The more kids you have, the faster time flies.
Here I am in October, reflecting on July.
Without the magic of pictures, I wouldn't have a clue.
But I'm a mom with a camera, so that's what I do!
We had a couple lovely sessions at Grandma and Grandpa's pool.
And Rowan scored himself a new re-usable and adjustable swim diaper. And it should get him through every swim season, right up until he's potty trained.
There is no snack better than than the poolside snack.
They just taste better!
Fourth of July.
(But you knew that!)
I couldn't get Kale to play along, unfortunately.
But Sage was more than happy to be our patriotic model.
Protocol is to park in a CSU parking lot (at the Diversity House), then load everything into the stroller and wagon, and walk to City Park on foot.
We've got it down to a science!
It was a family affair this year.
The extended Carter clan in attendance.
And Alison's parents came too!
Sage on a play date with his old bestie Hunter.
One of those random days where you decide it might be fun to paint the kids' faces.
Sage as Green Lantern.
Another swim session.
And the beginning of baseball!
This was Sage's 3rd season. And Kale's first.
Opening day was excruciatingly hot.
100 degrees and no shade on site.
We cooked!
We set up our beach tent, but found the hot plastic bubble to be completely suffocating. My goodness it was a miserable afternoon. Matt was smart enough to pack ice and Gatorade. And it was a life saver!
Another great way to cool down on a hot summer day? Ice cream!
We designed some rather spectacular sundae cones this summer. It sort of become our "thing."
Sage is our "fruit" guy. He loves strawberry ice cream, starbursts, skittles, and every other chewy fruity candy you can think of. Just like his dad!
Kale is our chocolate guy. (Just ask him, he'll tell you!) He loves chocolate ice cream and chocolate bars, and chocolate candies. Just like his mama!
July 12th this handsome dude turned 37.
Holy crap, we're getting old!
I made the cake myself. Strawberry cake, with strawberry jam filling. (Fruit guy. I told you this!)
And here's Rowan...
10 months old, and crazy.
We've been battling a mean screen addiction in our house.
Phones and ipads are the most attractive "toys" in the house.
I think the Legos and books are couldn't be more jealous. :(
Matt and I struggle to control the time the kids spend on these devices.
On one hand, they keep the kids quiet, minimize sibling fights, and prevent more messes. But on the other hand, I think it makes for lazy unimaginative children.
Tearing the children from the screens is like trying to separate two pieces of industrial strength velcro from each other. No one wants to do it.
So I masterminded a ticket system. Each child starts out with 5 tickets for the day. Each ticket is worth 15 minutes.
Spend them as you wish. When they're gone, they're gone.
Worked really great for 1 week.
And then it started to fall apart.
Too difficult to regulate.
Counterfeit tickets were discovered.
Microwave timers were never set or never heard.
And the kids negotiated like Harvard lawyers for extra screen time.
Oh well. It was an honorable attempt.
We had some neighborhood friends over for spaghetti and smores.
And reoccurring every Sunday was baseball.
Back-to-back sessions.
Kale first, then Sage.
For 6 weeks.
Sometimes we had special guests join us for the games.
Quite the cheer section we made!
If we weren't' at baseball, we were most likely chilling in the backyard. What a lush oasis! We feel so lucky to have this behind our house!
And with the end of the month upon us, it was time to start preparations for Sage's 6th birthday!
The theme this year: Minecraft.
Sage and I built our own pinata.
Why pay $30 for a fancy cardboard box you'll bust open with a stick, when the garage is already filled with a wide assortment in every size imaginable?!
All the pretty party supplies ready to go!
Sage and Kale spent the morning at the Grandparents' house, so Matt and I could decorate like champs - with no interruptions!
I went from knowing not a single thing about Minecraft, to knowing pretty much everything about it.
In fact, it's a rather spectacular video game. Sage received the Ipad version of Minecraft for his birthday, and he has designed the most amazing worlds and buildings. It's basically virtual Legos. Whatever your mind can imagine, you can build.
