USA!

We've been loving watching the World Cup this year. It's hard to believe it's been another 4 years. World Cup got us through the 3 weeks of hospital bed rest while I was pregnant with Kyle and Emily 8 years ago so there is a certain nostalgia that we have with this event. From Spike, Kristin and Mom visiting and keeping us - okay me - sane during that time, World Cup games are what I woke up for during the days. I remember sleeping about 20 hours a day, or it seemed. I doubt it could have been that much, but I certainly remember a physical therapist always coming when I was sleeping and wondering how it was possible to sleep that much. And I remember the morning that Spike came in well before visiting hours started, but rightfully came in on the family 'card', smuggling her and Jeff some beer in coffee cups to enjoy while watching the soccer game, despite the 6 or 7am kickoff time. I also remember Jeff befriending Max, the Italian coffee man whose coffee stand was right in front of the hospital, and bringing me some non-coffee treats (non-coffee not because of being pregnant and liquid restricted, but because I don't drink coffee). See, a lot of memories associated with the World Cup. But I digress. 

Now to the point of this post... Here are Kyle, Emily and their buddy Simon posing in their awesome USA shirts. Papa & Kari send the kids their USA soccer jerseys and Simon is wearing his USA hockey jersey since he is an awesome hockey player. How cute are they?!!

I love how Emily and Simon are eyeing each other. 

And the sillies with Simon and Emily. 

Kyle & Emily birthday

After a fun day celebrating with Simon and Haiden, we had some cake together. Simon, Haiden and their families joined us for cake that evening as well.

Kyle chose fruit pie for his 'cake'. This is a dessert we have made before and was his choice for his day.

Emily chose a chocolate cake. I made what is becoming our go to chocolate cake recipe and turned it into a cat for her. 

Emily with her best friend Haiden

Our family of 5, July 9, 2014. Emily & Kyle age 8, Aaron age 2. 

Funny cute thing about this birthday: when singing Happy Birthday to Emily (we sing it for each kid), Aaron decided he was going to blow out the candles and did so for Emily and was just so pleased with himself it made everyone laugh with delight. He also learned to say Happy Birthday to you. Without a video of it, it's hard to understand just how cute it is with his sweet little intonations, but it was so sweet to hear him say that to his loves, Kyle and Emily. Now whenever he sees fire, he says, "happy birthday to you."

Birthday racing

Happy 8th birthday Emily & Kyle!! To start off the day, we went to the beach for their classmate's birthday party. The kids had a great time in the ocean, boogie boarding and playing in the sand. We went home to put Aaron down for a nap at Simon's house and then headed out to race some go-karts. We picked up Simon and Haiden to join in on the fun. The kids had an absolute blast racing each other. They got to race against one another the whole time since it was a very slow day at the track. 

Racers ready!!

Kyle ready to race!!

Emily ready to race!!

Haiden ready to race!!

Simon ready to race!!

Trampoline camp & kiddie wonderland

Today Emily and Kyle went to trampoline, tumbling and cirque camp. They had a blast bouncing to their hearts content. During that time, I took Aaron over to a little kiddie playground where had a blast running, climbing, sliding and jumping in the ball pit.

Kyle and Emily both loved the cirque component. Here is Kyle on the curtains.

Emily also got to work on flipping on the trampoline. Pretty impressive Emily!!

Saturday

So this was Saturday... I went out for a run in the late morning. When I came back, Jeff and the kids had made lunch, each taking a task. Kyle made us fresh juice in the juicer. Emily made ham and cheese sandwiches. Jeff made caprese salad. Aaron surely helped as well, likely moral support for Jeff. It was a delicious feast proudly made partly by Kyle & Emily. 

Oh and that day, Aaron refused to get out of his pajamas. He loves his doctor pajamas. But he also wanted to wear underpants and potty train (for the record, that desire to potty train lasted one day and he is happily back in diapers). And he wouldn't wear pants because he wanted to see his choo-choo undies. And boots. Cute. 

