Porch Party & Purple for Don - 201/365

Porch party day today!

We just love our porch parties with Ron, Rachel and the kids. This evening we did burgers, potato salad, and salad. We were able to set up both pools for the kiddos. Milana loved the little splash one and Parker loved the deeper bigger kid one. He kept jumping in from the sides. It was too funny! Reagan just kind of went back and forth in between both. Spending some time with Parker and then some time with Milana. They loved running around on the play set, too.

To finish up the evening they had popsicles. YUM!

  It's always fun to have our little parties!

Jim's mom came over and played with Reagan earlier today, so I could get the grass cut. Reagan had a blast with grandma.

Parker enjoying the pool!

 Reagan and Milana enjoying the shallow pool

 Popsicles!

All day today people were going to be participating in the "Wear Purple for Don." He is battling pancreatic cancer and purple is the color the American Cancer Society uses to signify awareness of the disease. We of course had to support our friend ad previous co-worker by wearing purple today, too.

Bark at the Park - 200/365

Reagan was still at Nana and Papa's this morning. She woke up and they hit the trail first thing with Brinkley. Reagan loves the 3mile trail in Mill Creek. She loves parking in the middle so you have to walk over the bridge to get to the path. She's always checking for ducks.

After their stroll, they went back home to get cleaned up and hit Menchies, before coming home. Reagan loves Menchies and was so excited to take Papa to her favorite place!

This evening, Greg, Nikki, Ray, Jenn, Dexter, Rachel, Ron, Parker, Milana, Jim, Reagan, Brinkley and I. All went to Bark at the Park tonight. This was the third year we've done it. It's always so fun!

Brinkley is usually pretty good and enjoys all the snacks people drop! Ron and Rachel happened to have these magic bracelets, from their insurance company at McHenry. They got you free specific types of foods, like hot dogs, popcorn and nachos. They were nice enough to let our whole crew use their bracelets. It was great!

The kids also got to play in the Kids Zone where they have a bounce around and a HUGE inflatable slide. They spent a lot of time going on the slide. They weren't even afraid! They even got to meet Scrappy!

Adults, Kids and dogs all had a wonderful time. We're already looking forward to next year!

Heading out for a stroll

Menchies with Papa

Dexter kisses

 Our whole crew at the game

 Reagan and Scrappy

 Parker and Reagan on the slide

 Strolling around the field!

Merida & the Gladiators - 199/365

Reagan was super excited because we found her a wig and bow and arrow for her Merida dress. She looks absolutely amazing in it. I can't wait to take her outside and do a photoshoot! LOL!

This evening, Jim and I were heading up to the Gladiators game. I had got Jim tickets for his birthday. He loves to see the arena games, but with the summer, we don't make it up that much. I got him first row tickets which I thought would be great, but unfortunately, they were right next to the players sideline. Football players are BIG, so you couldn't see past them. It was nuts. We actually had to move up to the last row in our section to be able to see. Oh well. We still enjoyed ourselves and they WON!

Before the game, we headed over to one of our favorite restaurants in Cleveland, The Chocolate bar. It is SO good! We love it! We had a fun date night.

Reagan spent the night at Nana and Papa's tonight. They took a ride down to visit Great Grandma and Great Grandad. And of course, Zeke. They all just love seeing Reagan. Grandma just stares at her when she's there. It's so precious.
When they got home, it was bath time.  Reagan loves splashing Nana in the tub when she's over and making silly faces.

She must have had a great time because she passed right out tonight!

Our little Merida

 Gladiators

 Sitting next to the players

 These seats should be labeled....obstructed view.

Visiting Zeke

 Silly bath girl!

Tuckered out

Composting and Lightening Bugs - 198/365

Busy day for little Reagan today.

We started at Family Garden Day. Today they were learning about composting.

They actually got to make a small composter out of a two liter bottle. They each got a little piece of fruit to put in the bottom. Then they covered it with a little dirt. They are able to take it home and turn it every day to see if the rind breaks down into soil. She is so excited! Hopefully, we will remember to turn it everyday.

After the project, we spent some time trying to catch butterflies and watering the plants.

She also planted her plant for this week. Each week they have a special plant for the kids to take home and grow. It's been fun adding them all to our garden.

Family garden day is always so fun. It's just nice to be outside exploring nature.

This evening, we were heading back to Mill Creek Park for Lightening Bug class. They were holding Tales for Toys in the evening this time, because that's when the little critters come out. They had a bonfire and all the kids were going to try to catch some lightening bugs. The lightening bugs were all going to be released after class, so that was nice!

The bonfire was fun. We brought our own Smores stuff to have a little snack.

We also played a little game with flashlights, pretending to be lightening bugs. It was really fun, too!

To cap off the night, the kids were able to make their own little lightening bug to take home. They had cut wings out of construction paper and glued them to a fatter yellow glow stick. Reagan was so excited about it, she had us hang it from her chandelier in her room, so she could still see it.

The people at Mill Creek always do such a great job with the kids programs. I think the adults enjoy it as much as the kids.

Reagan learning about composting

Proud of her plant

 Proud of her lightening bug craft

 Eating smores with daddy

 Catching lightening bugs with Lydia

Blueberry Picking - 197/365

It was blueberry time again! We just love going to pick the fresh blueberries at Haus. They are just so delicious!!! YUM!

Regan really does a great job picking, too! We usually get a couple big baskets full!

We like to go first thing in the morning. There is no one around and you get your pick of the bushes! Reagan loves the ride on the golf cart out to the blueberries. It's always a fun morning.

This evening, we attended calling hours for JoAnn's sister Gerry. She was such a sweet lady and she will be greatly missed. We brought Reagan with us, (she stayed in the hall) which helped everyone smile a little bit. They don't have many tiny ones in their family, so they were so happy to see her.

After the calling hours, we went with Nana and Papa to Antones for dinner.

My blueberry girl

My and my sweet girl 

 Reagan and Nana back from the blueberry patch

Cart Girl - 196/365

Today, Reagan was going to spend her day with Nana. They spent some time feeding the birds and playing outside. She loves to be in the great outdoors. She loves to help Nana water flowers.

This afternoon, they headed out to Giant Eagle. Reagan is loving the newer carts. She loves riding in the bottom basket. LOL!

This evening, they did their traditional dinner at Tippy! They love their special dinner time. Reagan especially loves the ice cream and sprinkles!

Cart girls



Tippy princess

District Governor & Gymnastics - 195/365

Today Reagan was off to gymnastics. She is really loving it and doing so well. Her confidence is growing and she gets braver every day. She had come a long way on the balance beam. Before she would be sort of afraid and want you or the teacher to hold her hand as she crossed, even on the low one. Now she just walks across the high ones without even a second thought! It's great! So proud of her!

It was a special day at Rotary today.  District Governor, Phil Mariola visited Boardman. He visits each club once throughout the year. Boardman was really excited to have him. It was such an honor.

He talked a little about the importance of rotary and took some questions from the club. Everyone enjoyed having him visit.

President Jim, District Governor, Phil Mariola and fellow Rotarians.

 Our little gymnast

Tackling the beam