Big Kid Date Night

Last night we took our two big kids on a very spur the moment date.  We changed our plans for the evening, raced home to "dress up" and within an hour, we were dropping Stella off at Nana's house and heading out to dinner and a movie.  We called it a Big Kid Date.  Honestly, it is the first time since Stella was born that we took both big kids out to do something as a family, without our littlest member.

Kids-Pick dinner took us to Noodles and Company (of course).  As we sat waiting for them to bring us our food, both kids were excited and bubbly.  Gushing about the surprise date, the movie we were going to see...everything.  Then Myles said, "This really reminds me of before Stella was born when it was just the four of us."  My heart skipped a beat.  My mind was racing 1,000 miles a minute.  Afraid of the answer, I asked, "So, do you miss her, or do you like this time without her?"  I had decided that even if he said he liked the time without her, it was okay...  We all need time away sometimes.  His answer brought me nothing but pure joy.  He responded, "I miss her.  It seems really quiet.  I definitely miss her."  Jillian chimed in that she did too.  My momma heart jumped for joy, sighed relief, and smiled.  Of course, when we added a fifth member to our family, we considered the change and adjustment for Myles and Jillian.  I know they love Stella with all of their hearts.  Yet, to hear his actual answer, brought such an awesome confirmation to what we have known for a long time, sibling love is strong.

The rest of the evening went just as planned.  Of course, three quarters of the way through the movie we had a freak out and one wanting to leave the theater because it is "just so scary".  At that point, you just gotta finish it out...Of course you need to make it to the end to see that Paddington makes it out a-okay.  Oh - and don't call me out for being a spoiler, because if you didn't think that everything was going to be okay at the end of a Paddington Bear movie, then...I'm not even sure what to say about that...

We made it through to the end and rushed home to pick up our baby girl.  Back to the five of us.  I'm not exactly sure why, but after all of the kids were in bed for the night, I came here.  I came to read old posts.  I'll be honest, I rarely ever do.  I'm not exactly sure why I don't, but I don't.  Maybe last night my mom heart was drawn to read because of Myles's comment.  I have no idea.  I read, I laughed, I cried, and I remembered things that I had totally forgotten.  Those memories were preserved because I had written them down.  It reminded me why I love this little corner of the web for my little family.

I hope you were able to make some memories of your own this weekend.  It's not always the big life events that matter the most.  Those little things, on those random days, add up to a lot of memories to cherish.

They add up to a life.

The Fourth in Photos

We had an amazing day yesterday...celebrating our great Nation's Independence Day.  It was...simply put...perfect.  We began our day at the Richland Parade.  I've told you before how much I love my town and all it takes is the Fourth of July parade to get me gushing again.  People line the streets of our downtown area in anticipation of the parade.  Friends and family get together to watch.  Last year, Jillian and I were in the parade, but this year...she decided it might be more fun to watch...and catch candy.

So, of course, our very favorite parade entrant included our very favorite guys...

 ...And the whole AAA Gull Road gang.

 After catching more candy than Jillian received on Halloween, and cheering on our friends in so many different floats, it was on to several beach parties for the day.  We had a blast.  I won't mention jumping in the water in a dress to help Jillian when a few too many waves were sweeping her into the dock...

The evening ended in the most perfect way.  On a boat, listening to live music from a party, while we waited to watch the fireworks from the water.  My wonderful mother-in-law brought salted caramels and snacks.  Perfection, I tell you.

The sunset was beautiful.

 Not sure how this could be the best picture of Ben and I...but it was. 

And a few blurry iPhone shots of the fun.

 Hope your Fourth was perfect, too.

Dancing and Daytripping

I love summer.  I love summer weekends, even more.  Summer weekends in Michigan...the best.  This weekend felt like the kick off to the summer season.  Myles is almost done with school and the end of the year activities are in full force.  The sunshine was out and things could not have been any better.

Jillian's dance recital was on Saturday.  She loved it.  She loves dance and I love seeing her joy in everything dance.  She was even dancing in the aisles at dinner after her recital.  Here are a few photos from the occasion...

Makeup time.  It took forever and it still wasn't perfect.  Putting makeup on someone else isn't all that easy...especially when that someone else is fluttering her eyes and wiggling around.  Seriously though, look at her eyelashes.  I'm jealous of my own daughter.  That was only a couple of quick swipes of mascara.

 My little "Devil in Disguise" ready to shake it on stage.  She loved her costume.

