Backyard Playset = Happy Family!

Mike has been researching and pricing out playsets for months now, in anticipation of setting it up sometime this Spring. Well with all the beautiful weather we'd had all week, his bug was in full force to get this project underway. Bob picked up the set and brought it down early Friday afternoon. Both Mike and I were got out of work early (yay for holiday weekends...and the Final Four in Indy!) so we all came home to greet Bob who was already sorting through the pieces. Delaney and I sat on the deck watching in the shade (it was over 80 degrees Friday) while Izzy and Mike joined Bob in this huuuuuge project.

Sorting the pieces (note Izzy was helping, unsolicited, and in her own world)
Happy shaded baby

More sorting...and let the stacking begin

Helping

Doing what she does best: stacking

Very proud of herself

Saturday morning started out BEAUTIFUL. I ran 9 miles in 55 degree weather at 8am. I returned home and within minutes, this is what we faced: the dreaded rain! The guys were quite creative and put up an awning (meant for tailgating - ha!) to cover themselves and their project while continuing to work the entire day.

The girls and I kept the back door open so we could hear the guys working...so we put up our hoods and played the day away. Izzy was making Laney girl laugh. They were just so into each other, I loved it.

Priceless.

Izzy lined up every single block she owns in the exact same position. Anyone know where she gets this habit? If you've ever been out to eat with Mike, you'll know :)

Sunday morning Izzy hunted for eggs that the Easter Bunny left

Grandpa Bob and Delaney helped with the hung

Back to work on Sunday morning

It's all coming together!

The finished project. Not a great pic of the girls, but this lets you see the entire playset. Double swing, two single swings, ladder, slide, covered treehouse, monkey bars, and on the opposite side of the slide is an attached picnic table.

Thank you Grandpa Bob for the playset!!! All of us love it!

Delaney even tested it out

She's in heaven

And this afternoon Jaime and her boys came over for a playdate. I'm sorry to say I didn't take any pics of Jaime or Jacob...but I snapped a few of Luke. We haven't seen this little man in a LONG time and it was so fun to see him and smooch on him. When he let us :)

Izzy & Luke showing off their Cars tattoos (from Izzy's Easter basket).

7 months, Gymnastics & Golf...

This weekend was a bit COLD and RAINY...so I'm posting a picture of Delaney from last weekend, when it was WARM and SUNNY. Delaney turned 7 months old yesterday and I feel we've really turned a corner in the last month or two: two teeth are fully in, sleeps 12 hours straight (and for a special treat she goes back down for another two hours after a quick feeding), she eats 3 "meals" a day (baby food), and is near crawling. Laney has also started to be VERY social and interactive with her big sis...which is fun to watch the two of them laugh at each other and start to "play" together.

Bug riding in front...she gets this view often, as it's the easiest way to carry her
Peek!
Um, let's just say this was provoked by daddy
I have been in search of a swimming or ballet or gymnastics class in the evenings for Izzy for months now. Been frustrated b/c every place I look only offers one evening class a week (if ANY!). I was getting super frustrated with the fact that every community or sports center scheduled toddler classes during the day (do they think every Carmel mom stays home?!), so I posted about it on Facebook. Turns out a gal I was on gymnastics team with in High School lives very near me (small world) and said she takes her son to a place nearby (that I had never heard of). I checked it out online and they offered MULTIPLE evening classes. I. Was. Thrilled. We started this week in a Tiny Tot gymnastics class and Izzy girl LOVED it! After every trick Izzy would do she'd turn around to me and give me her excited face. It was adorable to watch her confidence grow. After the class the instructor came directly towards me and told me that Izzy was their newest student (the class had been in session for 5 weeks already when we joined) but yet their BEST listener. I'm so proud.

Her first go at the balance beam. I'm hoping this is going to be her favorite event, as it was mine

Here is a video of her on the beam rotation:

Saturday was sunny and beautiful, but a tad chilly. Izzy spent the majority of the day in the backyard playing. Daddy put up a tree swing, so that kept her busy...and happy.

Saturday Mike went on a long run (we have to take turns these days going out for our runs) and I had asked Izzy to stay put watching a movie while I put Delaney down. I came downstairs to find Izzy watching her movie...in Laney's exersaucer. And she was STUCK. Both feet in one foot hole. Nice.

Mike bought Izzy her first set of golf clubs. They hit a few balls. And then it lost its luster. Izzy was more interested in holding every club and walking around the yard with them. Ha!

ps-I finally figured out how to get the video from YGG Live uploaded on my blog (before it was just a link...two posts back). You should really check it out, it was great! Plus, there's a little of Izzy watching him on there, too. Enjoy!

Our handsome hero...

Meet Jaime's newest man in her life: Jacob Logan. Born 3/20/10 at a whopping 9lbs. 4oz. He's only a few days old and one of the bravest & strongest little boys I know. I love him already!

