Happy Birthday, Pop-Tart!

She's grown so much in her short 16 weeks of life!  When we first brought Barley home 8 weeks ago, we couldn't take our eyes off her for a second!  She'd have an accident every 10 minutes and tried to chew on the fireplace!  She'd cry to be lifted onto the sofa because she was so small!  Now, she's a sitting rockstar, well on her way to being a professional at "staying" and "coming", and has finally mastered the art of sleeping in!

Don't get me wrong . . . she still struggles to not jump up on visitors, she'll dart out the front door if you don't stop her, and her habit of sleeping on your neck makes it tricky to watch a movie . . .

But we think she's pretty perfect!  She has more nicknames than I can count (Princess, Sister, Barleytown, and Henry's choice: Pop-Tart) and the kids rush to hug her whenever they enter the room!

Happy 16 week birthday, Barley!

Cousins- Round 1 continued!

Hurry, Mom!  I can't tread water much longer!

 The rain cleared and we were able to swim the last two days of the Cousin Visit.  A Father's Day BBQ with all 9 grandkids Friday night (complete with a fire pit!) was a great finale!

Very interested in the fire-building!

Survivors 6.14.14!

In hindsight, the plan was iffy from the beginning...  

250 wedding guests . . .
Reception on the 8th floor . . .
One small, slow elevator to transport guests, 8 at a time . . .

The owner of the building apparently discovered this was going to cause some problems so he took matters into his own hands.  If 16 people were put on the elevator at once instead of 8, we'd all get upstairs twice as fast!  Brilliant!

Unfortunately, this particular elevator, when past the weight limit, goes into lock-down mode with all 16 people trapped inside.

Thus began Elevator Nightmare 2014!

Here are a few TIPS to surviving your own Elevator Nightmare:

1. MEN: Work together to take off your suit jackets.  Yes, your dress shirt will still be two shades darker in color, wet with sweat, but it'll be significantly cooler!

2. Press your face against the cool (if dirty) wall, it provides a moment of relief from the stifling heat.

3. Give Aldi crackers to the distraught two-year-old at your own risk.  Yes, it will calm her momentarily, but then she'll scream for "More Crackers" long after your purse-supply is exhausted!  It'll be hard to hear the 911 operator while she's screaming.

4. Always turn to face the door immediately upon entering an elevator, otherwise you'll be stuck facing the back wall the entire time (although, this can be of some benefit, see Tip #2!)

5. Try to stand next to your cousin.  If you have your face pressed into someone's chest, better hers than a stranger!

After 35 minutes, the firemen pried the doors open!  Fresh air!  They had us run out, unsure how long the doors would stay open and the elevator would stay stable.

Notice I'm facing backwards
That's Frank behind me, early in the experience
because he's still wearing his suit jacket

Still smiling, toddler not screaming
Henry is at Frank's feet
5 minutes in and still thinking we might be on an
episode of Punk'd!

Sardine cousins!  I couldn't even see them but
they were sweaty little troopers!

Sweaty but out!  Posing in front of one of the three firetrucks
sent to pry us out

 

My "baby" is growing up!

 Tonight was Henry's 5th birthday party!  It's technically still two weeks before his birthday but, with cousins in town, we wanted to celebrate now!  Our small party was a HUGE success with gorgeous weather, pizza, pinata, and a pancake cake!  Happy birthday, Little Guy!

Pinata!

Henry was pretty sure there would be trash inside
this present!  Nope, a skateboard!

Pancake Cake

Cousins - Round 1

The Spieckers are here for a visit (a prelude to our Denver visit next month) and we're loving every minute!  Tie dying shirts, Worlds of Fun, pool days, park picnics . . . and we're only halfway done!

Tie Dye 101

Different Year . . . Same Picture!

FIRST ROLLER COASTER EVER!!!

Loving the Sea Dragon!

Park fun