers. Once you catch a bobber you walk it down the river flowing on the floor, and release it at the start of the river. Then you can watch it float all the way back up to the pond.

They had a terrific bubble room!! You could stand on a center tile and make a bubble around yourself, make different shape bubbles, and even use bands to move bubbles around.

Making water tornados

Matt trying to generate enough electricity to light the bulb.

This wheel of bells was mesmerizing

We spent hours and hours here checking out everything!! Stay tuned for more vacation fun!

Summer Accomplishments

As summer comes to an end I reflect on what I've accomplished...

-went to Saint Louis for our first family vacation (details coming soon)

-found a new storage bench for our bedroom

-scrapbook lots although I'm still behind

-spent countless hours splashing in the pool and playing with the swingset

-took Madelyn to a tumbling class

-made lots of banana/peanut butter smoothies and fresh juice

-several trips to Deana Rose (one of our favorites)

-caught some free movies at the Legends

-shopped, shopped, shopped

-worked in the garden

-transitioned Madelyn into a full sized bed (more pictures to come later)

-found a storage unit for our bathroom

-ran many, many miles and lifted tons of weights

-tried lots of new recipes (favorite =shrimp summer stirfry)

-read several books (best=Love and Logic for Early Childhood by Jim Fay, worst= Change of Heart by Jodi Piccoult)

-drank wine, lots of wine

-played Memory and CandyLand for hours

-put together puzzles, blew bubbles, drew pictures on the driveway with chalk

-spent a week visiting family

-saw lots of old friends and their families

-used the firepit to roast hot dogs and make smores'

-steamed the carpets

-signed up for a half marathon

-took a ton of pictures

-enjoyed my time with my husband and daughter



And now it is time to go back to work. I am okay with this though. My body, my brain need routine, need adult conversation, and need a healthy level of stress outside of our home. I love my job. Although sometimes it is super frustrating I do truly look forward to seeing my new kids in August. And then I can look forward to the next break!

Dreamy

I spent the better part of the morning making these decadent, oey-goey, buttery-rich cinnamon rolls topped with thick maple flavored frosting. Oh my, they are absolutely dreamy!

Now and Then

Every Now and Then you meet people who you know will be in your life forever. We are so blessed to have many friends like this. A couple of weeks ago our group of college friends got together for a "reunion". We try to get together at least once a year but with families and kids it is getting more challenging. These people are amazing!! Sometimes life gets in the way and we don't talk to some of them for quite a while but it doesn't matter - we can pick up where we left off. We've been through it all - snow skiing, chillin' on the beach with a bear named Nick, snipe hunting, starting our own University club known as TigerWild, drunkedness, weddings, babies, careers, and so much more. We Love You Guys!

THEN: (approximately 10 years ago)

(by the way in this picture - we had just won a float contest in the Jennings parade and I think we are still local celebrities there!)

NOW

(my how we've grown with spouses and kiddos)

Take a look at those cute kids!