Summer birthday parties

July was a big birthday month for our friends. We would have had three parties to attend but our friend Louis got sick the week of his party and had to cancel. Poor guy!

One of the parties was for our friend Millie who turned 3. It was a Chuck-E-Cheese party. While these aren't my favorite type of parties to attend, the kids always seem to have a good time and that's what matters. Jane has randomly been bringing up Chuck-E-Cheese and how she wants to go back. We usually try to change the subject. And avoid mentioning 'Chuck-E' at all costs. 

Jane and I were in the bathroom and missed out on this photo but I thought it was pretty cute. 

At the previous party we attended here I was teamed up with Jane so this time I was with Anna. It was nice having the one on one time with her. I tend to get more of those moments with Jane. 

Our second party was for our friend Ruby who turned 4. The party was at their house and we spent the afternoon watching the kids play in the pool, attempt to destroy a pinata, and threw around some water balloons. 

Anna actually was the first to break something on it when she managed to smash a leg. 

We'd already changed the girls out of their swimsuits thinking everyone was done (the water was a little cold and then there was dinner, cake, etc). After the water balloon fight all the kids somehow ended up back in the pool...fully clothed!

They had a blast in there and were sad when we had to get them out. Luckily we had a second set of clothes. It was a fun party and we're so happy to have such great friends in our lives. 

Summer Fun with Friends

Our summer was filled with many fun activities and we were able to share many of them with some of our amazing friends: Amanda, Ethan, and Eric. 

One of our activities included trying out a Kid's Gardening Class and Story time at Park Place in Leawood. We arrived a little early and had time for the kids to play outside. Luckily the class was inside because it was a rainy morning!

The activity that day was making wind chimes and Anna and Jane loved it. 

It was a challenge getting a photo of all the kids with their creations but I love this one because of the way Eric is looking at Jane. It makes me so happy that these kids love each other so much. 

Another one of our adventures included checking out the brand new Kidscape at the new Johnson County History Museum. We loved it in the past but it was closed all last school year while they moved to a new location. 

Ethan and Anna putting on a show for us!

I ended up getting a membership since going once was over 1/4 the membership price. We've been back once already and the girls love it. I know we'll be back several times in the winter when the weather is not so great so I think it will be worth it. 

Fun with the chicken eggs.

After awhile the children's museum got a little busy so we drove to a nearby park and had a picnic lunch and played. This picture cracks me up because neither Eric or Jane look happy at all. I swear they were having fun. 

A slightly happier picture of Jane. It was just so hot out!

On another day we met up with our friends at I-Lan Park in Leawood. It's a little bit more of a drive for us than usual so it is one that we don't go to very often. It has a great playground (with bathrooms!) and a nice path for walks. It was kind of muddy this particular day but we had so much fun. 

Checking out the "forest" 

Jane found a bug or something and they had to stop and check it out. Eric was cracking me up squatting down to look like the girls but very far away so he couldn't even see anything. 

On yet another adventure we went to kaleidoscope for the first time. I've been wanting to take the girls for a long time but we'd just never gotten around to it. 

It's great that it is a free activity and the girls loved every second of it. The sessions are only 40 minutes and with younger kiddos it was a little bit stressful. Both Anna and Jane needed help with a lot of things and I had to keep them both in the same area. It would be easier with Kevin there. They have an awesome black light area that we didn't go into until the very end. Both girls want to go back so badly and I promised we'd go to that room first next time. 

After our session we grabbed an early lunch at Fritz's. We were probably the second group there but  by the time we left the place was packed and there was a line. Going early was a great decision. We were sat right next to the train display and we had a great time. 

Goofball!

After lunch we wandered around a little bit and managed to get a cute photo of all the kids in front of the Lego statues. 

We then wandered outside to enjoy a treat and watch the fountains. 

Another fun morning was spent meeting up with even more friends for a play date and picnic at Black Bob Park. We hadn't seen our friends Claudia in David in several months and it was fun to catch up. 

Whenever we're stumped for what to do we make our way to the library. Here is Anna putting on a puppet show for everyone. 

Every month the library puts on a special "Fish tales" story time at Stagecoach Park. It was a beautiful morning so we went to that and stayed after to play. 

Anna and Eric enjoying a nice stroll. 

On another nice day we met up at Brougham Park to spend the morning. 

This was the first time that Jane was really into climbing the leaves at this park and she was so proud of herself for climbing so high by herself. (she even went higher than this on the next "branch" over)

It was a fantastic summer and we created so many wonderful memories. 

