Summertime fun

Hi everyone!! We've had a fun couple of weeks getting out and about and trying to make the most of the weather. Well, it's mostly been fun. To cut a long story short I've realised that I can't handle taking both kids to the beach single handedly so that isn't happening again but apart from that it's been OK :)) Splash pads and wading pools, yes - beach, no!

Last Saturday morning we headed to Maple Grove Days which is an annual event. They have rides, a petting zoo, food, music and a display of diggers!! We thought Oliver would enjoy that but he wasn't in the best of moods and it was a really hot day so we struggled a little bit but he did go and have a look at the cars and diggers as long as one of us came with him! That night we had some really bad storms come through so the tornado sirens were going off here and we had to get the kids out of bed to go down to the basement (and Scoop of course!). I think we were down there for 20 minutes or so. The wind was really strong and a lot of branches came down in the garden but fortunately nothing worse than that. Thankfully it's not very often that we have to go to the basement and both kids handled it well and went straight back off to sleep. Oliver talks about the sirens every day though!

On the Sunday morning we headed to a friend's house for a family brunch. It was a great time - the kids all played together while the adults talked and shared some wonderful food! That evening we met up with Matt, Jennifer and Mikayla for dinner - the first time we have attempted eating out since the week Emily arrived (that was an awful experience).

Last Monday Oliver went to the audiologist to get his hearing checked out. Thankfully it all went perfectly - there was no fluid in his ears and he could hear every sound they tested with him. Such a relief!

Emily turned 4 months old last week. She is such a chatterbox - she really doesn't stop! She is so funny around other people - she is VERY fussy about strangers talking to her and picking her up. She pretty much cries every time!! Oliver was never like this so it's a bit strange for me. Grandpa Ray and Grandma Sandy babysat for us the other week and put both kids to bed and all I could hear when we were leaving was Emily screaming in the bath :( But she was just fine and went off to bed just fine. She does give us lovely smiles when we go to get her out of bed though :) On Thursday I will take her for her 4 month check so I'll update again with her weight! I've no doubt she has put on a few ounces ;)

This past weekend we bought Oliver a new bike as his main birthday present. It wasn't really the plan as we intended to buy bikes for us and a bike trailer to put the kids in but hey. He really loves it and we're trying to get him out at every opportunity so he can practice the pedalling. I took him out this evening and when he did manage it he was really good. I may have to go and buy knee and elbow pads though as he's a bit of a daredevil and likes going fast down hills. The trouble is that he's too busy looking at his feet so he's steering all over the place and almost crashing!!! Ah well, Daddy already explained to him that when you fall off you need to get right back on again :)

Anyway, here's some more pics of the Mummy and Daddy clones for you to enjoy. Til next time :)

She really is a gift!

Oliver and Daddy checking out a bulldozer

And a crane

This picture just makes my heart bleed. Oliver finally plucked up the courage to have a go on the bouncy castle and when he got on it was so hot it hurt his feet so Daddy lifted him straight off :(( Lesson learned - always carry a pair of socks!!

But all was well after a snack in the shade!

Oliver helping me make muffins - or just eating the batter!!

Trying out Mummy's slippers - a good look!

Oliver and his friend Caitlyn enjoying a picnic on the floor!

Carrying around his rucksack full of cars

This is Oliver giving us all a big smile :)

Emily at 4 months

Mummy was filing her nails so Oliver had to copy

Mikayla and Oliver taking a ride together in Matt's bike trailer - we saw them at Lake Calhoun last week

Emily enjoying a new gift - a crinkly "paper"

Oliver being baby Emily!

Oliver on his brand new bike :)

July 4th

So we had a busy weekend over July 4th. On the Saturday we went to a party hosted by the Mum's in Minnesota group I belong to - basically a group of British mums. There must have been 60 or so people there and we played some games, had some great food and the kids splashed around in the pools. Oliver was having a great time in the toddler pool but really wanted to go in the big pool which I was really nervous about because of the depth and number of kids in there. Of course I had no need to be worried. He could stand in the pool and the water came up to his shoulders so he was just fine. It took much bribery to get him out!!

