July 25, 2008 - tent night!!

Colin and Mama brought up the tent that Papa got for Colin to his room for a fun place to sleep tonight ("sleepover!!!" he called it). He lasted in the tent until about 11 pm and then he wanted to be tucked into his bed again :)

July 20, 2008 - silly boy

During his bedtime snack after bath time, Colin gives Mama lots of cute smiles (making up for his recent toddler tendencies :)

July 20, 2008 - the view while making dinner

Mama (and Colin) love that he can play in his sandbox in the backyard and Mama can watch out the kitchen window to keep an eye on him while she makes dinner! This was something that Mama had thought would be great when we bought the house.

July 19, 2008 - Jake turns 1!

Our friend Jake had his 1st birthday party today! Such a big boy!

Daddy John helps Jake open his birthday gifts

Marissa and Colin watch the present action!

Colin's friend Bella and Mama Kristi enjoy the party

Of course, Colin may have enjoyed the birthday cake and ice cream the best!

July 18, 2008 - visit to the lakefront

We had some time Friday evening before we had to meet our friends for dinner so Colin and Mama went downtown to the lakefront to walk around for a while.

Lake view with the Milwaukee Art Museum in the background and Colin running around the park

Colin trying to run like the man off to the left and then admiring the big lake

July 18, 2008 - 1, 2, 3, 4 on Sesame Street

Colin's favorite musical artist, Feist, was on Sesame Street with a remake of her 1,2,3,4 song... and this one doesn't even skip numbers so it's much better to sing with a toddler who is learning to count!

Check out the video below...

(thanks Uncle Dan for sending the link to us! :)

July 17, 2008 - first homework assignment

Colin got to hang with the big girls tonight (Mama's friends) at La Fuente on the patio for dinner and throwing pennies in the fountain. But then it was straight home and after Colin's bath, we had to do his first HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT for school (day care) that needs to be take back tomorrow according to his take home sheet. Apparently you hit 2 1/2 and you grow up immediately!

So, here's the big first assignment.. a coloring assignment about vegetables and healthy eating. Colin got to color broccoli (green) and banana red... no! blue... no! YELLOW (this one took us a few time to get right b/c Colin was acting quite silly so we got out a real banana to confirm that is was yellow and this was his bedtime snack!

July 15, 2008 - Evening at the Zoo

It was a special members night at the zoo and we met Colin's friends Isabella and Jordan there with Mama's friends Kristi and Lisa! We of course have to go visit Colin's favorite rhinos along with many other animals and everyone enjoyed a train ride at the end of the night!

July 13, 2008 - 1/2 birthday scooter

Tomorrow is Colin's 1/2 birthday (Happy 'Real' Birthday Uncle Dan on this day too!!!) and he got a special present from Mama... a big kid scooter (no worries, still with 3 wheels :)

Colin loves his new scooter and I'm sure he'll be a pro in no time!

July 12, 2008 - Trip to the Hughes Farm

Colin and Mama take a weekend road trip to the Quad Cities to visit Mama's friends that she has known since college, Liz and Brian... who were kind enough to have us as guests for the weekend along with their little ones Ellis (almost 2), Josie (6 months) and their wonderful dogs Molly and Rico. We had a wonderful weekend and Colin got to explore their expansive yard (complete with acres of farming land that is rented out), hunt for frogs by the pond and play with all of his new friends! Mama had a fabulous time catching up with Liz and Brian and we all enjoyed each other's company much. It will be a repeat trip as soon as we can do it again!

A few pictures and see all of the weekend's pictures by clicking HERE

July 10, 2008 - chillin' at Melissa's

After our short but fun trip to Bastille Days, we dodge the storm and go over to Melissa's to see her and Nick for a while. Colin eats edamame with Melis and Mama and then plays with Nick, here they are playing a tickle game with some foliage :)

Then a fun surprise- we see a huge rainbow out the window after the storm blows through!

July 10, 2008 - J'aime le Bastille Days!

Colin and Mama went to Bastille Days in Cathedral Square tonight and watched one of the bands perform (Colin loved to try to sing along and dance!) then some acrobatics... before the storm hit... and then we ran to Melissa's who lives very close by for a visit to dodge the rain!

July 6, 2008 - acting silly in the car

clapping and singing to music / using Mama's hands to make a fish face

playing a harmonica ...while getting a fit of the giggles

helping Mama make a fish face ...and then laughing at how silly she looks

It was time for the long road trip back to Mama and Colin's house after our long weekend visit and Papa was able to drive with us so Mama got in some play/snuggle time with Colin in the backseat. After we both had a nice nap, it was time to sing, dance and be silly!

July 5, 2008 - meeting baby Avery

Colin meets a new friend today, baby Avery! Avery is 2 months old and the little sister of his friend Addison (and the daughter of Mama's friends Kate and Aaron!)

Colin got to hold a baby for the first time too after giving Avery lots of tickles, hugs and kisses!

A funny story from today... Colin totally gets that his new baby cousin isn't born yet and is in Aunt Lissa's belly. So, then we were having a "party" for his new baby cousin (aka the baby shower) this afternoon. Kate comes with baby Avery and Colin doesn't see them walk into the shower. He is talking to Lissa and I and looks over to see a tiny baby in an infant carrier. He just looks a little mystified and then looks up at Lissa still with the baby belly and says, "Is that my new baby cousin?" like since it was a party for the baby, the baby magically arrived!

July 5, 2008 - Shower for our new baby cousin/nephew!

We hosted a baby shower for Colin's Aunt Lissa and Uncle Dan today with plenty of family and friends in attendance to celebrate the coming of a new addition to Colin's family! Everyone enjoyed a nice lunch and then we on to craft time!!We made quilt squares with paint markers for the baby's room, with an "under the sea" theme that will be sewn into one large baby quilt.Colin helps Aunt Lissa and Uncle Dan unwrap the lovely baby gifts they received

Since Mama was hosting, she made her quilt squares later that evening... and to appease Lissa and Dan, made monkey and robot "under water" squares :) and made a penguin square as Colin and his new baby cousin hugging.

Click here to see more pictures of the baby shower and 4th of July fireworks combined!!!

Colin has loved giving raspberries to his new baby cousin (aka, Lissa's belly) and can't wait for the baby to be born (only a few more weeks, due date is Aug 14th!)

July 4, 2008 - FiReWoRkS!!

We went to Great Grandma's for 4th of July fireworks (Colin's first!!) while we're visiting Papa's house and we bring along some cool glow bracelets that Colin hands out to all of the kids that are there!

Before the fireworks being spoiled by everyone (and hand fed his mac/veggies dinner!)

Mama and Colin after the fireworks (way past both of our bedtimes)

Papa and Colin practice the "boom" of the firework to make sure that Colin knows the ruckus that will come along with the pretty lights in the sky while Grandma watches! / The crowd after the big event