into Nana and PGa's Secret Garden
squirrel!
post bonk dental check up, all good
beefcake
city goats
country goats
mama goat
curiosity is tasting in the feed corn pit
childhood is pretending to be big while being so good at being little
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The Joy of Chasing Sunbeams
My children's faces tell me how to look at life. Happiness is chasing dust particles that float in sunbeams after your morning bowl of Cheerios. Wonder is petting a baby goat while it nuzzles your face. Comedy is getting your family to laugh over and over by flexing your tiny little muscles. Love is a kiss from a baby to his big sister.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Sabbatical
Aw shucks. I'm strongly considering renaming this blog "WeeKnights Quarterly" after this most recent poor showing. However, I remain duty bound to try to guide you through our past couple of months with some snippets of information. I left you anticipating an update from cousin Anna and Tony's wedding. Reina was a remarkable flower girl, very poised and just nervous enough to behave perfectly without being too freaked out standing in front of everyone. She was awesome. She was also thrilled at the attention and has been reenacting "Anna and Tony's wedding" ever since, this time as the bride.
My photos are somewhat in order, but not entirely. Since the wedding, Bill and I both celebrated birthdays, turning a pivotal age for some lives more momentous than our own. Nonetheless, it has made us reflect a bit on what we've accomplished thus far in our lives and where we may go from here. I happy to report I have now achieved homemaker status, level 4, having mastered: making my own chicken stock, baking bread from scratch, canning our own home grown dill pickles, catching a raccoon and mastering the toilet snake.
Bill has become a gentleman farmer, having transformed the old dog run/garbage heap by the shed into a veritable smorgasbord of fresh vegetables giving me plenty of fodder for my domestic achievements. We are nearly overrun in cucumbers with a nice supply of chard and green beans. Carrots and beets are coming and corn...and tomatoes will give me something to can in those giant quart jars I got for $10.
Reina has successfully become a prima ballerina, dancing in her first (and possibly only) dance recital. After an hour a week for an entire school year, Reina remembered the ending pose of her dance routine. And was adorable and hilarious on stage. Bill would be quite happy for her to pursue soccer instead, especially after seeing some of the routines and costumes of the older girls. She continues to swim, and well. This will continue through the school year I believe since she genuinely enjoys it and it is actual skill vs. cute trick. No offense to dancers, Reina just may not be one. Reina begins preschool in the fall and is counting down the days on her calendar. I am so happy for her and know she will be in her element but am bittersweet about her "last" summer as a baby. While we're blessed with the luxury of me being able to stay home with the kids, the school year will certainly be a jolt to me. Maybe I'll blog more...
Liam, now walking, fast, and climbing stairs, has succeeded in busting his face 3 times this week alone. The photos of him are pre-busted. We are headed to the dentist today to find out if he'll be joining the ranks of Uncles Ryan and Andrew and cousin Lizzie with his own crazy tooth. I was kind of holding off on a new family portrait until his face looked less busted, but that may never happen with this kid. Truth hurts. He is otherwise still a happy sunshiny little dude, content to speak gibberish or Ewok forever it seems. For somebody who talks all day long we sure can't figure out what he is saying. He is starting to get a bit frustrated, however, and sharing his opinion more often. He had his first full blown tantrum already over a bite of apple. The rolling on the floor kind. Not funny...but kind of was.
Aunt Lauren and Milo and Oliver visited us mid-Midwest move and we loved their company and were sad to see them go. Much naked time was had by Reina and Milo. Oliver and Liam can't take off their own clothes or I'm sure they would have joined in. I hear they're getting settled into their new home and I know Reina for one misses her cousin/friend and would love to visit.
As it is, we have no summer vacation plans. A bummer in a way but probably good in the long run. As we've discovered, our beloved new-old house requires frequent attention but perhaps some short day trips will be managed as Bill has some "staycation" time coming up.
