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!

Old friends, birthdays and bikes

For the McCulloch house, we had somewhat of a busy weekend! Friday night, per our usual, we had movie and pizza night. Saturday morning I woke early to go on a long run with a few girlfriends (thanks Sandi & Melissa for kicking my butt!) and then came home to get ready for a lunch out with an old friend.

My girlfriend, Chi, and I cheered together all through high school. And as with any sport, you tend to get very close to your teammates. We spent many nights at sleepovers or camps or dances together and have lots of fun memories. I haven't seen Chi since our 10 year high school reunion 5 years ago and it had been too long. Chi and her husband (and 6 month old son, James) are thinking about a move to the Carmel area so they were here looking at houses and the area in general. We met up at Bazbeaux's for an early lunch and it was just so special to see her again and catch up (and relive a few old memories!). Crossing my fingers that they make the move, would be so much fun to have her down here!

Laney is making the moves on James

Smitten

After the girls' naps, we headed over to my carpool-mate's son's 1st Birthday party. Brenna and I have been carpooling together for almost 2 years. There were a handful of carpool groups in our division at work when I started, as gas was in the $4 / gallon price range and no one lives near our offices on the east side of town. However, Brenna and I are the only ones that still carpool. Gas prices have gone down, but we find it hard NOT to be driving together every single day. It's funny, when Brenna went on maternity leave last year I was BORED in the car alone. I mean, it was fun to be able to catch up on my phone calls (as most all of you know I am NOT a phone person) and sing in the car again. However, I missed Brenna's company. She returned to work and 3 months later I left for maternity leave. When she came over to bring me dinner while I was still at home, she told me she was looking forward to my return b/c she had taken to READING while driving - to pass the time. Needless to say, she wasn't driving safely. Ha! Anyway, we tend to talk about everything from celebrity gossip, to reality t.v., to issues at home and with family. I find it extremely therapeutic to talk to her, as she is a third party and gives great advice and asks great questions from a non-judgemental stance. Bottom line, I love carpooling with Brenna. So when Mike and I arrived with the girls to the birthday party, our husbands were finally able to hang out...to which I found both fun and yet a little unsettling. I mean, if both Scott and Mike put their two stories together, they'd learn that Brenna and I know a LOT about the others' relationships and quirks. We all laughed several times over this. I guess it's just hard to put into words. We had such a wonderful time celebrating Jack's first birthday and I was so happy to finally put faces to all the names I hear about every week. Mike was simply happy there was booze served at a 1st birthday party :)

The birthday boy: Jack

Jack & Brenna

The sun was out all day today, so we got Izzy out on her tricycle. Her legs are finally long enough to reach the pedals so we had a lesson in "how to push the pedals to make the bike move forward." She hasn't grasped this 100% yet...but she's very close. Pedals a few times and then gets off and pushes the bike. Too cute.

And finally, I was going through Delaney's drawers (in the first year I feel that I have to get out with the old and in with the new on a MONTHLY basis, which is exhausting and time consuming!) and found this adorable hat from Sam & Bridget Tynan. I cannot believe I forgot about this little number. I just had to snap a few photos of Bug in this...too cute!

Izzy the Entertainer...

Saturday afternoon Izzy and I met Jaime & Luke at the Monon Pool for a swim. Although little man Luke was a touch under the weather, that did not stop Izzy from being in rare form. She went up and down the slide a blue million times...until she was "discovered" by some 12 year old girls. Izzy immediately started showing off for them; showing her new pink-painted nails, giving high fives and fist bumps, a little dancing and kicking. It was hilarious to watch because after each thing she did for the girls she'd get a laugh from them and then turn around to make sure I saw what was going on. Jaime and I were laughing the entire time. I do believe Izzy will have a future in entertaining...be it in ballet, singing, dancing, acting, anything with an audience. So stinkin' cute!

Her audience
This is blurry, but at one point in her "show" she took it to the wall and started to do some funky leg kick/dance. Jaime and I were in tears we were laughing so hard!

More showing off...the girls gave her some goggles and she did a little dance with them before she put them on.

This little guy wasn't feeling so hot, so we took it all in being at the comfort of his mommy's side. So pitiful and yet so CUTE!

Izzy badly wanted her playmate to interact. She kept on trying to hug and kiss on him and he wanted nothing to do with her. Ha!

Izzy baking a cake with Daddy (she squeals when we ask her if she wants to cook)

Pouring the batter

When the cake was done, Izzy just HAD to eat it right away. She didn't even care that it wasn't frosted yet! She loves her food - just like her mama!