Lego Land

Back in June Anna went to Lego Land with Sparkly Grandma and Grandpa and had been talking about it all the time since then. She kept telling us that she wanted to take us because she knew all about it and she could show us around. We had a free Saturday and we decided we'd surprise the girls and go. If only we'd been recording the moment when we told the girls. Anna was so happy that she started to cry. It was awesome. 

Being Saturday it was incredibly busy and it was a bit overwhelming at times but the girls had so much fun. 

Anna's favorite thing to show us was the 4D movies they had playing. They were short films, maybe 10-15 minutes each and we watched a couple of them. A definite hit!

One of Kevin's favorite parts was the giant lego blocks. Both Anna and Jane took a turn having a tower built around them. 

It was a fun day and Anna wants to go back. Kevin and I want to wait a while before re-visiting and it will be on a weekday. We're happy we went though and we made some great memories. 

Making a Splash!

I love having my phone to take pictures of things I'd otherwise miss but it sure makes staying organized in the photo department more difficult. Here are some.

This summer I kept Jane enrolled in Activity School but I decided not to enroll Anna. She was going to miss a few because of other activities and I wanted to have an opportunity for one on one time with her. I did send her a few times as a walk-in when I needed to get some things done but I'm happy we had some Mommy-Anna time. 

She found something she wanted...I told her we'd put it on her Christmas list of ideas (pretty sure she's completely forgotten about it already)

We did various things on our mornings from playdates with friends, Target dates, breakfast and the library, and even a museum event once. I sure love this little lady. 

One of my summer goals was to make it to the splash park and we went twice. The closest one is a little further than our normal activities but I'm so glad we went. We met some friends there each time and it was a blast. 

Some of the features spray is a little aggressive so I let Anna wear her goggles. 

We went once during Sonic Happy Hour and had to stop since it was so close to the park...

I brought bowls, cups, and paint brushes. This kept the girls happy for a long time. 

On our second visit we checked out even more of the park outside the spray area. 

I had to beg to get Anna to take a selfie with me. 

Jane was slightly more cooperative. 

We also cooled off a few times with the sprinkler at our house. Anna was afraid to jump over it (and would walk over slowly while looking down leading to water spraying directly into her face). We eventually got her to not look down and run over. We're still working on Jane. 

We sure love these cuties!

4th of July

I took a TON of pictures on the 4th of July. Mostly of the girls because in my completely unbiased opinion they are absolutely adorable. 

We drove into Topeka on the 3rd and started our holiday a little bit early. In the morning on the 4th we walked to the lake with the doggies.

 Anna has been working on riding her tricycle more (and even the bicycle w/training wheels) so we brought them in with us. Jane is still working on steering so she ended up walking most of the time and Kevin got to carry her trike.

It was a little humid but with the rain early on it wasn't as hot as it often is that time of  year. 

Whenever we walk by this area we have to stop to check out the bunny statues. 

See what I mean? Absolutely adorable 😊

We cut through the grass on the way back so Kevin had the privilege of carrying two tricycles. Not sure what Kevin and his Dad were laughing about but they sure do find it hilarious. 

Dressing up to check out Go 4th activities on the other side of the lake. 

So Fab!

 The hats garnered quite a bit of attention and I overheard numerous complimentary comments (basically about how absolutely adorable they were 😉)

When Kevin would throw the girls up as high as he could I heard gasps of concern. 

 We attempted a photo of me with Anna and Jane but in most of them Anna was frowning. 

I 💗 this photo. 

In the past there has been a big shindig at the Kent's house but the last couple years we've kept it pretty low key. It was fun watching all the little girls play and having a chance to do some fireworks. 

Smoke Bombs pretty much never get old. 

Popsicle break!

Jane was particularly photogenic that afternoon so I couldn't help but to take a ton of pictures. 

When we broke out the sparklers we were very clear about how careful everyone needed to be. All three girls were extremely cautious. 

They loved them though!

Kevin loved them too. 

Basketball time!

I tried to take a few selfies with Anna and Jane but they were not that interested. 

I managed one goofy face. 

As it began to get dark Kevin and Thomas lit some of the bigger fireworks they bought before the big show started. 

They weren't loving the loud sounds so I pulled out their headphones to help a little bit with the loud booms. It worked great and both Anna and Jane stayed outside during the show for the first time. While I loved sitting inside with Jane last year and Anna a couple years ago I much prefer being outside. They loved the show and wanted more.

 It was a wonderful, relaxing Fourth of July with many wonderful memories made.