Toy

This is currently her favorite toy. I love watching her mind work.

Simple Moment

Oregon State Fair

We went to the fair this weekend. The kids loved the animal barns.
What Holstein could resist taking this picture?
It was sooooo hot! Probably one of the hottest days of the year. Ice cream was a good idea until we realized that the sun can melt it much faster than our kids eat it. Giant. Sticky. Mess.

We stopped to watch the pig races. These traveling shows always leave me with a smile. These pig races suprised us with a goat, duck and chickens as well. It was hilarious. Harper could not make sense of all the madness. Not to mention she was really enjoying her ice cream!
Later we found a petting zoo. Harper did not want to go in so Baron and Nate went in first. They found this kangaroo (who was living with chickens?). Then Baron had to show me. Apparently I had melted ice cream on my shirt (or some other remnant from children eating). There was a small deer that would not let go of my shirt as I was trying to take pictures of Baron. Nate reminded me that my exact words were "Back off Bambi." After that Baron would not let me set him back down. Nothing like passing on your fearful feelings to your child!

Overall we had a great time. There will be many more trips back to the fair for this family!

The S and F words

I have a little talker on my hands. Some days he does not stop talking. Some days he doesn't stop asking questions. The question days are the ones that can make me laugh and drive me crazy all at the same time. I took advice from my sister, Sara, who gives her son as many logical answers as she can until he stops asking. It is kind of a fun game to play and usually leaves Baron with a case of the giggles (which are always followed by hicups - weird huh?!).

As I was doing dishes today, I began to replay a few of the things that Baron says that I don't want to forget. That is where the "S" and "F" words come into play. Anything that starts with the letter "S" comes out sounding like an "F." Here are a few of my favorites in Baron language:

1. Fecial Fpot translates into Special Spot - usually used when he pulls gum out of my purse and tells me he is going to put it in his "fecial fpot."
2. Fmell Fum thing translates into Smell Something. "Mommy, I fmell fum thing" and I reply "Yes, Baron. I am changing your sisters diaper."
3. Fwimming Pool tranlates into Swimming pool where we have spent many hours this summer.
4. Fwinging translates into Swinging which is a park favorite for both kids and mom.

Baron also has a few sayings that leave me in tears from laughing so hard. My favorite was when he came running down the road to tell me "There are blackberries all over this joint!" A few days later he said "Good Lord, there are ants all over this joint."


He is also perfecting his persuasive skills. We call him our little salesman. My favorite is when he is selling the idea of having a popsicle. "Maybe we could have a POPSICLE!! Do you want one mommy? (as he shakes his head yes). Maybe Harper wants one (again shaking his head yes)?" The best part is that Harper usually shakes her head yes.

It is amazing to me that in 2.5 years we went from a non-verbal new born to a full on conversationalist.

Sharing

I debated about calling this post sharing or hoarding. Baron is going through a hoarding phase (I am praying it is a phase!). It is really hard work to try and gather up all 4 of the new cars that Harper received for her birthday.

I should mention that Harper loves these cars. Baron had no interest in cars before Harper taught him how to push them around the floor.
This is how it usually ends for Baron. It breaks my heart to see those blue eyes so sad, but REALLY kid???!! How did you intend to use all four cars at once anyways?

Summer

Our summer can be summed up in this picture. We spend hours upon hours outside. We eat more berries than I realized was humanly possible. My children constantly have dirty faces from the berry juice!

Big Girl Carseat

Today we moved Harper into her big girl carseat. She is much happier facing forward.

Party in Harper's Crib

Baron jumps...

and Harper giggles.

Welcome to our street

There are benefits to living on a dead end street that resembles an alley more than it does a street. We have spent countless hours pushing toys and riding toys up and down. We have colored the street with street paint and sidewalk chalk. Thanks to our neighbors, we don't even have to go inside for a snack. We've been invited to pick and eat as many blackberries and we would like. At times I think my kids are bears. They have had enough berries to hold them over a winter hibernation!

Bye-Bye!

This truck has been used more than any other toy in our house between the 2 kids, but Harper is the first one who wants to ride it (as opposed to push it).

Harper's 1st Birthday Party

Today was our official Birthday Party for Harper! It was a beautiful overcast day. We had a backyard full of friends and family.
Here is the birthday girl watching us set up.

I would love to know what Hayden and Harper are discussing in this picture.

Our family.

She was not shy about eating her cake. It was a banana cake with cream cheese frosting. She loved it and we finally decided to take it away before she got sick!

After she dipped her face in it, she would sit up and give us this goofy little smile.

There were so many kids at the party. Ten kids under the age of 6 and a few older kids. We had a kid table with bowls of goldfish crackers on it. It was a hit with the kids! Harper and her cousin, Caleb, enjoyed them together!

Baron was glued to the punch dispenser. He was pouring cup after cup after cup. I am thankful he was sharing it with others, but he had more than his fair share! 2 year old + sugar...

We pulled the 5 cousins together to get a group picture. It was hilarious. I have about 50 pictures that I snapped in less than 3 minutes. I don't think there is a single one where they are all looking at the camera. I fell in love with this picture. Baron took his role as the oldest cousin very seriously and did a great job holding Claire.

If you look at this odd picture, you will see Baron in the background discovering spit up on his arm. He was not impressed that his cousin spit-up on him. We had to disuss it many times following the incident. It was hilarious!

I like to call this picture "The clean up supervisors." (Just kidding dad! You and mom were ALOT of help!)

A great day filled with many memories. While I was putting Harper to bed, I looked out at our backyard through her window and told her that when we bought this house I pictured parties just like that. I hope we have many more in the future!

Suprise Guest

Today was one of the most exciting days I have had in a long time. Tomorrow is Harper's birthday party so my family was coming to town. My mom and dad arrived. I was expecting my sister, Sara, to be with them, but she wasn't. I knew she was traveling with her soon-to-be two year old and her newborn so I was shocked that my mom didn't ride with her to help. Then her car pulled up to the house and so I walked outside to help. Out of the passenger stepped my dear friend Kelli Jo! I was so shocked and excited. She brought her daughter, Hayden, who is almost exactly 23 hours (it is off by about 3 minutes I think) older than Harper. I have so many found memories of Kelli Jo and I growing up together. I hope that our daughters will get to know each other and become friends as well.

Relaxing