Hiking in the gardens

We all enjoyed the natural beauty of the gardens in Madison.  The kids ran ahead on every path and showed us what was past every curve.  They discovered bridges, ceramic elephants, unique flowers, fountains, bridges, ducks, twisted trees, and they exclaimed that everything was beautiful.

Memorial Day Weekend

We love spending the Memorial Day weekend in Madison.  We visited the new children's museum for the first time.  Luke's favorite part was the roof top garden and Eva's favorite was the window painting.  Here she is using a "slapophone" a musical instrument that makes noise by slapping the flip flop on the open wood.

Luke also is always attracted to see who gave $1,000,000 to the museum.

Roof top garden with Nana.

Eva loving the window painting.

Luke and I trying to make a craft out of all natural materials... it would have been easier with glue.

Luke climbing in a 2 story welded play apparatus.

Luke and Eva making pizza.

Eva the lion and Luke the zebra.

Sunday night we had Camp Woody.  We roasted dinner by the fire, camped overnight and then went for a bike ride in the morning. 

After we all got too hot we went to the beach and got some ice cream.  It is so good to see family.

Mother's Day

Being a mom is the greatest and it if fun to celebrate.  We spent the entire weekend as a family and drove 313 miles together.  The trip really proves that Eva needs a car seat that she can not get out of.  The hand-me-down car seat we have used for Luke and Eva does not strap down completely anymore.  We had a great time mountain biking at Kettles.  Luke and Eva played while Dave and I each biked about an hour.  Eva brought her scoot bike and was looking like quite the mountain biker.  She would go at top speed through some trails at the start and she laughed and said her smile was wiggling because it was so bumpy.  Dave and I haven't been biking since we were in Colorado or California and I kept wondering where the hills where.  It was nice to not have over a 1,000 foot climb just to get started.  We then went to Whitnal park with my family.  The boys jumped every fountain, went under every waterfall, and crossed every "do not cross" path.  Uncle Bryce started the roll down the hill tradition that we used to do when we were young.  Then we had a gourmet picnic while the kids played at the playground.  The next day we drove to Appleton and went out to eat with Dave's family and Riley's family.

I got some fun presents from the kids... Luke brought me a yellow flower in a painted pot, two Hershey kisses wishing me a sweet Mother's Day, a poem with hand prints and the following questions. 

What is your mom really good at?  Reading a book
What does your mom do to relax?  Rest
Where does your mom like to shop? Target
How old is your mom? 33
What do you love most about your mom?  That she loves me so much
If you could buy your mom anything, what would it be?  A treadmill
What does your mom do while you are at school?  She works

"Your the best Mom, Love Luke"

Eva also made me a flower in a painted pot.  She was so proud to give it to me during our Mother Child breakfast. 

My Peach

There are so many things the kids do to make each day special.  There is something magical about my kids love.  In a book we just ordered from Luke's school that talks about how they change life.  The book is called, "Along Came You," by Karona Drummond.  It talks all about life before and after her daughter.  It ends with, "Before you, I was me.  After you, I am still me.  But you are with me. Life became amazing after you."

Eva started Montessori school and she has passion, work ethic, and charisma.  She loves talking about all her days work in a sing song voice when she comes home. 

 Eva washing the table after snack.

 Eva lacing.

 Eva coloring.

 Eva doing spacial awareness work.  (1*1, 2*2, 3*3, 4*4, etc.)

 Eva learning sizes.

 Eva screwing.

I love you Eva.  Thanks for working so hard.  I miss you when you are gone, but I am glad you are learning so much.

Kids to the Rescue

We celebrated Luke's 6th birthday at the Pewaukee Fire House.  Six is the perfect age to see all the rescue vehicles and equipment.  After they listened to the Fireman Dave, the kids sounded like professionals knowing how to use oxygen and use the defibrillator.  For games the kids first had to rush to put out a fire, then they had to save the stuffed animals with the fire trucks, last they had to navigate a weaving course with a big wheel and shoot water with a water blaster.

 Fire truck rides for everyone!

It is so special to celebrate this special day with family and friends.  Thank you everyone for coming.