I Love a Good Picnic...

...and so does my boy!

Today was perfect. The pictures say it all.

Lynn

Hello, Zoo!

Sure seems like it has been a long hiatus from our beloved zoo, so you can just imagine how excited we were to be back there for the first time this spring. We were fortunate enough to make a few trips during the winter months, Christmastime of course, and a few other times while I was working in Indy. But it was cold, limiting what we could see and do. Cold no more, it was an unusually warm April day and PERFECT for our visit.

Our friends, The Semmler's invited us to kick out Cary's vacay with a trip and we were thrilled to be invited. We had to keep our plans on the down low, as usual, not telling McKinley until the evening before. If we tell him any earlier...well, it's crazy!!!

We met up with the Semmler's at Rick's parents' home in Avon, headed out for a quick lunch (the zoo fare is not so good...and not so cheap either!) then off to the park! The seals and sea lions greeted us as usual (which the kids adored), then we visited the sea creatures. Rick and Cary 'petted' the sharks and nearly convinced Savannah and McKinley to pet them too. Little did our husbands know the sheer terror they were evoking in us mothers. Oooh, not a good feeling to watch a shark swim by your husband and child while they frolic and play like we're dealing with a puppy or something! HELLO! SHARK!

Moving on, the rest of the ocean life had our attention for quite a while -we even attended the dolphin show, which was a special show honoring the NCAA Final Four. It was so fun to watch one of the dolphins 'dribble' a basket ball under water!

The famed splash park was open already, so we had to distract, distract, distract to get to the rest of the zoo. CAROUSEL! We all rode the carousel together, which was fun. McKinley and Savannah sat side-by-side (with me standing between them...just in case). It was adorable. Soon we were off to the train where we rode TWICE. Bet you will never guess who enjoyed himself beyond words...McKinley! Actually, we all enjoyed the rides on the brand spanking new engine. Again, McKinley and Savannah wanted to sit together, so Robin, Rick & Austin, Cary and I got our own seats and literally got to just enjoy the ride. It seems so hard to believe that the kids are old enough to ride by themselves already.

Before long, the zoo was CLOSING! Funny thing is not THAT long ago we were closing bars on a Saturday night...now we close the zoo. Truth be told, I really think the zoo is WAY more fun. Seriously. Who knew?!

As we all headed home the rain came. And as Cary, McKinley and I were about 10 minutes outside of Indy, the storms hit as well. My Mom was literally a few blocks behind us, having come to Indy for an appointment, so I called her and met up as the emergency sirens began going off in the city of Plainfield. We sought refuge in a mall there - the storms were REALLY bad. Thankfully they blew over without much damage to our immediate area (though we could have done without the hail, thanks), so Cary and I decided to do a little shopping and Mom headed on home.

It was a really fun day with Robin, Rick and their children. We had a wonderful time and love sharing in fun little day trips with such good friends! Zoo, I know we'll all be back soon!

Lynn

Happy Easter!!!

See that face? Pure joy. The Easter Bunny brought pure joy to our son's face this morning. Thank you, Easter Bunny, you made our boy's day! He was most thrilled with the goods left over night by the big-eared one. There was a Tag Jr, and books, some fun travel puzzles, dominos, stickers, a bunny mask, a little tiny Bunny Train and track, and a little bit of candy - including McKinley's very first Pez dispenser, which he ADORES.
The E.B. even took the time to hide our Easter Eggs in the back yard and even brought along some fun new 'eggs' a la Lightening McQueen, a big fave in our house.

My Mom was down for the count, so we headed out to visit family in Bloomington. McKinley had SO MUCH FUN rolling down Grandma Vernon's hill with his cousins - it was adorable, grass stains and all.

Soon we headed back to the Haute to visit with Mom, where we watched Toy Story together (a gift from my Mom to McKinley for Easter). The best part for me was knowing that Cary would be on vacation effective tomorrow. I so love having my hubby home with me and McKinley!

What a great Easter!
Lynn

Recap

We have been so busy lately! So much to blog, so very little time...

So, to briefly recap events of recent:

Lunch in Indy with Diane (aka HONEY) and Shelby, my Mom, McKinley and I. Buca Di Beppo. Shopping at Castleton. Awesome! It was a gorgeous day and we really enjoyed spending time with Diane & Shelby. I love this pic!