Aaron's first date

We had a busy and fun 4th of July. In the morning, we rode our bikes over to Aaron's girlfriend's pool for some swimming. She has older brothers that Kyle & Emily play with as well so everyone had fun. We came home for naptime. During nap, I took Kyle & Emily up to their classmates house who was having a pool party in the afternoon. We spent a few hours there having fun, kids swimming and bouncing in the bounce house. We came home for dinner time and had Aaron's girlfriend's family over for dinner. We had a big BBQ and playtime. During dinner, Aaron and Alice were sitting at the adult table while the 5 big kids sat together. Aaron and Alice started ahead of the adults and had quite a romantic meal together. Look at these two!! This was the longest Aaron has sat at the dinner table. 

Jeff & Aaron selfie

Jeff and Aaron took a selfie.

Beach day

It was the perfect beach day today so we hit up Coronado beach, our favorite beach. Jeff was able to join us as well so everyone who wanted to got a chance to boogie board and surf. Aaron got in on the action this time.

Here was his first ride on the boogie board.


And after he got comfortable, here was his first ride alone on the board. The kid loved it. 

While Jeff was out boogie boarding with Kyle & Emily, I took Aaron on the surf board. We both sat on the board and rode some small waves in. He liked it for two waves and then decided that he was scared and that was that. No pictures of video though since I was holding onto Aaron.

Chicago

We had a fun time in Chicago. We kicked off the week with a day downtown after taking Jeff to the airport for his trip to Raleigh. Pete and Ethan met up with us for some time at the Museum of Science and Industry. I hadn't been there for a very long time and was duly impressed by the side, quantity and quality of the exhibits. The kids had a fun time checking it all (rather a small portion) out. 

The following day we went to a trampoline park to jump some energy out. Of course we followed up our morning with lunch at Potbellies. 

I then spent the rest of the week in Raleigh with Jeff trying to figure out where we will live. The kids stayed back with Papa & Grandma Kari. They had a great time playing together and going to the Dells with them. They went to water parks, miniature golfed and ate good food. Ben & David met up with them as well for some more fun. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures from their vacation with their grandparents. 

Grandma with Charlotte
During the following week, we spent some time with my siblings and their munchkins. Karen had her baby as well so it was fun to get to meet little Gillian. 

Aaron was soooo tired

Water time at Tommy & Colleen's house with the cousins while Karen had her baby. 

Grandma with Emily & Trevor

Kyle & Addison. We had to hit Dairy Queen right by Tommy's house for an after-nap snack. 

Aaron decided he was afraid of the dark on this trip so he ended up sleeping in our bed quite a bit. A queen size bed feels a lot smaller when you have a toddler on there as well. 

Kyle Little Mo

Kyle played in the Little Mo tournament again this year. He played last year and was out of his league. This year, he is almost of age for his age group (8 and unders) and wanted to play it again to see how much he has improved. He did a great job, taking 2nd place. Nice work Kyle!

Kyle with the winner

After the final, Kyle and I flew to Chicago to catch up with the rest of the family. We had a junk lunch in the airport and took in some World Cup soccer pre-flight. 

Last day of 2nd grade

Kyle & Emily finished their last day of 2nd grade today, both having a great year. 

Emily with her teacher

Kyle with his teacher

Kyle, Emily & Aaron with the librarian. Aaron and I worked in the library each week so he got to know her too. 

Zoo day

Kyle & Emily had their zoo field trip the last week of school. Aaron, Alice and I went to the zoo as well to catch up with these monkeys for a little bit. 

Kyle at the squirrel monkeys

Lice

A nice parting gift from school in San Diego for Emily: lice. Lice stink. Don't ever get lice. Those little boogers are horrible. I spent 6 hours picking through Emily's hair getting those little evil disgusting bugs out of her hair. Emily was thrilled. Can't you tell? Don't ever get lice. Have I mentioned not to ever get lice? Don't get lice. 

Kyle at 7

For Kyle's class project, they all wrote what they wanted to be when they grow up on a chalk board. This is Kyle at 7 and his dreams for his future.