Lincoln Park Zoo

We have been wanting to go to the zoo and finally got there a few weeks ago.   It was hot, but what else is new?!!  We hope to go back super soon!

 The girls on the hippos. 
Maddie and I with the giraffe.  Yes, she was thrilled.

 Maddie and Claire were hugging the "people" and I snapped a shot while Claire was in action.  So sweet!

4th of July Fun!

Wow!  This is the most updated I have been on the blog in a long time!!! :)  

We had a fun filled 4th of July that started with red, white and blue pancakes.  We went to a parade in the heat.  The parade was great - tons of bands, dance crews and even a camel!  All was going well until an unanticipated "shot" went off by an artillery club right by us.  It totally freaked out Maddie and Dane.  Matt was a bit under the weather so we just hung out until fireworks later that night.  Maddie loved the fireworks again this year, but Dane was not a fan.  He did not even want to be outside when they were going off.  So, we went to the car, (had to start it up because we needed AC) and we listened to his favorite CD.  I thought he would fall asleep because it was so late - ha.  Instead, he told me the name of every song and was singing along with the CD.  Both kids went to bed around 10:30 and we are still paying the price! 

 Waiting for fireworks!

Magic Dot

Matt remembered something very cool the other night...

When he was a boy, a magic dot came to Kokomo.  Matt taught Maddie and Dane about the magic dot and how to have fun with the dot.  

Does this bring back memories Grandpa Welke, Grandma Welke and Aunt Kristin?!!

"I Like Summer!"

We are having a blast this summer and it's flying by. We love being outside and the weather has made being outside for too long a bit difficult.  Fortunately, this week looks amazing and we hope to see that trend continue.  The kids love playing in the backyard and riding bikes in the front of the house.  We have really enjoyed our first summer in the new house.  

Both Dane and Maddie like to sing.  Dane has been singing "It's A Small World" all over town.  We go for quite a bit of bike rides around town and Dane sang it for at least 30 min. while on the back of Matt's bike.  It was hilarious.

 We've had quite a few dance parties as well!

Dane is so into everything and can be a major tornado.  He loves climbing up and getting into sinks in our house.  Unfortunately, he also loves climbing into toilets.  This child needs to be watched like a hawk!

Dane has a major sweet tooth.  He asks for seconds in such a cute way that it can be hard to say no, but I do...well usually. :)

Daddy Daughter Movie Night

The park district puts on MOVIES IN THE PARK.  The first movie of the summer was THE MUPPETS.  Matt talked to Maddie about it and it was a much anticipated event!  They made a list of things to bring and she packed them.  She had a blast and was great the entire time.  They are looking forward to the next movie night!

Father's Day

Daddy Dearest

 Dane loves his daddy!  I love the way he is looking at him in this picture!

Wagner Farm

 Maddie loves collecting eggs inside the barn.  This has always been one of her favorite things to do at Wagner Farm!

We love heading to Wagner Farm in the summer!  Dane loved the chickens!  We also saw a kitten - so little and so cute.  I am sure we will be heading back soon!

Maddie's First Hair Cut!!

BEFORE PICS

 

Maddie got her first haircut last weekend.  She DID NOT want her hair cut.  I wasn't going to force her to have it cut.  After all, she bawled and cried like crazy when Rapunzel's hair got cut in the movie TANGLED. So, we kept talking about it and one day she decided it was a good idea.  I called and made her an appointment that day! 

 Still long, but cleaned up! Maddie asked, "Will it grow back soon?"

This song was the favorite song Maddie sang at her preschool graduation program.  We like it too! :)

Fun in the Backyard

The kids have so much fun playing in the backyard.  They both love to climb, jump and run!

Crazy and Cutie

Maddie did her hair.  I let her go to Miss Alice's house, but she got fixed up before she went to preschool.  She cracks me up.  Dane below was all ready for some community service work - cleaning up the nature center.  He and daddy got a little wet, but they had a blast.

Dance Class

Maddie really enjoys dance class and her teacher, Miss Carol.  We are thinking about doing recital dance next year....we will see what Maddie wants to do!

Grammie's B-day

Happy Birthday Grammie!  We had fun celebrating at Flaptop Grill - yum yum!

It will be weird when we go places and people don't look at us like we have crazy children!!  With antics like this, it will take some time!

Star Student

Maddie LOVES star student time at school.  She would ask every preschool day, "Who is star student today?"  So, you can imagine how excited she was when it was her turn.  She wanted to dress up as Rapunzel and bring too many of her special stuffed friends.

Dane's 2nd Hair Cut

Daddy took on the role as the barber and gave Dane a long buzz cut.  It worked quite well! :)