One of Our Favorite Places

When we were new to Wisconsin, I was always asking people about cool, new places to visit with my boys. A few years ago, a neighbor told me about a place called the MacKenzie Center. Essentially, it is a place that takes in orphaned or injured animals to nurture and raise them. The animal displays are in this quaint section of wood. And, the best thing is the price is FREE! It quickly became a family favorite.

So, it had been over two years since we had gone as a group, and we decided to take the trip again a few weeks ago. Brendan took his buddy Ollie and we all headed out for an adventure.

At the start of the trip, Brendan and Ollie joined me on a trek of a the fire tower's steep stairs. Oliver is reveling in our achieving the top!
The boys meandered the paths and checked out the animals. All the guys stopped at one of their favorite stops: measuring their "wing span." I just liked Andrew's silly face, so he made the blog!
After we had looked at all the animals, the boys decided to trek through the woods on an adventure. Having lots of time that day, I let them lead and blindly followed.

This was our first cool find!
We did get a little lost, but thanks to Oliver's great advice of "A right turn is always right," we found our way out.
The climax of our trip always results in the cheesy, antiquated "museums" that are at the end of the paths. I think we looked through all three displays in 15 minutes!
Yet another awesome day this summer!

Another Pitcher

Baseball season wasn't just eventful this year for Evan, Andrew and Brendan also experienced a great season. Their team had more teams than losses, which always makes for a solid year.

Andrew's pitching improved to awesome levels as he consistently struck people out. He also played shortstop a good deal of the time and even impressed his mom with a wicked fast toss to first from time to time.

Brendan had his first year in kid pitch on the same team as Andrew. He expressed similar interest as Andrew in pitching, but we were hesitant to put him in a position to be compared to Andrew. However, he insisted, so we relented. The cool part? He did a great job!

He only pitched a few total innings, but each inning he pitched was over in a few short batters- either due to strikeouts or good fielding by B's support. I also noticed something peculiar. When Brendan pitches, he opens his mouth.
Thinking this was surely a fluke, I waited patiently and took another picture. Still open.
Who knows why?

Regardless of open mouth or superlative shortstop skills, Andrew and Brendan also had an awesome season.

Look at That Perfect Form. . .

. . . That's what Evan told me as we browsed the pictures from his last Coach Pitch game on Friday. He was remarking on his impeccable batting form, and from the looks of it, I can't disagree -- I am a little biased, however.

Evan had a hilarious, fun season this year. Fortunately, for him, he won every game! I am not sure if you can attribute the amount of wins to his teams instinctive baseball skills or Evan's wild imagination, but either way, it was a great season.

He even took on the challenge of playing catcher, and he reveled in this position. When Evan donned the catcher's gear, exclamations of ooh and he's so cute reverberated through the stands because he looked adorable, took his job seriously, and had "perfect form."

Another fun season of sports is over as we head back to soccer with camp this week!

Are You Ready for a Miracle?

I have always liked the idea that miracles exist. When I had each of my boys, I felt the closest that I ever have to believing in miracles. Their little bodies materializing from mine seemed amazing. Yet, beyond that, I have not witnessed many miracles. I have never walked on water, turned water into wine, or even parted a sea.

But this week, Andrew made me a believer in miracles.

You see, Andrew has always been an obscenely early riser. Having Andrew appear at my door at 6am on the weekend is not uncommon. His body just works that way.

However, this Thursday, a miracle occurred. He slept in.

I don't mean a little bit-- like 7 or 8. I mean, slept in.

I had to go and wake him up at 9:15 because he had a swimming lesson at 9:30. He was groggy and didn't want to move.

Yes, I took a picture of him sleeping. I couldn't help myself!

As I watched him slowly rouse from the bed and I glanced at the clock, I smiled because I knew that I had just witnessed greatness. Who knows? Maybe next week I can get water from wine (maybe the other way would be better...)

Sore Legs and Wet Feet. .. Great day!

My basic components to a great day involve getting outside and being active, doing something with friends and family, and a ton of laughter. Earlier this week, we had a day like this.

We travelled to a nearby state park called Devil's Lake that is well-known for its high bluffs that people climb and its pretty lake for swimming. The boys and I joined forces with one of Brendan's best friends and his family and decided to go hike and swim.

