Weekend updates: Kiddie Park & Pool Time

I was in DC all last week. Great conference and I even got to sneak in a dinner with Natalie! Came home and Jack had been busy. Not only did he finish all of Martha's area, but he also decided to build his own cornhole game. What? You don't spend your weekend finding new things to build? =)

 The boys and I went to Memphis Kiddie Park to run off some energy. This "jail" ride is always their favorite. odd.

I searched and searched and found this post from July 2011. And this picture of them...

Look at how they have grown. (Colin's legs barely fit in there!) Here is June 2013:

Justin still loves his roller coasters.

 Came home and Jack brought some hydrangea home from the rentals.

Squeezed in a trip to the pool as well. Colin started swim lessons at school - I can already tell just by how comfortable he is in the water. (Swim lessons are only for kids 4 years and older. Justin still goes to the pool - he gets to play around in the kiddie area with the other 3 yrs olds.)

 Justin found a rock and the boys made a game. Justin would throw it.

 And Colin would go get it.

I was alone with the boys so no pictures...but the 3 of us ventured into the big pool. Colin did the slides and playground area. Justin loved the twirly-whirly pool and lazy river! LOVE pool-time.

Back to our normal schedules this week!

Meet Martha Elwell

So I was in Washington DC for 1 week for work. Before I left, this is what the status of Project Turtle was... frame built, plexi-glass installed, and turtle house made. I overheard Jack tell Colin that it would be another 5 weeks until we'd actually get the turtle.

Surprise! I came back from DC on Saturday and found this...

Long story short, Martha came early! Jack & the boys got everything together and moved Martha right in. Meet Martha Elwell, our Russian tortoise.

 Heat lamp area.

 Eating area.

Welcome to the family, Martha. She's getting into her routine and we even found her waiting by the food area one morning.

The Elwell Gang! It's a Party!

The Elwell Gang: The Elwells were all together to celebrate the Gang twins' 70th birthday!! Gang Twins = Grandma Peg's brother & sister. Peg hosted a week-long party at her house for all of the out of town visitors and ended it with a big birthday bash on Sunday!

Gang siblings: Peg & all of her siblings!  Happy Birthday Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary!

 Uncle Bill was amazing with the kids and did balloon animals for them. Lots of fun!

 The cousins anxiously awaited for birthday cake.

 Then they got a bit silly. Cousin Anthony + Colin.

Natalie & I never get a picture together. Finally!

 Natalie + Colin

 Justin made a game out of eating ice cream and kissing his uncles and aunties with ice cream lips. Luckily they all played along.

 Then the sprinklers came out. Cousin time!

Always a good sign. Justin was asleep 1.5 minutes after we left.

 It was great to see everyone, and happy 70th birthday Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary!!

Father's Day 2013

"Relax. Stay at home." - Jack's wishes for Father's Day. All weekend was so nice. Rearranged the house (again), enjoyed family time and finished chores. Family playground time too...

 Then Jack said, "Let's build a turtle cage!" Seriously. Colin has been talking to him about a turtle since April/May. So Sunday started like this...

 These boys want to be just like their dad, and I couldn't be prouder. They are so lucky to have Jack to look up to.

And ended with the beginnings of a tortoise cage penthouse suite. I'm unsure of the specific kind of tortoise Jack has done research on, but I am assured it won't grow to be more than 8 inches long.  The kids have named the yet-to-be-obtained tortoise, Martha. Justin decided to test out the tortoise cage.

Then we headed out for dinner. My boys. Happy Father's day, Jack!

 Posing...

 Dessert time! I wore a long sleeve shirt and shorts. Justin said, "Mommy, I don't like these clothes. I like it when you wear your dresses."

 

 Post dinner pictures started like this...

 "Colin, if you want your allowance, take a picture with your brother."

And yes, the boys got haircuts...by professional stylists this time. Bye-bye winter shaggy hair, hello summer cuts! =)

You are the best dad imaginable to these boys - Happy Father's day, Jack! We love you!!!

Fun week

Lots of happenings the week. Random picture taking too.

An impromptu bbq with the neighbors. Justin & I had to come back to the house to clean off his cheetos hands. maybe it was more like cheetos + dirt. gross.

My good college friend, Craig, lives in SF but was in Columbus for a conference last week. And he drove the 2.5 hours to come visit us for dinner!! Brought the boys new transformers and they loved it! Thank you for making the trek!

  Chalk time while I was cooking dinner.

Dinner time guessing game. Who's eating what? We all had baked tofu - Colin had it with rice/furikake, I had it with kimchi and Justin had it with toast/butter! Spinach smoothies and fruit for everyone. I don't cook different meals for everyone, but I didn't want much whining about the sides this night!

I don't know how I forgot to take pictures - but the kids had an International Potluck Picnic at school on Friday. We made cucumber salad and mochi. People even came up to me afterward to tell me that they loved it! I'm not known for my cooking, so of course I was on cloud 9. =)

Ann Arbor Family Fun

We were off to Ann Arbor for the weekend! Matt & Elena + kiddos = Ann Arbor

Smooth 3 hour drive - no stops and no snacks. Ah-mazing! The cousins all had a blast. Lots of sharing and laughing going on all weekend. Baby Danny kept an eye on everyone too. =)

Justin loved his Baby Danny time. Holding, feeding, tickling and laughing. Matt jokingly told him that he could take Baby Danny home, and Justin was so confused when he realized the baby wasn't coming home with us.

 Colin was in heaven. iPad central.

Matt & Elena live in an awesome neighborhood - ideal for walking. The weather cooperated, and we were all out walking several times over the weekend!

 Cousin fun. Ana & Justin; Alex & Colin

 They use their pack n play as a toy chest. Well, until Alex & Colin decided to dump everything out and sit in there.

Officially the most comfortable couch of all time. They got it at Restoration Hardware and Jack & I will probably be buying this same couch when we're finally ready to furnish our house. =)

Sleeping quarters for the 4 cousins. Ages 5, 5, 3 and 2. They all slept through the night. Did you hear me? They all slept through the night! Ah-mazing!!!

 Here's the 1 picture of me for the weekend. It was a good try....

 Kid-breakfast time. What a wonderful weekend!

 I promise that Ana isn't trying to escape. I just caught her right before her "cheese" smile!

Thanks for hosting us, Matt & Elena! They spoiled us with their Vitamix creations all weekend - ice cream and smoothies for everyone! Couldn't have asked for a more relaxing time. Thank you!!