Sunday, Funday

The QC has a minor league team, the River Bandits.  Sundays are Family Fun Days and of course we went to the Pirates and Princesses Day.  

Our little princess was in awe at this meeting

 "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

Argg! 

The River Bandits lost but we had a good time anyway.  After the game the kids had a chance to run the bases. 

and we ended our day with ice cream from Maggie Moos.  

 

another day, another exhausted littleD :)

Mississippi Valley Fair

The QC's annual fair was a few weeks ago.  Honestly, it was your typical rides and junk food kinda place with some livestock, tractors and stuff mixed in.  It's the week before the state fair, so i think next year we'll skip this one and try out the state fair in Iowa City. 

the Tractor Show and Games

 

feeding the animals 

and the rides

the twins really aren't what i called "thrill seekers" ...they chose this little roller coaster and this was the way Nora looked through the entire ride. 

and then when it was over, we got this smile.  she's hilarious. 

and fair food--Nora and Davis chose Nachos, Holden chose funnel cake 

such a good day, and seriously tired this little guy out

~JULY~

July in the Midwest looked a lot like this. 

National Ice Cream Day at a Quad Cities institution, Whiteys. 

and this one got more on his clothes and the ground than in his mouth 

Nora and I have been doing some yoga

and we had some nice evening walks...this cornfield is at the end of our street.  davis calls them "corn trees" 

and there's a Free Little Library in a butterfly garden not far from our house

snuggling, there is always snuggling 

 

we have a great backyard neighbor who comes over to play with our kiddos--she's a fifth grader who makes up lots of games to play with the kids.  they love it. 

 

Nora started to help make breakfast.  We're starting with cereal :)  

and then carrying in groceries...everyone has a job, even Macky the Door Holder

We had some lunch dates with Daddy at the Arsenal 

and many more adventures in Potty Training. 

There is also this super yummy pizza place by the house. We had our first family Chicago style pizza.  

and our friends got a kitten.  Nora was in Heaven.  

Macky Eats

Macky started eating a few months before he turned 6 months.  He has been my earliest eater, but being bigger than my other babies i expected it.  

In some ways after having multiple babies, you become somewhat of an expert...but in many ways each baby will show you just how different they can be and how i have to go and learn a new way to cater to his needs.  

For Macky, we started feeding him in a more traditional way.  Starting with grains/cereals and moving to baby foods.  He is our first to have any rice cereal--but obviously needed it to keep his belly full.  Also since he started eating younger, baby led weaning/ starting with soft solids was out of the question.  

He also was my first baby to take to eating immediately.   He spit out the first bite, but after that he ate his food like a champ.  No need to teach that baby to open his mouth/swallow/get used to textures...he was all over it :) 

what is this thing around my neck? isn't my cape supposed to go on my back? 

A few months in now, he is feeding himself some solids.  His favorites are steamed broccoli and pancakes and he hates bananas, but more than anything he still prefers for us to shovel it in! 

pancakes for me?