Happy birthday, Grandma!

We had a great day celebrating Grandma Fure's birthday at Valleyfair!  Apparently, grandparents like to spoil people on their birthdays.  Because that's what happened.  The kids spent all day in Snoopy Land or whatever it's called and got their faces painted, and Matt and I had some serious roller coaster riding time.  We hadn't been to Valleyfair in years, and it was a great day!  Happy birthday, Grandma!  We love you!

I got to meet Sally, my favorite Peanuts character.  

Matt went on a couple of rides without me since my stomach had reached its limit.  I felt proud of myself for trying the Xtreme Swing though.  

Ava's 5th birthday fairy party invitation

If you read this, you're invited!  (Just let me know ahead of time!)  I guess it's happening for real now - only 12 sleeps!  

Can't believe my girl will be 5!

Independence Day

Happy birthday, America!  I love Fairmont on the Fourth!  Although we were so tired from Friday, we didn't have the energy to celebrate properly Saturday.  We spent the afternoon at Heritage Acres hearing the music, touring the buildings, talking to people we ran into that we knew.  We had popcorn and a root beer float from the old fashioned store, and the kids tried to polka dance. Normally, we love to hear the music in the park and fireworks by the lake, but were so tired after our busy days that we didn't make it this year.  We were excited to find out that we can see the fireworks from our driveway.  Awesome!  And with it being Saturday night, we had our church picnic Sunday which was also fun.  But three days of celebrating will wear anyone out.  Or maybe I'm just old.  Today was nice relaxing. The kids played, and I worked on some house projects.  Coming soon!

Root beer floats!

Polka!

Blurry but I love the old schoolhouse!

Fireworks from our driveway

Ava is afraid of the noise and watched from the window until she gave up, and we found her like this when we came in.  The end of a long two days. 

Okoboji

We had a great day off at Lake Okoboji.  We walked and walked, shopped, and even took a boat ride.  I love boats and seeing all of the beautiful houses and feeling the breeze.  It was wonderful.  We scored a couple of fun things at the flea markets that you will be seeing in future posts!  Stay tuned!

More kid stuff

Jack has had tennis camp for one week and has one week off and then another tennis week next week.  It's kind of nice to have this week off since we were so busy last week.  But here's some more shots of him in action.  

Ava was invited to her friend Hannah's birthday tea party last week.  The girls wore fun dresses, had heart-shaped sandwiches and lemonade with a real tea set, decorated cupcakes, and drum roll... pony rides!!  I would have so loved that as a kid!  I loved it as a mom!  So fun. 

Ava, Hannah, and Sophie

Ava's friend Kinley and Cami in the background. 

Ava with the birthday girl

Happy girls!

What the kids are up to...

When we talked about the kids having their own rooms again, Ava said she would like it if she could have a pwincess bed.  I didn't know what that meant, but apparently she had seen a canopy at IKEA and wanted it to make her bed a princess bed.   So happy early birthday to Ava!  She also found a stuffed dog that looks like Jock a little, and Matt said that's his favorite kind of pet.  

Jack is officially a 3rd grader!  He got all A's and a couple of B's, and we are proud of him.  He also got a letter from his teacher with stickers that made him so happy.  

Jack started tennis this week and so far loves it.  He really loves anything he's a part of, and I hope he never loses that enthusiasm and confidence.  He has loved every sport he has tried and I'm glad he likes trying different ones. Matt enjoys tennis too, so it could be something they can do together.  I pretty much just enjoy it if the ball is hit to me.  Ha!  And then it feels like time to go get ice cream or something.  But anyway it was fun to watch Jack having fun.