It's been HOT - the 88 predicted for today sounds like an awesome reprieve - I can only imagine the weather in WI we'll have in a few weeks!!!! So, to beat the heat and get outside, we filled up the backyard pool and had some water fun.

Auntie bought Ben this pool when he was just a little guy - and I think it shrunk - or maybe Ben GREW. Next summer we'll get to pass it on to Miss Maggie, it will be just right for her! This year Ben loved the sprinkler (last year not at all) and he had a great time running from the sprinkler to the pool. So fun!!

Happy Father's Day!

Ben submitted this photo to the local newspaper for a Father's Day Tribute. Ben and Joe were in the paper with this message...

Daddy, you rock! Thanks for playing guitars, cars and trains with me. I love you - Happy Father's Day! Love, Ben

We love you!!

Baby Maggie -

Ben felt very proud holding baby Maggie for the first time last night. Auntie and I kept asking him if he was done or if he wanted to keep holding her... he kept saying "I'm not done." He was very sweet and gentle with her and she seemed perfectly content. What sweet cousins!!

Just Another Wednesday Part 2...

Joe took Wednesday off and we took Ben to his first Circus Flora. It was awesome. Ben got a little squirmy at times, but overall he seemed to really enjoy himself. We had great seats in the third row and it was so fun to see everything so well. Ben loved the puppies the most and hated the loud cracking whip during the horse act (not ON the horses - no worries). My hands were sweating during the high-wire act -- GULP!!

We had lunch at the Boathouse and saw lots of ducks and a turtle swimming in the water. L & J we saw the most amazing bird - black with dark orange & yellow wings - so pretty! THEN we had ice cream near the train station (pic above from after the ice cream - hard to see but he was covered in vanilla goodness).

Joe and I were exhausted after our day... but Ben's classic question (as usual) was "What are we doing next?" I mean, seriously, what MORE could we have done in one day?!

Memorial Day Weekend-

We spent Memorial Day Weekend at Innsbrook with our family... celebrated at Innsbrook's anniversary party, celebrated Bebe's birthday and played at the beach with our friends. Unfortunately the memory card on my camera was full... but thankfully our friend Kathy took these great photos at the beach. 

Pictured above is Ben and Anna - these two had a blast playing together at the beach. Anna was so sweet, collecting shells in her bucket while Ben loved dumping a shovel-full of sand in with her collection. Ah, that's the difference between boys and girls! Despite the sand dumping,  they really did play well together - and that was fun to see since Anna's dad, Matt, and I played together when we were their age.

Morning Adventure

We took a long walk across the highway and over the railroad tracks (very exciting!) on the pedestrian bridge. We walked to Old Orchard, got coffee and hung out on the apple chairs watching the world go by. It's not too hot yet and we had a great morning. Do you like Ben's new posed smile - scrunched nose, showing all his teeth?

Quote of the Day-

"Mommy, let's put the sun away."  –Benjamin W.

Said while closing the curtains and front door. Apparently the sun interfered with his perfect breakfast conditions.