Kane County Cougar Game

Paul's cousin, Gary, set up a family night last Saturday a Kane County Cougar's game. Everyone had a fantastic time and the Cougar's won. We had great weather for the evening and between sitting right behind home plate with Grandpa Jack and then out in the lawn with cousins the kids couldn't have had a better experience for their first baseball game. Although I don't think they actually watched the game much. After the game their were fireworks and we got to go down on the field and run the bases. Lots of fun!

Derek is pointing to a foul ball that went up on the roof over our heads.

So I guess he watched the game a little bit.

Ginger, Paul, and Tracy

The Organizer of the evening, Gary, and Grandma

Just chilling on the lawn - Sean, Derek, Dylan, Jack and Kayla -

with Uncle Bruce behind them.

Our last photo session with our favorite photographer

One of my friends is moving back to the UK in about a month. She really enjoys photography and over the last year has taken some phenomenal pictures of the boys. Today was our last photo session with her before her move. Her son and Derek are the same age and play great together. Even Paul and Kevin (the husbands) get along quite well. We had a lovely time getting our pictures taken and having brunch together. Her whole family will be missed. Here is just a sample of her handiwork.

Today was Father's Day and as soon as Derek work up he ran to Daddy and said "Happy Father's Day!" completely unprompted. Although I think Grandma Judy did clue Derek in yesterday at the Cougar game (pics will be up tomorrow) It couldn't have started Paul's day any better. After the photo shoot we visited with Dziadzia for a couple of hours and then headed home for naps and a quick dip in our pool. Overall a great day!

Derek's Birthday weekend.

Derek celebrated his 4th birthday on Sunday, and while I didn't plan to have a major party, we still had a party. We borrowed a bounce house from the Lindberg family and had lots of food, even a blue batman cake! Derek got to invite 2 friends - Henry and Dylan, and their families. All of our families came including Uncle Joe, Uncle Nate with Tara and the Lindberg family, as well as both sets of grandparents and of course Dziadzia. Then our neighbors Mister Thanos and Miss Lily stopped by and Miss Jill with Lucy and Cole. Needless to say Derek had a GREAT day. The cousins (Jack, Dylan and Kayla) spent the night so the party continued through Monday and into Tues morning before they went home. Monday we played with a slip n slide, some water balloons and even went to a spray park. Mommy forgot the sunscreen all day Monday which resulted in Derek's first sunburn. Luckily it's just a little pink and not really red, although it still hurts. What an exhausting weekend. Happy Birthday Derek! I can't believe you are 4!

Good times

On Sunday we went to Plainfield to visit the Lindberg family and celebrate Grandpa Jack's birthday. In their backyard Aunt Tracy discovered 4 baby bunnies a week ago. We think they are about 10 days old. Derek and Sean were both very interested in them. Derek was very gentle and held them for quite some time. Sean eventually warmed up and held them too, but the camera was already put away. Most of the time he just wanted to sing and play guitar, so I got pictures of him jamming. And yes, he really did get into the singing and playing, he definitely had the moves down. Both of them had a great time playing with their cousins all day. Can't wait to see them again this Sunday for Derek's birthday.

Today Paul began tearing apart the kids bathroom upstairs. We bought some tile earlier in the week and Paul started the project today. Should have taken some before pictures, but I didn't think about it. It's a tiny bathroom, and it had peel and stick vinyl flooring, a boring white vanity, and awful drop ceiling lighting. So in it's current state it still has the drop ceiling lighting, plywood for a floor, and no vanity at all. Our original idea was to replace the walk in shower with a tub, but decided not to turn this into that big of a project. Derek and Sean have been great helpers for Paul today. They both just want to be with him helping in anyway possible. It's really cute, I'll be downstairs, and Derek will yell "Mom get me a bucket for my dad! " It's raining and chilly today so we've been in the house most of the day. Derek also has a very stuffy nose, I was hoping he was going to take a nap this afternoon, but instead he went with Paul to Home Depot. They are home, dinner time soon.

Precious

Today was just a "normal" day....is there such a thing anymore? (sorry rhetorical question) Acutally I guess it wasn't that normal, I got a couple of me hours in. I went with my mom to get my hair done. Usually we go out to lunch afterwards, however, today there just wasn't the time. So other than that, a pretty normal day. Kids playing, eating, making a mess, eating again...playing outside, making more of a mess, eating again, watching some TV while I make dinner, eating one more time, bath time, bed time. While sometimes these days leave me exhausted I love them. Although I will admit I do like it when they are both sleeping. But sometimes it gets so quiet in the house that I just want to wake them up. Then I go in there, and this is what I see.....the most precious things in the whole world.

Chapstick and two pairs of underwear

So let's talk about the two pairs of underwear first. We were at Home Depot looking at carpet for the bedrooms upstairs. I took the boys to the bathroom and Derek is wearing two pairs of underwear today. When asked why, he answers "I like both Spiderman and Batman. And it's silly." That kid loves his clothes, and even contemplates his choice of underwear.

Sean is in love with chapstick. He has a few of them throughout the house and he goes around and around holding them and putting it on his lips. He can't say the work chapstick, so when he wants it he takes his pointer finger and rubs it along his bottom lip. When I grab him one he often decides that is NOT the one he wants, and i have to let him choose. I have taken to moving all the "good" chapsticks elsewhere so Paul and I have some when we need them. His chapsticks are starting to look a bit gross, I suppose I'll have to buy him a couple new ones without the dog hair in them.