HOT July Weekend!

Maci had an awesome week at school!  The summer activities continue in full force and she also continues to be a whiz with the potty training - Wahoo!!

Monday Fun with the Sensory Table & Fishing with Magnets!

 Tuesday - Making Extra Stretchy Goo (Maci is the Pigtails & Super Engaged!)

 Thursday - TUMBLE BUS Came & Maci Loved It!

 Friday - Maci was picked to be the kid to get to nap in the Tent during Nap time!

 TGIF!!

Friday - We started the weekend with Clint picking up Maci and I headed to a maternity store to see what clothes I could get for this earlier showing bump.  We did our usual pizza dinner and then headed to Mall of America to see what maternity clothes I could pick up there and to let Maci ride some rides.  Thankfully Gap was having a HUGE sale and I got all the remaining staples I believe I need for my wardrobe and growing bump.  That meant I only had to go to one store too which Maci loved because that left more time for her to play in Nickelodeon Universe.

Girl Loves to Ride Rides with Daddy!

Saturday - We started the day with our usual bagel and grocery run.  Afterward, daddy cut the grass while Maci and I had a Popsicle and played on the swing set.  Once Maci started to "melt" we knew it was nap time and we compromised on allowing her to nap on the couch.  This ended up being a genius idea because she napped almost 3 full hours (something only done at daycare usually)!  This meant Clint and I were able to get so many of our weekend tasks completed and still able to read a magazine cover to cover before she awoke :)  Ahhh so productive and she awoke so happy!  Come 6p it was time for Clint and my monthly date night.  Stephen (next door neighbor) was the sitter this time and Maci was ecstatic - giving us high fives/kisses and telling us "have fun!"  Ha cutie!  Clint and I had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed the movie Jurassic World which I didn't have high expectations for as that isn't my favorite kind of movie but it kept my interesting the whole time and wasn't horribly gory - I will agree with Clint this time, it was well done!

Sunday - Today was projected to be in the 90s so that meant the Mondell family was planning a water day!  Since I was still a little shaky about the concrete slip at the pool last week, we decided to try a new location.  There is a natural made pool in which looks like a small lake/pond but is still chlorinated so you get the best of both beach and pool worlds :)  We LOVED it!  Maci played with some nice boys next door and we had a great conversation with their parents.  Shortly after eating some lunch we saw Maci's daycare pal Sally and her family.  Sally is a little fish and peer pressure can be helpful, she kept telling Maci to try and lift her feet, put her face in etc.  Before the end of our time, Maci was back to being our fishy!!  We were there from a little before 11a until 2p.  We then took a family nap as the sun wiped us all out.

 Sally & Maci - Swim Pals!

Now Maci/Clint are playing outside and I am tying up some items before the week begins.  We need to figure out dinner and pack all the bags to start another full week of work/school.  :)  Tomorrow is our week 16 check up so prayers for a continued healthy pregnancy are appreciated.

Lots of Love,
C, K, M & #2 to be

American Pride & A Fun Surprise!!

See, I said it was a Fun Surprise!!!  

Miss Maci will be a big sister as of end of December 2015.  I am currently heading into my 15th week of pregnancy and fortunately, so far so good!  Maci is quite excited about the baby inside my belly, which by the way is popping quite a bit quicker this 2nd time around :)  At my next appointment on July 13th we should hopefully schedule my C-Section for sometime after Christmas but before NYE.  Daycare enjoyed seeing Maci in this shirt on Monday and fortunately no one realized what the shirt said until I had already left - Yay what a fun surprise!  Daycare has been asking for a 2nd Mondell for some time now!!  Plus we are starting to feel ready for a 2nd now that our former baby went a whole week in underwear and with very few accidents WAHOO =)

Hope the Next One Has This Cutie's PERSONALITY!!

The rest of the week went as planned and before we knew it we were at Thursday and getting ready for the LONG holiday weekend!!!

Thursday - Per usual, we all left work early on the day before the holiday so that meant Clint and I headed out around 330p and grabbed our crazy girl to start weekend fun.  After picking up Maci (who bit a friend out of no where on Thursday) we headed to Nordstrom Rack to get her some new gym shoes - her feet are growing like weeds.  Miss M loves shoes so much though that she made me let her try on about 20 pairs and begged us for some random teal sandals which we fortunately put back when she wasn't looking :)  After our quick shopping trip, we headed to Champs for dinner where Maci wouldn't sit still and the server moved at snail speed.

Friday - We ran all of our errands like grocery on Friday morning so we didn't have to worry about it the rest of the fun weekend.  After naps, we headed to the Taste of Minnesota where Maci had a 3 way tie between her favorite things : pony ride/petting zoo, cotton candy and dance party with a kid's DJ.  I mainly enjoyed the food, even more so because I am eating for 2 and hungry quite often!  Clint loved his juicy lucy cheeseburger but we have a feeling that may have upset his stomach since he had to deal with it on and off almost the entire 4th of July =(

Saturday - Happy 4th of July!!!  We had a fairly low key day around the house since Clint was sick most of the day.  Maci and I ran out a few times but I mainly caught up on Orange is the New Black and I got Maci to take a late nap so she would be ready for fireworks.  Thankfully Clint was feeling better around 7p, just in time to prep for fireworks.  We met up with the Cassem's at their house and then crossed the street to the other development where they were having a firework party, vs walking a few more blocks to the park where the fireworks are shot off.  Maci was so excited to see her pal Natalie and they talked to each other through the entire firework show just saying "Maci BOOM" so cute!

