Fitchburg Days Carnival and Arboretum blooms

We had quite a busy Friday. While Jonas went berzerk at an indoor play/adventure center with Grandma Sue, Niles and I headed to the UW Arboretum to soak up some nature. It was a feast for the senses. Four of my senses were on board and Niles used all five of his, as you will see in the slideshow. He tends to bite everything within a few feet of him.

After dinner I took Jonas to the annual Fitchburg Days just south of Madison. He went on some rides, including a kids' roller coaster that was pretty fast! We ate ice cream, watched fireworks and avoided making eye contact with my former students who were in rare form. All in all a very busy and fun day.

Summer: here we come!

Jonas pitstop school pics

Jonas stopped up to my class and got an anatomy lesson.  He touched the human brain took his gloves off and went for more.  A few swim pics from earlier in the week, Niles, Jonas, and mom left before the rest of the body.  Evidently niles was ready to let off some screams.

To the market!

We went to the Dane County farmer's market for the first time this spring. Niles got his chance to experience cheese curds on the Capitol lawn for the first time. Jonas has been quite the adventurist lately, climbing and sliding on anything available. Quite a change from his former self. Niles, not to be outdone, has taken suit and started climbing anything he can hoist his little kiester upon. I didn't think he'd climb vertical surfaces before he could walk on horizontal ones, but if motherhood has taught me anything, it is that I am usually wrong.

Some UW environmental ed students were hosting a kids' sustainable gardening fair and Jonas got to pick a great kids' booklet and a themed garden to plant. He had a choice of "pickle garden", "salad garden" and "pizza garden". What do you think he'd pick? Well, you'd be as wrong as me (again) because he picked the salad garden. The woman helping him out said he was the first kid to pick "salad garden". I'm quite pleased because he snagged us a tomato plant, a pepper plant, a lettuce plant, and two green onion plants, none of which I have planted in our raised boxes yet. Way to go, kid!

Olbrich Gardens

We spent the morning at Olbrich Gardens in the warm sunshine (finally!). There weren't many flowers blooming just yet, but we all had fun roaming around looking at the ones that were up and soaking up some vitamin D.

Niles's Birthday Party

Niles loved his cake, his family, and his friends on his birthday. We can't believe he is already one. Happy birthday, baby love!