Day 67 Friday - Day 69 Sunday

Friday we went to Jeri's pool for Maddy's birthday party. The boys had the best time swimming and playing with all the kids. We had Little Ceasar's Pizza and a cookie cake too! YUM. Cal finally swam across the "deep end" by himself. What milestones we've reached this summer. He can ride a two-wheel bike, swim in the deep end, and has his first loose tooth. Friday night we went out to the cabin to go to the Tug Fest in LeClaire. We boated down for the festival where the boys and Sophia rode the rides and ate corn dogs and cotton candy. Then we watched the world's best fireworks display from the River on Papa and Maga's pontoon. What a great night.

Saturday morning we went down to the Tug Fest again with Joe, Jonell, Soph, and Maga to use up our tickets riding the rides and playing some games. Ryan went with Mike out to Grizz's bachelor party. They had plans to golf, boat, and party at Ken's. So the boys and I hung around the cabin, and then went for a boat ride with Papa and Maga. We ended up on Princeton Beach where the boys swam and played in the sand. In the evening Aunt Mariellen came out and we had dinner and make "mores" as Jake called them.

Sunday - Boo Hoo - Last day of summer break - back to work tomorrow. How did it go so fast?

Today we hung around the cabin in the morning. Then picked Ryan up at Ken's house. We gave Grizz, Lane, and Jason a ride home, stopped at McDonald's and then just hung out at home. The boys played great together outside, rode bikes, played a hide and seek game with a toy, pretended to ride their bikes to school... It is great to see them play like that. I'm pretty sad to see the summer coming to an end, but we have had a great time together. I think we're all ready for a little more of a routine. The boys will stay with Maga and Papa during the day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday while Ryan and I are at work. Then it's back to school for them starting Thursday! So long summer... We'll miss you!

Day 60 Friday - Day 66 Thursday

Oh dear, school starts for teachers in 3 days and I've fallen behind in my blog posts so here goes:

Friday we went to the blood lab to get a cholestorol test on Calvin (just getting a baseline for later in life). Then we had doughnuts - great for cholestorol. We dropped off Cal's flag football registration at the Friendly House and then met Jonell and Soph at the Family Museum. They especially liked playing in the little house area. See pic of Jake answering the phone. That evening we went to Rookies to meet Ryan's cousin Mike. Had dinner and played games.

Saturday and Sunday - two more fun-filled days at the cabin - swimming, boating, eating. Happy Joe's pizza on Sunday night at home with Ryan's cousin Mike and his friend Debbie. Yum.

Monday we met Maga, Kelli, Mason, Joey at Vanderveer Park with Mike. The kids played and we had a picnic lunch in the park. In the evening we went to Mariellen's and had grilled chicken and corn on the cob for dinner.

Tuesday we went to Ben Butterworth Parkway in Moline and went for a bike ride with Papa and Maga. Jake rode on the back of Papa's bike. We rode for a little over an hour. Then we had a picnic lunch in the park that Papa and Maga packed for us. The boys played on swings and monkey bars. Then we went home for naps! Tuesday night I golfed with Maga and the boys went with Daddy and Mike to get the camper set up for Grizz's bachelor party which Daddy is planning.

Wednesdy was quite a day. I woke up early around 4:30 feeling chest pains. After a couple of hours worrying I decide to go to convenient care. Ryan went with me and Mike stayed with the boys. The doctor determined that it was probably acid reflux as my EKG and chest xrays came back normal. He prescribed some meds and we were on our way - feeling better today (Thursday). Then I went on to the dentist for a cleaning. Mike made the boys bacon and eggs and cleaned up for me! What a guy. Wednesday night everyone came over here for BLT's. The boys had a great time running around the yard and eating Whitey's ice cream pie thanks to Mike's friend Debbie.

Thursday we met Aunt Jonell and Sophia at the Bettendorf Y and went swimming. Long nap for Jake after that. We're on our way to go shopping for school supplies this evening, I think...

Day 59 Thursday

Today we went swimming at Windsor Crest with Ebelings again. Next nap for Jake, then to the Fair again. Papa did the "Sling Shot." We couldn't miss that so we had to go again. Ryan went with this time, and Joe, Jonell, and Soph joined us too. Even Matt, Heather, and Claire came to see the excitement. After the sling shot Jake went with Sandy's and Ryan to look at the animals. The rest of us rode some rides, ate some fair food, and played "Lucky Ducks." Papa bought the boys everything they wanted as usual! They had a great time!

Day 56 Monday - Day 58 Wednesday

Monday we went to the library to finished up our summer reading program. The boys got to pick a free book and Cal spent about an hour on the computer playing a math game. We stopped by a produce stand and got corn, tomatoes, and watermelon. Had BLT's for dinner - yum.

Tuesday I had class so the boys spent the afternoon with Maga. Apparently they spent a while playing at McDonald's! When Maga and I went to golf they went on a long bike ride with Papa! (about 4 miles he said) Jakie rode on the back of Papa's bike and Cal rode his own two -wheeler. He's really got the hang of it now!

Wednesday we went to the Mississippi Valley Fair with Maga, Jonell, and Sophia. We went on tons of rides, played a couple games, and of course had a corn dog and lemon shake up for lunch. We saw some cows being milked, checked out the horses, and a giant hog. It was fun to hang out with Jonell and Soph and Maga!

Day 54 and 55 Saturday and Sunday

Saturday was cool and rainy in the morning so we just ran some errands. In the afternoon, Calvin finally took off on his 2-wheeler without training wheels. It's amazing at how fast he finally got it! I think it took a little "push" from his second cousin, Ethan, and a little help from Daddy! We rented some movies, cooked steaks and just hung out together. Nice evening.

Sunday the sun was shining so, of course we took off for the cabin. Tim, Cyndee, and Maya joined us, along with Nick and Viktor. Ben, Maddie, and Oskar came out on their boat too. We tied up in the slough and the kids jumped off the back of the boat close to a million times, I think. Another fun day on the Mississippi!

Day 53 Friday

Today was our last day to visit with Steve, Linda, Matt, Ethan, and Gracie. We went to their hotel and went swimming. Maga, Mason, Joey, Cal, Jake and I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. They had a great time running around in that play room. Then the boys and I picked up the house to get ready for the evening. Everyone came over and we hung out on the deck while the kids ran around. Jakie cried when they left and said he was going to miss them.

Day 50 Tuesday-Day52 Thursday

Tuesday I had class so the boys played with Papa and Maga during the morning. In the evening they went to Aunt Kelli's for dinner with the Shafers. I met them after golf.

Wednesday was another busy day. We went to Windsor Crest pool with Kelli and company again. The boys had a blast. They are turning into little fish! In the evening we went to the cabin and up to Princeton Beach with Steve, Linda, Matt, Ethan, Gracie, Jay, and Pam. The kids had a blast playing in the sand and in the river. After playing for a while, we went back to the cabin to pick up Kelli, Mason, Joey, Maga, Mariellen, and Sam. Then we headed to It's on the River for pizza. Ethan (age 6) commented that it was the "best day of his life." We must be doing something right! :)

Thursday the boys and I ran errands in the morning. Then Ethan came over for the afternoon to play. Ryan, Steve, and Matt went golfing in the evening and the boys and I just took it easy!