June 30, 2008 - shopping home delivery

Mommy loves the internet (aka the ease of shopping on it :)

Here's Colin opening a package by himself that was on our porch when we got home tonight of some toddler clothes for next year and the biggest treat....

plenty of new big boy pants!

June 24, 2008 - going diaperless...

...has been proving to be fun, yet always interesting (and we're still just testing the waters :) ... tonight was our first try at wearing big boy underwear outside to play after dinner under Colin's request. I explained to Colin what would happen if we didn't make it inside to the potty... and wish I had the classic moment during our baseball game on video when Colin exclaimed "MAMA! Go inside! Potty! There's pee pee on my sandal!" It was hilarious and am sure will be a repeat performance in the coming weeks!!

Mr.Cool showing off his drawers (which Colin picked out b/c they matched his shirt)

All smiles about being such a big kid!

June 22, 2008 - "my favorite friend" Brendan

Mama Lauren brings over Colin's good buddy Brendan and Colin's favorite baby in the whole world, little Katie for an afternoon of relaxing fun! Later on in the evening, Colin described Brennie as "his favorite friend"... it was so cute! Katie probably needed an extra long bath tonight after the 500 kisses that she received from Colin... think we may have our first crush!! :)

See more pictures of the play date here (unedited version, sorry!)

June 21, 2008 - summer swimming

...has begun! Colin and Mama were invited over to lounge at Melissa's pool for the afternoon! Colin loved using his arm floaties and had a blast getting Melissa and Nick as a 'shark' and practicing his swimming skills!

Nick and Colin checked out some animal videos after the pool and then we all hit Gilly's on the patio for dinner!

June 21, 2008 - anyone else but you

The fabulous Juno movie version of Colin's new favorite song if you aren't familiar with it (being sung folk/rock toddler style in the post directly below)

June 21, 2008 - future (folk) rockstar

Colin was jamming on his air guitar to 'Anyone Else But You' on the way in the car downtown this afternoon... He loves to sing literally at the top of his lungs in the car, along to his music as well as Mama's. Our new found favorite is originally by the Moldy Peaches and remade for the Juno Soundtrack (both versions are covered in toddler car-style karaoke :)

June 20, 2008 - favorite pastime... chasing pigeons

To kill a little time before we are meeting the FFF friends for dinner on Friday, Colin and I hit up Cathedral Square for what I thought would be playground time... but Colin had other ideas (unfortunately for the pigeons!) He spent a good 20 minutes chasing the birds all over the park, and was even brave enough to chase some seagulls but they didn't hang around for too long :) The Mama key- just don't actually let him tough the germy birds!

Colin in a full on toddler sprint trying to catch up to the pigeons
Colin "creeping up on the poor unsuspecting birds...
And then in bewilderment..."where did they go"?

June 19, 2008 - Our first Jazz of the season!

It's officially summertime in MKE and we made it to our first Jazz in the Park tonight after work/school! Mama and Colin's friends Amy, Katie and Jen met us there. We enjoyed a picnic, loved people watching in the crowd and hanging out during the festivities listening to the jazz musicians!

Amy teaching Colin to do some classic John Travolta dance moves / Mama and Colin being silly

Colin wearing Mama's shades / tickle time from Amy and Katie!

Colin (fairly late in the evening) mesmerized by the musicians / playing with Katie

Colin's own picture taking skills of the girls (I think the one of about 30 that he took tonight that didn't have his finger in front of the lens or a nice shot of the ground :) Time to get him his own camera!!

June 14, 2008 - Michelle and Ertan's Wedding!

Colin is Mommy's date to Michelle and Ertan's wedding in IL this weekend!

Colin decked out in his wedding attire! He was super excited to wear his shirt and tie!

Mommy and Colin / Michelle and Ertan tie the knot!

The wedding party and friends begin the kolo dancing / Colin giving Melissa a BIG hug!

Colin enjoyed the choir singing (and the bride's sister Melissa's solo singing the best) during the ceremony. After the wedding, the band plays outside and everyone begins the celebration!

Colin loved the Serbian tradition of the throwing of coins as the new couple walks into the crowd (as all of the kids scavenge the ground to claim the coins for their piggy banks! :)

GeeGee (Craig's Mom) and Colin's cousin Lizzy came to the church to pick him up for a sleepover while Mommy enjoyed the reception with the bride's family and friends!

Congratulations to Michelle and Ertan - we wish you a long and blessed marriage!

June 14, 2008- Saturday morning breakfast

Colin loves to help me make breakfast on the weekends- today was scrambled eggs and toast!

June 12, 2008 - rainy day activities

If the rain would ever stop... we could be out playing more baseball!!! But... we have managed to find plenty of fun ways to amuse ourselves during the storms these past few days. Here Colin is watching a video we just made (which if I get around to it, I'll download and post too :) of himself making "BIG" and "baby" animal noises for all of his favorite zoo animals. Let's just say that he cracks himself up...

June 8, 2008 - Scissor Lessons

Colin got a neat book of pictures to help him learn how to master scissors from Aunt Lissa and Uncle Dan - this one is learning how to cut along the lines of a dog's whiskers (and then cutting the entire picture into itty-bitty pieces :)

June 7, 2008 - one year later...

We can't believe that we have been in our house for over a year already! It definitely feels like home to Colin and I and someday I'll even get to finishing up that trim painting... :)
Finally- plants in bloom after the rough winter! And some new landscaping to the south of the driveway (thanks Papa for the help!)

June 7, 2008 - watching baseball with Papa

Papa came up for the weekend to gather the last truckload of loaner baby gear for Colin's new future baby cousin to drive down to KS and they enjoy watching a few minutes of today's Brewers game on tv (Colin learned new terms- inside/outside and cheered for his favorite team, much to Papa and Mama's dismay.... who are both die hard Cards fans.. :)

June 6, 2008 - Friday night party at Emerson's

Jay and Blake have La Familia over for a relaxing Friday night pizza hangout and Colin gets to play with Emerson, Genevieve and new friends Cole and Taylor (plus all the spoiling of Mama's friends!) Marissa and Colin played baseball (sometimes with a tennis racket!) in the front yard! Colin's going pro by the age of 4!

The weather was beautiful and all had a lovely time (assuming the party carried on after our toddler late night 4 block walk home in the wagon at 8:45 pm :)

June NY trip for Mama!

Mama went to NYC for the weekend before market/work with our friend David who is moving to the big city in the Fall for grad school (exciting!!) We had a blast over the weekend, and Mama even fit in some time to celebrate her birthday with friends during the hectic work week! Mama missed Colin terribly and still listens daily to the cute happy birthday voicemail that he left for her!!Mama out to b-day dinner with the girls and a special appearance by our friend Renee (who lives in ATL)!!

David and Mama taking the subway to Soho (going SHOPPING- what else?!? :)