Lake Zielinski

Since I'm confident that Emerson will be on swim team around age 4, we decided to put a lap pool in the back yard. By lap pool, I mean the $29.99 pool from Target, that measures about 8' x 10'. Perfect for toddlers! And Moms! And Dads!


It's been crazy hot lately, so we spent most of last weekend lounging in the pool. Emerson's buddy, Teddy, stopped by for a dip. Good times at Lake Zielinski.

Emerson and Teddy - suntan lotion on the camera lens???

Kissable.

I always get a good pose and smile from Teddy!



Emerson tackling Jason, and Teddy using the skimmer...

I think SOMEONE is having more fun than the kids!!!

Father's Day Weekend - Part 2 (Fountain Park)

Saturday night, Jason and I went with Jessica and some friends to Zoofari, the zoo's annual fundraiser. With VIP passes, we enjoyed the zoo in first class! Had a great time with amazing food, drinks and music! Exhausted from the day before, Emerson hung out with Leah, and went to bed early.

On Sunday, we continued a great Father's Day weekend! We enjoyed coffee, breakfast, cartoons and donuts. After Emerson's marathon nap of 4+ hours, we headed out for ice cream at Cold Stone, then to a park about 10 minutes from our house. To say Emerson had a great time would be a huge understatement. This little boy had THE TIME OF HIS LIFE! And so did his Dad!

Emerson is starting to get the concept of "catch" and is pretty good!

The park is "Dancing Hares" - hence the giant bunny statues. You can see Jason and Em up there on the hill.

On our way in from the parking lot...

I can't tell...are you having fun?!?!?!

He ran non-stop! Fearless little boy.

Jump! Jump!

Hmmm.

He would get suprised sometimes when the water pressure increased! And giggled like a monkey!

Just doin' his thing.

Father's Day Weekend - Part 1 (Harper)

Father's Day weekend was great fun! Saturday, we all headed to Lancaster late morning for a visit with Harper. Emerson and Harper are at such fun ages to play together. Although they play at very different paces, and in very different ways, the cousins definitely have a blast together!

The classic toys at Mia and Poppy's are always a hit!

They do a pretty good job of sharing and taking turns!

Emerson has an uncanny ability to hear "eee-panes!" and always looks up to locate them!

Harper Marie...such a little doll.

This is a hammer, right???

She likes to pose.

Races with Auntie Jessi while Poppy judges!

More sweet girl.

Mia and the great grandmas watch from the breezeway. (It was super hot.)

The ramp was put to good use!

Jared, Harper, and as Harper likes to refer to Griffey, "My doggy!"

I love the disapproving look that Harper is giving Emerson as he crams macaroni in his mouth!

This is us trying to get two toddlers to pose for a picture. Oh well.

And my all-time favorite picture from the weekend...

Puzzles with Poppy

Despite Emerson and I fighting some wicked summer colds, we went to Lancaster on Sunday with Auntie Jessi to visit Mia, Poppy, Griffey, Uncle Jared, and GG. Had a yummy lunch, stayed all afternoon to work in some naps, and had a great visit.

Emerson loves puzzles right now. And so does Poppy.

And who doesn't love the "Little People" house???

From left to right...Jared's preemie (that never had a name, since it wasn't a ninja turtle), Jessica's red-headed cabbage patch doll (that has a blood stain on her dress from when I gave Jess a bloody nose when we were 4 and 6) and Emerson's beloved Brutus.

Poppy does this. Poppy is weird.


Poppy snapped a picture of Emerson mid-nap. I think he had woken himself coughing here. Poppy is notorious for taking pictures of people when they're asleep. Our childhood photo albums are filled with pictures of us sleeping.

And this is a sick Mommy taking a nap in her old bedroom while Emerson napped.

Celebrating babies in the belly...and babies in the jump jump!

Our very best friends, Terra and Andrew, are expecting a little one in August, so we had a great weekend celebrating his or her pending arrival! We had plenty of tents for cover, and only made a mad dash or two with weather, but a great day overall. And doesn't everyone have a bounce house at baby showers?

Andrew and everyone enjoying a little down time before the gifts...

Andrew kept everyone (especially Terra) laughing at everything he doesn't yet know about babies!

Why do I feel like there is a conspiracy going on at the water table. I hear Emerson in my head saying, "OK...Eleanor, you start crying to get their attention, and then Warren, create a distraction to get everyone to the other side of the patio..."

Ohhhh...so this is the plan they were hatching...

Andrew is helping Emerson to the top...not that he needed the help!

(Quite a bounce house, isn't it?!?!?)

Mr. Independent on his way to the top!

And on his way down (I think this was 8 of about 200 trips)

Summer kick-off! (Memorial Day Weekend)

We consider the fun, sun, BBQs, and time with family and friends our official kick-off to what's sure to be a fun-filled summer. We spent the long weekend in Toledo to celebrate Emerson's cousin Spencer's 7th birthday, Auntie Mel's birthday, and the Memorial Day holiday.

Emerson's love for the water hasn't changed. He adores jumping in from the side and even off the diving board. He isn't really interested in water wings, but I'm betting by the end of summer, will wear them and move around more independently. He's fearless to the point of being dangerous, so he's also learning boundaries at the pool.

Emerson ran hard, from Friday to Monday. He slept crazy amounts of time overnight and during naps. He had a ball with his cousins, grandparents, great grandparents, aunt, uncle, neighbors, etc. And I guess Emerson must bring sunshine wherever he goes, b/c shortly after we left Toledo, the storms rolled in!

Jumping in from the side

Hanging with Aunt Mel, Kendall, and Great-Grandpa Z

Goofin' with cousin Macy...

Running, running, running...

Goofin' with cousin Kendall