This may be the longest blog post ever! I'm kicking myself for not posting more frequently over the summer, but as the pictures show we've been a little busy. So here it is...Fisher's first day of preschool, his 3rd birthday, the house, exciting events, Phoenix's latest tricks and shenanigans, and summer travels...all wrapped up in one gigantic post.
Fisher has a unique way of holding up his 3 fingers.
Before school started we checked out the student open house. Phoenix is looking on at her brother playing at the sand table.
Making dots.
And the actual first day! He was pretty stoked about the backpack.
Derek came to meet us at the school to see him off on his first day.
Giving my bug a big squeeze before we go in.
Ready to embark!
The hanging of the backpack. First day went well, though I was in class the whole time with him (he couldn't be without a parent in class until he turned 3).
Fisher had a bad cold that turned into walking pnemonia, thus the nebulizer.
The cleaning lady (hired by the previous house owners to clean up the mess they left) asked if she could bring a pinata for Fisher, and here it is, as big as him.
He was still sick on his birthday, but rallied, which wasn't difficult with all the presents, friends, and cake.
Posing by the big thrill of the night!
Too cute--everyone lined up to take a whack at the huge pinata.
Happy birthday Fisher!
Recovering from the party.
Playing together in the sandbox.
These aren't cookie crumbs...it's dirt. Phoenix has had a hankering for all things dirt lately. She likes to pull up the grass, dig her little fingers in and sneak a taste.
So one day we were chilling in the front yard waiting for Derek to get home with a big surprise,
the kids were playing with the water table,
until Phoenix crawled off after a stick or bug or piece of dirt,
and then Fisher spotted it...
Derek hauling a swing set in the back of a truck!
As you can tell it was a big hit. I found it on craigslist and Derek spent all afternoon taking it apart and loading it...all by himself. I don't know how he did it.
So Derek and I put up the halogen lights and worked until midnight putting it all together again. When the kids woke up it was like Christmas morning.
Can you believe how happy she is just up from a nap?
Such a doll.
They play well together most of the time, though Fisher did push Phoenix out of the sandbox once for trying to smash his sandcastle and she was left with a fat lip.
Trying out the burley for the first time with both kids. We love living right by the bike trail! And Phoenix loved the ride--laughing the whole way.
Packing! We started just a couple days before the move, but we got everything moved in.
Rolling.
Enjoying a picnic at a park downtown.
Playing in the fountains downtown.
Phoenix's first attempt at crawling up a step: success.
We got a lot of pool time in at the loft before the move.
Fisher's first dentist visit, which sparked his first lie: "daddy, the dentist said 'you can suck your thumb'!" Nice try kiddo.
Goofing around. He was so excited thinking he was going to get candy, even though I kept telling him no way do dentists give candy.
He was a big fan of his new bike helmet.
She stands! She stared pulling herself up at 9 months.
Here's a shot of the nasty blue carpet the ran through the whole house. We closed Aug. 5 and moved in the last weekend of Sept. In between we tore up the carpet, had wood floors installed, painted, added recessed lighting in the living room, added all new light fixtures throughout, patched walls, built a wall where Fisher's 2nd bedroom door was, installed new outlets and covers, and thoroughly wore ourselves out.
Shot of the entrance to the master bedroom.
We discovered wall paper under the paint in Fisher's room, so we had to scrape it all off.
Before shot of the living room. It was tough keeping the kids happy while trying to get work done.
Hickory floors during installation.
And after! The living room is 30 feet wide, so we need some more furniture.
Dining room--new fixture.
Hauling in groceries at the loft.
So big! A whole new world to check out now.
Enjoying a refreshment.
The snack of champions. This kid loves Doritos and will go hide and stuff his face. We don't have them around too often!
Stuck!
The kids and I took in an afternoon Cubs game one sunny day.
Smiles as usual.
This girl gets around.
And gets into everything.
I met Jess and Kristina in Dubuque for a night. We took in the happy hour river boat cruise.
First time in the tub together: a big hit.
Phoenix's first time driving the grocery cart.
They love their daddy time and missed him dearly the 3 weeks he worked on the house every night after working his job all day.
Before we closed on the house we took a little vacation to visit friends in Green Bay and camp in Door County.
We finally rented a boat on the lake and checked out Horseshoe Island and swam in the bays.
Seriously happy baby.
The water was cold but clean.
Fisher enjoying time with his buddy Andy.
Kids were wiped out from the sun and boating.
Oh captain, my captain.
What baby can't resist the wind in their face?
And we did some cherry picking.
He was very selective.
Ahh, sunset over the water.
Jet ski action at Kevin and Sue's cabin.
Saying goodbye to Kevin and Sue. (Check out that sly look on Phoenix.) We sure miss our friends up there!
One more famous face...
