Kalona Days

Our town has a traditional celebration each June, with the oh so original name of "Kalona Days." (It's really pretty mich only one day of events, but I guess Kalona Day doesn't quite sound right.)  Despite the name, it really is a fun time that we look forward to each year. Who doesn't enjoy a parade, yummy food vendors, and activities for the kiddos?  I enjoyed Kalona Days when I was a child, and love that my kids enjoy it now.

This year we took selfies to pass the time while waiting for the parade to begin . . .

It was cousin Annie's first parade!  (and she slept through the entire thing) :)

Twinkies!

Awaiting the parade . . .

Picking up CANDY!

Braden participated in the pedal tractor pull (which he was very disappointed not to win) :(

Both kids had fun riding the barrel train . . .

  . . . several times - Daddy even rode it once. :)


Elise had her first pony ride!

After a yummy lunch, we headed to the pool for the rest of the afternoon.  What a fun day!

we love summer!

We've had a beautiful June - warm, but not too hot, cool evenings . . . it's been great!  One of the things we love to do on summer evenings is watch cousin Alex play softball at the field just down the street from our house.  On this particular night B was holding up 4 fingers for me because (for me) there were 4 days of school left.

Another Herky!

We bought a slip n slide for the kiddos this year - they were so excited to try it out!  Unfortunately, our yard is pretty flat, so Daddy has to give pushes to help them slide. :)

First trip to the pool! On my first day off school, Braden questioned me if it was a "stay home" day . . . when I confirmed that it indeed finally was, he shouted, "Then we get to go to the pool!"  Both my little fish loved it! (I thought it was still a bit chilly.)

We've taken to eating al fresco lunches now that we're home for summer. . . . and yes, some days we're still in PJs! :)

Elise enjoying a cupcake at cousin Maura's first birthday party - she thoroughly enjoyed it!

More slip n slide fun!  Aunt Amy got a 3 person slip n slide ("Ours is only one person, Mom" Braden likes to tell me.)  The kids had a blast sliding with their cousins.  They even have a hill in their yard to slide down. :)

Bathing beauty!

Tooth Fairy

The tooth fairly paid her first visit to our house!  Braden (finally) lost his first tooth on June 4!  It's been pretty wiggly for a while now (it was a tooth that he had damaged a few years ago and that the dentist had repaired twice - so we were ready for it to come out!).  At his last dental visit, the dentist said it would likely come out on its own in the next couple of weeks, but it was more like four weeks! 

I think B looks a lot older with his tooth missing!

(Elise didn't lose any teeth, but wanted to pose for a pic too!)

In case you're wondering, the tooth fairy DID come.  It was a dramatic affair though - Braden accidentally dropped his tooth air vent in his room, but Billy was able to retrieve it and we put it under his pillow.  He was SO excited to wake up in the morning and find a dollar under his pillow  (although when anyone asked, he said he got "five bucks.")

B is already planning for the tooth fairy's next visit, as he has a wiggly tooth on the bottom too!

Memories of PK {Braden}

I can hardly believe Braden has completed PK and is going to be in Kindergarten next year!  He had a GREAT year this year, and is very much looking forward to going to school all day every day.  

This year his PK teacher, Miss Lori, published an awesome blog with pictures from class.  I stole some pics of B off the blog to keep. :)

Parker was in B's class this year. They used to go to daycare together as infants/toddlers and have been reunited. :)

I got to visit for Mother's Day tea.

Braden and his favorite friend, Max.

Billy visited for Donuts with Daddy day.

Notice a trend?  Almost every day Braden dressed in some sort of Spiderman apparel. ;)

Best buds!

Last day of PK pic - ready for water day!