Going to the Zoo

We got our membership to the zoo started up again since Madelyn is so into animals.
On Friday I took the kids out after Brendan got out of school. The weather was great-low 80's and we had lunch while we were there too.
Madelyn had so much fun with all the new and different animals and her favorite animal the squirrel's were there too and she pointed those out every time she saw one.
Here are the photos-(there are quite a few)
The otter's sleeping in the shade.Madelyn pointing out an animal.The tufted Deer.A black bear - he was a rescue bear, he used to be a model for a beer company before he got too big and then was sold to a private party who had him in a small cage for a number of years before he was rescued. The zoo got him from the organization that rescued him.The sleeping hippo.The kids checking out the zebra's.Madelyn looking at the kangaroo's, I was nervous she would go under the fence to join them.Brendan being a Prairie Dog.Brendan pushing Madelyn.Madelyn had so much fun she passed out.I had to wake Madelyn up after she napped for an hour so she could play on the playground too.Brendan all red in the face after over an hour of playing at the playground - good thing we brought two 24 oz water bottles (we even had to refill one of them!)Finally the kids walking up the parking ramp to get to the car. Madelyn does this with her hands when she wants to do things her self.

Camping with the Girls!

My women's club went camping last weekend at a spot that was close to home but far enough to feel like camping. The kids had a blast as there were other kids close for them to play with the whole time. On Saturday we went out the an Orchard were we got to pick our own apples and go on a tractor ride and everything. The sad part was when Maddie got stung by a bee after being there only 5 minutes. Her poor little hand swelled up and everything, she was a trouper though and had a good time. We also had cider and dough nuts as well.
Later in the day some non-camping juniors came out for family bingo and a pot luck dinner. The kids were good and Brendan won a game of bingo too! Brian cooked dinner (of course he did the work, we were camping) we had chicken pot pie and he made a peach cobbler that was the best I have ever had. Both nights us girls (& some guys) stayed up late talking around the camp fire, loud enough for the park ranger to come and talk to us both nights, he was nice and on Saturday night everyone was out it seemed.
We had a great time and I will be getting some more photos from one of my girl friends early next week. But here are the ones I have:
Our camp site.The girls helping to pick apples.The tractor we were riding behind.My 1/2 a bushel of apples.Maddie's swollen hand. Poor baby.

Potty Training

No I am not wanting to start to potty train Madelyn yet (winter involves too many layer of clothing here) but she is telling us she is ready.
So Brian got the potty chair done from storage and we cleaned it up. Madelyn couldn't wait to sit on it. In the past couple of weeks she has done just that, sit there. But I wasn't pushing it and I just had her sit on it everyday to get used to it.
Well today was the first time she used it. Who would have thought that using the potty would be such a big deal! She was so proud of herself too.
Here is a picture of her from last week.

I will up-date with camping photos from this past weekend tomorrow.

Grandma Mary's Visit

Grandma Mary came for a visit this past weekend.
On Saturday the boys went and did their own thing (went to Brendan's boy's house) while us girls went shopping at a couple stores in Berkley and then to Great Lakes Crossing. Brendan got some pants for his no-butt (Oshgosh had slims that fit really well & were on sale) and some grippy socks (his favorite kind of socks) & Madelyn got a couple of outfits as well. (Got to love Great Lakes Crossing stores-there is always a great sale going on).
Here are the pictures from Saturday:
Maddie eating one of I think 4 breakfastsBrendan with his new clothesMaddie's pile of clothesMadelyn modeling one of her new outfits. We love the tights-she got a couple different kinds.
On Sunday we hung out at home and spent lots of time playing with the kids. We went to the local park to show off Brendan & Madelyn's acting like crazy kids running around craziness & went back home where we had Chef Brian grill up some steaks. Also while Maddie was napping Brian made Brendan some really cool knifes.
Here are the two crazies at the park. Brian make two of this knife.Brian & Brendan playing with his new knife set.Of course Madelyn had to join in on the fun as well.
Monday was also a kind of shopping day. While Brendan was at school we went out to Micheal's and mommy got to get some stuff as well. We pick Brendan up from school and went to the local toy store to let him pick out his birthday presents. After we went to visit with old friends & eat lunch at Olga's and were going to go to Putt-Putt but we ate too much at lunch so going home and resting sounded much better. Plus Brendan really wanted to get into those new toys he got.
I have been into bird houses lately so I couldn't pass these up.Brendan with his birthday presents.And Grandma with her grandbabies.

