Frog Pond

The kids and I decided to take advantage of the cool, sunny day and visit a nearby pond that's just full of frogs. It's tucked in front of the hospital and I honestly don't think anybody knows it's there. We just happened upon it one day a few years back.

The Worm loved spotting the frogs and fish and Michael just enjoyed himself throwing rock after rock into the water. Simple morning, but fun and relaxing for all.

Isnt' he cute?

Good idea, Mom!

Checking out the scenery.

Posing, as usual.

He could have done this all day.

Random cute picture of Taylor.

I'm going to see if I can get into bed before 10 tonight...

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Soccer Night & G-ma Birthday

Tonight was Taylor's first soccer game and the SLAM came away with the big W. Taylor had some good saves in goal and did a great job on offense. I'm so proud of her for playing hard and hanging right in there with older and much more experienced kids. She loves it! (And don't worry, I'm not going to blog about all 10 games, haha.)

After her pre-game manicure.

The Pear enjoying pre-game Teddy Grahams.

My favorite trio (okay quartet - I love you too, Champy).

My buddies.

Isn't she cute? I think she's double-jointed like me. Check out that left leg!

Warming up with her team.

Outrunning the boys. She plays hard!

G-ma and G-pa T came up for the game. G-ma's birthday is tomorrow so we got all fancy after the game and treated her to McDonald's. The kids wanted to play on the outdoor playset after dinner, but were disappointed to find that it was closed. Wanna know why? Apparently, there's a opposum living inside. EWWWW!

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Funny Pear story that he will kill me for sharing one day. After his nap, I just went ahead and changed his diaper in his crib. He was standing up, wearing nothing but a longish T-shirt. He pulled his shirt down over his boy parts, then whipped it up yelling, "Boo" (his way of saying Peek-a-Boo). He did this several times, laughing hysterically. Typical boy!

Alright, off to hang out with the hubby now.

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Lordy, Lordy...

...Mike is 40! Happy Birthday to my dear other half. I can make fun of his age a little, because the guy is in better shape than pretty much anyone I know.

He picked out a new DVD recorder for himself and the kids and I got him a pair of Nike pool sandals, partly because he always steals mine. Yes, we have the same shoe size (actually my feet are a tad bigger). No big parties. Just church and out to dinner Saturday night (his actual birthday) and my special lasagna and chocolate chip cookies tonight. Mike doesn't eat sweets, but will splurge on c.c. cookies a few times a year. Probably has something to do with why he is in better shape than pretty much anyone I know.

Enjoying lasagna, rolls and salad.

Enjoying chocolate chip cookies.

Not enjoying the aftermath.

Today is also our little neighbor Ben's first birthday! Hard to believe it's been a whole year since this little cutie was born. His family headed back East for the birthday extravaganza this weekend, so we stopped by Thursday night with gifts.

The Worm helping Ben while the Pear supervises.

Michael got a sports set like this from Scott, Laurie and Tony for his 1st birthday and LOVED it, so we got one for Ben, too.

Taylor, picking flowers in Ben's yard.


Michael, pushing around his new favorite toy, a stuffed skunk from McDonald's. He calls it, "Kitty"; Mike calls it "Stinky." And, that's not a dirt speck on your screen. He has yet another boo-boo on his big noggin.



Alright, off to bed now.



Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Kings Island

With Mike's summer days quickly coming to an end, we were pressed to fit in one last trip to Kings Island. We bought a two-day pass back in June (I forgot my camera that day - bad Kel!) and despite the rainy forecast, we planned on Tuesday being our summer finale.

It couldn't have been better! No rain and no crowds at all. We waited no more than one cycle for any ride. I walked right on to the Beast - zero wait. Anyone that's been to Kings Island knows that just absurd (and incredibly lucky). Let me tell you, no waiting meant for some really, really happy kids. Most rides, they didn't even have to exit and could stay on for as many turns as they wanted!

Happy us! Taylor won her own Scooby in a basketball shooting game. The girl can hoop already.

They both love Scooby.

This picture makes me laugh!

Love this one, too. :)

Taylor gets braver and braver and even rode a "Level 4" roller coaster. The rides are ranked from 1-5, with 5 being the scariest. She liked it! Most of the stuff she rides are the things I started to try when I was like 12, ha, ha. Michael was about a half inch too short to ride most of the "big kid" stuff and broke everyone's heart within a five-mile radius when he cried "Wiiiing", "Wiiiing" as I pulled him away from the Backyardigan swings after failing the height test. :( He loves the "Swiper's Sweepers" cars, though, and quickly recovered.

Taylor enjoying the swings, while the Pear hyperventilated over the rejection out of frame.

Having a blast on Swiper's Sweepers.

The boys. Michael is going to be crushed when Mike goes back to work. He follows him around everywhere.

SuperDad. I took a similar picture at Kings Island last August.

Have a great Friday!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Rockin' the Kate Gosselin 'Do

Not me, the Pear.

Bad hair morning.

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Soccer Mom and Chi-Town

Whoa, we had another jam-packed weekend. Since Mike and I rarely see each other in the winter, we cram as much fun into the summer months as possible.

Saturday started off with Taylor's first soccer practice. She was so excited and couldn't wait to meet her coach and teammates. She did really well! Most of the kids had played before, but she hung right in there. The kid loves to run, so practice just involved adding a ball to her usual agenda. Our neighbor's granddaughter is on the team, so she's pumped to be playing with a little friend.

She is a keeper. :)

Run, Worm. Run like the wind.

Hee-hee. They look so little!

After practice, the Pear finished up a nap, Taylor and I took quick showers and then we were off to Chicago. One of Mike's college buddies, Fritz, and his family live outside of Chicago and invited us to stay the night Saturday. What a beautiful family! There were five kids total, all 6 and under, and two more on the way. Say a little prayer for super-mom Denise and the family as the eager-to-arrive twins could use a little more time to develop.

Fritz, Mike and the kids. Taylor just adored their daughter and followed her around everywhere.

We packed up Sunday morning, had breakfast at a cool little place near their home (had the best spinach/artichoke/mozzarella quiche EVER) and then headed to South Chicago and U.S. Cellular Field for the Yankees vs. White Sox game. Mike is a big fan of the Yankees and Chicago is one of the closest places we could go to see them play. The weather was perfect, we got seats in the bleachers, the kids were great, the Yankees won and we even got to see Melky Cabrera hit for the cycle. Such a good time!

Hanging out outside the stadium while Daddy talked to Mr. Scalper Man.

The Pear and Daddy.

The view from our seats.

Taylor's favorite things about the day - ginormous snow cone and the mist tunnel.

The whole fam as the game was headed into the bottom of the ninth. The kids pitched another complete game, haha.

Hope you had a great weekend, as well!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel