Hey Friends!
I didn't mean to not blog for a whole month....but Memorial
Day came and went...ZooKids summer camp started...the
weather got excellent...and well...here I am... So let's play
catch up. The Haucks love summer time and just
like every other season of the year...we try to
cram in all the fun we possibly can.
This post is going to photo heavy so bear with me :)
(this is the ZooKids crew on the Pirate boat ride)
Our summer Zoo Kid classes started the week of
Memorial day...and friends, I have to say, having
two classes a day with 20 preschoolers has left me
totally exhausted. These kids are wearing me out!
I barely have enough energy for my own child
and when he goes to bed...sadly, all I want to do is
veg out on my couch and watch the Bachelorette.
The one thing I did manage to do was take Max
strawberry picking. This was so much fun!
He was such a good little helper in the patch.
I let him pick the row and then he would point
out the red ones and pull off the stems for me.
We made a great team!
Mims used all of our strawberries to make a delicious
Strawberry dessert on Memorial Day weekend.
There is something so mouth watering about
fresh strawberries. I'm so sad the growing season
here in Ohio is so short...thankfully raspberry
season is right around the corner.
Of course, we've also been making a lot of time
to visit the park in the evening. Max has been going
to bed later and later it seems...so anything to wear
him out helps. One of our favorites is Emerald
Fields right in Dublin. It's right around the corner
and has so much fun slides!
We've been doing a fair amount of swimming too....
at Mims and Grandpa's pool...Auntie Stacy's pool....
the Worthington pool, and in our backyard too :)
Each time we go, Max gets braver and braver.
At first he didn't even want to get in...only put
his feet in...but this past weekend...he was running
and jumping off the side to us!
Think he has enough pool toys?
We upgraded the backyard pool too....so
we have a larger purple elephant pool now.
The problem with the backyard pool is that
is full of hose water...which is frigid to say the least.
I try not to say anything about it because I don't want
Max to pick up on my apprehension...but man,
it's cold.
We met our friends, the Dotson's, at the Park of Roses too!
Our boy's are about six months apart in age.
The boys had a great time running around, playing on the tall
slides, and also playing "firemen". And you know what,
I actually had a decent conversation with my friend.
It felt so weird to not be watching Max like a hawk...but
that's a perk of him getting older I guess! I'll take it!
We snuck out for Rob's birthday dinner to Sweet Carrot
in Grandview. It was so, SO good. I'm still dreaming
of the Coconut Oatmeal cookie I had (well, actually that I
forced Rob to share with me). I would recommend this
spot to anyone. It's pretty casual but delicious!
And speaking of delicious, we walked (and Max
rode in the wagon) to Jeni's ice cream too! We hadn't been
there in awhile but it did not disappoint. Max recommends
the Strawberry Buttermilk. He also recommends that you
DO NOT put your finger on the wagon wheel when your
mom isn't looking and then runs it over. #parentfail
Rob had to carry him the rest of the way back as he
refused to sit in the wagon.
Our hair dresser Halley gave Max his summer cut
(bye bye sweet curls) and he's rocking it. Afterward,
we went back to Coffman park and explored the creek
and playground. Max told me next time, we can bring
our boots and go in the water (because we saw a girl
scout troop doing this).
The Columbus Arts Festival was last weekend so
we hit that up too! Max had a blast in the kids area...
he got his face painted (a green snake), colored a mustache,
made a bell ringer, and played with moon sand. Each activity
earned him a sticker and with five stickers you got a silver coin!
The silver coin could be spent in the kids tent...but Max just
wanted to keep the coin and not turn it in for a prize.
I think he thought it was legitimate pirate treasure.
The best part of that festival was the Kona ice truck!
Papa Rob helped him concoct a very flavorful shaved ice
treat...I stuck with my Tiger's Blood flavor.
I wish that truck would roll up to my house every night.
That same weekend, we tested out Mema and Pop's pool.
They are here for the summer and getting settled in their
new house. The pool was great...not too warm, but not
totally arctic temps either. I only remembered to bring
Max's suit...so Max went in with Pops!
It took a long time, but Pop's finally convinced
him to come all the way in (also #parentfail we forgot
the stupid puddle jumper thing). Pop's was even
able to give him a few toss's! Max was loving it.
We discovered the joy of a bubble maker.
This genius invention means I don't have to blow
bubbles for hours anymore. Max is content to
pour the bubbles in and then run around like a
crazy person trying to pop them. Seriously, guys,
this was like $10 and worth every penny.
We take it everywhere! The park, our backyard,
friend's houses, Titi's house....fun for everyone!
Except Penny. Penny was decidedly against the bubble
machine. haha!
This brings us to last weekend. It was a busy one!
We went to a wedding for our friend Courtney on Friday
night. The wedding was really beautiful...held at a winery
in the Brewery district of Columbus. The ceremony was
in the alley between the winery and the building next store.
This probably seems weird - but it was actually really
cool - cobblestone street, reclaimed wood backdrop,
and patio lights strung between. Perfection.
Also, I got to drink sangria during the ceremony...
so it was real nice.
I still managed to make it to the gym on Saturday morning.
Please note, I'm typing this casually, which probably makes
it seem like I go to the gym a lot. That's false. I go on
Saturday's and only sometimes. I go to hang out with
my sister and her work out group. And then I'm sore for
like a whole week afterward. But, the upside this week
was we got to stop at Red Twig Farms and pick a bunch
of peonies. Peonies are practically our favorite flower.
Sunflowers being a close second for me.
Saturday evening, we went to Zoofari!
Zoofari is held at the Zoo every summer. They invite
local restaurants to set up and serve food...there is also
tons of alcohol (think beer trucks...bars...and hard liquor)...
and then musicians are located throughout the Zoo.
This is always such a fun event (even if Rob
is hustling me along so he gets to try all the food
before it runs out). We took Mema and Pops this
year...and they enjoyed it too! We strolled around and
filled our bellies...and then parked it in front of Eric Von.
He put on such a fun show. He's a country singer (but also does
tons of covers). I sang the night away!
On Sunday, we drove to Dayton to pick up Max.
My parents watched him (bless them over and over)
on Friday and Saturday night. Mama got to sleep in
and generally pick up my house, put away laundry,
clean the bathrooms...you get the idea. It was a productive
weekend. But, we were oh so happy to see him!
We tried out the Deer Run pool again...and the heater
had finally kicked on! Hooray! We all enjoyed two
hours at the pool (and Max enjoyed no nap)...before
having our favorite Marion's Pizza for dinner.
I got to hug my Dad and celebrate Father's Day
with my favorite guys (minus grandpa Jim - we
missed him!!).
This week we are back at work. But, the weather has
been wicked hot. So, most nights you will find Max running
through the sprinkler or doing some kind of water play (sometimes
with clothes and other times butt naked).
Thanks to those who checked on me and let me know
they were anxious for a new post! I love you all for
reading! :) I promise we are all good - just busy!
xoxo
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