July

I'm trying! I really am. It was shocking to me when I visited this blog to try to do some updating and realized how long ago my last entry was. So I guess I really need to get to work now.

Back in March we once again had our annual March Madness competition among our family. We all filled out our brackets and watched to see who would come closest to the grand prize which is a family activity of their choice. And for the first time in the history of our tradition, I. Did. Not. Win. Yes, you read that correctly. I also didn't win the Final Four prize for predicting the most teams who would make it to the Final Four. That person got to pick a dessert of their choice. The overall winner this time was Taylor. Spencer won the Final Four. And the Boobie Prize went to Lynnsey (who had the least correct choices). The person who wins this prize gets to be the one to choose all the music on the winner's family trip. Spencer's dessert of choice was "Spencer Smoothies"--mmm... And Taylor's activity was a trip to the Toledo Zoo. He's been dying to go ever since Kendall went on a Kindergarten field trip. So we finally picked a day in July and went.
We had been having a major heatwave and so we watched the weather religiously for a couple of weeks to figure out the best day to go. When the temps dropped below 90, we decided that was as good as it would get. It was still so sunny that day and we ended up roasting toward the end, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

We were a little envious of the polar bear getting to swim in that nice cool water.

And the kids were wishing that this little cave was really made of ice.

They had to climb on every statue in sight.

Our very, very favorite part of the day was getting to see the brand new baby elephant named Logan. He was the cutest thing ever!

We watched for the longest time as he played in this big mud puddle just like a little kid.

And this creature was Taylor's favorite. It is a South American Lungfish. He actually has been asking for one of these for a pet. Seriously. Actually the kind he wants is an East African Lungfish. Guess what our answer always is?

The kids had fun in the little play zone. If we would have had more time, it would have been nice to let them play longer since it was indoors and air conditioned. But is was a really big zoo and there was so much to see. It ended up being such a fun day. The kids are already asking to go back again.

And on July 30th, Spencer, my baby boy, turned six years old. I am not accepting that fact very well, but it's true. He'll be starting 1st grade next week! He was SO excited about this birthday because he would be able to have a friend party. He's had this party planned since he was four. It was to be held at the park and we would have hot dogs and chips and cupcakes that he could eat.

We held the party the day before his birthday because the day of was when Taylor and Kalen had to leave for scout camp.

He had a nice group of kids come and we had fun playing on the playground before eating lunch and opening presents.

We had popsicles instead of ice cream and we made allergy-free cupcakes (that were a lot cuter before this picture was taken). As far as parties go, this was a pretty stress-free one to have. Carting all the stuff there was the biggest issue. But is was so nice to not have to worry about any party games or clean-up at our house.

And then on his actual birthday, we held a little party here at home even though Kalen and Taylor missed out. We broke open the little paper bag piñata that Spencer had made at his storytime craft at the library.

Kaya insisted on being blindfolded but she kept peeking before she'd swing.

And then we went back inside for presents and leftover cupcakes and popsicles. His favorite was this little penguin pillow pal from Nana! Best reaction ever.

Happy birthday Spencito!