Memorial Day Weekend

We enjoyed a wonderful memorial day weekend with friends and family. Friday, we got together with our neighbor's Ann and John and their 2 year old Morgan. We had a yummy cookout and the girls enjoyed playing together. This was the first time that we adults sat back, while the kids entertained each other the WHOLE night. Gotta love it!

On our way to Morgan's for our First cookout of the weekend!








Saturday was packed with errands, a bday party for our neighbor's son and getting the house ready for the Buzzard clan, who arrived on Sunday. We enjoyed playing in the fountains, a yummy cookout and spending time with each other. Ella, Kaylee and Kenzie are at that age now where they LOVE playing with each other and have a blast. Several times you could just hear them giggling with each other and having the cutest of conversations! We look forward to lots of playdates with our cousin's this Summer!















Monday we had a cookout at Nana and Grandpa's house. They even had a little pool and Backyardigans sprinkler set up for Kenzie to play in. We enjoyed yummy kabobs, veggies, fruit, asparagus and of course CAKE (Mackenzie's favorite). Emily and Mike brought sweet Liam, who also enjoyed a few runs through the sprinkler!














We are so blessed to have a wonderful family, great friends and a safe and free country. We appreciate those who have and still serve to protect our freedoms. God bless you!

New Neighborhood Park

Yesterday, we visited the new park, currently under construction in our neighborhood. I cannot tell you how excited I am about having a park within 2 minutes of our house. When it's complete, it will have a play area for big kids (school age and up), a toddler play area, basketball court, walking trails, and covered picnic tables! I know we will be spending a lot of time there this summer! I will probably have to explain to Mackenzie that the Bob Cat's and Dump trucks will not be permanent fixtures in the park; however, they were a big hit!

Trip to the Zoo

Today Grandpa Barth joined us for a day at the Zoo! (We are selfishly loving that he is home on medical leave, b/c we get to spend more quality time with him!) Today we saw Beco, the newest addition to the Columbus Zoo. Beco is an adorable Elephant that was born March 27th, weighing a little over 300 pounds! Here are some pics from our fun day! Thanks Grandpa for spending the day with us!

Fountain Fun

Our neighborhood has an amazing Spray Park minutes away. Since Mackenzie was able to sit, we have taken her there to play in the fountains. Unlike many kids, she is never hesitant to run through the fountains, get soaking wet, or even get an accidental nose/mouthful of water! Mackenzie absolutely loves playing there! Everytime we leave our neighborhood she comments about how the fountains are closed (this conversation has been on-going since Fall when they closed for the Season!) Friday, as we were driving home from her sitter's house, she started screaming with delight. I had no idea what was going on until I heard "Mommy, the fountains are open, the fountains are open! I want to go there sometime!" Sure enough, they were. She had been watching and waiting ever so patiently! So, once Jeremy got home from work, we loaded up and walked over for some family fun! Judging from the pictures, I would say she had a good time!

Big Girl Bed Trial Run

Mackenzie is all about being a "big grr" (aka big girl) these days. When it comes to getting dressed, getting into the car, putting on her shoes, her jacket, etc. she HAS to do it on her own. It was only a matter of time until I knew the conversation regarding a big girl bed would surface. While I have NO intention on transitioning to the big girl bed, I decided we could do a trial run. Here is how the conversation today began as we were getting ready for naptime.

Mommy: Let's go Kenz, up the stairs, it's time for a nap.

Kenzie: Kenzie go nigh nigh in a big grr bed like Mommy and Daddy

Mommy: Yes, someday when you are a little older you will get to sleep in a big girl bed, today you are going to take your nap in your crib

Kenzie: Kenzie go nigh nigh in big grr bed in green room? (One of our guest bedrooms is green, hence the green room remark:)

Mommy: Hmmm (At this point, I am kind of curious myself if maybe she is ready. Then, I have visions of her running/hiding/playing during my most loved time of the day--naptime!

Kenzie: Please? (In the sweetest of voices)

Mommy: Okay Kenz, you can take your nap in here today but tonight you have to go nigh nigh in your crib, okay?

Kenzie: Okay Mommy!

I have to say that she is never as excited about naptime as she was today. She climbed in, got under the covers and was grinning ear to ear. At this point I doubted that she would sleep at all. I got her monitor and sound machine, plugged them in, kissed her and decided not to mention anything about staying in bed just in case the thought hadn't yet entered her little mind. To my surprise, she slept for 2 1/2 hrs and woke up as happy as could be.

Who knows what request tomorrow will bring...hopefully not driving a car or dating! My little girl is growing up before my very eyes.