On Sunday afternoon we went to Grandpa Ray and Grandma Sandy's house. They were watching Mikayla for the day so Oliver got to play with his cousin for a while in the paddling pool and with the water table. I brought Emily home early evening and the boys hung out to watch the fireworks. Oliver didn't get to bed until gone 11pm but he did just great and loved the fireworks and Grandpa's fire!

This past weekend we went to the beach at Elm Creek park reserve which is about 15 minutes away from us. Oliver just loved being in the water and playing with the sand. On Sunday it was Scoop's 4th birthday so we took her for a run at the off lead area (otherwise known as Scoop's office according to Oliver!).

Emily rolled for the first time since I last wrote but she hasn't done it since! She frequently rolls onto her side but that's it. She is getting pretty good at grabbing onto toys and she has reached the toe grabbing stage too - I will often find her with her socks half pulled off!

On Monday morning I get to take Oliver for his audiologist appointment so we'll see what comes of that. He seems happy in himself which is a good thing. Check out the video of him on here - he found this toy in Emily's stuff (I think it was a hand me down from cousins Morgan and Rowan) and apparently it's the funniest thing ever!

Oliver met another Oliver at the Brits meetup and they had a go at some fishing!

Oliver having a splashing time in the big pool!

Oliver and Mikayla on July 4th

Emily can now grab on to the toys on her chair

Oliver enjoying an ice cream outside

Emily obviously enjoys reading just like her big brother!

Oliver went with Daddy into a liquor store the other day and the lady working there gave him a cuddly banana - weird, but cute!

Scoop on her birthday :)

Emily watching the world cup final

Scoop is very gentle with Emily just like she always was with Oliver - I'm sure I have a few pics like this from when he was a baby

Meeting Sophie the giraffe!

Emily's hand and foot impressions - we got the same thing done for Oliver when he was 4 weeks old

A good week!

The week didn't start off particularly well but it certainly got better and better!! Oliver has been in a fantastic mood and we have had a great time enjoying the wonderful weather and generally having a good time.

Monday wasn't great because we went back to the doctors to have Oliver's ears checked after his course of antibiotics. He still has fluid in both his ears so we have been referred to an audiologist for further assessment. He has an appointment on 19th July so we'll see what comes out of that. He certainly hears us and seems happy but this could be causing him some pain and frustration.

On Wednesday we met some friends at a park on Lake Calhoun. Oliver had fun digging in the sand (he often does this rather than actually playing on the equipment!). This morning we went to a wading pool in Minneapolis. There are lots of these places around the cities and they are fantastic for younger kids. They have a great time in the water as it's so shallow.

It is 4th July weekend so the Americans get to celebrate being independent from the English and I secretly want to hang up my Union Jack outside to see what happens ;) LOL!! Anyway, Jon gets Monday off so it's all good! And tomorrow we are going to a big family get together of British families which should be lots of fun.

Emily has started to coo and babble almost constantly. She just loves it when someone talks to her :) She is really getting the hang of the lunchtime nap so often I have both kids napping between 1pm and 4pm which is LOVELY!!! Both kids adore each other as the bath time video will show you. Oh, and I got a video of Oliver singing "Gives You Hell" this afternoon. I forget if I recorded him singing this before but obviously his speech has come on a lot and he's much better now!! He loves this song but he does like to shout "gives you hell" rather loudly and even did it over and over in the supermarket the other day! He is just really into his music at the moment. I think his favourite is Lady Gaga :))

Anyway, happy weekend everyone and lets keep the happy kid vibes going :)

Cutie cutie :)

Oliver before the England match. Which we didn't watch. Because it was rubbish.

Emily is getting pretty good at grabbing on to her toys

I got Oliver cleaning the car when he was in a particularly crabby mood. This was his idea of fun. We'll see if that's still the case when he's a teenager!

Sibling love!!

Emily sitting unaided - well, kind of.....:)

We are thinking about buying bikes so we had the kids try out a bike trailer. Oliver absolutely loved it!

Emily had just puked all over me....

Oliver showing off the shorts set Nanna Pan bought him

Serious look - but I love this shirt I bought for Emily!

Oliver having at the wading pool

And Emily just watching us and chilling out

Emily taking it easy on one of the patio chairs!

And Oliver entertaining her!!