Monsters University

We have been waiting, literally for over a year for Monsters University, the new Disney Pixar film to come out.  Sullivan is in love with the monster that shares her same name.

So it goes without saying that the Sullivan and Quinn alike were anxious and excited to go the movie on Friday afternoon.  Sullivan couldn't help but bring her Sulley doll with her to watch the movie. After all, Sulley was going to want to watch himself in his new movie, don't you know?!

Before the movie, we attempted to get a picture of the girls with the movie poster outside the theater.  As you can see, the sun was WAY to bright and we weren't able to get a very good shot.

But inside the theater, we couldn't resit taking a few pictures with the cardboard statues.  

While we were at the theater, we also ran across a couple of new students that were enrolling at Monsters University.  We happened to capture their pictures too...

The girls settled right into their seats and loved every minute of the movie.  During the movie, Sullivan couldn't help but announce "There I am." when Sulley entered the screen.  It was quite hilarious to watch her (in her eyes) watch herself on the screen.  She was living vicariously through Sulley the Monster. 

After the movie when we were getting their critiques, it was an overwhelming hit with both of them.  Quinn recommended Monsters University over the original Monsters Inc., while Sullivan Grace was opposite.

Overall though, the movie comes highly recommended from two girls and their parents!  We are waiting and anticipating the next Monsters movie. Hopefully Disney can work on making that happen in the next year or so!

Belated....

Father's Day was all messed up this year with Ryan being in Switzerland.  We celebrated early by showering him with gifts and love before he left.  But with him gone, I failed to blog about the darling Father's Day books that the girls made  him (thanks to Pinterest).

The girls spent a great deal of time coloring the covers perfectly.  They wanted to use all of "Daddy's favorite colors."  Turns out that Dad must like all the colors of the rainbow...

Inside each book, there were several questions that the girls had to answer with no help from me.  Some of their answers were spot on, others not so much!

Sullivan did an amazing job writing her answers.  I spelled the words - she wrote them!

Quinn did a great job as well - beautiful handwriting and no help with spelling.  Some of her answers make me chuckle.

The girls also drew a picture of their daddy.  Sullivan explained that her dad has two stomachs - which she clearly depicted in her picture.  Apparently his hands also come out of his head!  :)

Quinn drew a picture of Ryan and her swimming in the pool.  Check out his muscles (or lack there of)!

We love Daddy very much and were happy to be able to celebrate with him - even if the celebration was a wee bit early and the post about it was a wee bit late!

Sweet, Sweet Elsa Girl....

Aside from spending time with my own darling girls, I couldn't think of a better way to spend an afternoon... (no, not napping like Elsa... although anyone that knows me, knows that I like my naps!)

I was honored to be able to watch Elsa on Wednesday while Meredith and Matt had an obligation.  I spent the day rocking and snuggling and spoiling Elsa with kisses and love.  

The day with her took me several years back to when my babies were that little.  Oh, how I miss those days and would give anything to have 15 minutes with my babies that little again!  Although, if I was granted that wish by some miracle, I know that I wouldn't be able to let them go.  And because I know that wish will never be granted, I am cherishing my time with my niece and nephews and soaking up all the baby time I can!

3rd Annual...

Sunday, after all the Father's Day/birthday festivities, we were invited to spend the evening with our neighbors.  As we have done for the past couple of years, we joined them for an outdoor movie in their backyard.  We dug out all the sleeping bags and all the Pillow Pets, popped popcorn, and the feature film began when everyone was snuggled in!

Two of a kind - Sullivan and Livy

The best of friends - Gabby and Quinn

The girls really liked Rescuers Down Under.  I have to admit I liked it too.  I know that that particular movie is an oldie - released during my childhood - but I had never seen it.  Don't know how I hadn't, especially with all the babysitting I did around that time, but I hadn't.  It was a good movie and made for a great outdoor flick.

