Vacation!

We had not been vacation since Audrey was a year and a half old so we headed up to Michigan last week for some fun in the sun.  Despite a hot summer thus far, we had absolutely beautiful weather, though the riptides kept the kids and Eric out of Lake Michigan until the day before we were to head home. The highlight for Audrey was definitely heading to the beach to put her toes in the sand and finally get in that great lake.We also made it to several carousels and great restaurants, including Silver Beach Pizza, where they give the kids pizza dough to entertain them while waiting on the food. I imagine she will be talking about that place for some time. We are very blessed to be able to take trips with the kids to get away, even if it wasn't so far from home.

Grand Marina Resort

On our way to dinner

New Buffalo Beach - Lake Michigan

Windmill Island Gardens - Holland, MI

Carousel at Windmill Island Gardens - Holland, MI

Oinks! - New Buffalo, MI

Superman flavor ice cream - Oinks!

Silver Beach Carousel - St. Joseph, MI

Silver Beach Pizza - St. Joseph, MI

A serious conversation with my daughter

"Mommy, why do you sometimes say, 'Damn it'?

"Oh, honey. I don't say that. When would mommy say that?"

"You know, when daddy puts the dishes away in the cabinets, and they fall back out. You say, 'damn it'.

Leave it to Audrey to provide a specific example.

I was lying in bed with Audrey, talking with her after having read to her and saying her prayers. When it was time to listen to her songs, I started to get up from her bed, with her books still spread out on her bed, when she says:

"Can you put my books away since you don't have anything else to do?"

"Audrey, I always have something to do!'

"Well, you know, sometimes you don't have anything to do."

"When is that again?

"You know, like when you go to work!"

Working on daddy's card

With all the excitement of Ian's birthday weekend, I failed to get a picture of Eric with the kids on Father's Day! So, this picture of them working very diligently on his card will have to suffice. They make a great team!

Lounging

"You have to get a picture of the two of them before they don't do this anymore!"

I heeded Eric's advice and got a snapshot of Audrey and Ian on a typical non-school day, lounging after breakfast to watch the latest Super Why episode. They get along like gangbusters when first waking up! And usually thereafter! :)

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day which included sleeping in, an awesome brunch which included a mimosa and great conversation, and a little quiet time which included shopping. My favorite part of the day was being presented with two flowers picked fresh from the side yard by the two cutest kids. I loved that Audrey's flower was almost dead. Of course I didn't say anything but that I loved it, but she commented, "See, mine's leaning. But he'll be fine with some water." She always makes me smile!

Easter

Audrey of course was all about Easter this year! She loved helping to decorate eggs and showing Ian the ropes. On Easter morning, Eric and I had decided I would hide eggs around when we left for and returned from church; however, Ian was sick so we ended up not going to church. We didn't realize the problem with getting the eggs hidden until we were all awake and getting ready to head downstairs in the morning. I mentioned to Eric that I wasn't sure if the Easter Bunny had a chance to come to our house yet. He off the cuff said that maybe we should give the Easter Bunny a minute because he may want to make us some coffee, and thought maybe I should go downstairs to see the status of things.

To which Audrey replied:

"Well, that bunny better not get up on our counter! Right mommy? I mean, that would be like an April Fools joke!"

We decided to come up with a Plan B and all worked out fine. Audrey was so excited to later discover some hidden eggs. 

I wonder how long we'll be able to stay one step ahead of her??!!