Summer Fun, Day Out and Daddy Day

This summer is turning out to be one filled with much activity in the barrel!

 Summer has brought backyard popsicles...

And wagon trips to the park with some friends...

And Mama and Daddy Nights Out....

We also have taken a soft approach to the beginnings of potty training. 

(This has not been the most successful thing. The light is still yellow with that in

 our house...eagerly awaiting green.)

Over the weekend, we traveled once again to the Great Indiana Railway to see 

a Very Special (and Useful) Engine.

All Aboard! 

Elias loved riding in Thomas as well as playing at all the various activities. 

He got Flora from Granddad and Emily (the engine in one of his books) from the

 gift shop as parting gifts.

We also celebrated our Dads this weekend. We traveled up to Wabash and were able to take another 4 generations of male Floras picture. It was a challenge to get Elias to sit for the shot.

Here's our best one:

We are very Blessed to have caring, loving, amazing Fathers in our family.

Welcome Birthday Fans!

This weekend was a big weekend here in the barrel. Not only did we celebrate the 100th running of the greatest race on earth, but we had a little racing celebration of our own.

Decorations...

Tattoo Station

Cozy Cone Motel Playground

Need some organic fuel?

Birthday Monkey is ready for his Race Party

We even had young party animals...

Victory Cake

Grease Monkey

 

Happy 2nd Birthday Monkey!

Big Boy Bed

Yesterday Elias again met another "big boy" milestone: The Big Boy Bed. We have never been successful with crib sleeping and in effort to reclaim Mama and Daddy's own bed, we opted for the big boy bed complete with the updated decorations reflecting Elias' favorite movie. It seems that Elias really enjoys his new sleeping arrangements. However, he managed to only stay there half the night as comfort is needed for the emergence of the 2-year molars.

Tra-La-La-La-La

Elias completed 6 weeks of musical training by the prestigious Indianapolis Children's Choir today. Although the first couple of weeks consisted of him and his BFF Augs exploring the space and scaling all things climbable, Elias finally found his inner creative soul on the final day. His teacher even exclaimed, "Elias you are having your shining moment!" which occured when given a ribbon and some music. It was discovered the Elias prefers to express himself musically through movement and not voice. Maybe next class will be toddler dance class...

Take a Little Off the Top Please...

Today Elias received his first haircut after holding out for nearly two years. His long, golden locks needed a little shaping and trimming, so we headed to the Children's Stylist for the big event. Elias LOVED the in-house playground, but hated the barber chair (which was shaped like his beloved Lightening McQueen.) So after many tears and a tantrum, we managed to tame his curls:

Mom, Dad...this place you brought me to is great!!!!

NO! Not the apron and the spray!

I'm not so sure about these sharp things at my head

Oh my, she is cutting away my childhood!

Just a little off the top lady....

Ok so maybe it wasn't all that bad...

What do you think?

Watch out ladies....Elias is a new man!

Happy Mama's Day!

This post goes out to all the Mama's out there! 

For all that you do in your barrels and loving all your little monkeys...

"My mommy is the greatest! She lets me ride and ride..."