Another fun outing was our impromptu dinner with the Douglas Fam. Cary, McKinley and I had a blast that evening visiting with our friends. The night was complete with Baby Ollie sleeping peacefully the entire time while our ditzy waiter danced around us and gave us over sweetened tea (YUCK. I HATE SWEET TEA), extra rice and a heart attack as he bumped Ollie's car seat, nearly toppling the newborn. YIKES! Aside from that, it was so great to spend time with them, as always. The boys (McKinley & Lincoln) were as cute as usual, arm in arm, being cheesy for the camera. So cute!

Finally, it's that time again! Spring Planting! This year McKinley picked out a pumpkin, a sunflower and a watermelon to grow from seeds. McKinley really enjoyed the entire process: moisten peat pellet with water, allow to expand, place seeds in peat, cover with soil and wait for some action! I'm happy to report the sunflower and watermelon have already sprouted and need planting this week! That was fast!

It certainly is an extra busy time for us right now! We are blessed with wonderful friends and family, fun events and special times together, and are grateful to have so many great opportunities to report!

Happy Spring!

Lynn

EGGcelent Family Activities!

As unreal as it may seem, it is Easter Weekend. I'm shocked at how quickly it has crept up on us. Seriously! So, it is time once again to dye the Easter Eggs and hit the City Hunt!

Last night we did our Egg Dying - and how sweet was McKinley wanting to do it all 'myself'!!! He colored on several eggs, then we dipped them together. I wrote our names on 3 eggs, and into the bath they went! McKinley chose when each egg was 'done' or needed 'more' color, then together we set them aside to dry. He was so excited this year! What a big boy!

Today, it was time for the City's annual Easter Egg Hunt. I wasn't so sure we would return after last year's experience, but it's right around the corner and why not?! Right?! So, off we went! It was rainy and wet, so McKinley donned his favorite galoshes and an extra layer of clothing. I wasn't surprised that the turn out was not so great as last year - the rain took care of that, but there was still a big crowd! We got in line (after family friend and photographer for the newspaper took our pic), and waited. The waiting took MUCH longer than the actual hunt, but it didn't matter when I saw how giggly and happy McKinley was while hunting for the eggs. He scored quite a few and when we opened them we found that he won a little rubber bunny. While we were still there a staff member brought us an arm load of more eggs, where McKinley won a train whistle! He already has one, but hey! TRAINS! He loved it.

This evening we will go visit the Easter Bunny one last time before he visits our home this evening! Wonder what the Bunny will bring our boy?!?!

Lynn

Perfect Mommy & Boy Day

What fun I had with my boy today! Most Saturdays Cary has to work, so that puts a damper on things when we can't all be together, but McKinley and I definitely made the best of it today. Another Build & Grow Clinic was scheduled, so we headed off to Starbucks for McKinley's favorite pumpkin bread and a nice skinny mocha for Mommy. At Lowe's, we picked our carpet squares and started hammering away on the cutest kaleidoscope! McKinley was a great little handy man, helping me with the instructions and hammering together. And as usual, he loved helping pick up at the end of the clinic. The result was this adorable kaleidoscope and a very happy little boy.

After Lowe's, I needed to do a little shopping...so my little helper tagged along with me. It was so fun! Once in the car I asked McKinley if he was hungry. Yes! Then I asked him what he would like to eat. Mac & Cheese and salad! Okay! So, how about Panera? YES!!!!! Panera it is! We split a mac & cheese and salad and a yogurt parfait with fruit and granola. YUM!

Time to head home for a nap, we piled back into the car and went home. While McKinley napped I got ready for my first overnight trip away from McKinley and Cary EVER. It was a friend's bachelorette party in Indy. I found much comfort in knowing that I had been fortunate enough to spend a beautiful day with my son doing some fun things and making great memories. I also found much comfort in knowing that my son's evening would be spent with his Daddy, making more fun 'boy time' memories.

Life is good. I count my blessings constantly. Today was the perfect day for me and McKinley. And as always, I look for more beautiful days like this to come.

Lynn

More Picnicing!

Lately Spring has happily relieved our winter blues/cabin fever. With another gorgeous day, and Wee Read on the sched, per Kylie's suggestion, the Douglas boys & Mommy, Semmler kiddos & Mommy and McKinley and I met at the park for a fabulous post-Wee Read picnic.

