No More Training Wheels!

Last year, about this time, I attempted to take the training wheels off Kayli's bike. She, unfortunately, could not touch the ground with her feet while sitting on this bike, so whenever she felt like she was about to fall, she would just bail! She lost interest in her bike, and switched to her scooter. She's had lots of fun zipping around with friends on her scooter over the year, but recently when a little friend came over on her two wheel bike, proudly showing her newly acquired bike riding skills, Kayli decided it was time for her to become a bike rider too!!! So, the next night, Kayli said "Mom, It's time for me to ride my bike without the training wheels!" So, we got her bike out, took the training wheels off again, and it didn't take much more than a few helpful hints and a few practice go-arounds, and the girl was proudly off and riding!!!

oops, how could we forget the bike helmet?!!

Now that Kayli was a "master bike rider," and just couldn't get enough of this activity, we decided it would be fun to make a helmet for Ling so she could experience Kayli's driving from the passenger seat on Kayli's bike! We used a small bowl, some foam, some duct tape, a fancy sticker, and voila, we had fashionable bike helmet!

"Ready, Ling?"

and they're off...

This texting between Kayli and her cousin was just too cute not to save...

Who Knew?

So, I was thumbing through a magazine one day, and happened across an article about the downtown Kansas City main library. There were pictures of these giant library books, I mean "GIANT, like as tall as a building!!! I was thinking, "How have I not seen those giant books in all the years I've driven through downtown KC?" Well, now my curiosity was peaked! I was determined to find those giant books! I called Linsey and told her my plan to head down there, and she agreed to meet me.
My GPS lead me straight to the street I needed to find...Whoa, this is UNBELIEVABLE!!! How cool are these GIANT books that take up a whole city block?!!!
Naturally, I got busy taking some pictures from the sidewalk, with lots of people passing by, in their typical rush-to-get-somewhere-downtown fashion. We had nowhere to rush to. That's what I love about my summers!

there was a kids' activity inside that Kayli had a great time participating in, while we waited for Linsey, Lily, and Graeme. Kayli made this cool robot complete with a remote control...

when Linsey arrived with the kids, we settled in to the book nook for a while...

Then, we explored more of the library. This was one of the walls in the children's section...

we eventually made our way back outside to get a few more pictures...

we already love ANY kind of library, but this place is truly a magical library!!!

Girls Weekend at the Cabin

Eileen and Gary bought a new cabin on the lake, and Eileen decided it would fun to invite the women in the family for a "Girls Weekend." Not everyone was able to make it, but Laura, Me, Eileen, Marion, Kayli, and Anna were able to come. It's a perfectly wonderful cabin, on a perfectly calm cove, with a perfectly marvelous view...

We discovered that first night that there was a problem with the A/C, as it was just not cooling down the place. We all took a dip in the lake to cool off, and lucky for us there were ceiling fans in the bedrooms! The next day, we headed for the outlet mall, where we hunted for some bargains. Then, Eileen showed us a great little winery, where we enjoyed some cheese and crackers with a bottle of shared wine...

the girls had fun exploring the place...

Laura and Marion headed back home this evening because Laura had to work tomorrow, and Marion had to play "sports mom," but Kayli and I stayed through the weekend. Gary came over with the boat (he was staying at the old cabin nearby) and took us for a ride, then, offered to take the girls out "tubing." We didn't have to ask them twice!

here we gooooooo...

the next morning, we were leisurely floating around the cove...

then, Gary showed up, with the wave runner this time! 

a fun time was had by all! Thanks, Gary, for bringing over the water toys!

American Girl Doll Store

You cannot vacation in Chicago with a 9 year old girl and NOT go to the American Girl Doll Store!!! Thank-you, cousin Gerry, for agreeing to make this happen! We decided it would be best to take the train into Chicago...another first for Kayli...

I couldn't help but conjure up an image of the Polar Express as the conductor came down the aisle, reached for our tickets, and began punching away! I was just cracking up!

the girls couldn't wait to get there...

ok, the train has arrived, the suspense builds as we head outside to hail a taxi...

Everyone in the taxi, and we're off...

 and we are delivered right to the doorstep of...

Gerry and I told the girls that they each could spend $50.00 on their choice of items in the store. If they chose to add to this amount with their own savings from allowance, they were welcome to do so. They were so excited!

decisions, decisions...

Kayli tries to help Hannah decide if she should blow all her money on the gymnastics set...

but there are so many wonderful things in this store!!!

Kayli is thrilled with the $50.00 I have offered to spend, but she does not want to part with any of her "hard earned" allowance, haha!...

but then Hannah showed Kayli where you could have matching t-shirts made for you and your doll...ohhhh the torture...

after much deliberating, Kayli chooses this fabulous "horse print"...

the girls continued to peruse the aisles, as this place was HUGE...

they both ended up with matching  t-shirts for themselves and their dolls, as well as outdoor adventure outfits for their dolls, complete with tiny compass and water bottle. Kayli added a mystery book from the library. Hannah added a pair of reading glasses for her doll, and some other tiny accessories. The shopping excursion was a complete success!

what a FABULOUS day!