Fun with Mom

Over the weekend, the kids and I ended up having a pretty fun time even though I was pretty much punting the whole time:) Dave was gone to an anesthesia conference, so more fun with Momma! We also happened to get word that we were going to have a showing for the house Saturday early afternoon. Ahh!! So, I spent Friday night putting things away and cleaning. Saturday morning as well. But we had to get out of the house and after a little craziness, I had all three kids loaded into the van in the driveway with a movie playing, I vacuumed the downstairs and we headed to Madison! They gave us an almost three-hour window of when they would be at the house, so I took them on a longer trip. 

Side note: we are exploring options in housing to get more space, smarter space...we went down the renovation path and decided it would cost too much to alter this house. We are looking at existing homes and land in our neighborhood... we love this house, don't really want to leave it, but are excited about new possibilities too...we'll keep you posted:)

I needed an oil change so we headed to the giant Toyota dealership in Madison. They have the best kid/waiting area - Kate asks to go there:) So we unloaded, walked all the way around the dealership to go to this area. They played, had free snacks and juiceboxes. We took a four-person bathroom break (not my favorite part of being a momma).  Twice. And then we got my newly oiled up van (loaded them in with both boys screaming. Good times. Good times.) and debated going somewhere else. It was so nice out....so we went to Olbrich Botanical Gardens. 

Road trip!

Realized while sitting at Toyota that Ayden and I looked a little similar....:)

It was rather "busy" at the gardens, what with the great weather and Wisconsin Gourd Association there and all....:) I was nervous about managing them all, but Ayden slept in the carseat/stroller and Collin did really well. He has started to get a little more hesitant and shy in new situations with new people. I'm loving it, he clings to my leg more and that means he is within reach! 

They are stoked

They held hands for much of the time

We love it here!

Kate was begging and begging to play in this big grass circle
She's trying to get better at her cartwheels...

It was our first time to the Thai Garden
I was nursing Ayden on a bench

This was the only time Collin ran away from me.
Just as we were leaving. Kate "watched" Ayden while I ran to get him

After the gardens, I was really feeling some ice cream and wanted to stop somewhere and sit outside or take them to a park on the lake to eat. But that was definitely biting off more than I could chew. So we started driving to get Ayden asleep and then were going to grab Culvers in Sauk City. Well, Ayden just screamed the whole way :( I was almost in tears myself - I can't stand it when I can't help them! I kept thinking it wasn't far to Sauk City, of course it felt much longer to me. We got there after an eternity and I ordered ice cream and we sat in the van while I nursed and changed Ayden. I didn't grab my shake before I got settled in the back, so I had melty ice cream later. Ayden did fall asleep after we left Sauk City and we all made it back in one piece:)

Here's a few other pics from the last week...

They have had a lot of indoor soccer practice so far this year.
Excited to be outside this week!

The six year olds (Kate's team) were rather distracted by the big kids sitting up on the bleachers

My mornings...:)

Collin has to be just like "Tatie!"

We love being outside! (our backyard)

Little Pablo Picasso...he's loving the art stuff lately...
but we've had two instances of drawing on the log walls. So time to supervise more:(

We were so happy to get Daddy back Sunday afternoon! I was looking forward to an easier week, but it is still rather crazy (of course!) and we are getting ready for a busy and fun weekend - with Ayden's baptism on Sunday!