That seems to be a general glossing over...on to explain some pictures:
Apologies to Austin and Jack's parents...candy cigarettes, FYI, from Bill. Attitude was all them, however.
I'm so done with taking pictures...
You know, I'm gonna take your job someday...
Liam with sweet gooey baby.
Babes in a hammock
Remember. I have a recital.
Daddy is gonna kill those that came up with make-up for 3 year olds.
I'm free years old! Mom, you're flurty free.
Corn.
Okra blossom.
Bucolic
Last known photo of Liam's perfect teeth
your caption here...
My photos are somewhat in order, but not entirely. Since the wedding, Bill and I both celebrated birthdays, turning a pivotal age for some lives more momentous than our own. Nonetheless, it has made us reflect a bit on what we've accomplished thus far in our lives and where we may go from here. I happy to report I have now achieved homemaker status, level 4, having mastered: making my own chicken stock, baking bread from scratch, canning our own home grown dill pickles, catching a raccoon and mastering the toilet snake.
Bill has become a gentleman farmer, having transformed the old dog run/garbage heap by the shed into a veritable smorgasbord of fresh vegetables giving me plenty of fodder for my domestic achievements. We are nearly overrun in cucumbers with a nice supply of chard and green beans. Carrots and beets are coming and corn...and tomatoes will give me something to can in those giant quart jars I got for $10.
Reina has successfully become a prima ballerina, dancing in her first (and possibly only) dance recital. After an hour a week for an entire school year, Reina remembered the ending pose of her dance routine. And was adorable and hilarious on stage. Bill would be quite happy for her to pursue soccer instead, especially after seeing some of the routines and costumes of the older girls. She continues to swim, and well. This will continue through the school year I believe since she genuinely enjoys it and it is actual skill vs. cute trick. No offense to dancers, Reina just may not be one. Reina begins preschool in the fall and is counting down the days on her calendar. I am so happy for her and know she will be in her element but am bittersweet about her "last" summer as a baby. While we're blessed with the luxury of me being able to stay home with the kids, the school year will certainly be a jolt to me. Maybe I'll blog more...
Liam, now walking, fast, and climbing stairs, has succeeded in busting his face 3 times this week alone. The photos of him are pre-busted. We are headed to the dentist today to find out if he'll be joining the ranks of Uncles Ryan and Andrew and cousin Lizzie with his own crazy tooth. I was kind of holding off on a new family portrait until his face looked less busted, but that may never happen with this kid. Truth hurts. He is otherwise still a happy sunshiny little dude, content to speak gibberish or Ewok forever it seems. For somebody who talks all day long we sure can't figure out what he is saying. He is starting to get a bit frustrated, however, and sharing his opinion more often. He had his first full blown tantrum already over a bite of apple. The rolling on the floor kind. Not funny...but kind of was.
Aunt Lauren and Milo and Oliver visited us mid-Midwest move and we loved their company and were sad to see them go. Much naked time was had by Reina and Milo. Oliver and Liam can't take off their own clothes or I'm sure they would have joined in. I hear they're getting settled into their new home and I know Reina for one misses her cousin/friend and would love to visit.
As it is, we have no summer vacation plans. A bummer in a way but probably good in the long run. As we've discovered, our beloved new-old house requires frequent attention but perhaps some short day trips will be managed as Bill has some "staycation" time coming up.
That seems to be a general glossing over...on to explain some pictures:
Apologies to Austin and Jack's parents...candy cigarettes, FYI, from Bill. Attitude was all them, however.
I'm so done with taking pictures...
You know, I'm gonna take your job someday...
Liam with sweet gooey baby. 
Babes in a hammock 
Remember. I have a recital.
Daddy is gonna kill those that came up with make-up for 3 year olds. 
I'm free years old! Mom, you're flurty free.
Corn.
Okra blossom. 
