June stuff

Pictures of June fun.

Lots of birthday parties to attend.  One cousin had a horse riding party, while another cousin had a bounce house party.

Bowling party for a school friend.

Children's Theater picnic.  It rained a bit during that afternoon and the bouncy slide became a wet slip and slide.  The kids' clothes were drenched but they had a blast.  I've learned to always travel with spare clothes for Helaina because you never know what will unfold. 

Out to brunch for Father's Day.  Helaina LOVES brunch.

This look is "Mom, I'm not posing for pictures while I'm eating."  If you can't tell, that's a chocolate frosted donut on her plate, with a side of bacon (only a tiny morsel remains).

Yearly Dragon Boat Festival.  Helaina's "boat" from last year still fits, so I didn't have to be crafty for this event - this year.

New location this year so they were able to do a little fishing - with no luck - what a surprise...

... and a little paddle boating.  Helaina was excited to this (never had before) and begged Jim to take her for a spin around the small pond.  Her legs didn't reach the pedals so it was a Daddy-powered paddle boat.

The festival ended with a bonfire and smores.  Sticky, messy, gooey but ever so yummy.

We've been to the zoo - a lot.  This trip was one day after the new Giant Pacific Octopus made her deput.  Ophelia is her name.  It was only Ophelia's 2nd day on display and she had mostly hidden in a cave-like opening in the rocks, but we were fortunate enough to be there when she briefly came out of the hiding spot, took a spin around her tank and hung on some rocks for a while.  Very cool critter.  We've also been to the zoo for a private party, an aquarium adventure academy and Penguin Palooza.

Helaina and I made a trip to the beach the week after school let out.  Have to hit the beach once in a while for the sand and lake swimming.  We had fun.  We met up with one of Helaina's friends from school and they splashed until their skin was shrivvly.

Many times throughout the day Helaina would say "Poor Daddy.  He has to be at work and we're having all the fun."  Well, someone in this family has to bring in some bucks.  Poor Daddy.

Sprinkler fun.  Even with a pool, you can't beat that old fashioned sprinkler.

Oh yah, there's been some shopping.  On this shopping adventure we were out looking for some PRACTICAL sandals for Helaina.  She needed some comfy, wide flats to wear with shorts.  Majorly sidetracked.  "Oh Mommy.  Can we PLEASE get these high heels?  Please, please, pretty please.  I'll be careful in them, please?"  So, we ended up with these beauties and a pair of sparkly Hello Kitty sneaker-shoes.  Not exactly what we headed out for, but oh well.  When Jim got home from work that afternoon and Helaina showed him 2 more pair of shoes, he said "You're kidding?!  How many pair of shoes do you need?"  I informed him that his daughter was Carrie Bradshaw Junior and that you can never have too many shoes.  She also has giganticly wide feet and when we find something that fits, we simply have to buy them.  She wore those blue strappy shoes in the house that entire night.  Just loves them.  (I know kids aren't supposed to wear heals - not good for their feet - but Helaina only wears them if we go out to dinner or if we won't be walking for any length of time.)