So Proud of her Beads from the Dance Contest at Taste of MN!

The Best of Friends Ready to Party!

 "MOM No More Flash!"

Sunday - Yay, Clint feels better!!  Since we were low key yesterday, we had to make up for it a bit with an action packed day today!  We met the Zehr's & Cassem's at the Zoo around 930a and it was so nice to see new baby Rowan Zehr!  Harper is quite proud of his baby brother and Maci is starting to wonder why she doesn't have a little baby to watch after, not yet anyway :)  

After the zoo, Maci took a nap and I headed to get a pedicure.  I must be having mommy brain because I had to call Clint to bring my wallet or else I had no way to pay.  Thankfully Caroline next door sat in our house for 5 mins while he ran it to me since Maci was napping.  Once Maci woke up, we headed to the pool to enjoy the rest of the beautiful day.  However, the scariest moment of my life happened about an hour after getting there.  Maci was running in and out of the pool and at one point she slipped on the sidewalk and fell hit the back of her head.  It didnt look too hard and I heard her crying.  As I walked over about to tell her how you need to walk, I realized something was odd.  I picked her up and she wasn't crying, she was holding her breath and her eyes were floating around - I am feeling sick just writing this again.  I screamed the most blood curdling scream for Clint as I thought she was seizing but as he picked her up he got her crying again and then she quickly started asking for a binky.  We took her to get a snack, she talked the whole time, ate it all and then splashed with us for about another 30 mins in the pool.  Thankfully everything appears a ok and she was probably just really scared from the fall but that was a total nightmare for what was 30 seconds but felt like time stood still.  

After making sure everything was ok and finishing our afternoon at the pool, we went home in time for the US women's world cup game!!  Maci cheered the entire game with me and Clint picked us up some Olive Garden for dinner.  Maci was playing like her normal self which helped my nerves to slowly ease by the minute.  After the US win :), we wrapped up the evening with bath time, books and getting things ready for the week/next day.  We are so proud of Maci, she didn't have 1 accident all weekend long with us and she ended the evening with a #2 on the potty!!!  I love that lil girl so much and I have given her about 3x the hug after my brief scare this afternoon.  Clint keeps reminding me that she is going to fall and things are going to happen but UGH I never want anything to happen to my baby!!  

Enjoy your week everyone!

Lots of Love,

C, K & M (4th initial coming soon)

Sinnard Family Reunion - Clifty Falls, IN

We had a brief and fairly uneventful work/daycare week before heading out to the every other year Sinnard Family reunion weekend!  We had a blast and now we are all spent but I will try to quickly capture the highlights!

Friday - We dropped Boomer at the doggie hotel around 630a and then we were off the airport for our 9a flight.  We did the usual breakfast before the flight and let Maci pick out one new toy for the plane ride.  She chose wisely with a Melissa and Doug On the Go "Water Wow" toy which basically makes her think she is painting with a paint brush filled with water but it just brings out the color when the water touches the paper.  It then drys and you can do it over and over and over again.  This is seriously the best toy ever for our crazy busy daughter who also loves art.  She did awesome on the flight thanks to this and the counting app on my phone :)

We got into Indianapolis around noon and then we had our 2 hour drive to the state park.  On the way there we stopped for some groceries, beer and lunch.  We made good time even with the stop and we were fully checked into the lodge and on the way to the campground to meet up with everyone by 3p.  Maci was so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa right away.  She then kept asking about her cousins until everyone got there by 5p.  Unfortunately the day had some hit and miss rain which lent itself to this lovely mud puddle :)

Who Doesn't Love Puddle Jumping with Your Older Cousins?!

After showering, we met Clint's parents in the hotel restaurant for dinner.  After dinner, we met up with my siblings, mom and some cousins to watch the US women's soccer game - so fun watching with those that all grew up playing :)  We concluded the evening by some time around the campfire before it started raining and getting too late for a 2.5 year old!

Saturday EARLY MORNING - When Maci was going to bed at 10p she said "Mommy my tummy hurt" but then fell asleep and she doesn't do this often but since it was so flippant I thought nothing of it.  Clint came in from hanging with the adults around midnight and then at 130a I hear some bubbling in the bed next door.  Poor Miss M had puked and kept sleeping.  So I yell to Clint, we shower the poor screaming tired kid as it is in her hair and we throw her in bed with us.  About 20 mins later more PUKE and everywhere this time in our bed, on Clint on the floor OH MAN!  So at 2a we made good friends the inn's 3rd shift staff.  Poor Miss M finally was feeling better by the time the 2nd bed was being made and the vacuum was ran.  I chalk it up (thankfully no more instances the rest of the weekend) to eating way too much crap and going all day long!  What an eventful evening :(

At 715a, Clint held up his end of the bargain and went on a run with Molly and I hung with my mom for some early morning chit chat.  As much as I was tired, my body wakes up on auto pilot at about 7a every day :)  Once Molly/Clint returned from their 5k run, we all got ready and headed down for some breakfast in the hotel.  The day then followed with hanging at the campground, taking a long hike to see some falls but mainly just trying not to lose the pre teen to teenage kids in the woods :)

Our Crazy Hikers!

