Dad's Day

This year Nana Pat kindly offered to host a Father's Day gathering.  Despite my efforts to plan a packed and elaborate day last year, Ryan was happy with absolutely whatever and that was good because the block party and working the day before made things a little hectic this year.  Once this mama took a good, long, deep breath, we set out on an adventure-filled and very fun day.  Ryan opened his gifts and put his new bike seat on his bike before we set out for brunch and fun at the South Pearl Farmer's Market.  We had amazing breakfast burritos and Colombian tacos, ice cream and green cactus smoothies, and rode our bikes home slowly through Wash park.  We spent the afternoon at Nana and Papa's neighborhood pool and enjoying their backyard with the whole fam.

carnitas taco

those breakfast burritos were SPICY

spinach, lemon, lime, and prickly pear smoothie= tart but delicious

you can guess who had ice cream....

.....and who had some of both.

several places at the market have live music

  

I almost got a cute pic of Ben in front of the teepee Nana made before the rest of the family walked in-almost!

I remarked on this day how it doesn't feel that much different than other days because I almost always do all the cooking and cleaning.  Despite that, it's important to honor the dads., husbands, uncles, etc., in our lives.  Ben and I are very blessed to have Ryan who works so hard to provide for us and is a loving and giving husband and father, too.  The way he and Ben light up and giggle when they play together is a never-ending gift to me and one I stop frequently to soak in.

2nd and final S. Josephine St block party

I did say several times last year that I wouldn't undertake the block party again, but I did.  I actually had the date planned in January because even back then I had about 8 things to do on June Saturdays and only 4 days to do them in-eeek!  In the end I changed the day to accommodate some neighbors which meant I had to work for part of the event.  The weather was less then cooperative for part of the event but cleared to make for a very enjoyable evening.  Although we all bring our own food, and some to share, there's a lot that has to happen for a city street to be closed.  I have to get a petition signed by 75% of the neighbors, buy insurance, and appear in person for a permit.  Long story short, the permit people were less then friendly or efficient and it took hours to get. This year the barricade restrictions were much more strict and I tasked Ryan with taking care of them.  Well-timed constrution being done on our street meant the perfect barricades were already in place.  Despite my thinking they'd be left and available after talking to one of the workers, they were picked up and removed just hours before the event.  SUPER RYAN to the rescue!!! How my brilliant husband pulled this together in hours with Ben in tow is still beyond me but he certainly does work best under pressure.

This "free" on the road soccer goal I'd insisted we snag worked perfectly.

the other end

Last year neighbors had requested a longer event including a bounce house so I made that happen.  Another neighbor contacted the fire department and they brought a truck for the kids to explore and even turned the hoses on.

 

the bounce house arrived hours early before the cars were moved

oh man this pic!!

Sadly, and perhaps due to weather, many people who said they would attend did not and many who said they wanted a bounce house did not contribute.  This meant the Heimer Haus footed the bill for a big portion of the insurance and bounce house. Ben did spend nearly 7 hours jumping :) and another neighbor bringing his fire pit out meant the festivities lasted until the wee hours for my husband and a couple others.

The event does bond the block and creates lasting memories for the kids.  I hope the tradition continues and someone decides to plan and execute next year-in a pre-paid fashion, of course. :)

end of school performance and the last day of school

I was worried for weeks about how Ben would handle the end of year performance if I came to watch as he struggles when I join in school activities.  The teachers let me know he had done great in practice and that he would likely try to escape to me but insisted I attend.  I had Ben practice in the auditorium a couple times and let him know I would be in the audience but that he'd need to stay put.  What I didn't know until after the performance is that Ben had suffered a pretty terrible bloody nose just minutes before they performed.

Overall, just the fact he stayed on stage for the whole performance (albeit with help and encouragement) and joined in a few times with singing and hand motions was a big success.  The clips don't show his nose bleed starting again but it thankfully held off until the end when I could help him.
You can watch clips of the 3 songs they performed and Ben's antics here.

***

The following week was the last week of school and Thursday brought my last day of freedom for the Summer.  Ryan was out of town on an extended work trip so rather than strolling or shopping or sipping coffee al fresco, I spent my last day of free time mowing the lawn.
I had promised Ben "fries with mommy," while Ryan was gone and decided the last day of school was perfect for the special treat.  We also had to hurry to Ben's first swimming lesson with Meagan for the summer that afternoon.  I couldn't think of a better way to officially start Summer and let the big and small adventures begin.

Ben painted cards for his teachers and therapists. :)

 

Each kiddo colored squares (you can see Ben's at left center) and one amazing Mom sewed quilts for both teachers.  She even found fabric for all the things they did as a class like the zoo, tie dye, Dr. Seuss day and Disney on Ice.

 

*The last two weeks of school were horribly emotional and stressful for me.  I had a very busy Spring and there are LOTS of end of year activities even at 3 years old.  Several parents and I remarked how it would be nice if everything didn't come at the end of the year in terms of field trips, etc.  I think I was fearful of not having any time without Ben for the whole Summer but also sad at the reflection and growth the end of the school year brings.  More seasoned mom-friends of mine say this doesn't change as the years go by but I hope I'll be better equipped to deal with the emotions next year.

a few firsts

Ben's first time roasting a weenie over the fire pit at MeeMee's.  We'll do this again at Breck in July. :)

Our first family bike trip and Farmer's Market visit of the season.

 

My first time seeing horses at a drive-through.  In Hays, America on our way home from the Wichita wedding.

This much contentedness and peace from both my boys simultaneously was a first.   That I was planting at the time was an incredible bonus.

My first hydrangea-as I've never had enough shade before this house, and the hail damage it sustained the day after planting.

First Crocs to be procured in the Heimer Haus.  As they're super easy for Ben to put on and take off, great for the pool, and supportive, they won't be the last.

First veggie planting attempt at this house.  We only have one small spot with enough sun for maters and spicy peppers but we're giving it a go.  Now grow! grow! grow!