A day at the farm

Today we went on a field trip through Forest Lake ECFE. We rode a school bus to a farm in Hugo. Our friends Crystal, Dave, and Gracie were there, too. I figured it'd be a full-fledged farm, with cows, pigs, ducks, the works. Instead it was just horses, sheep, goats, and a couple rabbits. It probably didn't matter, because Elsa didn't seem interested in the animals at all! She wasn't afraid, she just didn't care. We were allowed into the pen with them, and when I asked if she wanted to go pet them she said,"No! Walk around." So she just walked around, fell down in the manure and had a great time.


The only animals she really got into were the bunnies.


They had a big sandbox and she played in that most of the time. I reluctantly got her over near the goat pen to get a picture, but then she was right back into the sand.


Ahhh, the magic of toddler photography. This is the best photo of Elsa and her friend Gracie that I could get. Classic.


She also enjoyed the horsey tire swing.


All in all, good times. She especially thought it was cool that we didn't have to go inside to eat. We all brought lunches and sat out on picnic tables before getting on the bus to go home.

Here is Elsa before we left: clean, prim, and proper.


And here she is once we got home: disheveled, wound up, and happy!

Beach Day

Today at school was beach-themed. Everyone dressed up, the kids played with water and sand, and they had toy boats to sit in and fish art projects to color. It was the perfect day for it - 77 degrees. We zipped through the class and spent the last part outside. Here's what Elsa wore:


We went to the ECFE garage sale this weekend and got some great deals on clothes and toys. Here's Elsa with her new push/ride-on car (a steal at $1.50). She doesn't quite get how to ride it yet, but enjoys pushing it around the yard. Behind her you can see we already have a couple daffodils.


This afternoon we spent a lot of time outside. Elsa loves to run around the yard pointing at things and talking, going on her swing, and coloring with sidewalk chalk. She's tagged just about everything, including our garbage cans, cars, and house. She even ran toward me today, laughing,"Color Mommy!"

This photo is from last weekend, when she had to wear Daddy's boots.

Designer Kid

The other day I made Elsa this T-shirt. It seemed like she could use something with her nickname on it. I sent the design into cafepress.com and they printed it up. Looks like she likes it! In fact, lately whenever I put an outfit on her or do her hair and tell her she looks cute, she says,"Mirror?" Then runs to the mirror to admire herself and says shyly, "Pretty!"


Elsa still loves books. When she's feeling formal, she climbs into her chair to read. Otherwise, she throws a casual armful of them into the hallway to enjoy. Either way you can see she's amused.



Spending some quality time inside dad's jacket.


The last couple days were spent at the park. When Elsa tires of the slides, she likes to relax on the swings. Here you can see she's rockin' the pigtails. She does NOT like having them put in, but DOES like to admire her tear-streaked face and new 'do in the mirror afterwards.


What's new with baby #2? All of my appointments have been fine, everything's normal and we're both growing at an average rate. We have all of the NB sized clothes washed, and we're pre-registered at the hospital. I start going to the doctor every 2 weeks already! It's going fast, but we're ready. Except for the name. That part is still driving us crazy. It's a tie between three...what will it be?

Play date and outdoor discoveries

Friday we had a play date with Trinity and Sophia in Minneapolis. They live near our old neighborhood. I hadn't seen Trinity in probably over 2 years, so it was great to catch up and finally meet Sophia. First we had lunch: homemade mac n cheese (YUM!), peas, and fruit. Then the kids played upstairs for awhile, and later we went for a walk around Lake Nokomis. We stopped at the beach so the kids could swing. It was such a fun day. Elsa slept the whole way home, then slept another hour once we got back.






Saturday we played outside almost all day. Elsa ran around pointing and talking and didn't EVER want to come inside the house, not for lunch or anything.
She discovered moss...


Pinecones...


And lots of other things. Being outside is her favorite!


Later in the day we went to the park and ran into Crystal and Gracie, but forgot to get pictures! I just have this one of Elsa on the tunnel slide. She loved it. She looked terrified every time she went down, but was smiley once she got to the bottom unscathed.


Here's a photo of a new 'do I tried out the other day: a ponytail! It looked so cute, but didn't last too long in her baby-fine hair.

Children's Theater, Big Mama Pics

Today we went to the Children's Theater with an ECFE group to see the play, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie". The website said it was best suited for children 4 and up, but we decided to give it a shot anyway. Elsa was so good! She got a little irritated on the bus, but that was about it. She actually watched the entire 1 and 1/2 hour play! She fell asleep on my lap on the way to lunch at McDonald's, and didn't seem too keen on waking up at first, until I mentioned ice cream. :) I still can't believe how great she did for a 5-hour field trip!

Here she is with her friend Maddy. We had pretty good seats; I think it was the sixth row.


Writhing around on the bus seat.


Mean muggin' with her blanket on the way home.


Here's our new double stroller! Note Elsa's "baby sister" in the car seat.


It's a family tradition to go to the Village Inn for breakfast on Saturday morning. Elsa gets so excited. She'll shout,"Egg! Pa'cake!" until we get there.


And finally... some recent photos of me. The first one is of me pregnant with Elsa at 27 weeks, the next one (in the same shirt, for effect) is me now at 27 weeks. It looks like i'm carrying the same baby! Just about the same exact shape and size.