Summer 2011 in Review: Warning, WARNING...LOTS of pictures!

Is summer really over!?  It seems as if we wait all year for those 3 perfect months and it just flies by, doesn't it?  MacGruber and I had a wonderfully busy summer filled with lots of sunshine and water.  We had special adventures taking bike rides, exploring parks and visitng family and friends!  I can't even begin to tell of all the little moments we had this summer, so instead, I will summarize with pictures.  (I should post the many (like 20!) blog posts I started the past couple months and never finished.  The little tidbits are humorous but when the beautiful weather is calling, it's hard to sit at the computer.  And, ha!  Who am I kidding!?  I have a very busy little man who doesn't really allow for much sitting anyway right now!)

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.  ~Henry James

St. Louis Zoo with Baba

MacGruber and Mama (I had to grab my camera-shy guy for this pic!)
By the way, what's up with kids who actually pose for the camera!?  Sigh..I wish.

Visiting the bunnies near Nana and Baba's house!

Lake Michigan with one of your best pals, Mymy!

Strawberry pickin' time and a VERY happy little guy!

4th of July and our favorite "secret" place! 
We play at this park often and MacGruber loves hiding out in here!

4th of July with Ye and special Cambodian cake!  YUM!

Lots of window watching!

New fancy schmancy Lighning McQueen chair! 
(Before I had a child, I vowed never to buy one of these...ahh..the things you say!)

Batting cages at Wisconsin Dells!



Backyard pool fun!

 

Chill time after playtime with some of your besties!

Gumball machine from Ye...eeek!

Playtime!

The King of the World on your super Strider!

Bike rides to the park to play football with Daddy and J-Rod!  There were SO many bike rides this summer...like every.single.day. up and down the street....our poor neighbors were probably so sick of seeing us!

Garage sale find and races with Baba!

Lots of excitement (Yes, MacGruber still does his "shake!") over another awesome garage sale find! 
Can you say $6?!  Woot!

Transition to the big boy bed!  MacGruber chose this on his own timing and has done beautifully! 
You are such a big kiddo, buddy!

Angry birds with Nana!

One big cheer for summer!!

Fishing with Baba!

Speedy guy on the Strider!

My silly boy who loves playing with these beads!

Big Guy! 

A few thoughts for memories sake:

-Does ninja moves after watching "American Ninja" show with Mama and Daddy.

-Says, "like and kinda" all the time, example, "Mama, that food was like so kinda good!"

-Loves hearing and telling stories we (or he) make up!

-Still dislike getting hair washed in the bathtub and often say, "I just don't like that, Mama!" however, you have become such a great swimmer and don't mind getting splashed at the pool. 

Moments with MacGruber

Last night, as MacGruber and I were snuggling down for a long night's nap, he told me he wanted a "yittle blue fwoggy, and a weally, weally cute kitty cat and a yittle doggy for Cooper to play with!"  I asked what he wanted to name the little doggy, he said, "Little Pooper" and then proceeded to laugh hysterically! 

Just a little update for memory's sake as I work through a gazilion summer pictures and thoughts to share with you, hopefully, before the snow starts falling here in Wisco!

A Collection of 4 Little Ditties for a Happy 4th of July!

Well, apparently, I am on the "updating the blog" once a month track here.  Yowsa's!  I can't believe it's been exactly a month since I last posted my super adventures with MacGruber.  But, with the hubs at the Ben Harper concert at Summerfest (yes..I want to cry, but, alas, our favorite babysitter is gone for the weekend!) and sweet MacGrubes asleep, now seems the perfect time for a little update!!  Now..to tell you about our entire month of June...hmmm..where to begin??  Just teasing!  I would be exhausted and you, my friend, would most likely be b-o-r-e-d!  Tonight, I have a collection of little ditties for ya, as I like to call them, and later I will post about our awesome trip to Nana and Baba's and our fantastic 4th of July weekend, thus far anyway. 

So here goes.

Ditty #1-
MacGruber makes me laugh nonstop throughout the day.  At dinner tonight I had to hide behind the pickle jar, (Not kidding, this thing is ginormous and I could actually hide my entire head behind it!  Thank you Sam's Club!) and snicker...because this boy is fun-ny! 

Let me transcribe a very one-sided conversation he was having with me (kind of..) while he was enjoying Kipper tonight. 