Molly and I had the joy of meeting this litle guy at the hospital, just a few hours old. We're proud of you, Jaim, and we're thrilled you're all home. Can't wait for Delaney to meet her future BFF. Or husband. I won't be choosey.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live!

As most of you with small children in the house know, Yo Gabba Gabba is a favorite amongst pre-schoolers. Izzy has been an avid fan for as long as we can remember. This show is on the Nickelodeon Junior channel (geared towards pre-schoolers) and is similar to Sesame Street in that it teaches kids good life lessons (don't throw things at friends, eat your veggies, hugging friends is nice, pick up your trash, etc.). Well this past weekend we went up to Mike's dad's house to go to see Yo Gabba Gabba live in concert!!! We were a bit nervous, as we'd never taken Izzy to a movie before. However, we prepared her for weeks and she was excited to go to the show. So excited, in fact, that she didn't nap before the show. That posed a small problem, as you'll see in some of the early photos.

Family picture before we left for the show. A HUGE thank you to Grandma Laura for making the girls' Foofa shirts...they were a bit hit!
Izzy eating popcorn, patiently waiting for the show to start

With Grandma & Grandpa
So excited it was starting...

Here comes DJ Lance Rock!

After an explosion of confetti...Izzy was scared!

The whole crew arrived and the partying began

Super Music Friend Show special guests: The Aquabats! They sang their special song "Pool Party"

And now Izzy is all warmed up; dancing in the aisles!

Delaney took her 3rd nap of the day during the show...couldn't believe she could sleep through all of the singing and music

Song about friends & balloons...they did a huge balloon drop from the ceiling and everyone loved it!

Biz Markie came to do "Biz's Beat of the Day" and the crowd went WILD. Seriously. I was a huge fan of his in 7th grade. And here I was, watching him try to get 3 year olds to rap. Awesome. If you want to see his rap...you can watch it here:

This is was a nap-less 2.5 year old looks like during INTERMISSION. Um, you can't rile hundreds of pre-schoolers up and then take an intermission. Bad move.

"Party in my Tummy" song...the veggies want to party...

And she's up!

We had so much fun. I shamelessly knew the words to every song and danced as much as I could with a sleeping baby on me. Laura kept looking at me like, "You really like this?!" Hey, when your toddler lives, eats and breathes Yo Gabba Gabba...you learn to love it :) Thanks to Bob & Laura for a very fun day...which ended at the Ft. Wayne Coney Island. Yummmmm. There was a party in my tummy for sure!

Grandfather's 90th Birthday...

This past weekend we spent 3 days with my family in Michigan to celebrate my Grandfather's 90th birthday. Everyone arrived on Friday and the events began on Saturday morning at the Michigan War Memorial Museum in Frankenmuth. There were about 30 of us in total that participated in the weekend's events, including 5 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Saturday morning we made the trek to see and hear all about Grandfather's time serving in the war as a pilot. His memory was very sharp, as he was recalling many flights where he transported the wounded...giving us many details. Was fascinating to learn all about his history.

Touring the museum
Grandfather's uniform

Grandfather in his flight regalia

History of Grandfather's time in the war

Many medals

Our very own hero

Saturday evening we went to the Club for some professional family photos (will upload them once I get them) - this is just 4 of Grandfather's 10 great-grandchildren listening to photo instructions

Self portrait

Kim & I with dad

Kim RARELY drinks, so I had to take a pic

My niece, Taylor, and cousin, Alyson...they both have their drivers' permits and were high-fiving when they learned they would be the designated drivers. Hilarious.

On our way to and from Michigan, we made an overnight stop and a pit stop at Grandpa Bob's house (to break up a long car ride). The girls are starting to play together...it's so fun to watch them interact!

Occassionally I have to hop into the back seat of the car to help with one or both of the girls. This was my view. DJ Lance Rock. Don't. Be. Jealous.

Miss Iz

And Delaney Bug. We are HAPPY to finally be home!

Sick day...

The nanny called early this morning to tell us that her son (who usually accompanies her) had a very high temperature. We decided that she should stay home with him and I'd stay home with the girls. I immediately got out of bed and got my run in for the day (which I usually do during my lunch at the gym at work) and hurried in the shower to take over the daily routine so Mike could go to work. The girls and I stayed in our jammies the first half of the day and then Aunt Gigi (Jaime) came over for a lunch date. After both girls got up from their afternoon naps, we headed out to the park...as it was 68 degrees and sunny today!!! What a nice surprise on a sick day! Too bad Bug is coming down with something now. Perfect timing, as we're headed out of town tomorrow. Oh the joy.

Morning playtime
Sisters
Pure excitement to be out of the house and at the park!

Slide!

Down and up. Repeat.

Delaney and I watched from the sidelines. Note the runny nose. And the BLUE SKY!