Bucolic 
Last known photo of Liam's perfect teeth
your caption here...Thursday, May 20, 2010
They Grow Up So Quickly, Part 2
Or, this should be entitled: "A Warning to Anna". Bill's cousin, Anna, is getting married this weekend and has honored Reina by asking her to be the flower girl in her wedding. Reina. Is. Beside. Herself. She has been practicing all day. Up the aisle. Down the aisle. Fiddling with her gait. Fiddling with her demure smile. Hopefully getting all the fiddling out before needing to behave on Saturday. The warning to Anna is merely this; Reina is a ham. H-A-double M. And as lovely and confident of a bride as I am sure Anna will be I can't help but think she might be better off with a flower girl who was, I don't know, a little more shy? Maybe that would backfire too. No, I'm sure all will be fine and Reina will discharge her duties with style and grace. Or, maybe she'll flake out and refuse at go time. Maybe not...the evidence:
Ok kids, smile. No, smile normal Reina. Nice smiles now. C'mon! Oh whatever.
Passport photo attempt
PGa and Reina, ready for prom or EVIL flower girl? Go Reds.
Case in point...no goggles in church though.
This picture alone has Bill locking Reina up in her room until she is 38.
Ok kids, smile. No, smile normal Reina. Nice smiles now. C'mon! Oh whatever.
Passport photo attempt
PGa and Reina, ready for prom or EVIL flower girl? Go Reds.
Case in point...no goggles in church though.
This picture alone has Bill locking Reina up in her room until she is 38. Will keep you posted on the outcome of this wedding weekend. On a side note, my cousin John got married last weekend and Reina was paying very close attention to the 3 adorable girls and their petal throwing. Good Luck Anna! You can handle this little chick. She thinks you're a princess anyway.
They Grow Up So Quickly, Part 1
This week, Liam, the 14.5 month old, has been taking steps independently. At last. Liam the Late Bloomer. Granted, that means the diaper boxes currently stacked up at the bottom of the stairs to prevent his egress upward will shortly no longer be effective. How DID Bill's grandmother keep 9 kids alive in this house?!? Needless to say, we are proud of his achievement but not nearly as proud as he is. I think it may only be socially acceptable to clap for yourself until you're about, what, 5 or 6 years old? Maybe more...Reina is also encouraging, mimicking a very high pitched "good job buddy!" with each attempt he makes to cross a room "no hands." He may or may not be running by the end of the month but we can be sure of this, Swiper's swiping will only increase. Kids, hide your toys.
Passport photo? Or mugshot?
A smoke and a beer with Daddy. And goldfish crackers.
Passport photo? Or mugshot? 
A smoke and a beer with Daddy. And goldfish crackers.Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Inspiration
Spring is the start of all new things, a time for renewal, blooming and reinvention. Right? I could be making that up, I have a family history of such. In any case, with the slow but increasingly green growth of grass over our new septic tanks and the memories of our recent visit with family, I'm working to enjoy more of the little things instead of getting bogged down with details. We're not talking drastic changes here, just a slight mental shift. (Save your commentary on that, if you please.) No, I'm not getting my hair dyed red or starting a new career path, just stopping to smell the roses a bit more.
Reina has been excelling (!) in swimming lessons. Apparently she is very strong and fast for a girl her age, who knew? She loves wearing her pink goggles to lessons, in the car, to Target, the kennel. No fear. Ballet is still a favorite past-time as well, but a little more regimented and therefore a challenge.
Liam is still not walking, but can stand and wants to get from here to there so badly he can taste it. Soon...His temper is short these days with the walking frustrations and three molars working their way out. He still greets me each morning with a smile and a giggle and pats me on the back as I lay him down at night. He says: Daddy, Doggie, Go go!
Bill and his brothers survived with their lives and possibly dignity intact at yet another NASCAR event. Somehow a tiny baby alligator snapping turtle smuggled itself home in Bill's sleeping bag, however. To be found in front of the washing machine the next day. SALMONELLA! He was released into his natural habitat down by the creek to let nature take its course.
