Wasp Stings, Bug Bites and More Randomness

We've had a pretty relaxed week this week.  We went to the park, library story time, a friend's house, and pretty much just played around the house.  We have been on the go so much this summer, I thought it was about time to have a week like this. 


The kids played with the costumes in the playroom.

My cute little ballerina



Eating snacks like a dog.  This was actually Brecken's idea.

I also rearranged the playroom this week.  We have way to much stuff.  It just lines the walls in the basement, but without making shelves and such, that's just the way it's going to be.  The Rhea Lana consignment sale is in September and a lot of these toys will be going bye-bye!  Shhh...don't tell the Littles. 

Here's what it looked like before they start playing.  The walls are bare.  I'd like to add some of the Littles' artwork and a pretend window in the "kitchen" area. 



Now on to the wasp stings and bug bites. 
Erick and the kids were outside last night while he was grilling.  This morning, B-mans legs are covered in bug bites.  I took pictures and of course they don't look as bad in the pics, but they are so swollen!  This kid attracts mosquitoes!  I counted and he has at least 11 bites just below his knees!  They are like welts.  Poor guy.

This morning I took the Littles to Erica's house so I could go to an appointment and Ava was really wanting to play on the playset (which doesn't get much attention anymore since Erica's kids are a little older).  We got there, I was talking to Erica, and Ava & Brecken headed over to the playset.  Ava sat on a swing type thing and Brecken started climbing the ladder to go down the slide.  All of a sudden Ava started screaming her head off.  And I mean screaming.  Oh my.  We looked over and there was a ton of wasps swarming around her.  She was moving except to scream.  Erica and I both ran over there--I grabbed Ava off the swing and Erica got B-man off the ladder (he was just standing there with no clue as to what was happening).  Anyway, we got her inside (with her still screaming) and put ice and baking soda paste on her stings.  There were four--all on the same leg--one above her knee, one that went through her sock on the front, and two right beside each other on the back of her leg.  Ouch.  Poor girl.  She cried, "Is it going to hurt foreveeeerrrr?"  And then, "I reeeaaaaly wanted to play on the playset!"  Thank goodness she's not allergic.  They swelled up a bit, but looked good by the time I got back from my appointment.  The event really got all of our adrenaline pumping!  I don't think I've been stung four times in my life and it happened to Miss Ava in about two seconds.

On a happy (I guess) note, I started working out again this week.  A high school friend of mine set me up with a workout plan and I was super sore after the first time!  She is a personal trainer and really knows how to kick your butt and get it into shape.  I took "before" pictures but will not gross you out with the sight of them. :) So my plan is to not have so much flab and run a 5K in September.  If you're reading this, you can help keep me accountable!    

I think that's about it.  Tomorrow morning we have a family gathering for July birthdays (my mom, brother and grandpa) and I need to go make a breakfast casserole to take.  Yum!
   

Marshmallow Towers and a Little Something Fabulous

The Littles made marshmallow towers yesterday morning.  I only took pictures in the beginning stages.  Ava's is now bigger and she wants to continue to add to it.  B-man's is...well...he ate it.  He just ate the marshmallows, of course, not the toothpicks.  Thank goodness.  They had fun doing this little project and it kept them calm and entertained for a while. 

A little something fabulous happened today!  A few weeks ago, I asked for support in getting books for my Firsties through DonorsChoose.org and it was fully funded today!  Yahoo!  One donation came from a gift card that Grandpa Tim (our school grandpa) had received in the mail for our kiddos.  The rest was funded by Starbucks Kansas.  I am so happy to have my project fully funded and excited to get all of those books to read with my Firsties this year.

Hope everyone else is having a fabulous Tuesday!

Sneaky Pete

We got together with some wonderful friends last night and didn't get home until 3:30 in the morning.  I don't know the last time we've done that and it was so much fun! 
Erick and I started off the evening having dinner at Sabor and it was absolutely fabulous.  Platanutres, Adobo chicken, pork, beer, mojitos, and Tres Leches.  Yum.  Seriously.

Then we were off to Erica's house where we hung out with Erica, Eric, Ashley and Ryan.  We had a great time chatting and laughing until the middle of the night. Ashley and Ryan left earlier since the kiddos were with them (and they are packing up their house to move back to Iowa). It was great to see everyone and I'm really going to miss Ashley and her sense of humor. We're planning to meet in KC sometime in the fall so we can catch up on our lives.     

We made a very refreshing drink which Ashley said is called a Sneaky Pete.  It's a can of limeade, can of vodka (fill of empty limeade can), and 4 Budlight Limes.  And, man, is that Sneaky Pete a bitch in the morning the whole next day.  to quote Erica's text to me this morning, "Sneaky Pete is an ass."  Let me tell you, I did not win the Mother of the Year award today.  I was pretty worthless.  Oh well!  We had lots of fun and I look forward to many more fun times with these ladies! 

Swimming Fun!

We took the kids to the pool yesterday and today.  Our little Ava Fish has so much fun jumping in and out, diving for sticks, holding her breath, etc.  Brecken has no fear, which we can't decide is bad or good.  He just jumps in when he feels like it so we have to be right by him at all times.  Here are a few pictures from this morning.

Happy 4th of July!

The von M's went camping!  Well, sort of.  My mom had her camper at the lake and we took a tent.  The sleeping arrangement didn't happen quite like we had planned (Erick and Brecken and I ended up sleeping at my mom's house and Ava stayed with her nana and papa in the camper).  The Littles had a great time playing in the water, having water gun fights, playing on the playground, and just being outside in general.  It was great spending time with family! 

My sister and nephew came for a bit.

Watching movies in the camper.

My brother and mom fishing and chatting.

Brecken would love to take Fancie home!

Erin (niece) and her boyfriend

My brother, Gary, trying to win a water gun fight.

Bear's Birthday Party

Ava decided the other day that Bear's birthday was coming up.  We decided to throw her a party today!  Our whole family (all four of us) attended.  Bear was just delighted and so surprised that we had a party for her.  We had her favorite cupcakes (chocolate with blue and purple frosting), Ava made her a birthday crown and even a sign for her chair.  We had a wonderful celebration!

Working hard on Bear's Birthday Crown

Bear loved her cupcakes!

Ava and Bear

Brecken and the Birthday Bear

Daddy was so excited about Bear's birthday party!

We sang Happy Birthday and Ava helped Bear blow out the candle.

Brecken loved singing the birthday song!

Yummy cupcake!

Loving that frosting!

Bear even got presents!  She loved the crackers, book, pen, fork, remote, and stuffed animals.