Girls Day Out

Each year, I like to attend a few field trips with Austen and Peyton for school.  We'll venture out to the activity of the day and then come home and do something special, just us.  This has been a tradition since Austen was about Peyton's age. I call it our special day.  

Now, that Peyton is old enough I figured it was time for her to partake in the special day activities.  In the morning, we went with her class to see a play put on by a local college - The Three Little Pigs (and the big, bad wolf - as Peyton would say).  Boy, was I glad I went. I didn't realize how scary turning the lights off in the theater and pigs being chased up and down the aisles by the big bad wolf would be for little kids.  There was some crying (not from Peyton) but she did announce rather loudly that she wanted to go home.  I just kept reassuring her and she was fine for the rest of the play so I was relieved that I had chosen this field trip to go on.

After the field trip, we headed to the new McDonald's in our neighborhood (the kids call it Old McDonald and watched every day as it got built since it is right by their school).  Peyton loved her Happy Meal and I told her not to tell Austen we went there because he would be very upset (and he was when he found out!).  Once we got home, Peyton napped...much to my surprise because lately she has been refusing to sleep in the afternoon instead sitting in her bed wide awake at nap time.  After nap, we went to get some frozen yogurt.  Peyton declared she wanted pink so I put some frozen pink lemonade yogurt in her cup (it was self serve) and then she said she wanted chocolate. I accommodated her request only for her to taste it and say this is yucky! Then she made me switch yogurts with her! Girls!

After yogurt, we headed to the bookstore where she got to pick out some books for herself.  She chose two Pinkalicious books and a Barbie book (we couldn't find Black Beauty which is what she really wanted). Then she helped pick out two books for Austen.

After that, we went to pick up Austen at school who promptly cried that Peyton had three books and he only had two and that I took her to Old McDonald's and he had to go somewhere else for lunch on his special day. Sigh. Do oldest children always have to have the best of everything?! Nonetheless, Peyton and I had a great day and I look forward to more girl time with her as she grows older. 

Our City Garden

When I was a little girl, I remember my grandmother had this enormous garden or so it seemed enormous when I was younger. I remember walking through the dirt aisles and admiring the tomatoes and cucumbers and all the herbs.  But, I was never really interested in growing one myself or having one as part of our yard (when we get one).

I think I changed my mind.  We probably have one more year in the city before a big move to the suburbs but that didn't stop Tom from planting a little garden for the kids to take care of and enjoy.  They planted tomatoes, cilantro, cucumbers and peppers.

Each day Austen is so proud to remember to water the plants in the garden. Initially it was just him and Tom that would trek to the back deck and fill up an old soda bottle (we'll need to get a proper watering can when we have a real yard!) to feed the garden.  But Peyton has taken an interest too and Austen has been coaching her on the proper way to water the plants.

The fruits of their labor have paid off as they were so excited to announce that a pepper and tomato have been growing in their garden.

Austen's Big Dilemma

The other day we are riding home from school in the car and like every day, I ask the kids what they did that day.  Austen responds with "Mommy, I have a big problem."  So I ask what his big problem is.  He responds, "I have three girlfriends and I need to pick one to marry."  He is so serious when he is talking to me that it's all I can do to keep from laughing.  I said, why do you need to pick one, why can't they all be your girlfriends?  He said, they are all saying 'pick me, pick me!'  And, he said if he doesn't pick one they will all be sad. I told him that he is not getting married until he's 30 anyway so he has a long time and he'll probably marry someone else anyway.  He seemed satisfied by this until about an hour later when he informs he's marrying someone totally different in his class. I'm sure all the girls will be happy about that.

I told Austen that the girls like him because he's cute, nice and smart.

"And, I have good hair," he adds.

Ah, the life of a five year old with big problems.

Summer Staycation

The kids had the week off from school this week and since we just came back from the Outer Banks about a month ago and I am on lock down at work, the kids enjoyed a nice summer staycation!

Last weekend started off with baseball for Austen.  Dare I say how embarrassing it is because he's in a 3-5 league and totally dominating.  After that it was off to Grandma Lou's for Uncle Mickey's birthday party.  The kids played in the pool, the inflatable jump house and practiced baseball in her backyard for hours.  Sunday, we got rained out at the beach but had a nice day in Michigan nonetheless.

Monday it was back to Grandma Lou's house for an overnight where they swam in a neighbor's pool and went to see a movie since the heat was squelching - 100s!

Wednesday it was fourth of July and we started early.  Parade at 10 am followed by a bbque and then the fireworks.  It was a long day and the heat continued so it was sweltering!

Thursday, Tom took the day off and the kids met me for lunch at Ed Debevics. This is a famous Chicago restaurant where it's okay for the waiters to be rude to you.  It was fun to watch Austen's reaction to the waiter throwing straws at us and calling Austen and Peyton babies! I think he was shocked at first but then got into it wanting to call the waiter a big baby with red pants!

Friday, Austen and Peyton spent the day with Grandma Szurgot and tried to beat the heat by running through her sprinkler.

I think they had a pretty busy week of activities and I'm sure they'll be ready to head back to school on Monday.