While the daddies were away, the kids and I had a lovely weekend with Lauren, Milo and Oliver. Zoo, homemade french toast, peanut butter brownies and playing pirate were almost more fun than we could handle in such a short time. Thanks for everything Lauren.
So, home again, again. Next week we're hosting a (take out) dinner for 40 or so of Bill's colleagues followed by attending back to back family weddings. And I'm looking forward to it. All of it. Summer seems just around the corner already despite Spring having just begun. Answering Reina's daily question "where are we going today?" is seeming less and less daunting with two kids and the options are endless.
Eggplant Head and Cabbage Head
Reina commandeered the hose after an accidental squirting. Then proceeded to "accidentally" soak Milo. Hence, underpants.
Open house today, so much to do, no time for clothes.
Requisite "1st time eating spaghetti by myself" photo.
Mermaid
Reina has been excelling (!) in swimming lessons. Apparently she is very strong and fast for a girl her age, who knew? She loves wearing her pink goggles to lessons, in the car, to Target, the kennel. No fear. Ballet is still a favorite past-time as well, but a little more regimented and therefore a challenge.
Liam is still not walking, but can stand and wants to get from here to there so badly he can taste it. Soon...His temper is short these days with the walking frustrations and three molars working their way out. He still greets me each morning with a smile and a giggle and pats me on the back as I lay him down at night. He says: Daddy, Doggie, Go go!
Bill and his brothers survived with their lives and possibly dignity intact at yet another NASCAR event. Somehow a tiny baby alligator snapping turtle smuggled itself home in Bill's sleeping bag, however. To be found in front of the washing machine the next day. SALMONELLA! He was released into his natural habitat down by the creek to let nature take its course.
While the daddies were away, the kids and I had a lovely weekend with Lauren, Milo and Oliver. Zoo, homemade french toast, peanut butter brownies and playing pirate were almost more fun than we could handle in such a short time. Thanks for everything Lauren.
So, home again, again. Next week we're hosting a (take out) dinner for 40 or so of Bill's colleagues followed by attending back to back family weddings. And I'm looking forward to it. All of it. Summer seems just around the corner already despite Spring having just begun. Answering Reina's daily question "where are we going today?" is seeming less and less daunting with two kids and the options are endless.
Eggplant Head and Cabbage Head
Reina commandeered the hose after an accidental squirting. Then proceeded to "accidentally" soak Milo. Hence, underpants.
Open house today, so much to do, no time for clothes.
Requisite "1st time eating spaghetti by myself" photo.
MermaidThursday, April 22, 2010
Time Warp
Dude, where've you been?!? I've been waiting to show you all these pictures since Bill and I got back from our Canada ski trip last month. I can't keep checking back to see if you're watching you know. I've got stuff to do. I mean, we've had a lot going on, you know? Hosting Easter brunch and egg hunt for Bill's extended family...visiting with friends from out of town and their cute and age-compatible children...enjoying a pretty beautiful spring...zoo TWO times in one week. Next time let's try to coordinate this better, shall we? Let's try this, I'll go ahead and blog, WITH pictures, and THEN you read it. Comment if desired, or not. And please, try to stop dropping the ball like this. Sheesh.
"Mommy, where do babies come from?"
Dude with the new 'tude
Post egg hunt loot tally
Different day, same shirt. Gorgeous zoo blooms.
Liam, sorry about the hat. SPF 50.
4 BFFs, well, 3 and one cooperative boy.
Emma H and Reina K 
Liam and Leah. Knuffle Buddies.
"Mommy, where do babies come from?"
Dude with the new 'tude
Post egg hunt loot tally
Different day, same shirt. Gorgeous zoo blooms.
Liam, sorry about the hat. SPF 50.4 BFFs, well, 3 and one cooperative boy.Emma H and Reina KLiam and Leah. Knuffle Buddies.
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