After returning from our long walk, we got prepared for the kids games which I was excited to see what Maci would do.  She LOVED the water balloon toss, enjoyed the relay race, struggled with musical chairs and was terrified of the crazy 10 year old kids diving at the pinata :)  All in all a good time!

Maci's Idol - Aunt Molly!

We then enjoyed the rest of the evening playing corn hole with family, socializing with good people we don't get to see near enough and just having a great time!  Maci loved all the play time with her cousins and ran all day long with no nap!  This ended with falling asleep in Molly's arms on the way to the car at 1030p.  By the time we hit the hotel room, she was already OUT and stayed that way until 8a the next day :)

This Kid Cracks Me Up!

She Pushed 3 Year Old Cousin Preston on the Bike

 Someone LOVES her Own Minnie Chair from Grandma!

This Group Gets Bigger Every Time We Take the Picture :)

Sunday - We rose a little later today and did the usual breakfast in the hotel.  Afterward we checked out of the inn and headed down to the campground for goodbyes and to help pack up food.  Most people were heading home but since our flight wasn't until 6p out of Indy, we took advantage of my mom's bday and the great weather and hit the outdoor pool at the park.  Maci, Clint, my mom, Molly and I swam from noon-2p before we had to change and start on the 2 hour drive to the airport.  We all got a little bit of sun which made for a sleepy plane ride home and a 2 hour Maci nap in the car :)

As Clint and I said it was a super FUN and FAST weekend!  We are happy to have only a 4 day work week ahead of us before a long 4th of July weekend with no real plans.  We look forward to enjoying some of the many wonderful summer events that go on in our own backyard in the twin cities.  Here is hoping we have great weather and you all have a wonderful 4th!

Lots of Love,

C, K & M

Happy Father's Day!!!

Maci continues to enjoy her summertime curriculum at school which included a traveling zoo of reptiles and of course Friday water time!  I on the other hand enjoyed a busy week of compensation calibration meetings but alas the process is "mostly" done for yet another year :)  Clint was busy working on his post Africa report the majority of the week.  All in all, a pretty good week on all fronts!

Traveling Zoo!

SNAKES

Maci proudly touching the turtle while a scared Jack looks on from the crowd

Friday - It was such a gorgeous day and the rain would be rolling in at night so I headed out of work a little early to catch Verizon before the 5p Friday rush and crowds.  I was finally due up for a new phone and was quite excited to get my iPhone 6.  While I was at Verizon, Clint was at Maci's school for Daddy Day snack time (Popsicles!)  Maci was quite excited to have daddy at her school and to give him her gift - a picture frame with her in it holding a sign saying "I love you to pieces" and the photo frame had puzzle pieces all over it - very cute!  Much better than my school made homemade body scrub which HURTS from mother's day ;-)

Saturday - The day started off pretty icky with a lot of rain so we ran errands and took a nice long nap together.  Clint and I were supposed to have date night but unfortunately our sitter got sick which worked out in the end since Maci was put to bed with a 130 temp :(  Poor kid!!  Before we realized she was running a temp, we headed to Rojo at the West End for dinner and Maci was such a good girl at dinner.  Unfortunately when we got home we realized she was burning up and was very sad about it :(  She took some Tylenol like a champ and slept in a diaper.  After she was down, Clint and I again binge watched some Orange is the New Black.

Sunday - Yay Maci woke up feeling great and no temp!  Clint went for a run on his Father's Day morning and we got our cards all ready.  We went to a nice brunch together at Granite City and then picked up Daddy's annual pictures from Walgreen's for his frame at work.

Yep that about sums up the MANY faces of Maci

We attempted to come home for a nap and some household to dos but Miss M was not having a nap after all the sleep she got the day prior.  So we headed to the pool around 2p for a fun afternoon in the sun.  Fortunately Maci's random water fear only lasted about 1 hour of our 2+ hour trip.  Once we backed off and just let her decide when she was ready to go deeper etc, next thing we knew she was wanting to jump in to me, went down the big slide 3 times with daddy and finally went down the whale slide alone.  Of course we left with tears because now she LOVED swimming but fortunately that was short lived since we let her get some candy on the way out.

All Smiles After 1st Trip Down the BIG Slide

 Coming Down the Big Slide - 2nd Run

 Whale Slide Big Girl!

 Successful Pool Day

She Looks Like a Lil Boxer Heading to the Ring :)

Clint and I are now itching from a little too much sun and Maci somehow just managed a 2nd wind after we swore she was down for the night at 545p.  We will spend the rest of our evening enjoying what remains of a great Father's Day weekend and mentality preparing our travel needs for the trip to the Sinnard Family Reunion in IN this coming weekend :)

Lots of Love,
C, K & M