Summer Vacation (Short but Sweet!)

Because I run a swim lesson program at St. Kate's I don't typically get a lot of vacation time during the summer months but luckily because of the 4th we had a week off from lessons and thus I could take the week off. We had a busy weekend celebrating the 4th with both of our families but the week was a little more relaxing which was just what I wanted and needed!

Before the time off there was still a week of work for both Eric and I. With Eric becoming more and more busy with work we've enlisted our wonderful Niece to babysit 1-2 days a week. She rides into work with Grandpa Larry and then Eric picks her up and then one of us will drive her back when Larry is ready to head home for the day. She is usually only alone with the kids for 4-5 hours and then will hang out with me and the kids in the afternoon, so far it is a great arrangement and the kids love their big cousin! When she babysat during the last week of June we went to the park to play and get a picture to give to Grandma Mary of the 3 of them for her birthday. Luckily I brought our fancy camera and could take a bunch of shots because getting all 3 to look was no easy challenge!!

Izzy ready to take on the Park!

Helper Robert...Unsure Izzy
The one good shot out of about 30!

Robert insisted on pushing Izzy home...

To start the holiday weekend we headed to Red Wing to visit with my mom, who still can't drive from her surgery, and Nick also joined us. We had a great time visiting Colvill Park that sits on the river, swimming in my mom's inflatable pool, sipping a few great drinks, and visiting with the Villaran family. It was a great trip and even better was that both kids slept well!

On our way home from Red Wing we stopped in Farmington and celebrated the 4th with the Hempler's. It was a great day filled with a steak lunch and pizza dinner. The kids had fun playing with new toys and new treats!

No high chair so Iz got to use a booster seat and LOVED it!!!

Yummy Cupcake!!!

With having the week off I didn't make a lot of plans but did decide it was time to start some potty training with Robert. He's been showing more interest in the potty and always goes on it before he bathtime so I decided to start what I'm sure won't be a fun process. The best advice that I've received from a bunch of moms was to not force it and to not use pull-ups. So with that he spent some time each day in underwear and when he was sick of his big boy pants we'd switch back to a diaper. We did have a few accidents but he was also pretty good about going on the potty. So for now we'll keep sticking with letting him choose when to wear a diaper and when to wear his underwear (except for nap and bedtime...that will still be a diaper!) with hopes by his 3rd birthday in September we'll only have 1 child in diapers!

This weekend I had to return to work in the mornings for a rental meet but in the afternoons we celebrated Whiz Bang Days! The Robbinsdale celebration started on Thursday and that morning Eric took Robert downtown to check out some of the events and they came home having some yummy gelato samples in there bellies and some new kid's DVDs. Later that afternoon we headed to our bank that was holding an ice cream social. We had some yummy ice cream, named Izzy's! From there we headed downtown for some Broadway pizza and then walked across the street so I too could sample some of the gelato and it was definitely the best gelato I'd ever had!! From there we went home and Robert was a little tired...

The next morning (Friday) and my last day of vacation we went for a family walk and then while Eric played with the kids I spent a couple of hours mowing and weed whipping. Luckily I finished a little after a 11:00 because the day turned into a scorcher!! That afternoon we decided to walk to the carnival in one of the parks near our house only to find out that they had the wrong start time listed and had the fun task of explaining to Robert why we couldn't go in. Luckily after work on Saturday while Izzy napped and Eric got some work done I brought Robert back and we had a lot of fun. Last year Robert wanted nothing to do with the rides and this year I couldn't get him off of them...which because of the high prices for ride tickets wasn't too long. We ended our trip with a slushy, popcorn, some cotton candy and a couple of prizes won by doing some fishing for rubber ducks!

We had plans on going to the parade today but with the high temps and lack of shade along the parade route we decide to play it safe and stay indoors. Luckily Uncle Nick spent the day with us and Robert and I did a little shopping with him for his big trip to Vegas this week. We ended the day with burgers on the grill and ice cream sundaes. As you can see Izzy sampled part of an oreo and LOVED it!
And now we prepare for another week as Whiz Bang Days comes to an end. The fireworks are going off a block from our house and while they are pretty I'm keeping my fingers crossed the loud bangs and booms don't wake my two sleeping children. Have a great week everyone!