The start of her second dance.  She is the one with the ponytail down to her tutu.  ;)

Pure adorableness.

With 14 wonderful family members there to watch one little girl...she raked in the flowers.  They are now beautifying my house.  Oh - and she even had a little corsage on that wrist.  

 Family photo at dinner afterwards.

 And  she poses...

 What an awesome night.

And Sunday?  A trip to one of my favorite little Lake Michigan towns, Saugatuck.  A day of strolling around downtown, playing at the park in the middle of town, shopping, and walking the boardwalk of boats.  I snapped a few pics with my phone.

Here is Jillian with her new mermaid from the local drugstore.  I have a weakness for that store.  As a kid we would go there and admire the colorful kites, sand toys, and display of rocks with the little velvet bags to fill with your choice of colorful gems for a few dollars (my sister, Sarah was always a sucker for the rocks).  That store brings me back to ten years old every time I walk in.  Oh, and Myles...got the rocks.  I believe he calls them his magical gems.

 Myles in the garden next to my most favorite purple flowers.  I need to grow them myself...

Jillian chose her shoes for the day.  Cowboy boots from Myles's Woody Halloween costume a few years ago.  Why not?  I am thrilled I found a yellow jumper for her again this year.  Bonus - it was only $6 at The Gap in Chicago.  With tax.

 And...my favorite picture of the day that I happened to capture from the bench all the way across the playground.  Daddy and daughter in conversation.  Pure love.

 Hope your weekend was as snazzy as cowboy boots and rompers. 

Can't wait to see what next weekend holds.

Windy City Weekend

We had an awesome weekend.  Absolutely awesome.  Hope you did too.

We hopped in the car and headed to Chicago.  We visit the Windy City every couple of months.  If you've been hanging out here for a while you know, we used to live there.  I love that my kids are growing up with exposure to things outside of our little town in Michigan.  Myles made his first trip to Chicago when he was five months old and he has been visiting the city several times each year ever since.  In fact, we were laughing at his knowledge of the subway system.  Need a lift on the Red Line?  Myles is your man.  He can get you there.  Anyway, we had our fill of pizza, public transportation, and all of our old favorites to last us...until later this summer.  Here are a few iPhone pics of our good times.  Can't believe I never even pulled my camera out...

Pizza, Friday night.  A perfect way to start the weekend.  Yes, we ate on the couches.  Makes for an interesting meal with kids.  As a side note: Myles put away a small pizza.

The next morning, I was so excited...  You know, every time we go to Chicago, we do fun things for the kids.  Well, this time since we had an extra day, I thought they could "suffer" through heading down the Green Line in the hunt of the Randolph Street Market.   (If you know the Green Line - you know there was definitely some suffering there - but anywho.)  It was so fun.  We saw so many antiques, up cycled items, and gorgeous furniture.  What a way to spend a Saturday morning.

 The kids didn't have it all that bad after all.  Greeted at the door with pinwheels, bubbles, crayons, and coloring pages...they were set to stroll up and down the aisles of old refurbished awesomeness.  Oh - and if that wasn't enough...they got some Dinky Donuts.  Who wouldn't love them?

Shopping, Potbelly's, and dinner with great friends rounded up our Saturday.

              
 Just had to include these posing shots.  Loving their new hats.  I am being a nice mom...I am not including the video of Myles in front of the mirror at H&M.  Let's just say...he liked the way he looked in his new hat.

We spotted a bunny friend and her daughter (not pictured) in the Gold Coast.  She needed to find Lincoln Park!

My heart melts for city lights.  And that moon.  I also find it so interesting how few people care to close their drapes when they are indecently exposed.  I'll be honest, I didn't used to care either.  Somehow in my time back in Michigan, I found my high-rise modestly again.

Here is Myles and "The One and Only".  Myles was quite intrigued and had 100 questions about him long after he left.  I can say, he was pretty good at magic and earned his money.  Myles even gave him a quarter out of his own pocket.

Jillian at Lincoln Park Zoo.

 Her fave.  Giraffes.

                 

 Jillian trying her hardest not to smile.  She failed.

 Myles.  In awe.

 He asked for his picture taken in this pose.  He thought he looked quite cool.  Don't ask me why, but I actually think his jacket tied around his waist was the reason.

 Sibling love.

A trip to Rainforest Cafe.  The ultimate in sacrifice for the kids.  We chose to forgo good food for the love of our children.  Even with all of the wonderful choices that Chicago has to offer.

We had a great time.  Another one for the memory books.