Security? Security?

I don't know if other parents would agree but any time we are in a public place and my kids aren't strapped into a stroller, my heart tends to beat a little bit faster.  It's hoping they don't break anything, spill anything, or God forbid get lost.  The later being every parents worst fear and one I experienced last week at the Henry Ford Museum.

Wills is just like Usain Bolt in the background:)

Lauren was her usual curious self, but I think the other mom's were helping me keep her in line more so than their own children.  It seemed that every few minutes someone was yelling "Lauren, freeze" or "Lauren, too far."  And it wasn't terrible, just excitement because she was with her friends in a place she loves to visit.  But after lunch, we headed to the lego exhibit and all of sudden Lauren was gone.  Mind you, there are two other mom's and she just bolted.  I'm yelling for her and walking in a complete panic.  A security guard approaches me and asks me what she was wearing?  I'm trying to listen to him and explain the details of her ensemble while my head is spinning that I could not have just lost my daughter.

And then she was found by our friends.  Over before it even started.  I expected to see tears streaming down her face and thought there would be a big lesson learned on what it means to "stay by mommy."  Nope, sister didn't even know she was lost!

I walked away feeling embarrassed, relieved that nothing had happened and ready to head home where my heart rate to return to normal.

XOXO

Aubrey

Sun and Snow

We don't have many free days during the week with Lauren being in school and I have been missing scheduled play dates where we take the kids somewhere special or even spend the morning at a friend's which is equally special because someone else's toys are always way more fun than ours.

We got to enjoy the perfect mix of sun and snow before our spring like temperatures hit this weekend.  

Our friends live right next to a hill that is the perfect size for all our little ones...so I thought:)

The hill wasn't at all steep but what I didn't know was that the sleds had some serious speed to them.  Each parent took turns waiting at the bottom to make sure to stop the kids so they didn't crash into any trees.  I thought sticking a boot out would have been suffice until the sled got under my boot.  Not only did the sled take me down but I  somersaulted over the kids and landed on my back with a mouth full of snow and one painfully popped jaw.

Look, the camera caught how fast they were going...

Don't worry, aside from a few tears the kids were fine and after a few chiropractic adjustments, so am I.

It looks like winter will be returning tomorrow and judging by all the smiles I captured I think there will be more sledding in our future!

XOXO

Aubrey

Dad's Day Off

Billy decided to take a much needed and deserved Friday off last week and we enjoyed the morning to ourselves (ie - extra sleep after a late night out) with the kids in school but spent the afternoon at The Henry Ford Museum (visted here) with our neighbors.

I think Billy and William had the most fun and I loved watching them together.  It's amazing how boys will be boys.  He was sooo into this train, and probably could have just watched it go around and around the entire time we were there.

 I zoom right past, but these two just stop and study...must be a boy thing.

They would hardly stop and let me take a picture, best I got.

There is a lego exhibit going on now.  There were crazy lego skyscrapers on display but these kids didn't even notice and were onto the area where they could build their own.

I promise she's smiling:)

We did manage these...fun day!

Thanks for taking the day off.  I know at times it doesn't always feel like a vacation, but I certainly do appreciate the extra help and break for our normal routine!  

XOXO

Aubrey

Detroit Kid City

I noticed this building several times when I would drive by going to the gym, but hadn't heard anything about it.  I finally looked up Detroit Kid City and knew we had to check this place out!  It is a "play" city complete with a market, restaurant, bank, school house, and more!  The kids can just run from shop to shop and let their imaginations run wild.  They also do a craft everyday and there is story time at 11:30am.  

We went last week and have since been back three more times.  The location is so convenient for us and perfect now that the weather is getting cold or on a rainy day.  Yesterday, we just dropped in pre-dinner to burn off some post nap energy.

It is a bit expensive at $10/child (adults and under 12 months are free), but they are running a special right now.  Buy one month ($100), get one month free!  I thought it was a great deal for us.

I'll just let the pictures do the rest:)  

 Lauren loved being the mail carrier.  There are letters with numbers on them that coordinate to different mailboxes all over the city.

So Long Summer

Even though we have another week before school starts, alarms are being set and routines have started.  So, we made the most of the last unofficial week of summer.

Florida Friends

Beth and the kids were visiting for almost two weeks, but our schedules didn't mesh as well as we both would have liked (we both stood up in weddings a week apart).  As usual, her family was kind enough to let us crash a lunch and pool playdate.

 I love this little picnic table for the kids!

Her sister has a community pool and Lauren loved playing with Christopher and getting some personal swim lessons from older cousin, Meghan.