Our first hike involved climbing the high bluffs with two adults and a group of seven enthusiastic kids. I am always amazed that my children who will complain because I make them take out the garbage or brush their teeth seem to have no problem climbing up a huge stone wall.

As they hiked, we all were sweating, but the kids kept talking about how much fun they were having. Evan commented that his legs were sore, but I asked him if he wanted to stop and he told me he was having too much fun.

We did have a couple of heartstopper moments as we got to the top and had to tell our adventurous children to veer from the edge of these beautiful bluffs. Unlike Little Bo Peep, we didn't want to have to hunt for these little sheep. And fortunately, they obliged.

Everyone was hot and sticky after the hike, so we journeyed to the lake and let them spend an hour or more trying to catch the little minnows that were all over the lake.

To add to the day, we also decided to do one more hike to a waterfall. At first, the hike seemed a little anticlimactic as the promise of creek crossings and a waterfall seemed to be inflated, but we were pleasantly surprised to come across more climbing on the rocks and a perfect sized waterfall for the kids.

We ended our day crossing the ferry and enjoying a little ice cream treat.

It was truly a great day.

Screech. . . Pedal. . . Screech!

Riding a bike behind Evan is a lesson in reaction time. To successfully complete a ride, you must be fully alert and physically prepared.

To Evan's defense, this was his first major bike ride of the summer (we have been slacking a little), and I chose to ride to the library which is a .7 mile ride. He enthusiastically agreed, donned his helmet, and said "Let's go, Mom!"

I -- excited about our new adventure-- gleefully jumped on Chris' bike and we set off. What I quickly found out was the Evan can't multitask on his bike. If he wanted to tell me something, he stopped. No warning. Just stopped.

Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. SCREECH. (I frantically veer into the grass.)

Mom, did you know that when I go to school next year I will be on this playground.

Yes, Evan.

Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. SCREECH. (I miss his tire by a millimeter and scape my leg in the effort.)

Mom, did you say something to me?

Nope, just cruising along.

Ok.

Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. SCREECH. (I blow by him because I can't stop, and I have to turn around, which causes him to try to turn around because he is confused.)

Mom, what are you doing?

I am trying not to hit you. Why did you stop?

Umm. . . .I don't know.

Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. . SCREECH.

And so it continued. After I adjusted my bike riding expectations, I found that I was really enjoying myself. Watching Evan discover this new activity and finding his pride in doing so was priceless. He even "bike danced" on the final path because he said bike riding was a snap (he was snapping his little fingers all over the place.) It was too precious.

I am sure that at some point, the ride will be fluid, but for now Pedal, pedal, pedal, screech is good enough for a smile from me.

Bust Out the Rally Caps

On the spur of the moment, we decided to use some of my sister's Christmas presents for the boys and go to a Brewers game last night. (She bought them all a Kids Club package that includes SIX free games a kid!) I packed the car with tailgate food, drinks, and chairs and we headed to the ballpark.

One of the unique aspects of Miller Park is that tailgating is strongly encouraged-- and enacted.

We even got to use a feature on our van that we had never used: tailgate chairs!

The boys took part in a age old tradition of tossing the ball around in the parking lot. I must admit a bit of chasing the ball also ensued, but they had a great time.

As for the game, it was great. Evan exclaimed as we sat down: "Wow! This is awesome. I can see a real field!" His enthusiasm quickly waned as he realized that he needed to stay seated and I wasn't going to buy him a drink whenever he asked. Poor little guy- his attention span isn't overly long. Fortunately, he enjoyed dancing like a hamster between innings in an effort to gain the attention of the Jumbotron cameras -- it never happened. ..

Unfortunately for Evan, the game went into extra innings. However, Andrew and Brendan were lovin' it. In the 8th inning, the Jumbotron told people to bust out the rally caps as the Brewers were only one run behind the Pirates. All of my boys and most of the grown ups reversed their hats and began screaming and cheering. I had to smile as I realized how silly everyone would feel if they were wearing a rally cap and the team didn't win.

But, alas, the Brewers won with a hit in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Truly, it was a great game! Thanks, Tif, for the tickets!