Man alive the mosquitoes were terrible though... as evidenced by Sullivan's poor back and body.  That was even with bug spray on... can you imagine if there was no spray?! They must have been monstrous mosquitoes with the size of those bites.

Despite the buggy conditions, we had a blast (again!) sharing Movie Night with some of our dearest friends!

Ashamed...

I am ashamed at myself for hardly picking up my camera this weekend.  We had a fabulously busy and crazy weekend, but there is really not much proof of it.

Saturday we squeezed in a few moments of time with Ryan before he jetted off on his business trip.  We threw in a few father's day moments (more to come on that) and then said our goodbyes. The girls and I ate cereal for supper and had a low key evening running a few errands.  We never like to say goodbye to Dad when he leaves on his trips, but there are a few perks to having Mom to herself.  Cereal for supper, sleeping in Mom's bed, and a few late bedtimes rank up there as the perks.

Sunday (Father's Day and my birthday) was spent at the soccer field with Sullivan.  Uncle Eric was kind enough to offer to play with Sullivan so that I would not have to suit up and get on the field.  A glorious birthday present to me - thanks Uncle Eric!

Unfortunately for Uncle Eric, he didn't anticipate 20 minutes of a crying four year old.  I have to admit he handled it pretty well and eventually Sullivan warmed up to the events and had a good time. I even think at one point, Uncle Eric was literally flitting around like a butterfly at the request of Miss Sullivan.

We spent the afternoon and evening at my sister's house with her clan and my mom.  Unfortunately not a single picture was taken.  We loved playing with the boys and cuddling with Miss Elsa.  The food was good, the company even greater, and the lemon cupcakes for my birthday - to die for!    

                                  

We rounded out the night with a visit to Papa and Nana's house to spend some time celebrating Father's Day.  Unfortunately again not a picture was taken.  Shame on me!  But none the less, we enjoyed our time with them, much like we do every time we are there!

Happy Father's Day to all the men in our lives that enrich our lives in ways we can't even begin to describe.

Singing Duo...

I recently went through the girls' toys and rearranged and purged some of them.  In the cleaning/organizing process, some old "gems" were rediscovered by the girls.  Sullivan and Quinn have had a blast playing with some of those toys all over again.

One of the things that Sullivan uncovered was a microphone.  She quickly began performing for us.  It's a sad, sad day that our 4 year old not only recognizes, but can sing (word for word) many of Taylor Swift's songs...

Check her out singing We are Never, Ever, Ever Getting Back Together... 

Once the (many, many) solos by Sullivan were completed, the duets began.  Quinn and Sullivan again chose their favorite artist to sing... Taylor Swift.  Seeing a trend?  The girls are infatuated with Taylor Swift and love belting out her tunes.  Here they are singing Stay, Stay, Stay...

I just love the wardrobe choices for the videos as well... nothing like belting out your favorite songs in your PJs just before bed!  They are quite the pair, I tell you!

Busy Weekend....

We had a busy, busy weekend.  Saturday morning we spent with my dad's side of the family.  They have a yearly picnic in the summer to get everyone together. We don't get to see them often - maybe a couple of times a year - but it is always nice to catch up with one another when the chance arises.  It is so nice of them to continue to include us in the family's festivities even though it's been nearly 18 years since my dad's been gone.  

Because the weather was uncooperative, we had to move the picnic indoors.  The weather didn't stop us from having a good time.  Unfortunately I didn't take too many pictures of the picnic... but did manage to capture a couple.

Crew loved the food - Judson loved the colors.

Miss Elsa got her fair share of loving on Saturday getting passed from person to person.  My Aunt Peggy is holding her here, while Judson wrestles with Ryan.

After the picnic, we headed out to the Science Festival put on by Sanford Research.  There were a variety of booths set up with anything from chemistry experiments to making paper to geological science information.  It was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon and the girls really seemed to have a blast.  Let's just say that Ryan was in Science Geek Heaven.  He spent the afternoon showing the girls around, teaching them how to use a microscope and sharing his world with them.  It was fun to see!

