September 2012

These kids are really cracking me up this month. Their games of "pretend" are getting more elaborate. Picture above, exhibit A. The thing around Wills bottom is a head "buff" for adults to wear on their head while exercising. Tucker is bleeping out Ada's nudity.Their memories are more concrete. They'll remember something that happened a month ago and want to talk about it on a random Tuesday morning. They tell jokes, sing songs, and play tricks on me. They even help with some disciplining around here--will mimic words I use to each other-- "That's not okay Will", "That's bullying Ada". Ada is in the habit of following any story of some injustice done to her by her brother by saying "Now go have a talk with Will, Mom". This girl is fierce. One of my favorite Ada-isms of the moment is that she refers to anything being upside down or inside out as "upsie daisy". As in, "That's upsie daisy, mom". She's also been a real going-to-school-pro, now when dropping her off, she yells "bye mom bye mom bye mom" until I'm gone.

Will has turned into quite the conversationalist. My favorite Will-ism of the moment is his use of the word "probably" in his story telling. "Daddy probably has his shoes on". Seeing a picture of a girl on a side of a truck-- "That's probably Leah". Still, mostly, with that inclination to his voice at the end of a sentence like he is asking a question. He is an observant young man with a keen memory and a particular sense of organizing or prioritizing his toys. He'll remember a scary dragon from Shrek and carry his special "dragon tools" around for days going on dragon hunts to put "dragons" back in the castle. The dragon tools are a singular paper towel, a straw, and a string of green beads. He'll remember phrases from songs or books and use them--"I'm super strong, mom", adapted from Ladybug Girl.

We escaped the heat! A weekend camping trip with the Doneskis and "Grandpa" Mike and "Grandma" Linda's camper to Prescott over Leah's birthday weekend.

How great is it to feel COLD?! Early morning campfire snugs.

Dad and Will were fishing.

My kind of camping breakfast--pancakes, eggs, and a French press.

Buds on a hike.

Happy Birthday Leah! Wildflower bouquet the rest of the kids picked for her on a nature walk.

Girl talk.

Will was collecting Juniper berries.

And sticks, of course.

Going out for pizza is one of the best parts about camping. Ada is posing with a packet of SweetNLow and her buddy Sofia.

Boys end of table.

Will doing some light dinner reading.

The good life.

Nature walks, pizza, and ice cream= best birthday ever.

We got a princess chef hat from the Etzionis. So naturally, we read books while wearing it.

Alone time.

Cheese.

A sample of Wills backpack gear on a regular weekday morning: a tissue, a purple game piece, a broken iPod, a flashlight, and a pool diving stick. This kid is such a boy scout.

Happy birthday Leah and Sofia! Another great birthday party at the Play Fort then an all day play fest at the Doneskis.

Cake. Cake.Cake.

Piñata at the Play Fort! Will giving a very respectable effort.

Ada one-handed.

Ada after her hair cut where the hairdresser gave her "princess hair".

On stage with our good buds, a Friday night at Skunk Creek Flats.

Picnic lunch just mom and her kids at the farmers market.

Closing out September with Smokefest 2012. Bracelet, dog toy, moldy orange, rock tower. The only picture I have of the all day smokey-goodness BBQ at "Uncle" Ian's.

Girls Weekend 2012 Minnesota Style

picture courtesy of R.Sievers.

Girls weekend with my college girlfriends was another one for the memory books. There is just nothing better in the world than a bunch of besties to grow up with, get married with, and have kids with. Love them so much. Shelly engaged, Rachel with Graham, little Corey, and new baby Kennedy, and Sara with baby due in December. No better reunion for all such shenanigans than a laid back weekend in Minnesota at the Sievers house while Rach is home on maternity leave. Will and Ada came along this year and had a great time playing with Corey and adoring Kennedy. Okay, and Graham. We all took turns baby snuggling, toddler chasing, and letting Graham cook for us. Zoo trip and fall farm festival at Holz Farms also decorated our weekend. I was in a fall, Midwest, best friend coma for weeks following. Kids too, weeks after we were back, Will spontaneously at the dinner table says "I miss Graham". I tell no lies.

Old travel pros. 

Momma first flight solo with the twin machine. We did pretty well, although I am glad to not have a picture of how ridiculous I looked carrying four carry-ons and herding two two year olds in the airport. Seeing Graham waiting for us at baggage claim was like a Christmas miracle.

Kennedy was certainly the star of the weekend. Six weeks old. Ada loved being very, very close to her. Here, she was playing her a song on Corey's guitar.

Boys so sweet too.

Kid table!

This is the bike we fought over for three days.

Sweater hoodie, shark boots, we fit right in here in "Minnie-soooota".

This is Will equally not wanting to get off the coveted bike and not wanting to put down some awesome tools.

This entirely cracks me up.

Ada just doing a drive by Kennedy, you know, just checking in.

Lots of back yard t-ball. 

Will and Corey "fixing" the lawn mower.

Graham and I took the toddles to their neighborhood school park on Saturday morning.

Buds in footies.

I believe the book Shel is reading to the kids is a photo album of Corey.

Kennedy kisses.

Did someone say camera?

Lounging with "Auntie" Shelly. She convinced her to get her hair done. Act.of.god.

Will taking a break in a corner of the dining room with is iPad.

Corey had the most awesome toys ever. Will particularly loved Coreys tool collection. Here getting equipped with tool belt.

Hi mom.

Fixing the chair.

Will-nail-fingers.

This update would not be complete without Sandy. She speaks for herself, although believe it would be better if it were a picture of Graham riding her. 

Holz farm for some fall fun. This is a city park that has conserved an old farm property and they had activities showing the workings of a 1940s farm. Butter making, corn husking, engine...stuff, you know.  Pic courtesy of R.Sievers.

Picture of cow for dad. Petting zoo at the farm.

Tractor races!

Superdad Graham.

Three amigos learning about blacksmiths. 

Will and Corey gathering the eggs.

Boys.

Pony ride with "Auntie" Shelly.

Some driveway chalk fun to round out our Saturday...pics courtesy of R.Sievers.

with a little prenatal yoga to boot!