Happy 4th of July

We had a great 4th of July. Milwaukee does fireworks on the 3rd on the lake and then the local communities do theirs on the actual 4th. We went to a party at a friends condo on the lake. The view is spectacular. We watched the fireworks from the 14th floor, it gave it a much different feeling watching the fireworks from a higher view. The picture is from the deck before it got dark. You see lagoon, land, and then the lake. They shot off the fireworks next to the lake. Ellery was mesmerized by the fireworks and Mason first response to the loud boom was "all done". We took him off the deck and let him watch from inside and then he eventually warmed up enough to go back outside to hear the booms. We also made our patriotic hat at the party. Another mom reads Family Fun and got the idea online and brought all the supplies for the kids to make. Mason loved it and wore it most of the night and the next day.

Pig Roast

We went to a "real" pig roast this weekend with Rob's co-workers. I didn't point out the pig to Mason, it was scary enough for me. I contemplated not eating it since looking at it on a stick with its claws and teeth intact didn't look all that pleasant, but I have to say it was delicious. Mason wouldn't taste the pork or the chicken, but he did eat some hot dog. I over heard one parent saying to their 10 year old who was eating a hot dog "why don't you eat some real meat". It made me chuckle. My brother always told me hot dogs are made of lips and a$$holes.
The party was at our friends Anna's house. She has a giraffe head in her kitchen that we thought would make a nice family photo opportunity. Mason thought it was pretty cool. She has all sorts of artifacts from Africa. Her dad used to own some land and hunted frequently. She has everything from elephant tusks and feet to a stuffed parrot.

The funny of the party was a lot of older kids were playing and filling up squirt guns. One of them got the idea to pull the nozzle and spray it towards some friends. Once that kid threw it down, Mason started for it, but another older kid picked it up and pulled the nozzle. It was pointed directly at Mason and he took a huge hit from 4 ft away with a blast of cold water from the hose. He of course cried, but we all couldn't help laughing. Would we have laughed as hard if it would have been a girl, who knows. He was fine and still wanted to go after the hose once comforted.

Rob had a good time showing off his little girl at the party. Here is a photo of him and another fellow looking like proud papas holding their daughters. Little Annalei on the left is only 2 weeks younger than Ellery.

Happy Mothers Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day and I wish everyone else a great day. I slept in a bit this morning and then we all got ready and loaded up and went to the Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers Pancake Breakfast. Mason was free and when we went through the line they only gave him 1 pancake. We should have paid for him because he ate 5 whole pancakes and a banana, this was after having 2 pieces of toast and a banana at home. I am fearful of the grocery list and bill once when he is a growing teenager. Ellery slept through the event. The Brewers game sausages were at the event, Mason was a bit scared of them, but that didn't stop us from having his picture taken with them. After our bellies were full we all came home and relaxed the afternoon away. When our relaxation was over I found my cake, cards, and beautiful flowers on the table. Rob drew around Mason and Ellery's hands and cut them out, folded them together, and glued them on popsicle sticks. My bouquet of hand flowers is by far the greatest gift ever. I think they could be a priceless mastercard commercial. It was very thoughtful and sweet of Rob and I will cherish them forever. I am blessed to have a wonderful loving and supporting husband and 2 great kids to celebrate my day with. I wish this for every mom!