Water Time

Since summer has arrived in Michigan we have spent the last few days in the water. Yesterday we visited Buhr Park during their Tot Splash time. It was great for me because I could see both kids at all times and never went above Allison's shoulders. Of course she thought it was too shallow!

Connor enjoying the fountains

Allison and me

Connor enjoyed filling up this cup and dumping it

Allison sitting on a fountain

Today we went to Canton Spray Park. Connor enjoyed playing in the sprinklers and stuck by the smaller ones, occasionally feeling brave enough to go through one. Luckily it was 85 degrees by 11 am, so the cold water felt great. Allison was all about getting soaked. She loved going through all the sprinklers, no matter how hard the water was coming out!

Connor running away from the spray

Allison, Griffin and Sawyer-gotta love the poses.

Early Father's Day

Craig, Connor and Allison on "early" Father's Day

Since Craig is working a 7 am to 9 pm shift tomorrow we decided to celebrate Father's Day today. We made Craig a Card and got him an i-tunes gift certificate and a Zingerman's shirt. Allison picked out the green shirt and Craig requested an i-tunes card.

Funfetti

Allison has been begging me for the last week to make brownies and today I had no good excuse as to why we couldn't do it except for the fact that I really didn't want to temp myself with the delicious smell of brownies. So, after putting Connor down for his afternoon nap, Allison and I made brownies. She really enjoys cooking and baking and of course, tasting our masterpiece afterward!

More Grand Haven Fun

Sunday morning the kids and I took off for Grand Haven to celebrate my cousin Kyle's graduation. It was a beautiful day and we celebrated tailgate style. Although we are Spartans, Kyle is going to U of M and has always been a Wolverine. Allison and Connor decided to put M's on their cheeks to celebrate his graduation since they were decked out in MSU gear! After the party, Allison stayed with my mom to help clean up and I headed back to my parents' house with Connor and my dad. Connor LOVES being in their backyard. He is constantly playing in the water fountain on the deck and is forever trying to climb into their mini pond in their yard. He loves to pick up the rocks that surround it and throw them into the water. Although he is in his glory, it is exhausting for me as I try to keep him from injuring himself. This seems to be the theme no matter where we are these days. On Monday we spent the morning at a local park and the afternoon with Amy, Anna, Kathryn, and Grace. Monday night we grilled out and Allison went Kayaking with GG before having smores by the fire. Allison prefers to just eat the chocolate of course! Tuesday we headed back to Ann Arbor, but stopped for a brief visit with Anne, Andrew, and Abby in East Lansing. The kids are getting so big and it was a lot of fun for me to see them. It is hard to believe that I was their Nanny about 12 years ago!

Abby, Andrew, Connor, and Allison

Connor picking up stones to throw into the pond

Checking out how he can get into the pond

MSU and U of M kid

Happy as can be playing with his toys

in the fountain

Hanging out with Papa at the graduation party

GH Fun

Having smores with Papa

GG and the kids

Spring Lake boat ride

Allison driving the boat (her poor little face) 

thank goodness for sunglasses!

Last Friday we packed up the kids and headed to Grand Haven after Craig got home from work. We arrived in Spring Lake just before 9:00 p.m., dropped the kids off with my mom and dad, and headed to Clover Bar for a late dinner.  Since we rarely get a babysitter in Ann Arbor, this was a nice way to get a little time away.  The kids enjoyed a fire and smores with GG and Papa! Saturday my mom and I took the kids to a park in Spring Lake to play for a bit.  After getting home Allison decided to go on the swing next door.  She asked permission from Papa and dad who were sitting outside with my aunt Jane and cousin Jenny.  Suddenly we heard some loud screaming and crying.  GG (my mom) ran to see what had happened and brought back a very bloody Allison.  At first it was hard to tell what exactly had happened since there was so much blood.  We were relieved that here teeth were fine, but she had some pretty bad cuts.  Her forehead, nose (by far the worst), lip, and chin were all bleeding.  A few popsicles and hugs later she was doing pretty well.  We decided to take Allison downtown to get some lunch at Butch's Beach Burrito and get some sour straws. Later on we went for a boat ride in my parents boat to check out some of the amazing homes on Spring Lake. Saturday night Craig and I drove to East Grand Rapids to go to our good friend Amanda Chassee's surprise 30th birthday.  We took some time to drive around East and check out houses and streets.  We are hoping to make East Grand Rapids our home in a year.  The kids stayed with my parents so we got two nights out in row!  Sunday we met up with Tom and Mary Kay (Craig's parents) for lunch and then hung out with Craig's sister Katie and her three girls before heading back to Ann Arbor.  

Connor and Allison at the park

GG and Connor climbing the rock wall

Allison showing off her nail polish

This does not begin to show how bad she looked.  

Her nose has been really read and bloody for the last 4 days.

The Detroit Zoo

"The Crew"

Today we ventured to the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak.  There were 9 of us in all.  The day started off a bit chilly, but by lunch time it was sunny and in the 70's.  Despite having hundreds of kids on field trips, we managed to see a lot of animals and have a lot of fun.  The kids enjoyed running around and loved seeing the prairie dogs and giraffes.  

Connor enjoying the water fountain.  Of course 

he was trying to figure out how to get in!

All the kids on a statue of a lion

Allison and Connor

Allison and the prairie dogs...one of 

her favorite things to see!

School Bus Fun

The kids have been more than excited about their new "toy".  I recently ordered this pop up school bus tent for the kids.  They would love an outdoor playhouse, but we just don't have the room for it and this tent folds down in seconds.  Allison enjoys playing with her Barbies and dolls inside it and Connor just likes to go in and out.  Anyway, it has been a great new addition to play time at home!

Connor enjoying the bus

Allison loves it too!