Homecoming Parade

We joined up with the Kacmarynskis, Baxters and Grandma & Grandpa for the homecoming parade this year.  We weren't sure what the weather was going to do but the storm held off and the kids collected plenty of candy.

Eric clapping along to the Iowa fight song.  Now I just need to teach him the words so he can sing too.

We were waiting for the elevator with this band member when he asked if the kids would like to have their picture taken with him.

Iowa Basketball

Grandma and Grandpa took me, Sylvia and Eric to an Iowa men's basketball game this winter.  The kids enjoyed ice cream and popcorn and from the looks of it, Grandma enjoyed getting her picture taken with Herkey.

 

We also got to go to a Iowa women's game thanks to tickets from one of Sylvia's classmates.  Nana and Papa have season tickets so we got to sit with them during the game.

 

After an exciting but disappointing end to the game, we got to take a tour of the locker rooms, offices and practice courts at Carver Hawkeye Arena. 

 

Thanks to Jack and family for a fun afternoon!

Iowa Football

Dan and I took the kids to Kinnick in August for Kid's Day.  They enjoyed walking around the stadium and learning a little about football from their daddy.

 

The kids and I checked out FryFest with Grandma and Grandpa in September.  Sylvia and Eric liked meeting the gymnasts.  They got to walk on the balance beam and do some somersaults on their mats.  We also got to say hi to Herky.

 

Grandma and Granpa took us and Sylvia to the Iowa vs Central Michigan game.  Papa walked to the game with us.  Bill and Ben were also at the game.  Sylvia made it through the first quarter in the stands then I took her for a walk.  We checked out the relief sculpture and the statue of Nile Kinnick.  While in line to get popcorn we saw her friend McKenna and said hi.  Sylvia enjoyed the halftime show and then some hot chocolate before going on a walk with Grandpa.  He took her to see the cheerleaders, Herky and Papa.  I think she enjoyed herself despite the outcome of the game.

Let's Go Hawks!

Over a year ago, I told Sylvia that she could ride the Hawkeye Express (which she calls the potty train) if she made all of her pee-pees and poopies in the potty. Little did I know, potty training would take a lot longer to accomplish than I had thought/hoped. Once Sylvia was fully potty trained during the day it was no longer football season. So, she has been waiting a long time for fall, when football begins and the "potty train" starts running again. After checking our calendar this morning, I realized that if I didn't take her on the train today we probably couldn't do it again until November...and that sounded cold. So, today was the big day!

Dan was over working on the new house, so I packed up the kids and headed to Coralville. I strapped Eric on my back since I wasn't sure if I'd be able to take our umbrella stroller on the train. We bought our tickets and excitedly waited for the Hawkeye Express to return. Both kids did a great job with all the waiting and had fun on the train ride...thanks to a little snack.
Upon arriving at the stadium, I found out there are free kids activities at the south entrance! Sylvia got a free t-shirt and tattoo and got to jump in bouncy house. We were just thinking about getting her face painted (which wasn't free) when Grandma and Grandpa found us and invited Sylvia to go to the game with them.

Sylvia had an awesome time at her first Iowa football game. From what I hear, Sylvia did a great job. She went on a couple of walks with Grandpa, met Herky and some Iowa pom pom girls, and ate a corn dog. She stayed for most of the first half before Dan and I came to pick her up.
Although I do like to plan ahead, I have to admit that this day turned out just perfectly without any advance preparation. In fact, I don't think I could have planned it any better!

Children's Museum & Iowa Basketball

Last Tuesday, while my brother's family was still in town, my parents took us all to the Children's museum.

Sylvia made some pizza for Aunt Gretchen.
She liked climbing right inside the refrigerator to get her crust out.
Driving the ambulance and riding in an airplane were also highlights.
With older cousins around, Sylvia visited the art room for the first time.
In the past, we've spent the majority of our time in the grocery store and farm so it was fun to see her interested in some new areas.

Later that night, we all went to the Iowa basketball game together. Sylvia sat and watched some of the game. She also enjoyed shaking the pompoms, clapping and dancing along to the music, walking around the arena, and eating pizza and ice cream.
Nana & Papa were also at the game so we stopped by to visit them at halftime.We've definitely got a little Iowa fan on our hands. She loves running around the house saying, "Sko Hawks" (Let's Go Hawks).