"Mama...hahahahaha..look at that big froggy..I yove (love) froggies. Auntie Hollie has a Big FAT green froggie in her garden.  It hops hops hops like this Mama.. (MacGruber starts hopping.) Do you yove (love) froggies too Mama?  I yove them soooo much.  I yove chocolate too Mama!  Cooper no have chocolate.  He could get very very sick.  And poop soo much!  YUCK!  There was a Big FAT poop in the yard, Mama.  Do you yike poop too?"  Now, imagine that being said and done all within a couple of second or less!  Whew!  (And, I apologize for the poo reference..again.  Apparently, with a 2 year old little man, the doo doo is inevitable!)
An older lady at the store last week actually said, "Oh boy..I forgot how much they talk."  Tell me about it sister...this guy is a talker!

Ditty #2-
While enjoying your favorite Arby's roast beef (I know, I know...not uber-healthy.  But, listen, folks..they must be laced with something because he sure does love them..and it is protein, right?) you held up a tiny piece of meat, wiggled it between your fingers and said, "Come here yittle beaver." I completely choked on my soda because really MacGruber, little beaver!?  Where in the world did you hear that one?

Ditty #3-
You are definitely a teacher's child.  Especially a kindergarten teacher.  In the womb, you must have been memorizing my favorite teacher phrases like "Sit down, friends" or "Come to the circle, friends." When you play with your cars, I often listen to your sweet little conversations.  I hear "okay friends, let's go" and "c'mon friends, time for the big race!"  Those cars really are your best friends..they travel everywhere with us. 

Ditty #4-
Okay..back to the poop here.  But this one is laugh out loud funny.  Hopefully anyway...:)
A couple of weeks ago, while you were playing in the tub, I noticed those familiar signs.  The red, watery eyes, the holding of the breath, the grunting..I knew what was about to happen and I was determined to stop it!!  I looked at you and before I could even say anything.. you said, "What Mama!?!?  I not doin' nothin!" Hahaha..you were caught red-handed..err..butted?! And, you totally were doin' somethin'! 

Tonight, we were snuggled together reading some Little Critter and you started playing with my hair which you haven't really done before.  It was so sweet, and gentle, and I wanted to squeeze your cuteness to pieces!  Daddy and I are soooo lucky! 

To MacGruber at 2 1/2 years old...

Oh Boy!  I meant to post this letter the last day of May.  I'm such a slacker.  Not the kind of mama watching soap operas eating bonbons slacker.  More like the taking walks with the new strider bike, potty training business, started another blog called Kenosha Coupon Queens kind of slacker!  Whew!  It's been a busy 2 weeks and now the weather is amazing!  And my boy pee-pees in the potty!  Here is my letter to MacGruber at 2 1/2 years old.  He sure is full of spunk.  I wonder who he gets that from?! 

Hi Buddy,
Today is the last day of May.  It's been an exciting month for you big guy.  On May 4, you turned 2 1/2.  It seems like you're a baby no more.  All boy.  And getting to be such a big boy at that.  The other day you said, "I a big boy like those other boys!"  Not sure who the other boys are...but, yep, buddy, you sure are getting big.  Too fast!

You used to stand and hide in my legs when people would say hello.  Now, you boldly proclaim to anyone nearby that you "weaw undiewear".  You love to stand on the sidewalk, wave, and say hello to all our neighbors.  You know them by name too.  You're a huge fan of Herbert across the street.  Poor guy.  Everytime he gets home from work, you are standing out there waving!  You also still adore your Auntie Hollie, Uncle Steve and their boys Justin and Jared.  Auntie Hollie lets you take walks with her and you even get to hold Boo-Boo's leash!  A day is not complete unless you get to play with Jared.  We seriously have the BEST neighbors ever. 

Speaking of underwear, you are finally wearing them!  And most of the day they are dry!!  You are so proud of yourself.  This entire potty training process has brought out the encourager in you.  When I go potty, I get high fives and "good job mama..I so proud of you."  Poop is another disgusting story though.  Really MacGruber..poop in the undies, poop in the TUB!?!  You're killing me here (and grossing me out too!) but I know you will eventually get the hang of it!

