The Daintys

At our cottage in Wisconsin growing up, my mom had the idea to begin a "rock garden," which was full of rocks painted by all of us over the course of many summers spent there. Our rock garden was a source of entertainment and a keeper of memories at the same time. We have been reading the Ladybug Girl books with Leah, which are fantastic childrens' books that encourage creative play, being outdoors, and facing kid issues with bravery and courage. Ladybug Girl and her friends paint rocks in one of the books, and I asked Leah if she'd like to paint some rocks this morning. Words can't really describe her reaction...you'd have to hear the enthusiasm for yourself. So, first, we hunted for the perfect rocks outside. Then Leah picked out three colors to start with. (Pink, purple, and blue.) I love the intensity and focus she has when doing art... After painting the rocks we originally found, Leah made a decision. She wanted a big rock. Her words were, "a...

We had so much fun visiting with Emily and Greg this weekend. During the day the boys went golfing, and then we all went to the beach. We had a fun adult evening out at a new restaurant in town that serves delicious food that is locally-grown and organic. Everything we ate was amazing! In the picture of Ryan and I below you can see Ryan's entree...it was called "the sword of John Adams." Hunks of steak and veggies served on an actual sword! Once the food was off the skewer, the sword kept swinging on its hinge and several of us were nearly injured. It was pretty amusing... Later we visited our favorite Irish pub downtown and heard live music and stayed up much later than what we're used to! So fun. Thanks for visiting Emily and Greg!

I know what you're thinking. More zoo pictures. It's true; we've posted a lot of them. Well, what can I say? We have a season pass! We went the other day with lots of Leah's friends. It was sooooo hot. And humid...like breathing air from a humidifier. The kids were sticky but they were such troopers and had a lot of fun. Thank heavens for this misting station!

We recently took a trip to Silver Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan on a beautiful, hot summer day. The sand was so hot I think the soles of our feet are several centimeters thicker from walking on it. I know, gross. Leah's been taking swim classes this summer and was showing off her kicking and back floating skills. We wished Uncle Greg had been there, as she requested the "motor boat" song, and he seems to be the only adult we know who can travel in a circle at high speeds for a ridiculously long period of time without feeling quite sick.... Hopefully, within the next month or so, I will be able to rid our house of the sand that somehow traveled home with us.

First... traveled to the Chicago suburbs for some Spatz family fun on the 3rd. Leah and her Great Grandma Spatz! Then back home for some BBQ and s'mores on the 4th! S'more face. Mmmm... Our 4th of July decorations... Toddler + Flammable Magic Wand = Glee and a healthy dose of fear Watching fireworks in the neighborhood. Notice the look of astonishment/terror on Leah's face. Her favorites were the pink fireworks and the kind I call "popcorn" fireworks.

Summer is flying by! July already! Our garden is growing like crazy, which is very exciting to Leah. We made these garden signs so we can remember what we planted, because the arugula, lettuce, and spinach are looking the same these days. Leah painted them, then we wrote the names of the plants, and sprayed 'em with a weather-proof coating. Now, if I could just get her to stop moving them around on me when we go out to play... :) We get lots of pictures that look like this.... ("Let ME see, Mama!") And now and then, a real keeper. I love this one. This next one was taken just after she "tooted," which she finds hilarious every time these days.