We found another dislike of Sullivan's this weekend.  Before Saturday, we knew that she was fearful of clowns, but truly that was about it.  However, now we also know that she is most fearful of .... characters dressed up (even more so than clowns)! 

She was SCARED, SCARED, SCARED (with a capital S) of these two characters.  Many tears shed.  Pleas to go home were cast.  She knew where those characters were at at all times.  She didn't let them out of her sight and if they did happen to get close to us, she clung to Ryan or I with all her might.  Poor Sullivan Grace has a deep, deep fear.  

With the characters near, Sullivan clung to me like crazy.

On Sunday, the girls took pictures together with a professional photographer.  It was a mini-session put on by a group of local photographers as a fundraiser for a young child diagnosed with leukemia.  The weather turned out to be great in the afternoon - hopefully the pictures will do the same.  

Here is a amateur snapshot of the girls in their picture outfits.  The lighting on my camera was funky so it didn't turn out well.  I am hopeful the professional was able to capture the moment!  I will post those pictures when I get them back in July. 

All in all, a very good weekend. It flew by quickly. The week ahead seems to be just as full as this past week.  But I think that is what summer is all about!  

Chuckle-Worthy...

This photo of Quinn with her wacky hair makes me laugh!

I can't decide... does she look more like a unicorn or more like Cindy Lou Who (from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas)?! Either way - she's pretty cute!

Sullivan's First Sport...

Sweet Sullivan Grace began her very first organized sport on Sunday -
she is now playing soccer.  

Sullivan was so excited and so eager to play soccer.  She had been talking about it for days and asking Quinn a million questions about it.  We showed up to the field and she was ecstatic to be there.

There were two groups of Soccer-nastics groups on the field at one time. They started off together and after a few minutes split into two teams.  With all the excitement and anticipation Sullivan had for soccer, it was surprising that Sullivan spent the first five minutes of soccer...crying, sobbing, pleading not to play soccer anymore.  The boisterous,over the top, animated male soccer coach scared the socks off of Sullivan.  So we were pleased when Sullivan was picked to be in the female soccer coach's group when they split apart.

And after the first few minutes being in this group, the sad Sullivan turned into a much different child.  Sullivan loved her time on the field and going through all the drills and games.

We may have a future soccer player on our hands...only if Sullivan can forever have "the girl teacher."

KCMO - 2013:Part 2

Besides LegoLand, we also took in Kansas City's (fairly) new aquarium, Sea Life.  

Overall, it was pretty good.  Not the best aquarium, but not the worst.  The kids seemed to enjoy it and it was a good way to spend the afternoon. 

Sullivan and Lila enjoyed the touch pool...

Quinn and Nate were awed by the jellyfish...

Goofing around in the turtle area... do these three make cute baby turtles?

Lila and Sullivan checking out the sting rays and eels - yuck! They were both surprisingly intrigued.  

Nate, Quinn, and Sullivan enjoyed the quiz questions along the way inside the aquarium.  They bounced from question to question trying to figure out the answers.  Their due diligence earned them a gold medal necklace at the end. (Sorry, no pics of the medals!)

Like I said, Sea Life was a good way to spend the afternoon.  But this was a great way to spend the evening...

Who doesn't love ice cream?!  Surely not any of these four children! 

On Monday, we spent Memorial Day in true American fashion... at a baseball game.  The Royals were in town playing the St. Louis Cardinals - a Missouri baseball rivalry!  It rained buckets and buckets in the morning before the game.  So much so that we weren't sure if the game was going to happen for us.  Luckily the rain clouds parted and the sun came out. But when the sun came out, boy oh boy was it a hot one.  

It turned out to be a great afternoon and a wonderful game - a Cardinals win!  Unfortunately this is the only picture I have of the game... but it is a good one!

We had a great Memorial Day weekend in a great city with great friends.  What else could we ask for?!   We are truly blessed.