Weekend without Daddy

Luke left on his fishing trip on Thursday morning....so the kids and I settled in for a weekend without daddy. The kids were phenomenal! Every time he leaves the kids get that much older and things are that much easier.....and this time I thoroughly enjoyed my time with just them! Thursday we had a low key night at home. The kids have really been into drawing lately--so we all drew and colored lots of pictures and enjoyed our time at home together.

Friday I picked the kids up a little early in preparation for the SW Homecoming parade. We had plans with Colin and his mom to watch the parade and have a picnic at the park.....however, it was raining--so we toughed it out for the parade and then went our separate ways for dinner. I decided against sitting in the rain for the football game--we hung out at home and played the card game, War, instead!

Saturday morning we got up....played some more war and hung out at home before heading out to Apple Jack's to meet the Bormann's. Saturday morning was the ONE time all weekend the kids had a meltdown--it lasted about 10 minutes. They both cried/screamed (and I wasn't entirely sure why) and then they were done and back to their happy/sweet selves! 

We had so much fun at Apple Jack's with Madelyn and Jack! Nora, Madelyn and Jack all rode ponies and went on the cow-train. Bishop ran into Gabe from Kindercare, so spent some time in the corn pit with him. The kids jumped on the bouncy pillow and then we picked raspberries and apples! It was an absolutely beautiful day!

On our way home we stopped for lunch at Potbelly's! The kids each got to pick out a small pumpkin so they painted them when we got home....we played some more war, hung out and got ready for our annual block party! The kids had fun jumping in the bouncy house (we got an extra big one this year because it didn't show up last year)! :) The Kahlert's set up a movie in their front lawn and the kids watched Monsters Inc while eating popcorn, cheese puffs and running back and forth from the bouncy house to the movie! It was such a great time--there are a ton of kids who live on our block and we are so fortunate to have such great neighbors!!

Sunday morning brought church, bagels with the Retzer's and then a surprise birthday party for Great Grandma Darlene at the Pizza Ranch in Lakeville! She was surprised and we all had a fun time together celebrating her birthday!

We waited 35 minutes for the 3 minute parade! 

Nora loved the pony ride!

Bishop and Gabe

The corn pit was so fun!

Picking Raspberries--YUMMY!!!

A perfect little apple!

Bishop was too busy to stop for a picture! ;)

3 of the 4 cousins!

The big cousins!

Painting their pumpkins!

WAR!!!

Playing hot potato with the Kahlert's!

Domino and Nora!

Sweet Jack and Papa!

The big great grandkids with Great Grandma!

Happy Birthday Great Grandma!!

Birthday love!

Hanging out in the car while Nora napped in the backseat!

While we were gone Luke had a great time fishing and celebrating his birthday! They usually take their fall trip in Oct, so going earlier helped them have great weather....and better luck catching fish! We missed Daddy, but had a great weekend and the kids were amazing, I just can't say that enough!