David's birthday

We had a low key celebration of David's birthday. It is the same week as Laney's, so the two tend to get lumped together. We celebrated at home with take out from one of David's favorite restaurants Mazzah. We also had his favorite cake, German Chocolate.

David always lets the kids help him blow out the candles

Then we had a joint celebration in the park for Laney and David. His parents were able to come along with some friends. 

Losing teeth

Check out this toothless grin!

Laney's 2nd Birthday

We celebrated Laney's 2nd birthday many times! First as a family with honey cake. Laney has wanted to eat honey for months now. I'm not quite sure how it first came up, but the fact that I would not let her have it just made it more appealing. [Note: I was under the impression that infants should avoid honey until their 2nd birthday. However, I believe the AAP now actually says it is safe after 1 year of age. I don't know where I got the mix up - maybe something recommended back when Eliana was a baby?] So anyway, until Laney turned 2, I wouldn't let her have honey. I though a perfect way to celebrate her 2nd birthday would be to finally let her try this treat she has been asking about. The honey cake was okay, but not as sweet as you usually expect for a cake. Laney ended up not being that interested in it. She mostly was ready to move onto presents!

Getting some help blowing out candles from her sister

Classic Laney face

This cake brought to you by Honey Bear!

Laney's first present was a new bike helmet, which she didn't take off for the rest of the night.

Her second present was set of matching My Little Pony pajamas for her and her dolly which she wore to bed.

 The next weekend, my brother invited us over to his house and had made Laney more cupcakes to celebrate. Her cousin Claire had had a Harry Potty themed birthday a few months ago, so Laney found some of the HP glasses and wand. It was a fun celebration!

I think she looks mighty cute in glasses!

First Day of School

Aug 14th
Eliana started first grade and her first year of full day school!
Teacher: Miss Ingraham
Best Friend in class: Sloan
Best Friends on the playground: Adele and Violet
Rides the bus with: Sam W

Sept 10th
Will started Teddy Bears class (4 year old preschool) and goes 4 mornings a week.
Teachers: Mrs. Stummer and Mrs. Plagentz
Best friends: Noah and Hannah

 Sept 11th
Laney started a "Mom's Day Out" program one morning a week at Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church. She was in the Monkey room.
She attended for about 2 months until I pulled her from the program because timing wise it wasn't working out for our family. She got really good at saying "Laney Bond. Monkey Room."
She was a little sad when she didn't get to attend anymore, but I just told her it was a two month program and was all over. No more Monkey Room.

Denver, Colorado

 We spent a week in August visiting my sister and her family in Denver. It was Will and Laney's first airplane ride. Laney was 23 months old, so she just made the cut off for lap child.  She was wild on the plane - climbing from one seat to the next and never wanting to sit still. But we made it!

One of our first hikes was to Dinosaur Ridge. This bulge in the rocks is a dinosaur footprint. As you can see, it was a hot day and Laney wanted to wear as little clothing as possible.

Playing dressup with cousin Hannah.

Indoor playground.

Another hike, this time near Boulder, CO. The kids were pretty certain that they had found a dinosaur molar from a plant eater.

Walking along Pearl Street. Eliana is showing off her new fairy.

More fun at the indoor play area.

Trip to the Denver Zoo

Loving on her cousin Naomi. Maybe a little too much loving.

Backyard tea parties

Hiking at Estes Park. Eliana was too tired to make this hike, so she stayed at the bottom by a small lake. Will was quite impressive with his one mile hike uphill!

Hannah took a snooze in the hiking backpack.

Laney got a ride as well.

Heading back home. This was on the bus to the airport. Despite the early hour, everyone was all smiles. But by the time we got home, we had some very sleepy kids!

July Overview

We had a busy month!

David and Laney on the 4th of July.

We watched the Bexley 4th of July parade from a friend's house. Eliana's friend Sam was on a float in the parade for the swim team he is part of!

We ended the day with a trip to the playground

Some days Laney thinks she doesn't need a nap.  But then she passes out playing with her phone haha!

One day a week we watched Eliana's friend Adele. We went on a hike at a metro park and were looking for fossils.

BFFs

Hiking by the river.

We went on a very rainy wet Retzner Family camping trip to Clifty Falls State Park in Indiana. Laney and Hannah are enjoying the puddles.

Eliana brought her bike to show off how she learned to ride without training wheels this summer!  When Eliana was learning, she rode up and down our street over and over. While she was riding and I was running next to her, her younger siblings would chase after on foot while cheering "You're doing it Eliana! You're doing it!" It was so sweet!

Trying to stay dry while camping.

Back in Columbus - our favorite bee at Fancyburg Park. As seen here and here

A trip to the zoo. We are riding the dinosaur boat ride, which is much easier this summer because Laney can walk. Nonwalkers are not allowed on the boat, so last summer we could only go on the ride when David went to the zoo with us. This summer we can do it whenever we want!

T-rex at the zoo!

Will wanted to spend his birthday money on dino toys from the zoo. I'm a sucker and agreed to get everyone a dinosaur toy. (Laney has a baby triceratops in her lap you can't see).

Look at my big guy!

Eliana loves to pick flowers and then put them together in a new creation. She made this one for me.

Ice cream time

Eliana had her friend Violet over for a sleepover!  Will got booted to sleeping in my room, which he didn't mind in the least.

Eliana did a week of art camp where she made this shirt, among many other crafts. She had a blast!

A trip to COSI with Adele.

Checking out the doctor's office at COSI

And of course we spent lots of time at the pool!