Pump up what?

Today was our last UHDS field trip of the year. Mom decided to come along for the final hurrah...

We went to Pump It Up. It's one of my FAVORITES!

I ran the obstacle course a dozen times...



Slid down the slide a dozen times.
Jumped in the bouncers a dozen times...




Mom even did the obstacle course and 2 story slide with me!

The pictures are a bit blurry because I didn't have time to pause for a photo-op...

Ok, just one...




It was really fun. And even more fun with Mom along for the ride!

Dinner on the Lake

We did a TON of fun things this weekend--

went to Crown Center with the Cooks,

the Jazzfest in downtown,

breakfast with Grandma Janice and Grandpa Mike,

and Jack's friend's birthday party at Monkey Bizness.

We needed a relaxing night.

So we headed out to Longview Lake for a little KFC and cruisin'.

Well, first Jack needed a pit stop...

...but then I got back to serious driving.

Ahhh!

A little R&R is just what we needed!

Summit Jazz

Tonight was one of the concerts in downtown AND

Mom was finally not on call (we missed all the others!)

So after dinner at our favorite Spin Pizza,

we headed to Green Street for some fun.

However, as we parked the van,

we noticed the fire house was open.

We had to stop in!

And guess what???

They let me DRIVE THE ENGINE!!!

And Captain Tom let me

TURN ON THE LIGHTS!!!

It was so cool.

Wes had to check it out too.

Now that's a family picture!

We said goodbye to Captain Tom and headed to the music.

And guess who else was there???

Mikayla, Austin, Adam and Grandma!!!

It was great.

We danced, ate popcorn, and danced some more (especially Wes).

But the coolest part?

Grandma bought us these glowing fans!

Soon it got late,

and it was time to head home...

...so we all drove home.

I had all that experience with the engine,

the van was nothing.

(Well, maybe this picture was taken in the garage,

but it was fun to pretend all the same.)

The Cooks and Crown Center

Our friends from Minnesota, Charley and Jax, came into town so we met up for some fun!

We started at the Rainforest exhibit.

West was really excited about the "ooo-ooo" monkeys

Hmmm, why can't I see anything???

West checked out the "floor" of the rainforest

...while I checked out the "roof" with this awesome pulley chair.

Then it was off to lunch at our favorite place...

FRITZ'S!!!

They even had a train we could climb on while we waited for the train to bring our food.

After lunch, we hit the fountains.

It was a sight to behold.

They were awfully big.

I wasn't too sure about this.

Neither was West.

I finally worked up the nerve to get in, but the fountain grew really big.

I tried to run away, but slipped and fell on my back and hit my head.

Needless to say, that was the end of our fun in the fountains.

It was good to see you, Jax and Charley!

Can't wait until you come down to visit again!

Grandma pics

Grandma does her best to catch me and my cousins in action at her house everyday.

Here are a few of Mom's favorites:

Taking in the rain

Everyone loves Nerf

Keep 'em coming, Grandma!

Jack the Penguin

Last year, I took my first swim lessons.

Mom got in with me and we learned how to do "cups" and "kicks" and to jump in the pool into our parent's arms.

The finale was going underwater (on purpose) for the first time.

That was the Seahorses.

This year, swimming with my friends Fisher, Owen, Asher, and Ely,

I've come a LONG way.

Now I go under by myself, a lot.

I love to jump in and go under.

I can swim a few feet underwater too.

So Mom signed me up for the PENGUINS!!!

I'm the youngest in the class by far.

The range is 4-10 years old.

They let me try it out because I'm not just 3, I'm THREE AND A HALF

(as I explained to everyone).

I've done great!

My teacher Miss Brittany is proud of me!

I can bob and do 5 different floats.

I really like to torpedo off the wall.

And I'm really working on using my arms and legs for swimming by myself.

And when we take roll, we yell out our favorite thing of the day.

So far, we've learned by favorite color is pink, favorite animal is a dog, favorite food is rice, and I want to be a train when I grow up (that one got some giggles).

Jack: But I already know how to swim!!! I don't need lessons anymore.

Mom: So if you jumped off the diving board you could swim to the wall?

Jack: No. But you could get me and help me.

Mom: True. But that's because Mom doesn't need swim lessons anymore.

Jack: Hmp!

At the end of every class, we play The Monkey and the Alligator.

It's my favorite part because we get to jump into the pool when we get "snapped."

Although I always look like this when the game starts.

Well, we'll keep working on the confidence.

I AM only 3 1/2!

Things we love

Trains

and tools

what more do you need?

Grandma and the boys' beach adventure

Today, Mom was on-call.

So we called up Grandma Phyllis to join us on an adventure.

We headed to Longview to check things out.

First, we fed the fish.

They were HUNGRY!!!

Then we went to the beach for some swimming and sand.

The digging was AWESOME!

West got into it too.

Check it out!

We're just warming up for Myrtle Beach...

(thanks Phyllis for the great pictures!)

Stop to smell the flowers

This morning was one of the coolest mornings we have had in weeks,

so we took advantage of the weather and headed to Powell Gardens.

First, we checked out the butterfly garden.

Wes got up close and personal.

Then we ran around the Harvest Garden.

Literally.

My pouty face.

After that, it was time for more running.

Mom and I raced around the circle,

trying not to get caught by the fountains.

Whew! Just made it!

Someone told us there were DINOSAURS hiding in the garden.

Found one!

Found two!

But seriously, we wanted to find those dinos.

So we continued onward.

Weston, looking adorable.

But don't forget my adorableness as well!

Did you hear something?

Do you see what I see?

DINOSAURS!!!

We found all 10 of them,

including the state dinosaur of Missouri, Hypsibema

(we forgot to take a picture of that one).

Who knew? We have a state dinosaur!

After that, we rode the trolley back to the car

(always a good time) and had a picnic lunch.

It was a good day!

Truckin'

It's been a while since Wes and I went for a truck ride...

Man are they fun!

Driving this way

and that way

Giving Mom the "thumbs up" (we would rather give a finger up)

Truckin' rocks!

See ya next time...