Last week your new stinkin' awesome Strider bike arrived in the mail!  You love it.  We love it.  Best.investment.ever.  A pricey investment but I foresee lots of little MacGrubers enjoying that bike too.  The Strider is pedal-less so it initially teaches balance and he uses his little legs to push.  The bike weighs only 7 lbs. so MacGruber can lift it all by himself and proclaim things like "I so strong like Daddy."  To check out how the strider bike works and see another wild child ride it click here.  We"ll post video and pics soon.  After only a week, I caught myself jogging to keep up with him yesterday.  I do have short legs though!

Memorial Day was bea-u-ti-ful!  We got to enjoy a wonderful day at the beach here in town complete with your super fast, super awesome Lightning McQueen water shoes.  (Thanks Nana!) This mama got sunburnt..MacGruber and Daddy got nice and brown.  Surprise, surprise!  I recently bought a big, fat beach umbrella so we can spent lots of time at the beach this summer.  Nothing makes me happier than MacGruber enjoying the sunshine, fresh air and sand while I am enjoying my Kindle!    

Baseball season is in full swing around our house.  Since enjoying your first White Sox game with Daddy and I, we have been playing baseball (t-ball) in the backyard.  I can't wait to have lots of evenings this summer where you practice swinging that bat and perhaps catching a few fireflies!  Oh wow.  Speaking of catching bugs..you are definitely a future entomologist, you little bug lover you! 

I have this memory from a year ago or so, when you weren't really saying much yet.  I had some concerns naturally.  That's what mamas do.  Not sure why I ever really worried though..you are a talker.  Non-stop!  And you say everything...all the time!  Most of the time, your words have us crackin' up.  Sometimes, lately, your words (and sassiness) have you in time-out MacGruber.  One of my favorite quotes recently was when I was fretting over something.  You must've heard the worry in my voice.  You walked right up to me, and said, "No worries, Mama.  No worries." 
Another evening at the park, you walked over to Daddy and said, "Hold me up high Dada.  I want to reach the moon."
I hope you do reach the moon someday little man!  And beyond. 

We've had another busy month full of adventure and always full of love.
Love you so much MacGruber.  Always and Forever,
Mama

Mama!! What.is.on.your.BOOBIES!?

"Uh...a shirt?" I replied, more shocked that my son has just said the word boobies.  Apparently it was a shirt MacGruber had never seen before.  A black shirt with sparkly silver writing that said SOX.  I think the sparkles threw him off.  I don't typically rock the sparkly shirts!

We were getting ready for MacGrubers first ever Chicago White Sox game.  He was pretty pumped.  Days prior to the game some phrases being heard in our house were, "Mama..I so cited!" (excited), and "I yuv those White Six so much." We laughed out loud when MacGruber yelled, "I go see White Six play SOCCER!!" 
Oh boy!  So much to learn, young MacGruber.

MacGruber and I got Mr. Daddy-O, White Sox tickets and a fancy schmancy tool chest for his birthday.  Pretty exciting presents, right?  I intentionally bought the tickets for the family fun day.  MacGruber could participate in fun kids events, including running the bases at the end of the game.  However, I did not think to get tickets in the shade and oh.my.goodness. was it HOT!  Especially when our bodies are not accustomed to this quite yet..wasn't it just in the 50's last week??  

Anywho, the game started at 1:10..here's a play by play of the action.

1:10-Game starts, MacGruber seems to like the lady singing the national anthem. So far, so good!

1:15-Mama starts furiously rubbing sunblock all over MacGruber's legs, arms, (don't forget the ears!) for fear of massive sunburn.  Even though he is my little tan man..I still gotta do the block. 

1:20-Ooh, ooh, guy selling 3ft. long licorice rope, over here pleeaaassee!

1:25-Aah..Mr. Lemon Chill. Where has your coldness been all of my life??

1:45-Homerun. Yay, Sox! Jonah seems excited and not too freaked from the big bang of the fireworks.

2:00-2nd inning.  The Hubs recommends taking MacGruber to the kids zone.  In complete shock, I reply, "But it's only the 2nd inning!?"  As in..what the heck am I going to do later!?!

2:35-Return from the Kids Zone.  Total bust.  Kids had to wear gym shoes.  Macgruber had on his crocs.  One big fat fail for this Mama.  He seemed sad...I tried to make him happy with his first ever taste of cotton candy which he told me "was like doggy hair!" Yep, I am totally one of those mama's who feeds my child dog hair!?!

2:40-Seriously, who's up to bat?  What's the score?  Have I seen any of this game??  Uhh....GO SOX!

