American Girl Store/Chicago Girls Only Trip

Last Saturday, the girls and I went with my sister in law, Jennifer, my niece, Anna, and my mother in law, Ruthie to the American Girl Store in Chicago. It was so much fun!! We rode the train out of Waterloo which was a new experience for the three of us. Grace slept almost the whole way there and the whole way back. It was really nice since I didn't have to drive : ) While we were there, we shopped, looked at the sights - Grace was really impressed by the huge skyscrapers! - and looked at all the cool American Girl accessories. Luckily all three girls have a doll, so no one was left out. We also ate lunch there, which was really neat! We had a four course meal - which included cinnamon buns BEFORE the actual meal, much to Ella's delight! - and the food was thankfully VERY kid and mom friendly since we are all pretty picky : ) It was an experience that none of the girls will forget. Hopefully the girls and I will get to go to the store again around Christmas time with my mom if all plans come together. More pictures will come as I get them through email : )

Science Central Day

This weekend we took the kids to Science Central for the first time in five years. We had a great time and Colt really enjoyed the toddler area with the slide and water table. I enjoyed the perpetual motion device - let me tell you that I am WAY too old to be that dizzy! : )

Grace's 6th Birthday Party

We finally celebrated Grace's birthday party! We were going to celebrate at Chuck E. Cheese's, but decided at the last minute to just have cake and ice cream at the house since we all had to go to school the next day. With just a few family members (lots less than usual) we had a nice small garden party. She received lots of nice gifts and got to play with mu brother Donnie's kids.

Back to School

This week was back to school time. Summer went by so fast! Grace was very excited to get to first grade and back to seeing her friends daily and Ella and Colt were excited to get back to Tara's and to playing with the friends they missed over the summer. Chris and I were not as excited to get back to the classroom - more anxious than excited, I guess : ) The week went surprisingly smooth for being off of our schedules for so long. Now we're all looking forward to Labor Day and the next day off ; )

Views from the Garden

Today was such a pretty day that I decided to take some pictures of my hibiscus and roses before they wilt because of the heat. We have four different kinds of hibiscus (I'd love to have the huge ones that are the size of small basketballs, but alas, no). I also took a picture of the Peace Lily I received from my great grandma's funeral last year. I love this plant and I was afraid I was losing it, but I transplanted it into a larger pot and cut off the dead parts of the leaves and it's now thriving so well! It's actually blooming some lilies!

Shipshewana Outing

On Saturday, the girls and I went with my mom to Shipshewana for a small get away. We walked around, did some wishful thinking about some really neat antiques, and ate at The Blue Gate Restaurant. Outside the Blue Gate was a cool koi pond and the girls wanted their picture in front of it and Grace took a really good picture of the koi fish.

Grace's Birthday and the Dunes

On Wednesday, we went to the Warren Dunes in Michigan for Grace's sixth birthday. We were pretty nervous on the way there because storms and clouds were rolling in about half way there, but the day turned out to be a beautiful one! Chris made her a sandy cake and she blew out her six stick candles : ) It was Colt's first time at the big beach and he loved the water and especially the sand - we had to keep a real close eye on him because he kept wanting to throw the sand at everyone (leave it to Colt) : ) We had a wonderful time and got a little sun and best of all, we got to spend some quality family time before school starts next week.