Boys and their toys...

I was on the phone with Mom last night (she was at the Lake) and getting the kids ready for bed. We were talking about the days events. Seth's t-ball game (which we just got back from), the condo pool, and Dad's new motorcycle. What? You didn't see that coming?...hahaha While talking to her the home phone was ringing so I told her I had to get it and finish getting the kids ready and feed them. When I got to the phone I noticed it was Dad. I called him back and he said he was coming over for a few minutes. I asked if he was bringing his new "toy". He said yes. The kids were so excited that they know someone else in the family with a motorcycle. (Richie was not home, he was helping a friend move). We sat outside waiting for him to pull up. Of course I have the camera...

Here is Dad and his new "mature" bike. He is such a cool Grumpy!! LOL

Isn't it pretty?

Good purchase Dad. We all really like it. Enjoy the ride!!!

Speed Demon

Today has been an "exciting" day in the Wickenkamp household. I will start with Friday, during swim lessons, Seth has been excelling wonderfully. After lessons on Friday, the instructor told me that he has passed everything in level 1 and that he should be in level 2 (this after only one week of lessons, but he has been practicing, and is bound and determined to get rid of the water wings). She gave me 2 options, 1- to put him in level 2 for the second week or 2-keep him in level 1 and she would work with harder stuff with him. I opted for keeping him in level 1 because the level 2 class is soooo huge, I was afraid he would get overlooked. At least this way, he will get a little more one on one with the instructor. He is doing wonderfully. Today during class he got out of the pool and came to give me a kiss. (He is still not too old to give his mom a kiss in public). Like my mom says though, we both treasure when he hold our hands still, because it won't be long before he will be "too cool" for that.
After lessons, we came home and ate lunch and put Grace down for a nap. He and I went outside and he got out his tools and pretended to fix things. He is sooo funny, of course, everything needs to be fixed. What a busy body. We came back in the house for awhile since it was soooo hot outside and the shade hadn't gotten to the front of the house yet. We watched a movie and waited for Grace to get up.
Once Grace woke up, they were both ready for the front yard (and I was glad they waited for the shade). I told Seth to put his helmet on so we could practice his bike. He was less than trilled about this idea, but after some convincing that the more you practice the better you will be, he agreed. And since I don't write on this blog without putting pictures up usually, you can guess what our really "EXCITING" news is:

HE FIGURED IT OUT!!!!!!!

We started out with no elbow or knee pads, but after one little spill, he decided it was better to have them. Safety first, right!!


"Now I am ready Mom"

The look on his face says it all.

I love this picture. He is getting soooo big. I about started crying myself. I was so excited I was whoooing in the middle of the street. I am sure my neighbors think I am crazy by now, if they don't already.
Richie called to tell us he was on his way home and I told him to get home because we were doing something exciting at the house. He was totally confused. He pulled into the street and saw Seth riding his bike all by himself. He was so excited for Seth too. (Richie was a little bummed that he missed another "first" though, he missed his birth also.) He says though that he will be here for more "firsts" to come and when he starts driving. All I have to say about that is, HE BETTER BE!!! hahaha
Now, we have to call everyone on the list. The first thing Seth said was, "Mom, call Nina and tell her we have exciting news to tell her." I get the phone and dial. He is such a character. After calling the family, he said we needed to call Aimee when she gets off work and tell her. He called and asked her if Hayden and Carson could come over and ride bike with him tonight. She said that she could probably handle that since the boys bikes were in her truck already.

Look at them go!!

Is this not classic or what. I wonder what they are thinking about. Two bikers cruisin and chillin.

Seth and Carson

Well that is all for today, boy am I exhausted with all this bike riding. LOL He has already planned out tomorrow afternoon for us. I bet you can't guess what it is:)

Family Day

Today was an absolutely beautiful day. After everyone was dressed, I thought, what a gorgeous day for a picnic. We packed up the kids and went to the store for a few things and headed to Forest Park. We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chips. After lunch we played a game and then walked around the park for awhile. The view from the blanket was amazing. We went to the Great Basin area in the park near the fountains. The kids love watching the fountains and looking for fish in the water.

Enjoying their sandwiches. mmmm...good.

Seth was so hungry, he wanted a second sandwich. Here he is spreading the jelly. Pay attention Grace, your time will come to make your own sandwich too.

This is the view from our blanket.

The kids and I enjoying the scenery.

After the park we decided to visit the zoo. Grace and Seth had one animal in mind they just had to visit. The River's Edge to see the hippos.

Grace is not quite sure what she is supposed to be looking for.

Seth can't find the hippos. Once we got to the exhibit, I think he was just interested in the water and fish.

Next was the elephants. Here is the newest addition to the family.

Of course, no trip to the zoo is complete without Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

I don't think Seth could get his mouth open wide enough, do you?

I guess using a spoon just isn't very lady like. What a hoot?

This concludes our day out. We had a great weekend and hope everyone else did the same. We love and miss you all.

Learning to Ride..

a bike. Seth got a new bike for his birthday and it has training wheels on it. He talked to his friend Hayden, who has told Seth that he is trying to ride his bike without training wheels. So, needless to say, Seth has decided to try no training wheels with his old bike. (It is closer to the ground and he can touch) Hayden came over to the house on Friday with his bike and the boys wanted to practice. Seth was more interested in watching Hayden then practicing his own bike riding. They are such a hoot together.

Seth is very excited about riding without training wheels, we just have a little more practice to go. Everyday since Hayden was here, Seth is bound and termined.

Seth watching Hayden in front of him.

Hayden, all smiles.

Swimming lessons..

Today was Seth's first swimming lesson. Boy, have things changed since I taught. At least it is still Red Cross. It may just be that he is taking swim lessons in the same pool Luke, Pete and I swam in for the swim team and I taught in. It has been over 15 years since then.

Taking the plunge. The water looks cold!!

What form. Look at that back float.

Practicing his front kick.

PARTY!!!

On Sunday we celebrated Seth's birthday. We invited friends and family to join us at the Korte Rec Center in Highland (a neighboring town). The rec center has a mini indoor waterpark. Seth wanted a party at a pool and since weather is so unpredictable right now, I figured we would be safe with an indoor facility. Everyone had a good time. Thank you Aimee for taking the pictures!!

Luke being a BIG kid.

Seth with his buddy, Hayden.

Abby and her mom, Andrea.

When we got home we told Seth we needed him to move his bike out of the way in the garage so we could pull the car in. When we put the door up, he found this. He was very excited about all of the gifts that he got. Of course, he wants to play with all of them at once.

Thank you to everyone for their help. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves. See you next year!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Today is Seth's birthday and on your birthday you get to pick what is for breakfast and dinner. Seth wanted waffles for breakfast, so he helped Richie make them from scratch. SOOOO good. On your birthday you also get to use the birthday plate. (I made this plate a few months ago at a girls night/craft night, Seth was excited that he was the first to use it)

Nina and Grumpy came over to dinner. Seth picked tacos. He must have really wanted them, because he ate 2. That is not normal for him. We are usually lucky if he eats 1. After dinner Nina and Grumpy went to a Cardinals game and we went to a friends house to watch the fireworks. Grace and Seth made some new friends there and played some games before the show.

It is not very often that we have me in the picture much less all of us. One of the ladies that Richie works with took this picture for us right before the fireworks.

We hope everyone enjoyed their 4th with friends and family!! Have a safe weekend.