Can You Tell Me How To Get...

To Sesame Street!

Well, we got to go to Sesame Street Live because the boys have very nice grandparents! Nama and Papa Earl took all of us to go see the show because it was showing while they were visiting. What a great show! I believe we all enjoyed it very much. It was all about imagining and doing whatever we desire.

Sesame stage.

For Nama - Michigan State! The show was in the Breslin Center.

The gang: Dan, Elliott, Roswell, Nama, Papa, Donovan. The boys didn't know where they were going until they got there, even though they were dressed up in Elmo attire. It was quite the surprise.

The post mistress and Big Bird.

Elliott pointing, he was so excited. Some pictures are dark, I wasn't supposed to take pictures with a flash.

Roswell was in a trance. Every now and then he'd see Elmo and shout "La, la, la". He loves Elmo, the la's are part of his tv show.

Ernie and the S.S. Rubber Duckie

Bert and his underwater adventure.

The octopus in said underwater adventure.

Elliott doing a dance.

Nama and Donovan doing the dance.

A beach dance.

La, la, la, la Elmo's World!

Ross doing a dance with Elmo

The final dance in New Orleans (I think).

Thank you so much for taking us to see Sesame Street Nama and Papa! We really enjoyed it! The boys talk about it all the time. We're glad we got to spend time with you on your visit!

My Baby is 5!

Donovan turned 5 today! I was just in the hospital with him! I can't believe time is going so fast! Donovan has brought so much joy, and many learning experiences, into our home. He has such a loving spirit, he's very smart, helpful, and VERY imaginative! He's always making me laugh. I'm so glad we are able to be his family and grow with him and help him to learn.

My 5 year-old!

Donovan's favorite movie is Cars, and his favorite character is Frank. He's been telling me he wanted a Frank cake for a while and I wasn't sure what I was going to do (I knew it wouldn't be easy). I guess I kept hoping he'd change his mind and pick something different. No such luck. So I had to free-hand Frank. I think it turned out well, Donovan loved it - I guess that's the most important thing.

Donovan waiting with Nama Earl for his long awaited bike (he's seen it in the garage for a few months and not been able to touch it).

Woo-Hoo! A new bike! He also got many wonderful toys and clothes from loving family members. Thank you!

Dan's creative angle pic. Happy Birthday my baby (you'll always be my baby)!

Ox Roast Parade

I love our town! There are so many fun, and most of the time free, things to do and see. In Michigan every city/town has a festival to celebrate its heritage. This weekend was DeWitt's Ox Roast Festival (they really do roast an ox!) Today our city and township held a parade to support local businesses, personages (politicians), servicemen/women, groups, and historical aspects (I think DeWitt became a city/town in 1883). We sat in the yard of our friends the Kings who live right on the parade route to watch the parade go by and catch the candy and stuff they threw to the kids (our kids also got things like hackey sacks, pencils, and beanie babies). I even got picked out of the crowd for a visit by a politician. He says he stopped because he saw me smiling. ok. Then he started chatting with us and talking about our kids. In my mind I was thinking - are you wanting to kiss my baby or something? I'm sure he's just trying to get our votes. He seemed nice, but it was kinda weird that he came up to me and no one else of our group. The kids had a blast and Dan & I had lots of fun too.

Our group of friends waiting for the parade, including the Wessmans, Bischoffs, Kings, Forsyths, and Drauts.

Beginning the parade. --the police sirens were a bit loud.

The civil war soldiers

Old time DeWitt firetruck

I couldn't believe how many firetrucks were in route! There is a station in the city of DeWitt and also a station in the township of DeWitt (where we live). There must have been at least 20 engines. Boy do I feel well protected!

For Papa Earl-these are members of the Knights of Columbus. We thought of you!

Horse mounted officers

Scooby-Do!

Our favorite ice cream shop is Scoopy-Doo, whose mascot is... you guessed it!

The kids went crazy when they saw him coming.

Someone's airplane

A line of pristine old-time tractors.

All were green John Deere's except this red beauty.

Also thought of Papa Earl-the old time hearse. For those of you who don't know, Dan's dad is/was a funeral director.

And lots of old cars!

Water Games

Our primary had its 2nd annual summer water games at our house. It was so much fun! We had some games that we did last year, but also a few new ones. We had a great turn out too! We've had many new families move into our area and that always makes it fun. I counted 16 kids ages 2-10 and 4 babies and the parents that showed up.

Hole-y cup relay

Water balloon parachuting

Cold Potato (water balloon with a hole in it being passed)

Sponge fill relay

Frozen toes (picking up ice cubes with feet contest)

And why not have a slip-n-slide? To finish it off, we had otter pops.

A perfect day for an activity!

The Beach on Lake Michigan

We had a great trip to the beach with our friends. We took a trip to Lake Michigan and had some fun.

The boys having a picnic.

Our friends: the Wilckens, Wessmans, and Hiatts

More friends: Hiatts, Fillions, Drauts, Kings, and Forsyths

Dono catching water. He surprised me by going into the water up to his waist! Without clinging to me!!! I was so proud of him!

Elliott made his home by the sand. He was brave and went with me in the water up to his chest. The water was a little cold, but once you were in, it was nice.

Roswell was happy to stay in the sand or on our blanket and playing with our sand toys. He was a happy camper. We had lots of fun. The boys thankfully didn't get any sunburns (even if Mommy did). We can't wait to go again.

Toledo Zoo

We made Daddy take a day off and we took a trip to the zoo. We had talked about the Toledo, Ohio Zoo which is only 2 hours away. Our local zoo passes let us get free admission there, and there are a better variety of animals (some I've never seen in person before), so we decided to go.

The boys had a fun car ride out. (Roswell has found a love for little stuffed animals.)

A zoo keeper feeding the seal.

A seal in the underground window.

The giraffe herd (in a little disappointing Africa exhibit)

Polar bears. They really do look cuddly, but I know better.

The tigers were really close.

Rhinoceros. Boy those horns are huge. I heard somewhere that the horns are made of clumped hair. Really? It doesn't look like it. I'll have to look that up.

My favorite. Her back legs make it look like she's chillin, or else has to go to the bathroom. :)

The lazy hippos. They stayed in this spot forever, in fact besides one tooting we never saw them move.

Elliott sizing up a giant fish.

Alligator

Aaaahhhh! Whew, just a fake.

These reef sharks were real though. Dono thought he would be scared, in fact we had to practically drag him into the aquarium, but after he saw the real sharks, he says, "those aren't scary, they're so small."

Giant Japanese Crabs (I'm pretty sure they're taller than me)

This daddy gorilla was huge! He was dominating the viewing window the whole time we were there.

His mug.

A sad looking chimp.

Elliott kitty

Dono getting eaten by a goldfish.

Sizing up the polar bear.