Summer is here.....or is it?

So the summer weather hasn't really made an appearance around here at all since I have been done with school. It has been unseasonably cool and I can't even explain how much it has rained. This week is hoping to be the warmest it's been all summer. Please keep your fingers crossed as we need the sun!

Sophia and I have been keeping ourselves busy with indoor activities like: Barbies, Ponies, lots of art projects, and going to the library each week for books.

She had her first treat from the ice cream man this week which also makes it feel much more like summer then anything else. Of course she picked Scooby Doo. I was hoping it would be chocolate, but not my choice I guess.


This weekend we got the museum pass to go to the MN Zoo for a fraction of what it would normally cost. We saved about $40 by using the pass. Gotta love saving money! The day was cloudy and cool, but got sunny in the end. We had a wonderful time checking out all of the animals and having a picnic lunch. Next week, they will open a new penguin exhibit. We are planning to take a trip back to see it when it opens.

Sophia checking out the grizzly bear


Taking care of the baby goat

Say it isn't so

Well, I was hoping that it was just rain that was glistening on the seat of my car because I forgot to close my car window during the rain last week on Wednesday, but I knew that was awfully weird.

After teaching my class at the Y, I approached my car in the parking lot only to find the driver's side rear window completely smashed out and my purse and all of the contents inside of it gone.

I went into super action stealth mode by bringing Sophia back in to Kidstuff and calling the police. I immediately began calling the one and only credit card company I knew the number for by heart. How could someone do this? What is wrong with people.

The police responded awfully slow considering they are a stones throw away from the front doors at the Y. I get it, I'm not a dire emergency, but come on.

The officer said the person was probably watching me in the parking lot and I next time should be "smarter" about hiding my purse under my seat in the back.

I finally got a hold of Hal and we slowly made our way home. Sophia sat in the back and I made her wear her sunglasses and turn her head away, just in case any glass shards came flying back at her.

Once home the chaos of remembering what was in my purse and calling began. It only took less than an hour for that person or people to ruin my first week of summer and spend WAY too much of our hard earned money.

Luckily, nobody was hurt. That is what I have to keep coming back to. For now, I am getting more exercise than my body has bargained for by pulling the wagon everywhere with Sophia. Things seem quite different. I kind of feel like I am 16 again. No car, no money, no access to several things. It is amazing that you take going to the grocery store for granted. Yep, can't do that either. I told Hal that they probably wouldn't let me write a check upon showing them I have no proof of id.

Now that things are starting to get back in order, I am really considering not carrying a purse at all. Too bad, that being a mom doesn't allow for this luxury. That purse was like a treasure chest of Goldfish, coloring stencils, and little trinkets for my tiny tot.

Well, if being a mom means that I am increasing my chances for someone to again snatch my purse......then so be it. I wouldn't change that for anything in the world.

The end of the year shows

Sophia's dance and gymnastics both had their end of the year shows in the last two weeks. She did a fantastic job. We are so very proud at how hard she has worked over the course of the year in both of these classes.

She will continue taking gymnastics over the summer, but take a break from dance. Here are some photos from her programs.

Sophia with her dance teacher Miss Shelley

Post-recital photo with mommy and daddy

Sophia with her coach Miss Kristy

Memorial Day Weekend

Despite the yucky weather this weekend, we have truly enjoyed this holiday. Friday night, we had family movie night due to the rain. We were supposed to be attending our neighborhood movie night, but it was cancelled.

Saturday, I got up and finished my last long run. Then we spent the rest of the day outside. Around 4 our friends the Barretts came over for a bbq. Sophia just adored playing with Bryce. Bryce loved all of the toys. It was so nice to spend time with my best friend and have our families together.


The kids had a great time playing in Sophia's new tunnel tent that she got from her birthday. Sophia would crawl through and then Bryce would follow.


After a ton of fun, it was time for the Barretts to head home. Sophia went up to bed and then we started playing Yahtzee. We knew Sophia wasn't very tired, so we decided to get her up and let her stay up late. She helped roll the dice for Yahtzee.

Then we went out to a bonfire with our neighbors. Hathaway and Delaney played so nicely with Sophia.

Yesterday we spent the day running errands. Then Sophia went to her Papa and Nanas. Hal mowed the lawn and I went on a run. I also got my flower planted. Then it was date night. We went out for Mexican and came home to watch the movie Country Strong. After that it was off to bed.

Today we are headed out to the MOA for some more adventures. After the mall we are going over to my parents for dinner.

Only a couple more days left of school. I can hardly wait!

Four Year Pictures

So I took Sophia on a mini-photo session this week. I am not quite satisfied with the pictures, but wanted to share two of them that I like so far. Another session this weekend! Hopefully I will like these pictures much better.

Four already??!!

Dear Sophia,
I can hardly believe that you are four years old today. You are growing and changing each and every day. I take my eyes off of you for just a second and you are already doing something new.

You have truly shown me that being a mother and a parent is the most amazing job anyone can have. I love the way you snuggle with me and hold your blankey close to my face. I love the way you giggle when we tickle you. Your smile and laughter can light up a room.

Some day I think you might be a doctor. You are incredibly caring and are so genuinely concerned when people or animals get hurt. I want you to reach for whatever dream you have and don't stop until you get there.

I love you very much and am looking forward to watching you grow into a beautiful young woman. Thank you for giving me the most special gift possible.

Love, Mommy

Sophia's Ariel Party

This past weekend we celebrated Sophia's Fourth Birthday with an Ariel themed party. The weather was not so wonderful, so it was great that the party was inside. Perfect weather for a movie!!

The kids arrived and we did a small craft with pipe cleaners. Sophia is easily entertained with a pack of these for hours, so I knew that they would be a big hit.

Sophia showing her friend Ryan her pipecleaner spider

After the arts and crafts project, the kids headed down to the movie theater to watch "The Little Mermaid". The kids adored having the popcorn while watching the movie.


They finished up the movie and then went back upstairs to the party room for lunch. Lunch was a big hit too. Sophia's favorite: uncrustables, carrots with ranch dip, and juice boxes. Everyone ate a great lunch and then it was time for presents.

She got so many lovely things. What a lucky little girl. This picture I could not resist posting for the pure happiness that is showing on her face:

Her very own Ariel and Prince Eric dolls

I made at her request an Ariel cake and I am pretty excited at how it turned out. I just loved the whole cake table!


She had such a fun birthday party and it was over in a whirl wind of only a few hours. After the party we went home to relax and have family movie night with pizza. I can hardly believe that in a few short days we will have a four year old. Time flies by so quickly!