The weather was AWESOME! Still cool enough to wear a jacket but sunny and breezy enough to make you think this spring thing is going to stick around for a while.

We lunched in a shelter and the kids loved it! They didn't/couldn't stay still for long though, soon McKinley was begging to walk the little train tracks. So, I told him to ask his friends' Mommies if they could go and off we went, leaving Robin, Kylie and baby boys behind to rest and bond.

We had a blast chugging along the track together. Midway through, the kids started getting a wee bit antsy, so I rounded up four great sticks, handed them out and started directing traffic. We did some great little activities, ala simon says, and the kids were loving it. Then we marched. And we marched. And we marched....all the way to the little train garage where we each had to knock on the garage door (wonder who's idea that was??? Trains. Garages. McKinley.) We headed back to the babies and mamas and it was time for Lincoln to head home for naptime. Savannah and McKinley decided they should hit the playground for a bit, so Robin and I packed everything up and hit the playground! The kids played together for a long time, it was sweet to watch. They climbed, they swung, they pretended to sleep in the tunnel (much to the chagrin of a young cowboy-boot-wearing boy who just really wanted to play in the dang tunnel).

Very soon it was past naptime, so we headed out...not without some major protest from McKinley, despite being given several 5, 3 and 1 minute warnings from Robin and me. It has been so long since we could all run and play freely without risking frost bite, I can't blame the kid too much!

It was a fabulous day spent with wonderful friends and adorable kids (obviously...look at the pic!). Can't wait to do it again!

Lynn

A Little Preview...

...of the serious cuteness to come:

This evening Cary and I took McKinley to be fitted for his tuxedo for a friend's wedding in May. Let's just say that there has never, in the history of ring bearers, been a more handsome choice. I am sure of it.

I couldn't quit oohing and ahhing in sheer amazement of how adorable our son looked in a tuxedo.

I mean look at him:

Need I say more?
Lynn

Are We There Yet???

Road trip!

We spent today in northern Indiana visiting friends, The Joppek's & Family. And from the moment we pulled OUT of the DRIVEWAY, the next 2 and half hours were filled with, "Are we there yet, Mommy & Daddy?" and "Where's Lila's HOUSE???". I was so excited to be invited to Valarie's Baby Shower and even more excited to be able to see my friend Vanessa and her daughter, Lila. Sadly, we had to miss Lila's 3rd bday party because of the last snow of the winter. I was so disappointed then, but everything worked out so well!

I had a lovely time at the shower. While I was there, McKinley & Cary had some bonding time. On Vanessa's (awesome!) suggestion, the boys headed to Tyler's Tender, a train themed restaurant geared toward children. Hello, PERFECT! McKinley LOVES trains - any size, any kind, any color, real or pretend - so this was UP HIS ALLEY.

According to Cary, the set up was similar to a Chucky Cheese kind of thing, order your food and play. As you can imagine, there was little eating on McKinley's part. Instead, he spend his time admiring the HUGE model trains, playing in the arcade with Daddy (shooting hoops to be specific) and riding on the BIG kiddie train - as the CONDUCTOR, no less. The very first thing he told me when he saw me was the he pulled the horn! Truthfully, I think he told me eleven times about pulling the horn...I think he liked it.

When the boys arrived to pick me up, I brought them inside so we could give Lila her belated bday gift. The kids played and squealed and hugged and chased for the longest time. It was so great to see! I can't believe these babies, four months apart...and a sentimental journey for me to have been pregnant at the same time as Vanessa...are now 3 and 2 1/2! Looking back to their first 'meeting' at McKinley's baptism, we all laughed as Lila kept pulling McKinley's paci out of his mouth. He totally let her, didn't mind a bit. They were so taken by each other! Look! A fellow baby! Babies no more, these kids were having conversations about the golf course just outside the window, and about cake and birthdays and 'all kinds of stuff', to quote McKinley.

Soon, we had to leave to head back to the Haute (but not until we got our Target & Boston's Pizza Fix...Pesto's, we'll see you next time! Sorry we missed ya!), but it was so nice spending time with Vanessa, her expecting sister and their families. The boy-time was an added bonus!

What a great weekend! Pics below!

Lynn