Key West Marlin Tournament, Revisited

The results weren't the same in 2008, but the 2007 trophy can never be taken away...

Emily's Mad-Lib

Amy is on the road this weekend, so the kids and I went out to dinner when I got home from work last night and relieved the babysitter. The kids menu had a mad-lib on it, which Emily completed. It is titled, "Astronaut Letter Home":

Dear Adam,

I am going on a trip to dinosaur camp. I packed my poop, my Mom, my fork, my Springfield, and my Emily. I didn't bring my Indiana because I didn't think I would need it when I was exploring the school. I'll be getting home by riding in a cup. I will be gone for 27 days. Please feed my ninny while I am away. It likes to eat pizza. Can you also please get my cow out of the mailbox?

Sincerely,
Astronaut Paul

Happy Birthday Tim!

Happy birthday to the Timmer!

Date with Dad

Emily and I went to the Cardinals-Brewers game tonight for a night out without her brother around. Everything was great - the peanuts were good, the seats were fine, the weather was clear. The only problem was it was 98 degrees at game time and there was no breeze. Emily ran out of gas and asked if we could leave after the 6th inning. Those who know me know that I like to stay until the end, however tonight was about Emily, not me. So, we peeled our sweaty rears out of our seats, hopped back on the train, and got home at 9:00.

Em asked if we could go again sometime, but maybe in the fall.

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Summer Cut

We decided to give Adam the famous "summer cut" for the remaining months of summer. I think I like his hair better the other way, but this will undoubtedly keep him cooler during the hottest months of the year in St. Louis.

Wassssaaaaabbbbbiiiii

With Emily busy at Zoo Camp, we took a chance that we could find something for Adam to eat at Wasabi, our favorite sushi place. He was somewhat interested in his chicken, but loved to play with the chopsticks. I don't know if he really liked it, but we were able to enjoy the sushi without forking out big bucks for a babysitter.

Grant's Farm

Could Paul's heart take the alcohol in the free Anheuser Busch sample? (yes, it could)

Paul's new friend


We met up with another family recently transplanted to St. Louis on Saturday at Grant's Farm (the Harmons). Michele works with Shawn at Enterprise. They have 2 kids fairly close in age to ours. The kids had fun, and we enjoyed talking with Art and Michele - we had met them once before at Jeff and Shawn's wedding, and they were great to talk to.

We thought we should go to Grant's Farm (owned by Anheuser-Busch) before InBEV closes it in a cost cutting move!

Grant's Trail

One night after zoo camp we took our bikes down to Grant's Trail (a few miles from home) and took a short ride. As per our custom, we stopped behind Grant's Farm to look at the Anheuser-Busch clydesdales.

Zoo Camp in Review

Maddie, Emily, and Alexa (a new friend from camp) ready for the sleepover

Singing camp songs

Maddie fell asleep in the car Friday morning

Crazy camp songs

Camp Kangazoo at the St. Louis Zoo is in the books. The girls had a great time learning about animals and how they're cared for, seeing the animals up close, and participating in fun activities. The girls were both very tired at the end of each day, with temperatures in the high 90's. Camp finished up last Thursday with a sleepover. I've attached some video of one of the camp songs they sang before the parents left. The girls complained that the sea lions and other animals woke them up early.

Happy Birthday Beba

Yes, only nerds wear U of I gear.

Happy Birthday Beba!

Another reason why we love Brownell Avenue!

The neighbors! Our neighbors, even the empty nesters, love to interact with the Brownell Avenue kids! The couple across the street, Peter and Margie, seem to really enjoy talking with both Emily and Adam. I think the kids, as well as the adults, enjoy the interaction.

This week, Margie helped the girls make cement bird baths and stones with natural elements like grass, leaves, and flowers. The girls' projects' should be ready by Friday so Maddie will get to take hers home!

Thanks Margie for doing this craft with the girls! They both had so much fun!

Zoo Camp!

Here is a picture of the girls from the first day of Zoo Camp! Emily took her camera today so we'll have some pictures of what they did during the day. Yesterday, the girls petted chinchillas, boa constrictors, blue tongue lizzards, and owls. They also saw the sea lion show and learned about flamingos. When I picked Em and Maddie up, they were talking nonstop!

Maddie's Visit

Maddie, our old neighbor from Springfield, is down visiting this week to go to camp at the St. Louis Zoo with Emily. Janet brought her down last night and we went to the pool today. Adam and I stayed until about 12:30, but Amy and the girls were there until 4:30. Both of the girls deny it, but they look awful tired as they sit here on the couch watching Camp Rock before getting ready for bed.

I think both of the kids missed Maddie, and they both enjoy having her around.

Trip to Hanneke's

Amy was out for a run this morning, so I got the kids dressed and we walked down to the neighborhood grocery store, Hannake's. The store certainly has the small town feel - some groceries, a meat counter, some prepared sandwiches, etc. and a primitive checkout lane. The kids enjoyed their donuts - I enjoyed a bottle of fortified water since I had been up 3 or 4 times with charlie horses last night (I'm thinking my speed work last night wasn't a good idea!).

We loaded up on some nickel candy and headed back home. It's a nice walk to the store, but man it was humid today. Ugh.

A Visit with Uncle Bill

Bill came to St. Louis today for work, and we were all excited to have him stay the night with us. Right now, Adam's making him play games while Emily demonstrates her skill on Guitar Hero.

Note: Yes, I know - I need to find more than 1 t-shirt that actually fits me...