Playing Hooky

Meghan (not the little blonde above) took the day off work to hang with us.  Yes, Billy asked the same thing...is she suffering from some sort of head injury?  Nope, she 100% wanted a break from the 9 to 5 crazy to join our crazy.  

We lounged by the pool, had a picnic lunch, and while juggling Lauren and William, we still got to catch up.  My girl time is a nice break from the kids, but it was so thoughtful of Meghan to take the time to spend it with me and my two loves.

Roll Tide

I feel I should preface this by saying that even though we were dressed in red, the majority of us wanted Michigan to win on Saturday.  But only for personal gain, a win against Alabama would be good for the big ten, but more importantly it would have made our future win over Michigan look even better for MSU.  I digress.

Roll Tide has been an ongoing joke with my family so it seemed fitting to have them over to watch the Alabama vs. UofM game and wear crimson.

 We were feeling a little over chips, salsa, and guacomole...yummy antipasto was perfect!

Let's put another game night dinner on the calendar soon!

I've got one more post about summer.  I came really close to completing my bucket list, and I've got a few posts for some home projects we finally got around to tackling this past weekend!

XOXO

Aubrey

Buckets of Fun

Did you make a summer bucket list?  Mine is done!  

We had some friends over today for a little fun in the sun and got to check one item off the list.

I'd been wanting to have a summer playdate for awhile.  Set up all the water toys, bubbles and serve lunch.  I made these two new recipes which were delish and a hit with the mommies.

Greek Hummus Dip

via

Dream Bars

 via

Even this little party was more work than I thought, but totally worth it.  Lauren was so excited when she woke up to see the entire backyard set up and special snacks made.

I don't have a picture, but made a summer snack mix for the party too.  The kids ate it up, but I'm now stuck with a box of Trix.  Both Lauren and William picked "the beach balls" out.  

 Here's my list!

Nothing too crazy, just a few things.

Making real lemonade and going to the drive in are being carried over from years past, but I can now check off the lemonade:)

Lauren's Lemonade

*1 1/2 cups sugar

*1 1/2 cups fresh squeezed lemons (6-8 lemons)

*8 cups water

Mix sugar and 1 cup of water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil, stir continuously, until sugar dissolves.  Cool completely and add syrup mixture to a pitcher of the lemon juice and then add remaining water.  Refrigerate and serve.

Super easy and a new summer staple.  Maybe someone's signature drink:)

XOXO

Aubrey

Summer Lovin'

We've been going on vacation around Memorial Day the last few years and it always ignites this need to make this summer the best one.  I don't know if it's because summer is short and winter is long or having kids, but I never want it pass me by.  

We started strong this week.  We bought a zoo.  Membership, that is:)  Sadly, we never made it there once last summer (using new baby excuse) but plan on visiting a bunch this year.

It's five minutes from our house.  And dad has a pass too, so he can take the kiddies without me.  Bonus!

Never the less, I'm making a summer bucket list.  Wanna join in?

I've done it before and even carrying a few things over from years past.

We get busy.  And between vacations, summer camps, and swim lessons, I want to make sure I do a few things for me and for us.  I'm not just someone who picks up the kids and takes them strawberry picking because it popped into my head.  We'll go, but I will have researched it online and had it on the calendar for a week.  Not all the time, today I  surprised myself.  We took a long walk and stopped so Lauren could "climb trees," then dragged out all the water toys and had a backyard picnic lunch.  A+ for this mom!

I can get sidetracked with an open calendar.  Lost in my everyday responsibilities.  And while I'm rarely spontaneous, I'm gonna make it look like I am to my mini-me planner in training.  I'm finishing the list and will post next week.  

I'd LOVE to hear some things you want to do this summer.  Do share!

Trip photos?  They're coming.  We swapped memory cards and I just now have them all.  All 692!  Yeah, um, yeah.




XOXO


Aubrey

Lets Make a Gingerbread House!

Lauren's friend, Camille invited the play group over last week to make a mini gingerbread house.  Everyone was asked to bring different candy and our host supplied the houses.

Upon arriving, Lauren's eyes saw the table-o-candy and I knew "don't mind if I do" was coming next.  There were a few swipes of M&M's here and there, and if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

The newly minted three year olds enjoyed painting and decorating their houses.

Making a gingerbread house was part of The 25 days of Christmas.  We are having fun with our list and I know Lauren is enjoying each day's activity.  Last night we drove around and looked at Christmas lights...the crazier the better for kids!

Thanks to Camille, Kelly and Drew for hosting!  What a fun idea and hope we can do it next year.

Lauren really wanted to showcase her house!

 XOXO


Aubrey