Lazy Weekend

This weekend is a lazy weekend.  Matt is laid up from his "surgery" - I am attempting to take care of him as well as three bigger kids and one baby.  This is not an easy task!  So, when Linda offered to take two kids to the Mequon parade to sit with Carrie and Drew while watching Mark and Will march in it, we jumped at the chance.  Since Kyrie still has issues with loud noises, the logical choice was to send Lariska and Declan.  Here they are enjoying the parade:

Hmm...this popcorn may have been the cause of Declan's "itchies" later that day.

Grandma and some of her grandkids.

Declan likes to meet new people and things.

Will marching with friends from his baseball team in the parade.

And, back at the ranch, Matt reading a book to his boys before bedtime later on that same evening.

Big Brother

Declan is becoming such a good big brother. He is so cute with Hugo, I can't get over it. I am so pleasantly surprised and thrilled how good he is with Hugo. I pray it will continue for all time!

Kons Race for Pride

We finished dinner a bit early tonight and it was such a beautiful night.  It has been awhile since we have "run the kids"...something we did more often last summer to wear them out before bedtime.  So, Matt decided to take them outside and have a little race.  The first time around the house everyone started at the same time - Matt clearly outstripped them by half a house.  The next time around we staggered the takeoff time.  Declan first, followed by Lari, then Kyrie, then Matt.  Aparently, my sense of timing isn't very good.  Lari won by half a house this time!  Two more tries with staggering the takeoff and Kyrie won one, Lari another.  I think Declan may have gotten distracted on the other side of the house and given up.  Matt wanted to keep going till he won again, but the girls were quite winded!

Hugo enjoyed watching the race and cheering his siblings on.

Zombie

I thought this was a funny photo and had to post it.

Kons Family Photo Session

Linda arranged for our families to have a photo session together this morning.  Afterwards, we had a picnic in the park and took a few of our own photos.  I think this foot shot turned out really cute!  Especially Nora and Hugo's cute little toes!

The Boys

The Girls (if only I had kept my eyes open...)

Mike and Linda celebrated 37 years of marriage this week.  Happy Anniversary!

Kyrie, in her own world, as usual.

Breakin' 'Em Open

This box of Legos has been sitting in the dining room since Mother's Day and has been torturing Declan completely.  I told him he had to keep his naptime diaper dry (yes, still wearing a diaper for naps and bedtime) and then we could open them up and work on these Legos together.  Oh boy was he excited today to learn (yes, learn...he doesn't seem to know he is getting his diaper wet) that his diaper was dry.  Thrilling!  Here he is before we begin.

Hugie

Playdate

Kyrie had Daniella over to play today.  I am always amazed at how good Kyrie's friends are around Declan and Hugo.  They sure do handle little brothers well...and that is not easy - ask Kyrie!

Five Months Old

Water Wars

The kids are having a blast with the water squirters we bought for their party.  There have been daily fights in our backyard.  I have stayed out of them for the most part, but it's fun to grab one of the blasters and soak a child or two.  Best $1 spent of the summer!

Maniac

Have I mentioned how much Declan loves to play with his Legos?  The kid is such a maniac.  This organizer is great, but it doesn't really help anything when he doesn't keep his legos in there!  Ugh!

Birthday for the Child

Our kids did not get a birthday party this year.  Instead, we celebrated the birthdays of all children everywhere (though, admittedly, I did not do a very good job communicating this) by holding one big party, inviting all of our friends, and asking them to bring a donation to either scholarships for children in Honduras or for the Birthday Corner at the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry.  We were delighted to recieve $550 for Honduran Scholarships, $400 for the MF Food Pantry, and 14 boxes of cake mix and frosting, plus candles for the Birthday Corner.  So cool!

I got this idea from Lumos, who celebrates the birthdays of institutionalized children on the UN's Day of the Child - June 1st.  I hope, in the future, to continue to do this year after year and maybe to try and raise more money each year.  I hope our children will realize how fortunate they are and will be proud of using their birthdays as a way to help others!

Here is Kyrie giving a little speech to thank everyone for coming and celebrating the birthdays of all children.  She did a really good job!

Grandma Linda, Nana Jeannie, and Hugo (four months old).

Happy Father's Day, too!  Thanks Mike, for grilling up all of the burgers for us!!!

Matt getting everyone's attention before Kyrie's speech.

The best part of the day was the water squirter fights!  Finlay is getting Lari pretty good.

I think Lari may try and get even...

Declan was in his element.

Run, Mattie, run.

Cousin Nora and Carrie

Gavin, ready for a refill

Elliot and Lori - wish we had had more time to catch up with these friends who we don't get to see very much anymore.

Amy enjoying birthday cake.

Matt and Grandma Starr.

Elliot - my goodness how he has grown!

Cousin Will.

Neighbor Delaney, Cousin Teagan, and Kyrie.