NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!

I finally made it!! After about 21 years I finally made it back to a New Kids concert! WOOOO!!! The first time I saw them live was at the Champaign County fair with Kami, Kara and Katie... It was hot, it was standing-room-only, and we were nearly trampled to death... it was great! And this weekend wasn't much different... this time, it was HOT, standing-room-only, and we were nearly trampled to death... only we were older! LOL! Imagine a bunch of 30-something women screaming like little girls for the New Kids... and they are all pushing 40 (or are over it!)! It was FABULOUS!

They did lots of their old, classic songs and dances as well as a few new things... we were on our feet the entire night (and I have the blisters to prove it... note to self, never wear 4" wedges when you're going to be on your feet dancing all night long). Our seats were great too! Smack in the middle of the stage! Carrie and I had a great time... and we bought the t-shirts to mark the occasion! :)

The Lawn Seats at Riverbend... packed in there tight! Luckily we had actual seats!

NKOTB!

Joey!!!

Sunshine Camp

This past week Max spent every morning at his very first camp! The Sunshine Camp. It was held at Community Park from 9-12 and run by two teachers (and lots of teenaged helpers). After a rocky start the first day where Max folded his arms and threw one of his normal 'soccer-type' tantrums, he had a FABULOUS time! He warmed up to Miss Debbie and Mr. Neil very quickly that first morning and then jumped right into the activities. There were 21 kids in the camp, all age 4 or 5. Max's friend Hayden was in the class too, as were old neighbors Myles, Andrew and Matthew.

Each day Max came home singing a new "silly campfire song" and telling us stories of what they had done. Each day he also came home absolutely soaked to the bone from being hit with water balloons! Loved it! On Tuesday though, his soakedness (I know that is not a word, ok?) came from walking, then sitting, then lying in the creek they were out exploring. Who knew Max loved the "wilderness"? :) Besides singing, playing LOTS of games, making crafts and more, the kids were also surprised each day with a hide-n-seek game with "Sunshine Bear" and when they found him, (he was a stuffed bear) he had a surprise waiting! Donuts, gum, animal masks... you name it!

The campers all received a commemorative tie-dye t shirt (so cute) and a red backpack to remember the week. Max has already said he wants to go to Sunshine Camp again next year! YAY!!!! Next up, Vacation Bible School in July!!!

See Max? Middle row, third in from the right. He said "Mom, does my skin look brown?"

Ok and not to brag but on two separate occasions each of the teachers pulled me aside to tell me what a "delight" Max is, and how well he listens and participates in everything... aww... now too bad that couldn't have carried over to the weekend when he threw the meanest, rottenest, temper tantrum I have ever seen at the pool, all over a doll! He slapped, kick, bit (YES! First time he's ever bitten!) me and said lots of mean things! Dang! I had no idea what to even do!!!! But let's not focus on that... let's focus on his great week of camp and the impression he left there... ;) (that's what I keep trying to make myself do, anyway)

For those who don't follow me around Facebook (and who love to shop)

H&M is collaborating with Jimmy Choo, releasing a new line of more affordable designer shoes on November 14th. I LOVE IT!!!! Here is a link to my blog article about it on Dealio:

Jimmy Choo for H&M

Also, speaking of blogs (and of shopping) if you need some unique ideas for Father's Day, check out this blog post as well. Even if it doesn't list something you like, you can click the link for the Father's Day Shopping Guide on Dealio to see what is out there, ON SALE, that maybe you haven't thought of before!

Father's Day Gift Guide

Happy Shopping!

Sleepover!

Is 4 too young for a first sleepover?  We decided to give it a try last night and had Max's friend, Kenleigh, spend the night.  We picked her up around 7pm and took her home... she had her bag all packed (by herself, I might add) and was anxious to come home with us.  We spent the night at the "park" across the street (the neighbor's swing set) and then came home for strawberry milkshakes.  (the neighbors cat followed us and is actually still here today!)  Kenleigh told me she loved strawberry, but then told me she didn't like the milkshake cause I put milk in it... LOL.  About 9:45 we came inside, made another snack, put in a movie and let them watch it until 10:15... then it was BEDTIME!  Yea, right...

Charlotte (neighbor), Max and Kenleigh strike a pose

Popcorn and The Little Mermaid

Just climbed into bed!

I'm pretty sure they are faking being asleep here...

They stayed in bed talking  until 11:30!  Then they crashed.  

In the morning they woke up at 8, went out and got their own "breakfast" consisting of chips and gold fish crackers... then they played and played until the cinnamon rolls were ready.

Cinnamon Rolls!

On the back patio with Bandit, 'our' cat

It was such a fun night!  Max LOVED having Kenleigh over and they play soooo well together.  I'm really impressed with Kenleigh too; she didn't once say she wanted to go home!  I don't think Max could stay at someone else's house.  She did great!  We'll have to do it again sometime; I'm quite sure Kenleigh's mom won't mind... ;)

The Yellow Jackets 2009

Here they are... the 2009 4 and 5 (and some almost 6) Year old Yellow Jackets... ta-da!  Now if only we could get Max to use his skills IN the game, rather than just on the sidelines or practice.... hmmm...

The kids:

Front row L to R:  Conner, Andrea, Cade, Jenna

Back row L to R:  Max, Ethan, Mason, Alex, Evan

We got a jump on summer!

(weird big storm cloud the other night... tornado warnings went off and all!)

Since Max's last day of school was before Memorial Day, and since Memorial Day was a bit early this year, we got a headstart on summer... and as Max would quote "ba-da-ba-ba-baaaa we're lovin' it".   

To kick off the first few days of summer, Max had a little pet.  Hopsy.  Chris found Hopsy the toad outside our garage one night (thank you God for not letting it be a mouse!) and since Max was already asleep, put him in a jar (with lots of air holes, don't worry) and some sticks and rocks to make it more "homey"... ha ha.  The next morning we showed him to Max... it was love.  He wants a pet so badly!  We spent time finding dead bugs to push through Hopsy's air holes to make sure he had enough to eat.  The following day we told Max it was time to let Hopsy go... devastation hit.  Max hated to hear that; he did love chasing Hopsy around though and touching his bumpy back.  (ick)  Last we saw Hopsy he had rushed under a workbench in our garage... no idea where he is now, or if he's still alive... 

Getting Kings Island passes was the smartest thing we've ever done!  We have already been to the park three times (once to Boomerang Bay Water Park) and have plans to go again on Friday.  Max LOVES it... everything about it!  His favorite ride so far is the Viking Ship that sways back and forth and goes REALLY high and tickles his belly.  I love it too so I have no problem going again and again and again.  It's so funny that he doesn't see any risk involved in anything like we do now.  I ride those coasters with him that are all wooden and rickety and swear we are going to fly right off the track and die; Max just throws his hands up and laughs and laughs... 

(Scooby Doo Haunted Ride at KI)

(Log Ride with Chris)

(Plankton's Plunge from Spongebob)

(Boomerang Bay @ Kings Island)

We have also been to a Dragon's game, had friends over and been to the pool several times!  So even though it's been a fast start, we are looking forward to a SLOW summer and have enjoyed ourselves so much so far!  This weekend is a cookout on Saturday and Evan's 5th birthday party on Sunday... ALL DAY!!!  I mean, what's better than an all day bday party at a pool?  NOTHING!

(Chris and Max at the Dayton Dragon's Game)