Dino Dash 2010

Mati now has two kids' sprint races under her belt. Today she did the Dino Dash to benefit the MSU museum.

Our first family photo with Sparty. Mati is less than thrilled.

After the race with her medal. Almost nap time.

About to cross the finish line.

Rounding the corner for the home stretch.

Important pre-race bouncing.

More bouncing. We had to wait for her to come near the exit and then I grabbed her leg to get her out. She did not want to leave the bounce house.

Waiting for Mati's race in the 43 degree air, thank God for the sun.

Outside

Doug is doing his darndest to raise a "country girl" therefore we spend a lot of time outside. Recently Doug put up our tent to give Mati another thing to play with outside.

Here's the tent.

Peaking in at Mati through the screen window.

Mati and Doug locking me out.

Mati inspecting the ropes and stakes.

Getting filthy in the purple sand. She loves to get messy.

Happy 2nd Birthday Matilda!

Two short years ago our lives changed amazingly for the better with the arrival of Matilda! Today there was a little celebration at daycare. Mati shared cookies we made (sticking with her love for farm animals the cookies were cows and pigs), she ate her first ice cream cone (bottom first), and Laurie gave her a set to make her own outdoor chalk animal figures... super cool! Her big party over we celebrated quietly at home as a family. For dinner, all of her favorites, chicken nuggets, fries, and watermelon. The gift we saved for her for today was her own guitar. She has loved strumming Doug's guitar for quite some time, now she has her own. Doug even put a special hanger on her wall so she can display her guitar just like dad!

Trying out her guitar.

Duet with dad.

So excited.

The cookies for day care snack.

And here is the world premiere of the Father-Daughter Schafer guitar duet video.

Mati's 2nd Birthday Party

We celebrated Mati's 2nd birthday with family and friends on Sunday. Because Mati has a huge love for farm animals, that was our theme. It was a 90 degree+ day so Doug did a great job rearranging the furniture so we could seat 30 people at tables in the air conditioned house. We had a wonderful time celebrating our little 2 year old Miss Matilda.

Centerpieces with farm animals in a bucket, and cowbells on the tables.

Mati feeding cousin Aly M&Ms.

Using her new Lollipop drum; she got some wonderful gifts, people were very generous.

Blowing out the candle on her farm cake.

Andrew taking a swing at the cow pinata.

The kids grabbing the goodies from the pinata.

Mati trying the beanbag toss.

Meijer Gardens

We visited Meijer Gardens as what will probably be our last summer activity.

A fuzzy little orange bird in the Tropical Garden.

Mati with Aunt Jen and Cousin Aly checking out the foliage and birds.

In the tropical garden.

Some of Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures in the Tropical Garden.

Mati in the Victorian Garden.

Saying "hi" to the baby bear outside the Children's Garden.

Oh no, they have water fountains that are child accessible. Thank heavens Jen warned me to bring a change of clothes.

The Great Lakes boat ponds... here is Mati in Lake Ontario.

More Chihuly.

My favorite Chihuly.

Splash Pad!

There is a wonderful park in Lansing called Hawk Island. It has a wonderful big playground, trails, a lake, and a splash pad. We met up with some friends today and had a blast!

Mati was not a fan of a lot of water on her at once, but she liked to stand where the water came down on her like rain.

Snack break.

Getting more brave, standing near the buckets that pour down on you.

The water gun with Andrew and Rachel.

More running and splashing.

This was my cue to take her home.

Family Time

Scott, Jessica, and Taylor were in from Denver so we had a family dinner and took time to celebrate some birthdays.

Mati on the tire swing.

Scott giving the girls a ride in the Hummer.

Eric, Jen, and Aly gave Mati an early birthday present... a wagon!

Mati trying out the Hummer on her own and showing off her new sunglasses from Scott, Jessica, and Taylor.

Joe showing the kids how to swing.

Scott testing the limits of the tire swing.

.