Summer School Art

J has had so much this summer in Summer Care.  He has become better friends with kids he knew in passing before, and it has been uniform free + Crocs permissible.

Today, however, J was so proud to wear his most recent major art project.

And doesn't he just look adorable?

<3 Him!

Picture says it all...

For the most part, Payton has moved to sleeping on our couch in our sunroom off our bedroom.  J is falling asleep in his own room, only moving to ours in the wee hours of the night. 

But this is what happens when J goes to sleep in our bed first.

I love how Payton was burying her face to avoid the mere chance of being moved.

Ionia Free Fair

No, I am not excited... Nope.  Not.At.All.

It's that time of year again... What time?  Ionia Free Fair time.

I grew up going to this fair most years.  When we did not make it, I was pretty salty over it.

My first music concert - NKOTB (that would be New Kids on the Block for those born after the 70's) - was in the stands during the fair with my best friend and next door neighbor.

While we've both moved away and had children of our own, this fair brings those memories back like they were yesterday.  Complete with Wet-n-Wild nail polish and Aqua Net hairspray.  Possibly even some Rave to ensure the ultimate hold.

And we cannot forget the Love's Baby Soft perfume.  Oh those were the days...

Is it wrong I was shocked, amazed & slightly amused they still sell it?!?!?!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

I know I will be living it up on funnel cakes and fresh lemonade - because fair food is definitely devoid of calories, allergens or any other nonsense that come Monday will make me regret the enjoyment I am seeking out today.

Couple of pictures from last year's visit to enjoy while we are out gathering new memories!

 How can you not smile looking at him?



a 4 yr old's dinner...

By nature of how I started J off eating, he has challenged me on eating with Matt & I at dinner time.   I assumed that his well balanced meat, veggie, carb prepared blended food was more likely more nutritious than whatever garbage Matt & I were eating. 

As we migrated off those meals, we got sucked into the chicken nugget, pizza, mac-n-cheese, if it is remotely nutritious - it shall never pass through my lips dinner wheel.

However, this past Spring, and really more into Summer - J has really taken off on his food variety.  He has eaten a TON of berries (blue, red, black, and cannot forget strawberries), in addition to his apple & banana staples.  He has added ribs, steak, burgers and even tried fish (not a fan!) to his main course meal options.

As for veggies, we are still working on those.  He loves corn on the cob, but beyond that - not so much anything.  He'll eat apples over fries at McDs even.  It is crazy, being that he is my kid and all, how strongly he dislikes veggies on principle.  He really enjoys hanging with me in the kitchen while I cut up raw veggie after raw veggie.  My hope is repeatedly demonstrating how good they are through my own enjoyment & consumption, eventually - like the main course add ins - he will start to ask for his share.

Until then, he'll proudly announce carrots make him throw-up...

So not awesome thankyouverymuch!

Anyway... J helped me make burgers recently & when asked how he wanted his... He requested no bread (since mommy forgot to buy buns), but pepperoni please.  His own cheeseburger pizza.  Alrighty then. 

I'm just happy to see how quickly he gobbled up his burger & yogurt!  We ended up negotiating on the blueberries vs. bedtime activities.  Ultimately, he decided he did want a shower in my shower over his, so he ate his berries for me.  :-)

What happens after 5...

Mommy worked from home Tuesday afternoon, since there was no power at school due to the crazy storm that went through at 7 in the morning. 

Daddy took the morning till 1:30 shift.

Oh the fun we didn't have. 

Mommy can we...

• swim?
• ride my bike?
• try my skates?
• this was an effort on his part to show how desperate he was
• watch TV?

I proudly said no to each & every request.  We cleaned while mommy worked.  I've seriously reduced the number of toys upstairs by half.  It was such a huge relief to no longer be overrun by toys. 

Next up... Working on the downstairs to donate... But that will be a project for another day.

As a reward, I granted J an all access pass outside to play for an hour before dinner.  We did bike riding, and we did bubbles. 

He was so happy to finally get to do something fun after all the work mommy made him do.

On the upside, he proudly shared with Miss Cheryl all the work he did on Tuesday.

And on Wednesday... As we were driving to school, J noticed before I did (I was paying closer attention to the stop sign I was at) that the traffic light was working.  We were both like "SCORE!!! School is back open today!"

J:  Yeah mommy, this is so happy.  You and daddy are no fun when working on your computers.

Well said little man.  Well said.

Visit to the White Sox stadium - all access pass

While Mommy was partying it up at the bridal shower for the future Mrs. M, Mr. M's little brother is getting married in October, Mr. M & J were partying it up at the White Sox stadium sans a game.

Don't worry, the Tiger's v. the Sox was broadcast across many a Jumbo Tran's.

J had a blast.  He has been begging Aunt Liz to allow him on the field.  We keep telling him later, not today, and he was getting the picture it was NEVER going to happen. 

And to be honest, it was kind of killing his enjoyment of the game.  Such is the life of a 4 year old.

However, thank you to his wonderful Aunt Liz for scoring him 2 tickets to this wonderful event.  He got to explore all aspects of the Sox Stadium. 

Mr. M on the other hand had the fun of trying to get J to smile, since he is in that half smile / half grunt "CHEESE" smile stage.  How long does this last?

The dressing room...

with Mickey

with Frank Thomas

and of course... One from the field.  I LOVE this one. 

4 going on 14...

Last weekend, I asked Matt if he thought J's underwear was getting small.  Being 'a girl' and all, I'm not all that expert-y on the proper fit of a boys underwear.

However, when it seemed rather fitted, I thought we might be coming up on the end of its lifespan.  And Matt agreed. 

Hello - free reign on shopping!

by myself... Yes, it was awesome!

When I started looking at the sizes, I realized they were getting small, simply because J was reaching the upper end of the weight range.  Sigh.

But the fun I had shopping. 

J on the other hand, has had a blast sporting his near gear.  That said, he cracked me up the other night when he asked to sleep in this, complete with briefs underneath his shorts.  He could not grasp the concept of true boxers being underwear.  He understands boxer briefs, and briefs because he has worn both, but true boxers.  Mind blowing.

Oh well.  He looked to cute not to take a picture in his *shorts*.