Mini-State Fair

The last family day of the summer was supposed to be spent in the pool with a few cold beverages.  Instead it rained all day. Don't get me wrong Kansas REALLY needed the rain. So instead of bitching we moved the party in the garage watched the NASCAR and still enjoyed some beverages.  

Chef Daddio made a state fair menu consisting of fried everything- fish, fries, onion rings, macaroni & cheese, and even cookies. 

Hayden and Birkley played in the rain.

Rowan and Birkley shared "kisses".

Circus Brian entertained Birkley.

Matt & Dominic were probably talking about engines, tires, jeeps or something along those lines.

The caged monkeys played well together and then tried to escape!

Hayden (poser on left) started breaking out some old roller blades and scooters. The Coleman's couldn't pass on an opportunity to create their own signature poses and show off their moves!

Father's Day Recap

I just realized that I never shared pictures from this year's Father's Day. There really aren't a ton of pictures from that day, but here is a few to prove that the day was celebrated.

My sister Hayden made a "cake" for my Dad. Usually cakes are more up my alley, but this one is a little different. The cake is made from his favorite "red & white" cans.

We BBQ'd pot-luck style at my house so I could show off the patio (that Dad poured) and we could go swimming. 

Our Menu:

Daddy Hinkle's marinated steak & chicken kabobs (w/ green, red, yellow & orange peppers, onions, mushrooms & squash)

Shrimp & pineapple kabobs

Taco salad

Pasta salad

Fruit salad 

Watermelon

Corn on the Cob

Dessert: Cheesecake and Apple Cobbler

After we ate we cooled off in the pool. I will spare my family and will only post a picture of the man of the day. That's my Dad and Aubrey.

Birkley and Rowan (niece and nephew) were so tired they both fell asleep in the pool and the took nice poolside naps.

You wanna pink dinosaur?

A recent conversation between Dominic and his niece Ivy went a little something like this:

"Ivy, what do you want for your birthday?"

"I wanna pink dinosaur and a purple dinosaur."

"You wanna pink dinosaur?"

"Yes, and a purple one."

"Okay?!?!"

We have been on the hunt for pink and purple dinosaurs since then. I thought purple would be easy.There has to be a Barney stuffed animal out there, but that would make it too easy. She wants a really dinosaur not that goofy Barney character. I went to Toys R Us and I found Cera and Chomper from The Land Before Time neither of which are purple or pink.  So I found a way to add pink and purple to the dinosaurs and that was by making little capes.

Pseudo Mom

I was Pseudo Mom for a week while my sister and her husband went on much deserved vacation to Mexico. I am not gonna lie, having no kids and the thought of caring for Aubrey (5) and Birkley (almost 1)  was a little intimidating. I didn't let them know that though! I knew that Aubrey wouldn't be a problem and that she would be a great little helper and that she was. It was Birkley that has been with her momma pretty much everyday since she was born that worried me. 

When I got to their house Sunday evening I was greeted by Aubrey immediately! "AUNT KENZIE'S HERE!" and then "look at this picture I drew. It is you and Dominic getting married. The thing above you is chandelier and on the sides is flowers. Isn't it beautiful?" And so the week begins....

We woke up...

Ate breakfast...

 Did the chores...

Went to the park...

 Ate lunch...

Took naps...

Played some more... 

Ate Dinner....

 We played...

Made treats...

Squawked a little....

We were silly...

 We relaxed...

We Shared the Love...

 

What the pictures don't show are we also played in the hose, went swimming, taught Birkley new words, went to the Carson family farm and did lots of fun stuff, and went to Jan's porch.  It was a great week and we had lots of fun! And best of all we survived and I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

  

The New Creator

This is my niece and she LOVES to come to my house and decorate cakes with me.

Here is the master at work.

She even got to wear an apron.

Don't worry she isn't on the payroll yet!

Moms Are the Best!

What would a girl do without her mom? I would have been completely stressed and up all night if it weren't for my mom. She already had the day off work and kindly volunteered to help me for the day (The Fall Bazaar that is). She told me I was the boss and she would do whatever work I needed her to. We spent the morning in the kitchen making about 10 batches of cupcakes and 4 batches of frosting. Then we left the kitchen and headed to the craft room. She helped in every way with the exception of running the sewing machine because that is where my focus was. Her help will lead to a successful day tomorrow. Thank You Mom! You are the Best!