Funny Harry Potter Video

This was put out pre- release of the last Harry Potter, and it cracked me up. Some of my friends will really like it.

The Birthday Girl

Well, here you have it! We went to Red Robin's for Mary's birthday (although she was unimpressed with the servers singing) and she enjoyed her Birthday Sundae. This kid LOVES ice cream and other stuff that is not "growing food", so this was huge for her. We didn't do too much on her actual birthday, as the family party is Sunday, and last week in Minneapolis we went to Chuck E. Cheese's with the Ruckers for a celebration. So I'm not doing a kid's party for her other than that. We bought a Nemo cake for the family party, which promptly began losing it's fins after it got to room temperature which makes me think I should have just made it myself. I'm not sure I can get the fins to stay on and it doesn't look very much like Nemo (more like some random stylized goldfish with white stripes) so I am really dissapointed with it, but the Nemo obsessed 3 year old will be thrilled anyways. Happy Birthday, Mary Leona!

If it seems a little fishy....

Is it wrong to serve fish sticks on a Nemo plate?

For those who have asked....

Last Saturday I was in a Triathlon. It was my first one ever and I swam, biked and ran for 2 hours to get through it. My good friends Diane and Derek signed me up for it last December, back when I didn't have a job to occupy my every minute. Then I got a job that occupied my every minute (and don't forget the kids), and I didn't put one iota of effort towards any of the three disciplines required to live through a Triathlon. If you don't know, it is 1/4 mile swim in a lake, a 15 mile bike ride, and a 5K run, one right after another. Right after school let out (I think it was the Monday after), I got right back to the vigorous workouts and all of it came together last week. I have pictures (that links to the profesional ones, where a random other participant was included with my pics), which some have asked for, so if you are of the sort that wants to see me being athletic (or a close approximation of that), then click here and look at the pictures. If you only read this blog for the kids, hang tight and I'll post some stuff for Mary's 3rd birthday soon - and ignore the lady on the bike. That has nothing to do with the children.

Birthday Bike

Dental Beauty

At the Dr.'s

On the plane

Mary and me headed home.

Favorite lunch place

Thinking of you,LM!

At the Mall of America

Harry Potter!

Dinner

Done!!!

Me & Olympic Triathlete Hunter Kemper

Dinner @ Rainforest Cafe

Tired girls

Sunday Summer Evening

In Minneapolis's Airport

Tomorrow we are off to Minneapolis to visit with the Ruckers and for me to do a Triathlon with them. I won't mention THAT again, but you can check out my workout blog on the side there, Tri to be Fit. Today I took the girls to Target and bought them little "suitcases" of their own. They were so PLEASED. They followed me around Target for another half hour, obediently pulling the new luggage behind them. Then Emma figured out she can WEAR it - they are really backpacks on wheels - and the hiking girls emerged behind me (they left the handles up so that they looked like they were going on 3 month hikes). When we got home, Mary immediately packed hers. What does a toddler need on a long plane trip? A pillow, a magna doodle, a treat box of goldfish crackers and Nemo. As she zipped it up, there was a brief exchange between her and Nemo which sounded like this:

"Nemo"(high pitched voice of Mary): Bahy Bahy, I don't want to go in there

Mary: Shut up, Nemo, you have to go in there.

Me: Mary, we don't say that.

Mary: No, Mama, I just had to say that to Nemo because he was being annoying.

I just can't argue with that. Anyways, since when do stuffed fish need to be treated with respect? And as a side note, Nemo's language usually consists of that "Bahy Bahy" that she does in a certain baby-ish voice. I've never heard him give her lip like that before. Maybe the fish had it coming.

Skating Queen

Mary's first time on wheels - what a cutey! I was going to get Emma in the picture, but she was busy following the enormous dog mascot around and trying to traverse the rink back and forth. And my camera battery died. So this is all I've got!

Sparklers

In case you are wondering why most of my pictures involve Mary and not Emma, it is because she doesn't want pictures taken of her any more. Mary, however, doesn't know any better. Here she is over at the Bailey's house, wondering if sparklers were fun or scary. We all enjoyed S'mores and small scale fireworks (the guys REALLY enjoyed those) and went to bed later than we should have. Hooray for holidays!

Yankee Doodle Dandies

This morning we went to the Annual 4th of July parade in Northville. Last year was mostly a disaster, so I didn't have high hopes for this year, but the girls actually enjoyed themselves! Here they are, waiting to see what's coming next around the corner:

At other times, Mary found a good spot for a clearer view:

And I was there, too, in case you thought there was a conspicuous absence:

Happy 4th to all!

Take me Away!

Quote for the day from Emma:

"Mama, just don't spank me or call the gypsies."

This particular statement preceded an admission of wrong doing. Based on this, I felt there was cause for concern.

Mary's Quote of the Day

"When we are happy, our heart will sing."

Truth out of the mouth of babes.