In Full Swing

Our bronzed shoulders and swimming suit line tans are proof that summer is in full swing! Summer will really begin for us this weekend when we venture to Okoboji!! Summer has always been represented by trips to Okoboji since I can remember, and I can't wait to share the enjoyment of the busy yet relaxed atmosphere of 'Boji life. I've spent the better part of this week so far making piles to get ready to spend the better part of July in 'Boji, but here's what we've been doing in the meantime!

The girls and I spent last weekend in Lake Mills with my parents. Two trips to the swimming pool where I was a lifeguard for 9 years, two trips to the park, and ice cream treats were enjoyed by all. We also got to spend an hour in the basement on Saturday night after the tornado siren went off.....that was interesting with two three-year-olds. They did great, but they were so tired and didn't understand what was going on.
They both used to fit in this brass tub at my parents' house, but don't anymore so they have to take turns....it's actually quite comical because they still try to get in at the same time.


As I was unpacking from the weekend, this Miss Fabulous Fashionista graced our hallways. Sunglasses on top of her head and high heels...just like mommy!


Monday, we went to Bandshell Park to see the Dan Wardell Reading Roadtrip. Dan Wardell is the PBS Kids guy on IPTV and he travels to various libraries each summer. He reads a book and does goofy actions along with it. He also teaches about healthy eating and exercise. Though he works for a TV station, he advises kids to turn their TVs OFF, and head outside, use their imagination and read a good book. Our friends Myah and Macy (and their mommy, Mary) joined us. It was a good time....even though we were hot, sweaty, sticky and past naptime :) Smyles (the blue dog) from the library was there and both girls gave him a hug. Each kid also got a new beach ball, which the girls thought was pretty cool.



Today (Wednesday) Ava came over to play for a while. Ava is the daughter of our former nanny, Melissa. She had an interview this morning and asked if we would watch Ava for a little while. We loved every minute of it. Of course the girls had to hold her numerous times. She's a sweetie!!


Lastly, we treated ourselves to some ice cream today. Daddy Love had a ColdStone Creamery giftcard and he invited us to go along to use it (like he had a choice!) First we ate quesadillas at Panchero's and then had dessert next door at ColdStone. Here's daddy sharing his Peanut Butter Cup Perfection with his perfect daughters!

Mid-June Already??

I'm looking at the calendar and I can't believe it's already June 20! Part of me is very excited because my month of July at Okoboji is quickly approaching, but the other part of me is thinking "summer vacation is going too quickly!"
In addition to swimming lessons this past week, we were very busy! On Tuesday, Heidi took the girls' three-year pictures. We went to Reiman Gardens here in Ames and she got some really great photos. Venture over to www.capturedbyheidiphoto.com to see them. We have a plan to take a few more this week so I won't have the completed CD until the end of the week. Here are a few snapshots of the girls there, though. This year's theme is "Gnomes." Here's Maysen with the World's Largest Concrete Gnome. Myah said this Gnome was scary....I have to agree with her!

On Friday, June 18, Brandon and I celebrated our 5-year anniversary. The weather was overcast and stormy so we took the girls bowling. It had been a while since we'd been there so it was a nice treat for the girls. Each of them had gotten a $5 game card to Perfect Games from the summer reading program at the Ames library so we got to go to the arcade for a while as well. Talk about independent....notice that neither of the girls wanted to use the ramp anymore, and they like to carry their own balls to the line. It's a bit scary for me as I don't want them to drop the ball on their toes, but so far, so good.

This is the summer of the dress for us three girls. We like to wear our "pretty dresses" often! Here's a picture of us from Saturday (after my first 10K! I did it with a sprained ankle). My parents came down to watch the girls so Brandon and I could go out for our anniversary. We ate a light supper at Pancheros and went to the movie "Killers." It's worth seeing.

The Grotewold cookbook is still in progress, but I'm hoping to finish it this next week so I can get them printed and back by mid-July when the Grotewolds gather in Okoboji for a few days. Here are Myah and Maysen helping me make banana bars so we can get some pictures for the bookbook. Have I mentioned how much they like to help me cook and bake??

We have been blessed with wonderful fathers in our lives. My dad will always be my hero, and I know Brandon will always be M&M's hero. It's a tradition at our house to take a picture of the girls and Brandon on Father's Day with Brandon wearing this shirt and hat. Happy Father's Day, Brandon! We all love you!

