Block Party @ Amy's

My friend, Amy invited us to a block party at her house.... LOTS of fun! Before we left I was working on a hat & sundress for Nellie. B-Bee discovered the hat part and insisted on wearing it - everywhere. The cute one in the summer beanie on the trike is mine.

The bounce castle was a big hit and the daddies were great bouncers. The little girls just loved Nellie, following and taking her around to play. There was one that was especially good with her. Can't wait until she's old enough to babysit.

Choya enjoyed the matchbox cars.  Wish our community would have a block party, what fun!

Bounce, Splash, Busy!

B-Bee started back at school today. Does that mean the summer's over? It can't be. Maybe just a little more tame; we still have our Friday Fundays!

We hosted a "Splash & Bounce" playdate for one of our mommy groups in July! It was so much fun, that I didn't even have a chance to have the camera out until the very end. Tried to get all 4 boys (that were left at this point) to sit on the stairs with us, but the more we tried the more they moved. Note: friend not pictured is the one that stripped down to his undies with B-Bee after swimming. I wanted to host another "Splash & Bounce" this month.... but where did August go again? It will have to wait for September. Crossing fingers the hot weather holds out that long and that I figure out some way to mend the hole in the bounce castle. Naughty lawnmower.

Sat down with the calendar this morning to schedule playdates and such. I'm feeling stingy with our Fridays and picky with the rest of the week. With that said, our days still fill up fast. Promises of coffee here and playgrounds there....and I can't forget the morning workouts. Thanks, Jaq for the text to get me back in gym bright & early tomorrow. Was thinking about a Red Rocks workout, but the hike time was changed.

Church Block Party

Children's ministry was nervous that people would think the block party was rained out, but it went on rain AND shine. Expecting rain, they had most of it inside the gym and then moved it outside for awhile. Face painting, bubbles, balloon animals, bounce castle & slide, a dunk tank with our favorite pastors, and you can't forget the food. I think serving food at all celebrations is a worldwide thing, not just a midwest / Lutheran / Methodist / Catholic....whatever culture thing. A universal language for caring, love and community. B-Bee sat pretty well getting his face painted. It helped that Auntie Zaza was doing the face painting. He wanted to be a tiger, Nellie needed a lady bug and Mommy had to have a rubber ducky - which Nellie tried to grab off my cheek. You can see that B-Bee is nervous in this picture, clenching his fists while waiting for balloon animals. This is something that started after school got out in June. He also does it if his hands are even the slightest bit wet.

The bounce castle & slide were too big for Nellie to go on, with too many big kids as well. So we watched B-Bee go down the slide again and again and again and.... Nellie had fun playing with destroying B-Bee's balloon tiger and relocating everyone's shoes. Both my kids have a thing for shoes.

Don't worry, we got a new balloon animal for B-Bee after Nellie destroyed the tiger.

Pre-4th

Before launching into the fun we had over the 4th of July weekend.... Greg McBoat has Nellie's 1 Year Pics ready! Even though it was a difficult photoshoot, they're awesome! Oh my serious child. :D

We started our weekend off with a babysitter and a baby shower. Our friends, Mike & Steph were in town for their baby shower. Zaza babysat for us, since it was scheduled for prime naptime. One of the coolest gifts they got was some of Steph's baby clothes (believe a baptism outfit included) and quilts. We gave them Good Night Denver, so they can read to their baby girl about their old stompin' grounds. I'm also making them a purple tutu. Mike sized?

In January I won the lotto to buy Rockies tickets for Opener and the 4th of July fireworks games. Little did I realize that even with the lotto system, Opener was going to sell out so quickly. There went Daddy-O's birthday present idea.... We got tix for Saturday night's game. Nellie sported her Rockies onesie & birthday tutu. As soon as we sat down, she started eyeing up everyone around us' food - especially the boy sitting right behind us, just about grabbed the nachos right off his lap.

B-Bee didn't quite get "watching" the game. It's okay though, every Rockies fan knows that it's more about the experience of going than actually watching.

Was a game worth watching!

I wanted outfield seats so we would get to go sit on the field for fireworks, but it was nice to not have to move. Nellie loved the spirit that filled the stadium with the win!

Unfortunately, B-Bee & Zaza spent most of the fireworks in the bathroom.... Nellie did really well with them. She kept pointing at and trying to grab the fireworks. Wouldn't even let us cover her ears. "Don't contain me, Mom!"

I should mention, there was some good sleep had by all that night. PLUS early (and restful) naps the next day!

Nellie 1st Birthday Party!

This is going to be mostly a picture post - is there any other kind? - with snippets of the party.

IT CAME!!!! FedEx guy delivered it just in time for the party! "Nellie's birthday present" from Oma & Papa, in lieu of a wooden swingset. Needless to say, it was a HUGE hit - pun intended.

Favorite menu item: RASBERRIES! Cake was a close 2nd. She'll make a beeline to anyone with either.

Ready to get in trouble with her buddy, Lyd. Tutu trouble.

I chopped my hair off the other day. I'm donating 10" in honor of all the wonderful mommies that donated milk for Nellie. As I was nursing her down for a nap this afternoon, I realized - as I admired her for her perfect latch - that I have successfully breastfed her! (Even if we have had to supplement the entire time.) It has only taken me 363 days to get to this point. It has been quite the journey!

Begging from the master chef.... (and Great G'Pa).

The berry tower.

She was so neat about her smash cake. Napless Nellie, Nosy Nellie....and now Neat Nellie.

She was instantly in love with her dollies! ...and even into unwrapping her own presents. I've determined that it IS genetic, cars & boys, dolls & girls. Although, B-Bee has already played with all of Nellie's dolls. He decided that the Bath Doll needed a bath this morning. So he undressed her, "bathed" her and redressed her.

....and at the end of the night, we had one TIRED Nellie (with "aunti" Oz).