Monday, September 29, 2008

End of summer fun, and back to school

Last Friday was so nice. Probably our last 80 degree day. We took the girls up to DQ and got Elsa this ice cream treat:


By the time we got back, it had melted all down her face, neck, arms, and into almost every crevice of our double stroller. The thing was nearly totaled. Next time we'll stick to dye-free ice cream.


We also took the girls to Wyoming Stagecoach Days. Elsa went on her first fair rides! She liked the Dizzy Dragon ride the best.



Tim, Lila and Elsa on a train ride. They also had real Stagecoach rides, but the line was too long.


Lately Tim has been teaching her to say new phrases. Some, such as "kiss my sassafras", are shouted out at random during large family dinners. Others, she somehow knows how to use in context. An example:

The day of Jenny's reception, she kept calling me and asking for detailed favors. I got off the phone and Elsa asked,"Who was that on phone?"
I said,"That was auntie Jenny. She's being very difficult today."
To which Elsa replied,"Typical woman!"

In other news, it was Elsa's first day of school today. She's in the Early Childhood 2's and 3's class, which makes her one of the youngest. Once the kids sat down for snack, all the moms went to a separate room for the last 20 minutes of class. (We're gradually going to work up to 45 minutes.) I was a little surprised nobody had to come get me. When I got back to class, there were kids playing everywhere. I scanned the room for Elsa. Finally, I saw her - sitting at the snack table alone, still eating! One of the other moms joked that she's probably an emotional eater. :) I think it's because this class starts so early, we didn't have time for our usual big breakfast. The poor kid was probably starving! Hmm, depending on how next class goes, I might have to try that again. She really liked it though. It feels good to be back in school.

Lila is 12 weeks old now. She's sleeping a little better, and is smiling and talking a lot. She grabs toys and can hold her head up well. She seems to feel most at ease in crowded, noisy areas like parties and carnivals. Rock on.



I nearly forgot our field trip last Tuesday. We went with ECFE and rode the bus to Pleasant Valley apple orchard in Shafer. It rained the whole time but it was still fun. They handed out apples and Elsa held onto hers the whole time, until a ton of bees were following her around. They liked her jacket. I had to throw it on the bus floor and stomp on it to kill them before we headed back.

Elsa on the way to the orchard. I think this photo could also work as a DVD cover for a somber documentary about juveniles on their way to prison.


Elsa and her friend Cael enjoy their apples on some hay bales.


Note the bee on the right side of the photo under her elbow.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Wedding and first family trip

Congrats to my sister and new brother-in-law Shane! They were married September 18th, and lucked out with t-shirt weather on the North Shore. It was beautiful.


The kids did great on the trip. Lila slept most of the time in the car, and Elsa stayed occupied and happy. Both seemed to like getting out and getting a change of scenery. I know we did. We stopped at the beach in Duluth on the way up to run around awhile, then headed to the wedding site - Grand Superior Lodge in Two Harbors.


Elsa took a nap (Grandma watched her), and we went to eat lunch with Lila at the hotel.


Grandma gave Elsa a Mrs. Potato Head, but she liked wearing the accessories instead.


Lila gets on her wedding clothes and seems pretty happy about it.


Mr. and Mrs.!


Me and my sister, the lovely bride, after the ceremony.


This was the cabin on the lake where the reception was held. It had a common kitchen/living/dining area, and 3 separate suites. It also served as "home base" for the guests.



Elsa at the reception: playing in the landscaping, and down at the beach.



On our way home, we stopped in Duluth and explored awhile. We had a great time! Can't wait for more family trips.


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Taking candy from a baby

Here's the deal. I wasn't allowed to have candy until I was 5 years old, and we've decided to pass on the tradition. Our kids won't know what they're missing, so it'll be less to say "no" to at the store. Less sugar crashes, too. A good idea all around, if you ask me.
So, last weekend Elsa went on a trip to Cub with Tim. "Just daddy and Elsa", as she'd say. You can imagine my horror when I see her jump out of the car with a bright green Blow Pop in her hand.
What the?! I ran to the door and said, as calmly as I could, (though I'm told it was rather manic) "What's this all about?!"
It turns out they were giving balloons away at Cub and the suckers were tied on at the bottom. During the drive home she figured out how to get the wrapper off.
She didn't care that the balloon escaped from the car and got stuck in one of our trees. That lollipop was the coolest thing she'd ever discovered. She held it up like it was a God. She smiled at it, talked to it, held it, hugged it.
It was adorable, I have pictures, and now the candy ban can resume! I've officially become a mean ol' Mom.

This is our kid...


This is our kid on pure sugar...


Thursday, September 11, 2008

A Tale of Two Sisters

Lila turned 10 weeks old yesterday! Wow. We've finally been sleeping better the last couple nights. I attribute it to her new schedule and my new "no dairy" diet. I hope it keeps working!

At her 8 week appointment she was 11 lbs, 7 oz and her height was 23 inches. These measurements baffle me, as they're exactly the same as Elsa's at that age, minus the 7 oz. Lila is SO much bigger than Elsa! Clothes fit tighter, hats don't fit her head, etc. Elsa was downright scrawny, Lila is hefty in comparison. I think the doc must have been wrong. We'll have to see how the 4 month stats add up.

Here are the photos I was able to round up that showcase their similarities/differences. In all the photos they're the same age within a week or so.

Lila, Elsa



Elsa, Lila



Elsa, Lila


They definitely look like sisters, don't they?

Speaking of sisters, mine is getting married next week in Two Harbors! Photos to come.

Here's Elsa with her beloved hippo. Yes, he's wearing a Tutu. And he sings "Tiptoe Through the Tulips". His current name is Mister Hippopotamus. If I say,"Hi Lila! Are you hungry?" She'll say,"Hi Hippo! Are you hungry? Feed him hippo food!" Basically everything I say to Lila, she says to the hippo. Here she is feeding him some pretzels. Most of the time she feeds him pretend food that she gathers from behind the stereo. I'm told it's green.


We have a balloon from Elsa's party and it's still floating. I remembered my friend Crystal always used to get balloons to entertain her daughter, so I attached this one to Lila's foot and she loved it.


Awww, the kids together. May they always get along this well! Ha.