Nursery Ribbon Cutting

Charlotte, Shirley, and I went to a local plant nursery on Saturday. I had heard the Chamber of Commerce was going to be there for a ribbon cutting and filed that away. I didn't plan to be there at the time of the cutting, but that's the way it worked out. They pulled shirley and me into the picture for the paper and look who got commissioned with the job of holding the ribbon - me! - the most inactive member of the Chamber. Ha!

It was a fun outing. The nursery is owned by a Holderman Minnonite family and is out in the country by their house. Their community came out for the ceremony/open house and offered homemade ice cream, fresh ground wheat flour, and sweet corn meal. We all found a few things to buy for our yards. It was a good trip. 

The Big Cart

I caved and agreed to the "big cart" at Sam's the other day, at Cole's request. I have been hesitant because it seems silly or unnecessary and HUGE and hard to maneuver. But I was pleasantly surprised. I was thankful we were there at a time that wasn't busy, but the super long cart handled well and Cole had fun in his spot. I even managed to buckle him in, which was one of the greatest things ever. 

Now, we haven't succumbed to using one of those race car carts yet in some of the other stores. I wonder if I'll eat my words there too. Wouldn't be the first or probably the last time I did that as a parent. 

Cindy and Charlotte Visit

When Cindy and Charlotte come to visit...

There are days you get all the way to supper and realize this is the first diaper you've changed. 

You put laundry in the wash only to have it magically appear by your bedroom door in a basket neatly folded later in the day.

Your stove top glistens. 

Your kids get plenty of attention - from you and them. 

You have a pot of coffee waiting for you in the morning. 

Those Lincoln logs that have made a home in a pile on the basement floor, finally get put away. 

Your flower beds get weeded and restocked for the season. 

Your house plants get a face lift. 

You get three days into their visit and realize you haven't loaded or unloaded the dishwasher in a while.  

Your little boy gets lots of time outside in the sand and shooting water guns and digging holes and you don't have to worry about the mess...or stepping away to care for the baby. 

Your back patio gets swept. 

You get to mow the lawn without carrying and constantly checking your sleeping babies on the baby monitor. 

You get to have fun conversation and catch up on life. 

Your husband is happy because he gets to rest instead of constantly being bombarded with requests from you. 

You get to work out in the yard without carrying the monitor and someone else gets your baby when she wakes up so you can keep working.  

You don't take any pictures because you're just so relaxed and enjoying their company that your forget (sadly). 

You feel loved and taken care of. 

What a blessing! Thank you for coming C & C! We love you!

(I wrote this in the middle of the night after coming back to my room from feeding Hope during their visit - overwhelmed by thankfulness as I fed and rocked her and thought of all they had done for us.)

Water Gun Fight

We ended up at the park after our jog the other day and ran into Brooks and his mom. Cole had brought two water guns along for the jog and Brooks and him had a hay day running after and shooting each other. 

Brooks is 6 months younger than Cole and a little more timid, but they were pretty evenly matched. We filled up the guns a number of times from the park's spigot. What summer fun!!

Building a Fort

"Careful guys. There are hyenas out there. I'll protect you." - Cole, as he makes a fort built from books. 

Working

Cole and Daddy just doing some lawn edging at twilight...

with Grandpa...

in his boots...

and shorts.

Getting ready for Cindy and Charlotte to visit when the REAL yard work happens. "Bringing in the reinforcements" - Marc says. 

Watson's discovery

Anyone see what Watson has "discovered" in these pictures? (Other than the fact he's a ladies man and has really fun women holding him!)

Too Big?

Hope, are you getting too big for your chair? Your daddy thinks so. Getting to be quite the wiggle worm...

How about some company down there?

Cole loves his little sister. And she can't get enough of him. 

Picnic

On Sunday we got our lunch after church to-go and had an impromptu picnic at the park in Liberal. The weather was gorgeous and the company even better. 

Cole took a good nap after this!

Haircut Time

Marc gave Cole a haircut out on the back porch the other day (actually, it was Sunday. We always do haircuts on Sunday in case they're bad so we have an entire week for it to grow out before Marc has to go without a hat - to church).