Boots

These boots are made for walking...
I saw these boots at Target and I just couldn't say no.
Maddie just loves them. I have to take some better pictures but I couldn't wait to show them off.

Sunday

This past Sunday we went out to a State park so Brian could go squirrel hunting. Of course given that Brendan & Madelyn were with us we weren't the quietest things in the woods. But we had a great hike.
Here are some photos:
Brendan & Daddy walking into the woods together.Madelyn walking into the woods, we had Brendan's orange vest on her for a little while but it was a little big so I ended up carrying it the whole way.Brendan & Madelyn walking together in the woods. Aren't they cute?Brian posing with his kiddies for a picture. (Mommy never gets to be in these type of pictures)

Brendan also had a 5 o'clock soccer game on Sunday. Brendan got more goals in this game, I counted 4. He did great and had fun this game too.

Brendan's Birthday Party

On Saturday we had Brendan's Birthday Party. What a party it was. Brian smoked some chickens, I had some fresh fruit w/ a dip that was just the greatest, the weather could have been a hair warmer but with the fire place in the garage we were just fine, the kids had a blast playing with all the outside toys that we have and some even didn't want to leave.

Brendan got a ton of Transformer toys, some clothes, a castle for his playmobil toys & even a slurpee machine!
Here are some of the photos of his presents:
We had a Dragon pinita which all the kids loved hitting. Brendan ended up being the lucky one to knock it down and once he did started beating it even more. It is amazing how kids know what to do to a pinita and then all pile in to get some of the candy. Even Madelyn was in on the action!
Finally it was time for cake. Brendan had wanted a castle cake pan earlier in the summer and we have used it a couple of times but this time was the first time I had to put frosting on a Castle cake. It turned out pretty good I think, Brendan even helped frost it too. It did take him a couple of try's to get all those candles.

Can you believe that Brendan is now 5! Wow.

Brendan's Birthday Day

On the 13th Brendan turned the big 5!
To make the day special we went to the mall for the kids to play, had pizza for dinner and had a fire outside.
Here is Brendan with his birthday Ninja Pizza (thanks to the TMNT all pizza's are now Ninja Pizza).
Here is a funny Brendan story:
While we were outside after dinner Brendan went over to Sharon's house (which happens alot). Sharon has a special box of toys for Brendan in a spare bedroom, so if Sharon is busy Brendan just helps himself and plays. Well Sharon had thought that she hid Brendan's birthday present pretty good, well not so good it turns out. Brendan goes into the kitchen and tells Sharon that he found his present and thanks her and is all excited and wants it now. Given that it is his birthday we can't really say no so he gets it. He forgets all about the fire and goes inside and plays with his new toy - A huge Transformer that does transform (the directions are really hard-first time took over 20 minutes & now I can get it in under4) with 2 small Autobots as well.
Okay and since I forgot-Brendan also wanted to ride his ride-behind bike to the snow hill park but it was getting late so we rode around the long way to the park that is up the street. (the one he calls the red-green park)

Brendan's Birthday

This year is the first year that Brendan was able to take cupcakes in for his class (the last two years school started the week of his birthday & it is hard to talk to the teacher and ask for that week)
Brendan helped me make the cupcakes of course & he picked out the liners that they went in, Super-Man of course. (they didn't have transformers ones) Of course there were a couple extra which Brendan, Madelyn & daddy were willing to eat for me.
Here are Brendan's cupcakes.Here is Maddie being messy while eating them.
Also yesterday Brendan got two birthday packages.
His great-Aunt Leesa & Family sent some Cars underwear & lots of books. One of them even had a story about Pirates & Cowboys which Brendan is really excited to read about.
Also he got a package from Aunt Ashley & Family, he received a Leap Frog Spelling Bee game.

Zachary's 6th Birthday Party

This past Sunday we went out to Brian's brother's house for our nephew Zachary's 6th birthday party. Brendan and Zachary are only 1 year & 3 days apart in age and get along great when ever we get together. Today was no exception.
Zachary had a Transformer's party and Brendan was all excited about going. And of course we had to get Zachary a transformer for his birthday & 2 lego racer cars.
Madelyn also like going to the party as there were outside toys to play on and with.
Here is Zachary opening his present from us.And here is Zachary with his birthday cake.My sister-in-law Nancy always does a fantastic job with the boys birthday cakes.
After cake and ice cream Zachary & Brendan played with a couple of Zachary's new transformer toys together. On the way home Brendan just kept talking about getting to share his toys & his new toys with Zachary next weekend at his party.