Dear God

Aidan has had a lot of questions and comments about God lately.  He attended Sunday School last year, and we go to church (almost) every Sunday...not that he pays much attention, but he's picked up bits and pieces. Here are some examples:

While out on a walk in the neighborhood, we passed a tree stump that had been carved into some sort of sculpture.  I didn't even notice it, but Aidan was startled and said, "Mom, STOP! They've got JESUS(!) in their yard!!"  I had no idea what he was talking about and he started to get really upset with me that I couldn't see Jesus.  I finally understood that he thought the tree stump looked like Jesus. (I still don't see it.)

On a visit to our neighborhood playground, we found a lacrosse ball. (hard, white, rubber ball for those of you who have never seen one...like me, before we found it).  I told Aidan what it was and that we could bring it home.  As we were walking, he looks up and me and asks, "Did God drop this from the sky when he was dying?"  Um, what?  Instead of laughing, which I kind of wanted to do, I asked him what he meant.  "Well, Jesus died on the cross, and this is a "the cross" ball, so is it God's?"  After a discussion about LAcrosse and THE cross, he now understands that God did not magically drop it out of the sky. : )

Road Trip

The kids and I made our annual trek down to IL last week.  We helped Reese celebrate her 2nd birthday, visited the merry-go-round, ate some yummy ice cream, did lots of swimming, atv, and tractor riding, and had a good time playing from the time we woke up until it was time to go to bed.  I bet Nana and Poppa are STILL recovering. : )

Perhaps the only time Aidan lounged the entire trip.  He is constantly on the go.

Again.  Again.  Again.  She loved the merry-go-round

She can ride it by herself!

Off for a ride.  See you later.

Aidan l.o.v.e.d. the slip n' slide

So did Aubrey.

Inspectors

Happy Birthday, Reese!

Surprisingly,  this did not end in tears.

ELMO! (and a very pregnant Kali)

Cheese!  (literally, since it is hanging out of her mouth)

Double Trouble

Cousins!

The Dirt

I'm going out on a limb here, but I think this has been the dirtiest summer I've ever experienced. And no, I'm not talking 50 Shades of Grey dirty.   I swear, I clean up from breakfast only to find a trail of crumbs or dirty hand prints down the hallway.  I get those cleaned up, and then someone has tracked dirt in from outside that needs to be swept up or they've thrown an entire toy box full of toys around the living room.  The only way I can keep this house clean is to not be here!  I make sure we leave the house for at least an hour, if not more, each day just so I know that the house will be clean when we get home.  Then it starts all over again.

The icing on the cake came late yesterday afternoon while I was mowing the lawn.  I had just finished up when Aidan and Aubrey came outside. (they were in the house with Kyle)  No one said anything, they just had that LOOK on their faces.  That, "Is she gonna yell at us?"  look.  You know what I mean.  Then I noticed pink fingernail polish.  Everywhere.  Aidan apparently decided that Aubrey's toenails needed to be painted hot pink...all they way up to the first knuckle on all of her toes.  I just about lost it.  Thank goodness they had the sense to take the polish out onto the back deck, because the bottle somehow got dumped out all.over.the.place.  Minus a few drips down in the cracks of the deck, there isn't much hot pink left on the deck.  What got tracked inside came up with fingernail polish remover. (which did not remove the sealant on the hardwood floors, thank goodness)  Aubrey was silent through the whole cleaning process.  I think she felt proper shame.  Aidan, on the other hand, jabbered constantly.  I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on that one...he's in one of those phases where he's doing everything he's not supposed to, just to see what will happen. 

Aubrey asked me when the cleaning people were coming to our house.  I replied that "I  am the cleaning people."  I guess she thinks we need maid.  I couldn't agree more.

Steppin' Out

Outside of the box, that is.  The same 'ol boring menu box.  I challenged myself to make a new recipe for dinner every night last week.  They were all successful; and I judge that by whether or not my kids will attempt to eat most of their dinner without being threatened.  Thank you Iowa Girl Eats, you inspired me.  Last week turned out to be Thai flavored, while this week was a little more Southwestern.  Semi-planned that way, because how else are you going to use up a bunch of black beans, salsa, guacamole, green onions, or cilantro???  Here's what I've made so far:

*If I got the recipe online, I've linked it to the site*

Thai Fried Quinoa
Farfalle with Kale and Bacon
Turkey, Ham, and Apricot Panini
Thai Tofu Pizza  (I used chicken, ssshhh!)
Chicken Burritos with Cilantro-Lime Rice
Southwestern Turkey Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries
BLT's with avocado spread instead of mayo
Pork Tenderloin in a soy/ginger marinade

I've also been trying to bring back the simple summer pleasures that I remember from growing up.  This week the kids and I made strawberry Jello.  "It wiggles in my mouth!" according to Aidan.  They devoured a 9x13 pan in two days.  Other snacks include freeze pops, ginger cookies, and banana ice cream.  Seriously, you have to try this.  SO easy.  Peel and slice up a banana or two.  Freeze the slices for an hour or more.  After nap I take them out, pop them into the food processor, and voila!, creamy banana ice cream.  That's all there is to it.  Just bananas!  We also experimented by adding some peanut butter and cocoa powder.  Also delicious.

