August -- Kohler Arts Center

For playgroup last August, we headed up to the children's exhibit at the Kohler Arts Center. It was well worth the long-ish drive. They have this awesome bubble maker, that the kids loved. They also have every possible craft supply you can think of...free and ready to use. The kids hit paints, colored pencils, crayons, buttons, pipe cleaners, glitter glue, and popsicle sticks all on a few hours...they keep begging to go back.

August -- Milwaukee Public Museum

Every Monday is free at the Milwaukee Public Museum. We hit it up one day last August for a change in pace. We didn't get through much, just the dinosaurs and butterfly exhibits; but the kids had a blast nonetheless. I always get a little teary-eyed at the museum. I did my very first chocolate fountain event here, our first summer in Milwaukee. Thinking about that brings back so many memories: the boredom that moved me to start a business; the excitement of starting a business; the fear of spilling 20 lbs of chocolate on the floor of the museum; being impressed with the food/display at the museum; being in a new city; having my first baby in a few months...I doubt too many people get that emotional at the museum. Funny how memories stick.

August -- Wirth Park

This summer, we were able to make a few trips to one of my favorite swim spots. They have an awesome zero-depth pool; adjacent to a sandy play area and a playground. I have mixed feelings about sand as a mom. I know my kids love sand, I know that playing with sand probably helps brain development or something...but I truly hate the stuff. Here, it's perfect. I can sit on the deck of the pool while they cover themselves in sand. After the kids are done, the pool has a shower area specifically for the sand. That means no sand for me, my car, my house, etc. Win win.

"Why'd We Have to Have all these Dang Kids Anyway?!"

For those of you who don't know, this is one of my favorite lines from "It's a Wonderful Life". Jimmy Stewart, playing the part of George, utters these lines to his wife; as they are trying to have a serious discussion about George's predicament, while the kids are interrupting, talking, and banging on the piano. I think of George Bailey and it helps me laugh every time something like this incident below happens:

Ty and Sadie had their first official time out together this morning. I was downstairs, and hear an unusual noise and giggling upstairs. I have been packing for our trip and they had found the game "Mad Gab" in my room. They had spread all two-thousand cards all over the floor, and were playing with the time. I told them to leave my room and go downstairs. I put both of them in the hall and closed the door so that they couldn't come back in. Not too serious of an offense, it was the absolute delight they took in making a mess that was troublesome.

As I was picking up the cards, I heard another strange sound...something tinkle-y; along with the tell-tell giggles. I opened the door and found they were creating a swimming pool in the bathroom that was quickly spreading to the hall. Sadie had the bucket in her hands; Ty had obviously turned on the sink. They were filling up the bucket that we use for washing hair and dumping full bucket-fulls onto my floor. They're both in time-out. As you know, we've had serious water issues in our upstairs bathroom and had to replace the floor at least 3 times due to water damage from such incidents...I hope we're okay this time...they're both still in time-out while I cool off and clean up.

Does anyone know where I can pick up a conscience or two for Sadie and Ty?

July -- Come and Gone

In July, we finished potty training Ty, and he got a new bike! The bike pays for itself with the savings in diapers. We enjoyed the Fourth of July; we went to a parade and fireworks on the night of the 3rd. Then on the 4th, we hit another parade and then went to a fun barbecue with friends. Last month, Brooklyn also learned how to ride her bike without training wheels. She learned surprisingly quickly, with a little help from Dad. We also did our annual trip to the strawberry patch, which didn't last long in the 90 degree heat (as you can see, my kids were better at eating our picks rather than picking).

T-Bone Ty Jake Circle Mud Cow Firetruck Cow

Ty loves his name, and insists with Brooklyn that his name is NOT Tyler Jake. From his self-given name, you can see that this kid obviously has a love for cows. He loves to see them at the zoo, he loves all great dairy products...what's not to love? So, needless to say, we have lots of talks about cows. Today he brought me one of his cows and asked me to show him where the milk comes out. I showed him her udders. He was pleased, it was as if he had his own "ah-ha" moments. He then showed me the cow's udders again and explained, "okay, then if this is where the milk comes out, then this is where the ice cream comes out, and this is where the meat comes out (pointing each time to individual teets). I could only chuckle...sounds reasonable enough to me.

June Recap

My blog is in serious need of updating, and pictures. All that I have up now seem to be my sarcastic comments about life and funny things my son says...
For those of you who don't know, the only really big news around here is that we are expecting another baby in February. Next month, we get to find out whether Jake wants to keep living in the house with us (another boy), or if he and Ty will be building a man cave out in the garage (another girl).
In June, we went to Utah. The kids had fun at Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's in St. George. We spent a lot of time in the water and terrifying poor Mr. Zach (my adorable nephew). All the pictures show, he's a little overwhelmed (and maybe embarrassed) by his cousins!
Later in the week, we had a Morton family reunion at Duck Creek. The kids LOVED riding on the four-wheelers and just exploring "the woods".