2:50-Daddy and MacGruber take a little walky walk.  They return to our seats with a big fat juicy snow cone!  Apparently we have no problem buying our child a gazillion treats on these special days!  (In all seriousness, it was so hot, we were a little concerned with MacGruber dehydrating.)

3:15-The hubs mentions the word home...it's over.  It's official.  We are done.  Forgetabout (in a chicago accent!) running those bases.  We lasted till the 5th inning.  MacGruber attended his first game.  He experienced a lot of sugary goodness, he got a certificate for attending, he loved running up and down the ramps from one level of the stadium to another, he got a kick out of seeing all the trucks and trains in the city!!

Overall, we had a fantastic day!  MacGruber was a champ and stuck out the game for nearly 2 1/2 hours.  I love that the hubs got to take his son to see his favorite team.  Those two were pretty stinkin' cute, MacGruber riding on Daddy's shoulders in their Sox gear.

I has big visions of how this day would go.  Not quite as perfect as I had planned..but does anything with kids go as planned?  That's the adventure of parenthood.  Our day did complete itself though as we stopped at Tank Noodles  to eat big, delicious bowls of pho.  Yummmm...now that makes for a perfect day!

YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD...YES!


Here are some pics from the day.  Decided not to take the big fatty Nikon, but instead the small point and shoot.  Big mistake!  Good one Mama..so much for capturing this big day!!  Taking pictures is torture for MacGruber anyway:)


Daddy and MacGruber checking out the 2005 World Series Champs Statue. 





Mmm...a bag full of doggy hair!







One sad looking future White Sox Player

 

Wordless Wednesday- The Past 3 Merry Merry Months of May!

May 2009-Look at the sweeeeet baby!!  Awww..

A little picture flashback of MacGruber from the May's of years past.   



                                                                  

                                                                                             May 2009, Our All-Star MacGruber





May 2010, Mama's Kitchen Helper

 

May 2010, An Armful of Treasures-2 Momo's, one Cooper the dog, and a truck

 

May 2011, "I do it, Mama!"

 

May 2011-Such a big guy!!
You have at least 14 more May's before you can even think about driving Mr. MacGruber!!

Delicious (and Healthy!!) Whole Wheat Banana Bread

I love baking.  I especially love baking when Mr. MacGruber hops up on the big dining room chair and helps me.  Mostly, he wants to stick his little fingers in everything and sample.  He sampled a big gob of baking soda once..poor guy!  That's what you get for not letting mama mix it all together first!!

My mom (and her mama too) have always been bakers.  There's something about making goods that you grew up with.  It takes you back.  It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside! 
My mama always made banana bread when were little.  And her banana bread is the BEST!  It's so moist and delicious and I love it all warm and schmeared with butter.  C'mon...who doesn't? 

I stumbled across a recipe a while back and wanted to share it with you.  I seemingly always have bananas stashed in the freezer and this is a great way to use them.  It's delicious, it has no refined sugar, and it's the healthier version of  my mama's.  In my mind anyway...

Here we go...

Not Your Mama's Banana Bread

2 cups whole wheat flour (if whole wheat is too "wheaty" for you..do half white/half whole wheat!)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 egg whites
1/2 cup honey or agave
2 tbsp. canola oil
1/4 cup milk (non-fat) or almond milk,
1/4 cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
3 ripe smooshed bananas
3/4 c. of pecans, or walnuts (I'm a nutty girl, so I like nuts..you can reduce the amount!)

1.)Pre-heat over to 350 degrees.  Spray 5 mini loaf pans with Pam. 
On a side note-I buy the disposable aluminum loaf pans and reuse them FOREVER!!  I even throw them in the dishwasher to wash.  That's totally the frugal side of me!

2.)Mix all ingredients in a large bowl using an electric mixer.

3.) Scoop the batter into each pan using a measuring cup.  I do this so I can divide it evenly amongst the pans.  Make sure each pan is approx. 1/2-3/4 of the way full. 

4.) Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until your toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Disclaimer- At first taste, this bread has that "good for you" taste.  But with no butter, no refined sugar or flour, and packed with potassium, it's a "no guilty Mama" treat for MacGruber.  On his super picky food days, he will still eat this bread.  To make it extra special and yummy, I sometimes schmear it with peanut butter!  YUM!



**This recipe was adapted from The Gracious Pantry's Clean Eating Muffins.  To check it out please click here.