We're going to the lake with some friends on the 4th of July, and I'm trying to decide what easy, kid friendly recipe to make.  I was thinking of these Brownie Fruit Kebabs....yummy, right?    

Summer Excursions

Week 1 of summer vacation is complete.  We visited the YMCA, library, splash park, and the MN Zoo.  Busy and enjoyable.  Well, as enjoyable as could be with a 2-year old and a 4-year old.  The adjustment of not going to daycare seemed like Armageddon some days.  We survived.  Aidan is much better this week, Aubrey is a typical 2-year old.

We also enjoyed spending some quality time with my friend Annie and her family. It blows my mind when I think about how long I've known Annie. We met in preschool when we were 4 years old. That's Aidan's age! Annie and Brian also have two kids, Avery (2 1/2) and Quinn (8mos.). Aidan LOVED playing with Avery. He was so sad that they couldn't have another playdate soon. Maybe when we go visit Nana and Poppa in July...

Here are some shots of the fun we had during our first week of summer.

Giving Avery a tractor ride

Two little chickens

Going for a tic-tac-toe, but Aubrey popped her head out as I snapped the picture.

GO SEE THE DINOSAURS!  They are COOL!

Which is scarier?  The dinosaur, Aidan, or Aubrey's "cheese" face?

Dino Dig.

The newest addition to our backyard.  A dinosaur SANDBOX!

Word Association

Instead of writing an ode to the men in our lives, the kids and I sat down and did a little word association.  I threw out a name; they told me what it made them think of.  You can guess who said what.  Here are the results:


Poppa
Happy
Cupcakes (Aubrey knows him well.)
Play with toys
Rough house
Handy man extraordinaire
Always willing to help
Wrestle
Ride on the lawn mower

Grandpa
Pancakes
I like to play at Grandpa's house. (complete sentence from Aubrey)
Play with Poppa (also from Aubrey)
Makes supper
Chef
Master drink mixer
Eat breakfast
Play basketball at the neighbor's house
Run errands
I like to eat lunch with Grandpa. (from Aidan)

Daddy
Play
Flip
Patient
Great Dad
Hard working
Play football
Hockey
Watch crab fishing

Perfect Kick-Off!

School's out and summer is here! I kicked-off summer by planting a mojito garden. It's kind of like a salsa garden, but I will be harvesting mint and strawberries to make delicious mojitos all summer long. I've already tested out the mint (delicious), but will need to wait a few weeks for some strawberries.

We also met some friends and Kyle's co-workers for a pre-game lunch and then an afternoon baseball game in Minneapolis. Who knew I would have to move to MN to watch the Cubs play? It was a lovely afternoon...thankfully in the shade, then we came home to a surprise visit from Kyle's brother, BJ. Some drinks, appetizers, grilling out, and then dessert, and we were all worn out from a perfect summer day. Good food, friends, and family...how could this summer get any better?

Tiny Adults

Both Aidan and Aubrey are talking almost constantly now. I admit, there are times when I look at them and just tell them to.stop.talking. Please, just two minutes of silence, that's all I ask. I might get thirty seconds, and sometimes that is enough to restore my sanity.

Here are a few funny favorites, or at least oft repeated phrases:

"Finn's win!" said every morning while Kyle and the kids race our neighbors to see who can get out of the house first

"I do it myself!" Repeated by Aubrey too many times to count

"Don't worry, Mom, you just do what you need to do." said by Aidan...and when you tell me not to worry, that's probably when I should worry.

"I'm going to sneak on the iPad"...Aidan is not going to be a ninja when he grows up

"I do it myself'"...oh wait, did I already write that? It's just that I hear it so often, every day, that it seems that's all Aubrey says..(or, "No! Mine!). That comes in a close second for most repetitive phrase in the Finn house.



Two and a half more weeks, and then, *cue the music*, School's Out For The Summer! No major plans, but I will have to figure out some "individual playtime" activities for the kids so we can continue to be a loving family.

Seriously Cute

First School Pictures...darn that glare!!!

Did You Know?

Did you notice that I updated my blog all of once during the month of April?  I did, but I just couldn't find the mental energy to write a post.  Good thing I don't make my living as a blogger.

Here's what you missed:

1) Kyle quit his part-time job, only to have his boss quit a week later.  Then Kyle was offered the full-time controller position.  So, he is now at work full-time and the kids are in day care full-time.

2) We helped our friend, K1, celebrate her birthday with a princess/pirate/prince themed party.  Aidan and Aubrey were dance partners and melted my heart.

3) Kyle's slow-pitch softball league started up again last week.  Many wives complain when their husband is gone, but I since his league is on Sunday nights, that means I get complete and total silence after the kids go to bed.  I love it.

4)  I ripped out the carpet in our basement due to water damage.

5) My parents came up this weekend to watch the kids while Kyle and I took a weekend trip to Duluth, just for the fun of it.

6) My dad painted the downstairs for us!!!  It looks awesome.  Now to get some carpet ordered, and we're in business.

7) Aidan had his last day of Sunday School and performed in the Spring Concert.

Here are a few photos from the month of April/beginning of May.

Dancing at K1's birthday party

Trying to be like big brother

Performing in the Sunday School concert

A visit to The Farm at the MN Zoo with Nana.

Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, MN

Gooseberry Falls

Me without make-up.  Yikes.

Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, MN