{Summer Bucket List}

It's already PAST mid July, so I know the rest of the summer is just going to fly by. In fact, my first official days back at work are only about 3 weeks away! (CRAZY!) So, I need to make all of these days count with this little guy:

What I'd like to do yet this summer:

• Go to the beach at least once
• Family pictures 
• Get a nice portrait of Bennett (some way, some how, this HAS to happen!)
• Read a few more "chick lit" books
• Play at the Pirate Park at least 2 times per week
• More walks!
• Simple art projects with Bennett
• Frame and hang more pictures in the house
• Fox Lake pool
• Really organize the upstairs
• Get a rotating meal menu going
• ...get my classroom in order! (Who knows when they'll even let me get in there!)

{Recent Happenings!}

Earlier this month, my brother and sister in law welcomed sweet little "M" into the world! She is PRECIOUS and a true miracle baby! They gave me the honor of being her godmother! I am so touched!

Other than that, we are doing the same old same old around here - which is fine by me! I am soaking in all the "stay at home mom" time I get for these short couple months being off from work. This kid is craaazy...and honestly sometimes drives me nuts, but I know this time will be here and gone in an instant so I am just trying to laugh along with my little bugger. He has spent a lot of time this summer in his little backyard pool. I set up the slide for some extra fun (he sort of likes it), and then put the water table inside the pool. He likes to play with his little fishies and net the most. His favorite water toy is the garden hose - but you can imagine how much water ends up OUTSIDE the pool. :)  And yes, he goes in his clothes. By the time I get a swim diaper on and trunks and sunscreen everywhere, it's not worth all the time because by then, he won't even want to play in the pool. So this works- and I am good with that! ;)

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's already been this long!

We are going to dinner to Applebees - because OF COURSE we are! HA! It's our favorite place. I think we like the drinks more than the food. ;) Some long islands, please! Though, I just might get a margarita tonight.

{4th of July}

July 3 we went to Kate and Josh's for the fireworks. They live close to the lake, so we could see them from their house. Just went the fireworks started, it began to rain. This is the second time Chris and I have watched fireworks in the rain. Good times. I wanted to get cool shots of the fireworks...but obviously rain and cameras do not mix so well. I got one shot I was happy with and enjoyed the rest of the show! 

This was Bennett's first time seeing fireworks. They didn't excite him or scare him. I started singing the Disney Junior song they play on TV with the animated fireworks, and that helped him become more interested. :) (Though, he was probably waiting for Doc McStuffins to start playing in the sky...ha!!!)

On the actual 4th of July, we had a mellow day. My brother invited us to a cook out at his house, so we went there in the late afternoon. In the morning, we just hung out at home and Chris did some yard work. My mom came over to help play with Bennett ... MUCH needed on my end of things! This boy has become a handful lately!

Bennett picking more rocks ... and playing with my brother's dog.

Once we were back home and Bennett was tucked in bed, Chris and I had a fire in the backyard. We played with sparklers and had a good time together. Here's our handy work:

Little Trip

Today my friend Katelyn and I went to the Horicon Marsh near Waupun to check out the board walk. It was much prettier than these photos show, and suspect it would have been absolutely gorgeous on a sunny evening with the glowing sun. It was a weird weather day today - kept looking like it was going to downpour (and then never did) but had flashes of sunlight here and there between the clouds. Strange.

 The boardwalk is a third of a mile that bends through part of the marsh. We were hoping to see more wildlife, but it was really quiet today. We only saw some birds, a couple ducks, and a family of geese. 

Oh yeah, and a dragonfly:

We walked on the roadway after the boardwalk part and let Bennett out for a little running around before it was time to go. He loved finding rocks. He would pick them up, run to the taller grass, throw them in, and run back for more rocks. Repeat x50. Go Bennett, go! He's so happy doing little things like that. I forsee a cool rock collection once he gets a bit older.

A simple, fun, and free day.
Tonight we are going over to Katelyn's to watch fireworks over the lake!
Can't wait to see Bennett's reaction ... his first fireworks!
(Hope he can stay up to watch them!)

A Day In The Life

Two posts in two days - I know! I can't believe it either! ;)

Just documenting a regular day in the life of us this week:

7:30 -
Coffee time! Bennett's wake up routine. Chris leaves for work. Disney Junior blasting.

8:30 -
Bennett breakfast. Tried a red plum for the first time. He kind of liked it...for two bites. Then threw in the floor.

8:45 -
Today I decided to take Bennett to the park. I needed some exercise, so I loaded him up in the stroller and we walked down to a newly renovated park in town, which is right on the lake. It's GORGEOUS, thanks to many fundraising efforts by many people in the community. I love where we live, though my husband may not agree. In my job working with the grant and after school programming, I have worked with so many generous people. I need to remember to take a camera next time. Bennett played for nearly an hour - the swing and the slide made from little tubes are his favorites! (Side note: I ran into another teacher in the district who had kind words to say about me becoming one of the new 5th grade teachers. It was a relief to feel "accepted" into the grade level already...something that I have been a bit curious about, since many of them have been here forever. Whew!)

10:15 -
Back at home. Naptime for Mr. B. Shower for me. Internet browsing, email...chill time for Momma. Late breakfast combined with lunch time for me.

1:00 -
Chris home for lunch. Bennett's up!

1:30 -
Lunch for Mr. B (milk, honey ham, string cheese, a couple crackers, and a tart apple). Tried to get some cute pictures of myself with Mr. B before we ran grocery store errands. Jealous of all the photos my husband has with him and Bennett. After Piggly Wiggly, I treated myself to hazelnut iced coffee from McD's. Sooo good. I have been wanted for one a couple weeks ... YUM. (Poor cat on our way out the door ... working on being "nice!" Had to include that picture ... I feel like he's just been a crazy, crazy kid lately.)

2:30 -
We're back and it's play time! Bennett jumped in his pool while I was putting the groceries in the house. Fully clothed, I should add (this is typical, ha!). Pool for a bit, played with his lawnmower, then we took a walk around the 'hood in his wagon.

3:30 -
Crabby time, aka: Bennett wants to play with EVERYTHING, but doesn't, but does...ok, in the house we go! Indecisiveness = tired little man. WHOA! Straight to a bath, then milk, snuggle time, and a little TV before nap time and photo editing time for me. (Ahhh, relaxation).

5:30 -
We'll have dinner somewhere around this time. I still need to go to the other grocery store to get chicken for the grill tonight. I will only buy meat from one particular store. We'll have the grilled chicken and corn on the cob.

7:00 -
HELLO! IT'S MONDAY! Which means ... Real Housewives of OC, baby! Favorite show right now, hands down! (Tamra is my fave.)

8:30 -
Bennito's bedtime. Ahhh...just kidding. Kind of! ;)
Probably do some laundry while watching some sort of TV.
Or, work on client's wedding photos.

10:00 -
Our bedtime.