Summertime

      

(That's cousin Nicholas in the back left)

     

Brothers in the Summer

Lewis was trying to "read" this joke book and just didn't *quite* have it memorized. Augustine sat down and with a big sigh told Lewis he needed to help.  

We got to the museum right when it opened so it was empty. I let them enter the baby area since we were the only people.  

Augustine loves helping his baby brother.  

Lewis too.    

The bees buzz the different notes and gosh, it's an awful sounding exhibit. The boys didn't like it.  

This was Elias' first visit where he could participate in the playing. He LOVED it.        

Summer sure is less boring when there are brothers to play with!

Driveway Jam

Pinterest failed me...again. Why is it that the most simple looking projects are NOT simple?! We schlepped all the way to Lowes for these cheap poles to hang globe lights from, only to realize (after hours of brainstorming) that there was a simpler way, and we already had the one poll, hook, and zip ties that we needed. Oy. The boys liked the hardware store though. 

 

Our Parish priest is being moved after 24 years of leading the herd. We have been in the parish for 8 years, and we will miss him. Especially the boys. I've never met a priest who can win a child over with a smile and a song like Msgr. Nemec. One song on his guitar and they just love him. He also tells them constantly how wonderful they are. If you have my kids' hearts, then you have mine too. 

We decided to host one last driveway jam for Msgr. Nemec. Our block of neighbors can be seen gathering wherever Msgr. Nemec decides to sit down and play his guitar...someone's driveway, the school steps, the parking lot bench. Passers by stop to join us and the kids sing along and dance. Eventually someone brings out the wine and bourbon and we stay until the sun is down and we can't stand one.more.bug.bite. 

 

The kids built this. They love him so much.     

They sang Whiskey In the Jar (a Burda favorite), Would You Like To Swing On A Star, Sweet Home Alabama, etc. The kids were taught a special song at school for Msgr. so they sang that too.    

Elias snuck in a dance with his girl. 

The lights turned out pretty well! And were very practical...gosh it gets dark in the back at night! 

The kids were getting tired so we got glow sticks out. Always a crowd pleaser. The bubble machine was awesome too while it was still light.  

Msgr. sat down and made up a game with the glow sticks for the kids. Everyone had the giggles.   

This guy lasted 45 min past bedtime...til about 10pm. The big boys lasted three hours past bedtime. Yikes. 

Clean bubble machine and empty bottles...sure sign of a good time. 

Msgr. is headed one parish to the south. Not realizing the comfort his words brought Augustine said, "Its ok. If we miss Msgr. we can just go to Mass at Cathedral and he will be there!" 

There are some people we meet in life who forever keep a piece of our hearts. Thank you Msgr. Nemec for loving us so well. 

Garden 2.0

 

Lewis loves taking care of his garden. He waters it as many times as I will let him in a day. I'm amazed at what will grow in six inches of dirt. I guess it is organic dirt...

 

Coco recently gave him a bunch of strawberry plants (although the tag said petunias?!) and an onion. We also added my Mother's Day flower he gave me from preschool, and Augustine's beans from Kindergarten that out grew their cup on the windowsill. 

Brothers

 

He sat down there on his own to watch the cat on the fence. Can you see the cat?

 

The big brothers are 98% good at playing with their baby brother. 

We got the pool out today and they couldn't wait to wear their goggles!  

He was underwhelmed by the pool. 

 

He would much rather be like his daddy. 

Big Boy Haircut

 

Elias got a trim today! He did really well.  

Sommer was really good with him. She showed him her equipment, let him touch it, talked to him, and then was incredibly quick as he wiggled all over. Impressive  

He was looking at me the whole time but not crying. Then I asked him if he wanted me to hold his hand and I ruined everything. He burst into tears. He was almost done anyway.   

It took me a few minutes to be ok with it, but it's just hair. And the cut turned out so cute!

Omaha Adventure

We decided to make a half day of being in Omaha since we were going for my cousin's evening graduation party. Grandma Kathleen stayed with Elias until Logan got home from work, so the big boys and I headed to Omaha to play at a splash park! 

 

It's really all about the snacks with this one. 

 

It was great in the sun! They stayed warm enough to play in the water, and I stayed cool enough in the shade. We did use sunscreen just to be safe, and I lost my wedding rings in the thick grass for 5 minutes due to said sunscreen. After frantic searching, praying, and a few tears we found them. Thank you St. Anthony!

A few weeks ago when it became consistently warm enough for water play I told Augustine that when I was a little girl I loved swinging to dry off after being in the water. Ever since then he always says yes when I suggest it. And Lewis always picks what Augustine picks, so there you go. 

Once dry, we headed to Aunt Beth's to squeeze in a little Playmobil fun.

Then it was off to the graduation party and I promptly forgot to get a picture with Kolya! Arg! We had lots of fun eating great food, chalking on the sidewalk, having cartwheel contests, and getting airbrush tattoos. 

 

 My sisters and I put together the classic laundry dorm kit. Everything you see and a roll of quarters. So easy, so useful.  

 We headed home way past bedtime (that's what summer is about, right?!). Grandpa Mike rode home with us. My mom had asked me if I could take something back in my car a few days before the party, and I said sure. Then at the party the conversation went like this:

Me: Mom what do you want me to take back in my car?

Mom: Dad. See if he's ready to go. 

Me: 😂

Grandpa and the boys told jokes almost the whole way home. It was hilarious. Not because of the jokes though. It was a fun adventure day!