Swimming Lessons

Today was a momentous occasion at the Smith Household. Swimming lessons started. Not just any swimming lessons, but Preschool Level 1 swimming lessons. You know, the ones where the parents don't get in the water, and the little tykes start working on their swimming skills with a WSI (Water Safety Instructor---I used to be one, you know!). For those of you who REALLY know me, this is a BIG deal to me.....HUGE actually. I grew up on the water and started taking swimming lessons at 18 months. I took my girls to their first Mommy (and Daddy and Aunt Kiki and Jess) and Me class at 10months. It is very important to me that my girls are comfortable in and around water. We go to the aquatic center often (5 times already this summer) and like to boat at Okoboji. I don't want my kids terrified of the water. As you can see here, they aren't and swim like little fish. I would love to have them swim competitively someday....but that choice, I will leave up to them!

Summer is here!!

Last week, it became official....summer vacation is here! A week has flown by because we've been so busy (doesn't that sound familiar!?). Here's a rundown of the past week!
Last Saturday, I ran in my second 5K at the Dam to Dam in Des Moines. For you non-runners (that would be me!) here is a picture of the chip we wore on our shoe that clocked our time as we crossed the start and finish lines. A lot less glamorous than I would have imagined! :) According to the D2D site, I ran the 5K in about 34 minutes. My watch said more like 32ish minutes, but because of the chip, they might be more accurate. That means I didn't beat my first time, but like our shirts said...."the miracle isn't that i finished the race, the miracle is that i had the courage to start."


After my race, I high-tailed it back to Ames to pack up the girls and head to Lake Mills. A small family gathering was planned and it was a great time. On Sunday, we (nana, papa, ric, kiki, c, me, myah and maysen) went golfing. Ok, so only four people actually played golf, and the rest of us rode along! I'm pretty sure uncle c has been waiting for this day since M&M were born. Watch out WPGA!.....the Smith twins are on the rise and just might be the world's youngest professional golfers someday. We made it 18 holes with smiles and good attitudes still in tact!



On Monday, I had a work day at school to get everything put away for the summer and even got to write some curriculum maps (yippee......that's sarcastic by the way). Tuesday morning, we headed to the Omaha zoo where we met grandma, grandpa, uncle brent, aunt jamie, and cousin caden. Our drive started out with some rain, but it ended up being a humid day with the sun shining!

Myah and Maysen watching the baby gorilla.
Checking out the Siberian Tiger with Grandpa.
The Three Muskateers (they held hands like this for quite a while)
Sitting on top of the gorilla statues.
Watching the stingray, fish, sharks, turtles, etc swin above our heads.
Small money up close.
Crossing the jungle bridge
Sloth sleeping in the tree.
Riding the train around the zoo....towards the end of the day....they were tired :)
Feeding the fish with daddy.
The four of us stayed over night in Omaha and went to Spaghetti Works for supper.

Back at home, we're tired from the past busy days, but of course, we're ready to do it again next week. Swimming lessons and grad classes start on Monday, and play dates are scheduled. Check in again soon. For now, here are two adorable pictures of my M&Ms as they are always pretending and role playing. Here, I think they are pretending to be me getting ready to walk out the door and go to the store. Aren't they glamorous!

The Princesses Turn 3

This past Monday, my princesses turned three years old! A few weeks ago, I was really emotional about it (and I think as this year goes on, I might continue to be). However, on the "big day" I was just in "awe" of how far we had come, how smart the girls are, and how proud I am to be their mom!
The day began with the girls climbing into bed with Brandon and I. This is special in-and-of itself because it only happens on the weekend. Not long after finding her snuggling place, Myah starts singing (in a soft whisper) "Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me." Followed by a (whispering again) "now let's sing to Maysen, mom." I grinned from ear to ear while we quietly sang Happy Birthday to Maysen :)

Of course, they had to get their hands in the making of the sloppy joes with Nana!

Donned in their "3" shirts that I had made for them, the girls waited patiently (as patiently as a 3-year-old can) for their party to start. They enjoyed seeing me bring in the balloons and the cake; they eyed Papa as he hung the streamers through the kitchen and living room. We managed to get a family picture before everyone arrived!

Opening presents came first: clothes (and lots of them!), swim outfits, scooters, and games! The kitchen is still a hot favorite (see earlier post regarding this early birthday present).

The next 45 minutes was spent outside trying out the new games and toys.

Then lunch and the Cupcake Cake! We LOVED the Cupcake Cake (and who wouldn't?!).


Still on a sugar-high (two days later!) we look forward to what this (gasp!) fourth-year will bring. Most of all, I'm looking forward to a fun-filled summer with my beautiful blondies! Happy Birthday, Myah and Maysen!! I am so proud to be your mommy!


Cousin Caden was born just the day before my girls so we got to venture to Rembrandt over the weekend to help celebrate Caden's 3rd Birthday. The girls even got a few early gifts at his party!
Here they are enjoying Caden's Lightning McQueen cake.

Don't they look like the Three Muskateers?!