August, where have you gone?

It's hard to believe August is almost over. I am looking forward to what September has in store for us, though. Since my last post, we traveled to Silver Bay to see my parents. My mom had a little birthday party for Matthew and my dad.

We stayed for two nights and then went to Duluth to visit the Train Depot and Children's Museum. The kids seemed to have fun. Before heading to our hotel, we stopped by Canal Park so the kids could throw rocks in the water.

Matthew really liked that and was even brave enough to stand in the water as a huge wave came in and got him all wet. On Wednesday we traveled to Iron River, WI to stay at a cabin for a few days. It was gorgeous! After just a few minutes I told Brian I could live in a place like that. We went out on the pontoon a couple of times, Matthew and I went tubing and Brian went water skiing. We didn't have cell phone service and I honestly really enjoyed being able to just relax without having Brian looking at his phone all the time. It's hard to step away from it when you get text messages all the time or notifications when a new email arrives and since it is his work phone, he has to at least check on those things. So, I was happy to be able to have a conversation with him and know he wouldn't be looking at his phone. There was a storm Thursday night while we were at the cabin but it didn't seem to affect the kids. We came home on Friday and we found out there was another storm after we left and a tree had fallen down. We definitely look forward to going back to the cabin again!

Since returning home we've just been plugging away sorting our stuff to clear out the basement, and trying to sleep when we can. Emily is cutting 4 eye teeth and has slept through the night about 6 times in the last two months. Last night was rough and today it looks like she's getting a molar or two as well. I'm happy to see we are at a point in the basement where we can't do much without selling our stuff. That means the sorting is basically done so we need to get rid of our stuff and then we'll have room for Brian to build some shelves. After the shelves are in we can put our "keep" stuff away and start painting. Moving the kids' toys down there will make me very happy!

Well, I'll sign off for now. Enjoy the last days of August!

The Birthday Boy

Here he is:

Eating his Grilled cheese

Enjoying his sundae with chocolate syrup & sprinkles

Opening one of his presents

Happy Birthday, Buddy!  We love you so much!!!

*disclaimer, he will officially be 4 at 9:33 p.m. on Aug. 8

Someone's turning 4!

I can't believe in two short days, Matthew will be 4!  He'll be starting preschool and, although I was hesitant in the Spring, I know he'll do great and dare I say he might be ready for Kindergarten the following year?!  We went to the Open House for his school and his teacher and the assistants were really impressed with him which is why I think we're on the 1 year Preschool plan instead of 2.

To celebrate his birthday this year, I'm going to cheat.  But, I have to explain why first.  Brian's dad was supposed to be stopping over on the way back from Chicago so I got a cake so we could celebrate with Grandpa & Mimi.  They didn't come in the evening as planned and came in the morning so no one was hungry for cake.  Brian took all but 2 pieces to work with him for the guys to devour.  Then, I made 4 dozen cookies to bring to church (I always bring something to church when someone in our family has a birthday).  With Missionaries coming this weekend and having an extra service, church on Wednesday night was canceled but after I had already baked the cookies.  Then on Thursday we were supposed to have a dinner guest and I was going to bake a cake and decorate it according to Matthew's request....a cowboy cake.  Our guest had to reschedule because something came up at work so I decided not to bake a cake.  I didn't want to have to eat 48 cookies AND an entire cake.  So, I cheated and grandma ordered a cake and we'll celebrate both Matthew and Grandpa's birthdays. 

I also cheated on his gift.  I was trying to come up with ideas.  He isn't interested in Thomas much anymore and I didn't want to add to our pile of toys.  While racking my brain, I remembered we had stuff I've gotten either at garage sales or super cheap on clearance that we've hidden away.  So, time to pull them out and birthday shopping was done!  Yay!  Yes, they are toys but we already had them and after last weekend his toys have decreased.

Tonight we are having his special meal.  His request; grilled cheese and an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen!  Now THAT is a request I can handle! :-)  If it isn't too buggy out, we're going to Lakeview Drive In for dinner and then we'll eat picnic style by the lake, then off to DQ for his ice cream cone.