Cole was brave and sat still for a while, but then got wiggly. Marc was able to give him a good trim - enough to take away the "shaggy". 

After a bad experience at the Snip n Clip, Marc has been giving himself the past few haircuts and just calling me in to finish up some hard to reach places in the back. We aren't professionals, but it looks pretty good for "free". 

Workout Time

During our jog the other day, Hope decided to do a workout of her own. 

Here is a picture of her looking down through the window of the jogging stroller canopy. 

She kept her legs straight out nearly the entire time - working those little quads of hers! Ha!

Overnight

We made a last minute decision to go to Wichita for the night this past weekend to attend Marc's cousin's daughter's first birthday party. 

We were looking forward to staying in a hotel and taking Cole swimming. 

We got in town in time to eat supper at N & J's cafe - a Mediterranean restaurant recommended to us by Shandra and Paul. We like going to ethnic restaurants when we get a chance. It was good - think hummus, schwarma, gyros, pita bread, lamb and olives. 

Cole enjoyed some of Marc's kabob. 

Hope was happy for the break from her car seat and wanted some of my lamb gyro with cucumber yogurt sauce. I guess she got some eventually. ;)

We got to use some hotel points for a free night at the Hyatt. 

Swimming!

The water wasn't very warm but Marc and Cole braved it a for a good long while - twice. 

This was Hope's first time swimming. She wasn't sure what to think but lasted a while in the water with her feet dangling in beneath the floaty. I am proud of how she handles new situations. 

Somehow I didn't get a picture of the birthday party that was decorated so craftily! Jordan, the birthday girl, did a great job and handled the large crowd well. 

Our night in the hotel went surprisingly smooth. I was grateful Marc thought to bring the iPad to keep Cole occupied and quiet. But I was impressed with how grown up he's getting - sleeping in a bed with us, attempting to be appropriately quiet when Hope is sleeping, etc. 

Here he is checking out our view of the river in the morning. There are crocodiles in that river...

It was a lot of work and pretty tiring, but I'd do it again! 

Lunch Out Back

Not a very good picture, but we took our lunch out back today and enjoyed the sun...and the wind. 

Cole continues to love to play in the sandbox and does so nearly every day. He did a lot more playing than eating but took a good nap this afternoon. 

Dish Duty

I can't remember the circumstances (maybe he could watch a show when he was finished or something), but yesterday I asked Cole to clear the dishes from breakfast and he hopped right up and rose to the challenge. I grabbed all the silverware and he did the rest of the dishes. I was proud of him. 

What's He Doing? Part 2

A continuation of the previous post, so titled, here is what I came out to find Cole doing today. 

Eating a day old sandwich from the fridge in a box...

Pretending to sleep on a self-emptied shelf in his bookshelf, complete with pillow, stuffed dog and blanket...

I have started just having my camera ready when I emerge from Hope's room. Funny! I like seeing him entertain himself. 

Her Feet

Sweet Hope has found her feet! It's so fun to watch her, especially when she has her socks and pants off and she's free and easy. 

She can just keep herself occupied for a while exploring those feet. 

Compared to Cole, she's taking her time hitting some of her physical milestones - like rolling from her back to her tummy. But mama's not in a hurry! Just stay put sweet baby for as long as you'd like!

New Friends

Yesterday we got invited to have a picnic at the zoo with some friends we haven't spent a lot of time with. We got to know them a little better during our gym time this winter. I have been wanting to spend more time with them because Macsen is about 6 months older than Cole and a sweet but also a rough and tumble boy, so we were happy to accept their invitation. 

Cole and him did great together!

Macsen has a little brother (and one on the way) and both of them were so interested in baby Hope. All the boys were great with her. 

It was such a fun outing! Shyree shared that Macsen said he missed Cole when he was going to bed that night and Cole talked about Macsen that evening too. 

They should be in the same class in school when they start - and neither one of our families are going anywhere - both dads are farmers and "tied" to the land. :)