He takes me on tours of the places he's designed, and I cannot believe what it's like inside his amazing mind. Minecraft gets my A+ rating and full parent approval.
We had a small intimate gathering. This will probably be the last time I host at my house. The kids wanted activities and games. And I just wasn't prepared to decorate, host, feed, AND entertain.
I think we've reached the age when the party needs to happen on site somewhere fun. Like mini golf, trampoline parks, nerf centers. You know what I mean!
Out of desperation and in the Minecraft pixel "building" theme I challenged the kids to design some things out of blocks. Crisis averted!
Pinata time!
And more baseball!
So much baseball!!
The rare "girl's night out." We're averaging twice a year.
Wish we could get out more.
But, kids. Am I right?!
We saw Mama Mia 2 at the "fancy theater" in town with leather recliners and alcohol.
It was super fun. But we were a tad too enthusiastic. (Ha ha!) We tried to sneak into some better seats, and got kicked out. We ended up in the farthest row back in the corner. And we STILL got shhh'ed for being too loud.
Come on people! This is Mama Mia. You're lucky we weren't dancing!
Meanwhile, back on the farm.
The flower farm.....
Field trip time!
I took a week off work. My one week of true summer vacation. And we alternated. Clean one day. Adventure the next.
It was amazing!
First stop - the zoo.
Trying to find those polar bears!
Waiting excitedly for the elephant show.
We've been to this zoo many many times.
And this was our first lorikeet adventure.
So glad we did this!
Look at me! I'm holding a baby AND two birds!
Instead of getting to the zoo as early as possible, we arrived after the lunch hour. It was difficult to find parking. That was the only downside. But the upside was that as we worked our way through the exhibits, the place started to clear out. We stayed till closing time. And it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves! It was our own private zoo experience. No crowds. Front row for everything!
We even scored free Dip N Dots. We arrived at the stand just minutes after they closed. The register was locked for the night. But the sweet guy behind the counter heard Sage's cry of disappointment. And so behold!A free cup of Dots!
We are grateful this happened, as it IS an important Diemer family tradition.
A quick trip down memory lane......
This is Sage. At 10 months old.
And here's Kale. Same outfit! OMG! Also at 10 months old.
Sage. Just a couple days shy of 3 years. My chunk!
And back to the present.
Rowan. Also 10 months old.
(Too bad he didn't sport the plaid alligator shirt. That would have been perfect!!!!)
Wow. How times have changed.
(Matt and I have since both gotten new sunglasses. And I feel good about that.)
Adventure #2.
Vedauwoo in Wyoming.
The scariest picnic spot in the United States.
One tiny earth quiver and splat!
This was a place that made you feel tiny.
Like "Honey I Shrunk the Kids."
The stones and boulders were so prehistoric and so large.
We felt like little bugs scrambling over and under them.
Legends say that western "outlaws" used to hide in these rocky outcrops. Sage clearly felt their spirits still lingering.
And here is one of the most famous formations in the park.
Turtle Rock.
Head positioned to the right. Tail to the left.
Can you see it?
And those weren't the only adventures.
While I was at work, Matt took the boys on many little field trips. Good to know my children are in great hands while I'm away at the office.
And more baseball!
Meatball!
One of many beloved names for this wild and crazy guy.
The day before his birthday, the whole baseball team sang to Sage. Quite the moment to witness!
On Sage's actual birthday (which was a Monday), Matt took the boys out for a day at the trampoline park, followed by Happy Meals. Such a sweet celebration!
Sage had is party more than a week before his actual birthday. And his cruel parents made him wait for his gifts. True to the theme, he received all Minecraft stuff.
So that was all the "family happenings."
Ready for the food update?
I branched out and tried some new recipes for July.
Vegetarian French Onion Soup.
Stuffed Peppers.
Sweet Potato Chips with Lime Aioli.
And then of course, there are the "oldies, but goodies."
Tasty Tacos - with all the fixings!
And Matt's famous french fries!
And a flower update.
It was in July that we got our first real blooms.
So exciting to see the first flower arrangements come together.
Our first farmers market was just around the corner!
