Fall is here????

You would think that by September, I'd say that fall is here. Maybe? The leaves are turning and falling yet my kids were just swimming the other day in a little pool on our driveway. I thought that picture was so funny - swimming yet leaves on the ground in the background. Only in MN. No complaints though - glad we are finally getting some summer weather even if it is a bit late. We're enjoying it and are in no hurry for the cool weather to come!

Alex started school!

Alex started preschool this week! Here we go – he’s a big boy now! And he loved it! He is so excited to go back next week. He’ll be going 2 mornings a week. He did great and was so happy to tell us all about everything he did and all the friends he met. And Drew was able to come with Lauren and I to pick him up and we took him out to lunch afterwards and Alex thought that was pretty neat! The one who struggled with it all was Lauren. They are like 2 peas in a pod especially after spending so much time together this summer so she couldn’t understand why she couldn’t go with him. She had a hard time watching him leave her on Tuesday. It was sad but I’m so happy for Alex. Lauren will be fine – she’ll soon realize that having time all alone with mom is a good thing!

Alex's first train ride

For Alex’s 4th birthday, Aunt Betsy asked Alex what he wanted as a gift. Of course, Alex knowing that Aunt Betsy will give him just about anything he wants, told her that he would like to go on a real train. So on the Sunday after his birthday, Aunt Betsy, Drew, Lauren, myself, and Alex hopped on a real Amtrak train and took a hour train ride down to Red Wing, MN. He was SO excited. He just couldn’t believe how big it was or how “fast” it went. He was memorized. Lauren, on the other hand, was a bit feisty. We had to get the kids up early that day, so she was in an interesting form. It was early in the morning, so most people were resting in our train car. Once we started moving, Lauren starts singing (as most of you know – she is NOT quiet in anything she does), “Down by the station early in the morning…chug chug puff puff off we go.” It was hilarious and also made me want to get off the train as fast as we could! Then we rode on the tracks past the Mississippi River and the kids saw a few boats. Again, Lauren starts singing “Row row row your boat…” Too funny. In all seriousness though, we had brunch in Red Wing and then made the trek back home. Alex absolutely loved the train ride and it was a perfect birthday present for that little boy.

Alex turns 4!

Is it even possible? Alex turned 4 on August 26. Seems hardly possible that 4 years ago, we were looking into our sweet baby boy's eyes for the very first time. I would have never imagined that he would grow into the loving, kind, generous, protective, hilarious boy that we know today. We are truly blessed. We had a great birthday celebration. We spent the Sunday before at Nana and Grandpa Vohs' house. It was a gorgeous day and Alex was spoiled rotten. Boat ride, beautiful Dinosaur cake made by Aunt Jenny, and gifts galore. It was a lovely day. Then on his actual birthday, he asked for donut holes for breakfast. So off we went to the local bakery and bought them for him and put some candles in them. He was so excited. And we let him take us to his favorite restaurant for dinner. He said it was his favorite birthday ever. And many days since, he wakes up and asks if it's his special day and how much longer until his next birthday. And we have been informed that he wants a pinata at his next birthday! Ha!
Also, one day this summer, I commented to him that he's getting to be such a big boy. He put his hands on his hips and exclaimed, "I sure am." Then he looked at me and put his hands on my cheeks and said, "And you know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking that you are the best mom ever." He's too great!

Our summer fun!

We had a wonderful summer with the kids. We went on many picnics, went to the zoo a few different times, went to dozens of parks, went to the fair, and basically spent as much time outdoors together as possible. It was a great time and Drew and I have had many laughs with our kids. They are at such fun ages right now and we are treasuring every moment!

Summer playdates

We have such a good group of friends that we met in Alex's ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) classes 2 years ago. Since then, we have spent a great deal of time with them and it helps that I love their moms too! And they are such great kids as well. Now, we just need to find Lauren some 2-year olds to hang out with. She seems to think Alex's friends are her friends as well and luckily thus far, Alex is good about sharing. But I'm sure that won't last forever. But this summer, we have spent many mornings at different parks and had many different picnics with our friends. It's been such a wonderful summer with the kids! Here's some pictures of some of our most recent playdates, including the Teddy Bear Park (which Nana Vohs introduced us to and the kids absolutely love).

Summer vacation

Each year, my grandma Betty (GG as Alex and Lauren call her, for Great-Grandma) takes our entire family on a vacation for a few days in the summer. This year, we rented an entire bed and breakfast in Cambridge, WI on Lake Ripley. It was great! We had 8 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms for our entire extended family. Alex and Lauren loved hanging out with my cousin's kids. My cousin, Heather, has Carly (she's 2 - 10 weeks older than Lauren) and Elise (who just turned a year). Alex and Carly were dear friends the entire vacation. You'll notice in 1 of the pictures that Carly and Lauren have the same swimsuit on. Heather and I have bought the girls the same swimsuit now 2 years in a row without even discussing it! Apparently, we have the same great taste! We had a wonderful time and feel so grateful that my Grandma can make this happen with us all year after year.

Summer Visits with Gaga and Papa

As most of you know, my mom had major back surgery on August 7. So the kids and I headed to Iowa a few times before and after to visit Gaga and Papa O’Brien. Alex loved playing “Go Fish” with Gaga and both Alex and Lauren love having Gaga read them books. And Papa helped Alex and Lauren plant a new plant that someone gave Gaga while she was in the hospital. Lauren and Alex also love picking all the tomatoes on Gaga and Papa’s tomato plants. They get so excited when they see red and ripe ones waiting for them. They are both anxious for Gaga to be feeling better so they can go down there again soon!

Prince, Princesses & Superheroes

Alex was in a summer camp in July titled Prince, Princesses & Superheroes and he LOVED it! He did many different activities with a lot of his friends and he couldn't wait to go every morning that he had it. Here are a few pictures, he loved being a prince and loved being superhero (Batman) and even let Lauren in on the fun!