For our Iowa Fam

Lu does corn on the cob! Why eat it with a spoon when all the adults are using their hands?

Daddy's Day!

 We took Daddy to the waterfront for a Father's Day breakfast. Moo, unfortunately, had the snifflies. He still had fun running around the big open grass. After church and a bit of rest, we had a picnic dinner at the park and then Mom and Dad went on a date to the Film Symphony Orchestra. We can't remember if we've ever been to an orchestra concert together. It was a lovely night out...a chance to get a little dressed up, see the city at night, and listen to some fine music (all against the backdrop of E.T. and Pirates of the Caribbean!)

 Counting stones/catching fish/making boats - ah, the imagination on this one. :)

 I think these deserve some advertising money, don't you? My kids love their juice! Look at that pucker!

Running free! Being an airplane.

on family & jobs

While reading "What Do People Do All Day?", Moo said when he grew up he wanted to be a fisherman. I asked if he wanted to be a daddy. He said yes. When asked how many kids he wanted, he responded with "Six!". When asked how many kids his mommy and daddy should have, he said very emphatically "Two."  

In tribute to Great-Papa Jim C

Our second-hand piano arrived yesterday! Moo & Dad built it this morning while I was out. As soon as I came in, Moo said, "Play your pano Mom!" 15 minutes later he said, "my turn!" Both kids are loving banging on the keys....I think Moo will take after Uncle Tim with style. I am anxious for bed-time, when I can play unhindered. :)

typical breakfast

Lu is in love with her little baby doll. Today baby ate with us somehow. I don't think baby will eat with us again...she had just as much yogurt as Lu, but she didn't have a bib. Lu loves to give her a bottle, sit her on the little potty, and give her a pacy. Getting her dressed is a bit of annoyance, but I'm sure that will come with time.

 Sleepdog is of course Moo's breakfast buddy. He, however, is much older and knows to sit at his own spot so he doesn't get messy. Before sleeping time, we are currently mixing real stories (from books) and "ten' stories" (pretend stories) about the misadventures of Moo and Sleepdog. Moo loves to put Sleepdog in his own bed as well as give him tea to drink. He has nearly jumped into the kiddy pool several times, but we keep telling Moo that Sleepdog doesn't like to get wet. We'll see if that sustains dryness.

our little twirler

Haha! Finally captured! Our little girl's typical pre-nap (and post-nap) pose: thumb in mouth, pointer finger crooked on the nose, and the other hand twirling the hair on top of her head. If she grows up with curls in only one spot, the cause is now documented.

Around home

Lu has finally grown enough hair for a barrette. Here are the dragonfly ones Moo picked out for her at the market.

 We are all thankful that we bought a cherry-pitter last summer when we were home. Bed Bath and Beyond truly does carry everything under the moon. Anyway, for two fruit-lovin' kids, it is a God-send. Otherwise, one of us would be "momma-birding" it all day long. Lu's favorite way to eat cherries is off her thumb. I remember experiencing the same delight with those butter finger cookies when I was little....stick a finger in and eat one petal at a time. Yum.

 So, I took the kids to the beach last week thinking we would play in the sand. The water was too irresistable for both parties. Lu came home naked (except for her bumgenius) in the front carrier, and Moo would have come home in just shorts had he not insisted he wear a shirt. The only dry shirt left was Lu's pink size 12 month sweater. It was not a good look. But hey, whatever gets them home, right? My hubbie thinks my son will not forgive me for posting this picture when he reaches his teen years. I figure I have lots of time to delete it before then. :)

 Our latest purchase and the perfect way to make that last hour between post-nap snack and when Dad comes home...a kiddie pool for our balcony. The kids love it and while I wish it were a bit bigger for Mom to fit in, I am content with my feet in the water watching my munchkins pour cup after cup of pool-tea.