Summertime

In the middle of the picture, you can see the tiniest, mini-baby-toad. It was one of many, many teeny-tiny toads that are all over right now. I was walking back from the pond when I first saw them. I had grabbed a chair and was going to go sit out by the pond for a few quiet moments - little did I know that every single mosquito in the entire Midwest was in that area where I was trying to have a quiet moment. So, I quickly returned to the world of toddlerhood and on the way back I first saw the toads. They were everywhere - tens of tens of little tiny toads all jumping around around my feet. We went for a walk and saw them all over. Impossible to catch on a picture though as they are so small.

Jim and Marie next to the oh-so-popular "choo choo tracks." There is actual mini-steam engine in the middle of town. Marie has absolutely no desire to go for a ride on it but can spend a good hour watching it go around the little park. We walked over to it Saturday morning after going to the Farmer's Market. I love living in a smallish town. You can't go anyplace without seeing folks you know. The second we got to the Farmer's Market we saw a woman I used to share a classroom with. Then, further on we saw the city manager and his wife. More teachers further in...you get the point. It's fun for us but the tourists get annoyed with us locals clogging up the aisle talking and catching up. We compromised by putting Marie in a backpack rather than trying to push a stroller through the maze. Got some strawberries and herbs. There isn't much out there yet and what is there is pricey. The herb plants were a good deal though at 12 for $12.

While Jim and Marie were choo-choo watching, I dragged our stuff down to the beach and started a new book, "The Glass Castle." I got them to join me after the choo-choo "went to bed." It was fun to watch kids run into the water and then get a glazed, surprised look on their face when they realize how unbelievable cold the water is. We had to do some 2-yr old negotiations when Marie wanted to "be naked" at the beach. I know, I know but everyone else had a swimsuit on. We compromised with her wearing her swim shirt and swimmer diaper. In any case, we had a great time at the beach till the storm clouds rolled in. A nice way to spend time on a Sunday afternoon.

Snack Time Concert

Silly but cute. After our walk today, Marie had a little PB snack, which the remnants of are visible on and around her. Then she decided to sing. Anyone know the first tune? Anyone???

Father's Day 2008

Father's Day started off with some greatly appreciated chocolate milk.

Marie made this shirt with me yesterday. She kept telling Jim about it all day but he didn't catch on, thankfully. "Marie painted Daddy's shirt!" sounded to him like something else, I guess. Or he was being gracious. However, while her vocab has grown tremendously, usually I am the only one that can fully understand her so perhaps he really didn't know.

Right after church, the two of them put on suits, sun-sauce and hit the lake. Marie put her own shoes on, can't you tell? The weather is predicted to turn stormy so they wanted to swim while it was still sunny out. They were in the water by 11am. Marie has a new rashguard to help deal with the sun. However, as I look out the window, it is alrelady starting to cloud over. Hopefully, they go to at last dip their toes in!

The Best Laid Eggs (I mean Plans)

Have child

Want Lawn to play in

Move to New House with Lawn

Winter Passes

Lawn Dies

Daddy plants new lawn

Lawn Grows

Momma Turtle Arrives to do her business...

Momma finds turtle and screams

Momma and Marie watch turtle for an hour while Marie drinks chocolate milk

Thus Day 2 of summer va-ca passes.

The Best Impulse Buy Ever

Went to Menard's to get a storm door for the front door. I am going slightly nuts not having a screen door AND the "door knob" on the front door is actually a handle. A handle that is easy for little, two-year old hands to open; a handle that can be opened from the inside even when it is locked. This has led to Marie being on the front porch, in her underwear before I can get across the kitchen to stop her. So, we are getting a storm door with a lock and a fancy screen. It is a glass pane that can be pushed down and a screen unrolls from the top, turning it into a screen

door. But I hugely, grossly, digress. Menards is brilliant in that they have an enormous play area in their garden area; it is truly advertising of their products but it kept Marie occupied long enough that I could buy plants. One of the items they had was the yard roller coaster. I had to have it. We don't have a swing, no slide, no pool as all of those items are literally right down the road at the park. (less than 1/4 mile away). But this was unique. She can do it all herself and would be hard pressed to get hurt. And the neighborhood 7 year old girls tried it out too. They were not as impressed as Marie but agreed it was a good toy.

Had to through in a popsicle shot too. Marie literally asks for a popsicle 3 or 4 times a day. She is averaging one for every 3 days right now.

Right now she is napping and then we will try the beach this afternoon!