Baby Shortall

Hope everyone's staying cool today in this crazy heat.  I stayed up too late cutting up an old shirt of mine to make into a shortall for Bode from this tutorial.  I've sewn a handful of items for Maggie since getting my sewing machine, so I thought it was Bode's turn.  I've spent time on and off today, finishing up, and finally have it completed.

It was my Shamineau lifeguard shirt from the summer of '03.  

I'll be honest, I didn't take Bode's measurements, so the fit is kinda weird.  It's tighter through the chest and roomy in the rear.  I guess it just leaves plenty of room for his cloth-diapered bum.  :)

Oh, and I decided I don't like sewing snaps.

The Monster at the End of this Book

Maggie has favorite books at both sets of grandparents' houses.  At Grammy and Bapa E.'s, it's Puppy Peek-a-Boo.  At Grandma and Grandpa G.'s, it's The Monster at the End of This Book.  In true Maggie fashion, she helps read it with her own dramatic touch.  (Shaky video is due to a fussy and squirmy baby on my lap who, by the way, now crawls and climbs stairs.  Sorry!)

White Bear Lake

Great time on the lake today with great friends!

Dora, Take Two

Because of the scorcher of a day, Steve suggested we spend our afternoon at Mall of America.  While maneuvering through Nickelodeon Universe to find some rides, we stumbled across Dora and Boots, and later, Diego and Dora!  After Maggie's first meeting with Dora a couple weeks ago, we were all pleased to have a more positive interaction this time. 

Loving Summer

Earlier this week was full of family togetherness.  Sunday afternoon consisted of a visit with Steve's parents for swimming in the lake and good company (forgot to get pictures!), while Monday night and Tuesday found us down with my parents and sister as we were wandering around in southern Minnesota anyways.  Our short time was filled with the first bonfire of the summer, bubbles, a couple hours at the Aquatic Park, and a brief visit with my paternal grandparents.

Breakfast outside.

Chasing bubbles.

Getting those bubble-popping fingers ready.

Fairmont Aquatic Park (my former place of employment).

Tackling the lily pads with Grammy.

What a Ham

Whose daughter is this?

She is most definitely the silliest girl I know.

The Zoo

Maggie has been asking to go to the zoo this summer, so since Steve didn't have anything going on today, we went on a family outing to the Minnesota Zoo.

We started out in the aquarium and got to see some fish being fed before we ventured outdoors to see more animals.  Maggie's favorite animals today were definitely the otters.  She absolutely loved them and kept asking to go back after we moved on.  Maggie actually recognized a lot of the South American animals thanks to Dora and Diego.  Other highlights included watching a bird show and seeing the penguins.  And Bode was such a trooper in the stroller!

After awhile in the heat (it was low 90's today!), we brought Maggie and Bode to the splash park in the middle of the zoo.  Bode had fun splashing, and Maggie had a blast dancing in the fountains and talking to new friends.  Speaking of new friends, lately when asked what her name is, Maggie will respond, "Maggie Allyson" or "Maggie Allyson Gibbs."  Today another girl, who also happened to be named Maggie, asked and our Maggie replied, "Maggie Allyson Moo."  Her ECFE teacher and Grammy, at times, have called her Maggie Moo, so I guess Maggie thought it sounded good. 

We ended our zoo adventure in the tropics area indoors.  Ahhh, air conditioning.  Well, here are some pictures from the day.

At the entrance.

Atop a mosquito.

Maggie's favorite - the otters

Looking for the brown bears.

There's a leopard behind us!

Checking her hand size against a mold of a tiger paw print.

A rough-looking crew.

Tiger statue.

Penguins!  Probably second favorite animal of the day.

Yay! Splash park!

Bode got in on the action, too.