Go Hawks!

Iowa vs. Wisconsin

I don't have any photos of Ben because he was curled up on my lap for the entire game. Knowing how few opportunities like this I have left with him made me treasure every second!

Deep Thoughts

Maggie and Uncle Mike were playing Uno.  Mike was shuffling the oversized deck of Uno cards.

Maggie:  Well, you can't shuffle the whole world.

Mike:  Wow.  That just blew my mind.

Maggie:  And you can't shuffle the whole universe.

Mike:  That's a pretty big thought.  You're like a baby Einstein.

Maggie:  No I'm NOT!

(Silence...)

Maggie:  What's an Einstein?

(Laughter from Mike).

Maggie:  Oh you mean like Little Einsteins?  Did you watch that show when you were a kid?

Football!

Chris and the kids went to the Iowa game on Saturday.  It was the perfect day---great weather, the Hawkeye Express, Fun Zone before kick-off, and delicious concessions.  The Hawks didn't play well until the very end of the game, barely squeaking out a win, but you can't have everything, right?

A Week of Family

 

Following the triathlon on Saturday we spent Sunday in Zearing, Iowa celebrating my Grandma Hyland's 90th birthday.  All of mom's eight siblings and the majority of my cousins were in attendance.  It was a great day and I'm so glad that we were able to be at the party.

 

My uncle Tim came to Iowa City for a few days at the end of the week.  My kids loved having him here and loved all of the attention they received from my cousins Leslie and Rachael. 

 

There's nothing my kids like better than a new audience who hasn't seen all of their tricks. 

Reunited

A New Era

Last night we went for our second ever family bike ride.  In contrast to the first bike ride, Cece didn't cry at all.  We packed the Burley with books and her bink (in case of emergency) and made Maggie promise to "be a good friend."

We first stopped at Dairy Queen and then headed to "the lookout" on the way home. 

I think Chris and I are even more excited than the kids to have a family activity that everyone can participate in.

The Lemonade Obsession Begins

Delicious!

Proof that Cece was at the lemonade stand.

If the bosses (Cate and Ben) won't let you sample the inventory, you have to get creative.

Claire at the lemonade stand.

The Crew

Ben working on advertising.  (He dislikes writing so I'm always excited when I see him voluntarily writing something).

Cate:  I'm writing napkins with our logo.

Hoping that more signage will attract more customers.

And yes, they did realize that the arrow was pointing away(!) from their stand.

My kids obsession with lemonade stands began with a spur of the moment stand at their cousins' house.  Although they only made around $1.00 each, they were excited about each step of the process. 

The kids' disappointment whenever a car drove by without stopping was immense.  I told Chris on the way home that our resolution from this point forward should be to always, always stop by any lemonade stand we see. 

And tip the workers.

More Summer Fun

Last week my parents brought my grandma to visit for the day.  They were hoping to watch Ben play baseball but the game was rained out at the last minute.

We had a great afternoon reading books, making crafts and playing games.

Wedding Bells

Megan, our beloved nanny, got married last Saturday. 

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding for a truly beautiful person.  We are so lucky to have Megan (and now Trent) in our lives.

My kids loved the wedding and were sad that we made them leave the dance early so that Cece could go to bed.  Maggie requested the Frozen soundtrack, singing along to all of the songs, while Ben requested "Gangham Style" and danced with the college crowd.  Cate befriended one of the flower girls and they worked on perfecting their cartwheels on the dance floor. 

Even though we were home by 9 we certainly left our mark on the festivities.

Ben does not really like to write so it always touches my heart when he does so without being prompted.  Here he is writing "Good Luck" to Megan and Trent.  (Note:  He also willingly changed out of Under Armor for the event).

Taking advantage of the Kids Corner

While waiting for dinner Cece discovers a new love for lemonade.

Mags and Megan

Cece and Megan

One Picture from Poland

Maggie sent her beloved popsicle stick puppet, Elsa, to Europe with me. 

You can easily tell it's Elsa by her long, flowing side ponytail.  It's actually been great to have her along.  I've taken pictures of Elsa at every site I've visited along the way and sent them back to the kids via e-mail.  (Again, technology is amazing...)

This is a picture of me, Elsa and Uncle Tim taken outside Bombay Masala in Warsaw last week.

Memorial Day Weekend

After dropping me at the airport Chris and the kids headed back to town for soccer.  Then they spent the weekend in Harlan visiting grandparents and cousins.  By all accounts, they had a great time! 

Dilly bars and cousins?!?!  What could be better?

 

Visiting Great-Grandpa K

 

Cece rides a big wheel

 

Soccer!  Ben and Maggie both played soccer this spring and much to our surprise, Maggie LOVED it!

Happy 40th Birthday Daddy!

Grandparents Day!

Cate and Ben were very excited to have Grandma Joan, Grandma Sheila and Grandpa Doug visit their school for Grandparents Day.

Cate is 8!

The highlight of Cate's 8th birthday was a slumber party with her three best pals.  Unfortunately, the day of the party Cate woke up with a very high fever and what turned out to be a double ear infection.  The camping-themed party was postponed (much to Cate's great disappointment) but I think, in the end it was worth the wait and exceeded her expectations.

Lots (and lots!) of snacks served throughout the day/night....starting with a trail mix bar.

Lots of games played...including an outdoor scavenger hunt

As requested, an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.   We decorated the top to include a tent, faux campfire, mini hotdogs and mini s'mores.

Outdoor painting

Cate also requested "real" flowers at her party

Despite the relatively cool weather, the little girls lasted all night out in the tent.  Chris (aka "Dad of the Year") also camped out with them.  (NOTE:  Maggie was inside before 10 and Ben climbed into bed with me around 3am).  I think one of the highlights for the girls---although they protested---was when the neighbor boys ran through the yard and scared them around 9pm.  The next morning, after a healthy breakfast of donuts and orange juice, the girls curled up on the couch to watch "Little Rascals Save the Day."

And more Easter...just because.

Maggie was all business during the St. Pat's Easter egg hunt, kindly suggesting that she would take Cece's candy since Cece is just a baby and shouldn't really eat candy.

Cece was intrigued by the Easter bunny, walked right up to him and happily agreed to have her picture taken.

 

 

The traditional Johnson Easter bunny cake.

After nap with Grandpa Doug

 

 

Our last Easter egg hunt of the day...at the lake with friends.