Little Miss Helpful

We probably read that book once a week.  If you don't remember, Little Miss Helpful isn't really that helpful at all.  Well, not my Little Miss. Occasionally, she's down-right productive.  Her grandma would be so proud!
   
Seriously, check out the concentration.  She also wants to help feed her sister, which sometimes works out.  If you've ever witnessed Connor eat, you know that Taylor is definitely not going to be the reason that it gets messy.

For some unknown reason, Connor actually eats better when T feeds her. She doesn't try to grab the spoon from her, or spit in her face, or rub her messy hands in her hair.  Yep, good times.

And then there's the 'Sorta Helpful' scenario:

Instruction: Move your magnet doll so Connor doesn't swallow the little pieces.

Action: Sure.  I'll move Connor.

Result:

At least they are both smiling! 

July-a-riffic

We went to visit brand new baby Anya over the Fourth of July. Taylor and Kaleb were so excited to play with each other they just about couldn't stand it.  We arrived Saturday evening, and took the kids to the park just down the street from Heidi & Jeremy's.  Taylor & Kaleb are quite the little water bugs.

I especially love what's in the background of this picture....

Those two played so hard, but were so excited that they woke up at 4:45 AM on Sunday morning.  I know this because I was awake with Madam Fussy-butt Connor.  The 8 hour trip plus teething plus new-daycare-runny-nose was a little rough on her.  Kaleb and Taylor (Kaylor/Tayleb?) finally took a nap before we went to big fireworks display....awww, cute little cousin buddies.  I have fond memories of sleeping in sleeping bags with my cousins.

Finally we went to a great fireworks show on the river in St Paul ( I think we were in St Paul).  The kids had their faces/arms painted....

Connor was a happy camper again after sleeping most of the day

Her first look at fireworks....it was a toe-grabbing experience

Monday we drove home and stopped in Ames IA for lunch.  We ate at Pizza Ranch -- the whole idea of a pizza ranch still cracks me up.  It's a chain apparently, and there is one in Emporia.  It's basically a CiCi's pizza with a western theme.  Andy and Mini-Andy had to pose in front of the wagon.  

Later in the week, Connor fell asleep while eating her baby spaghetti.

Friday we went to my parent's house to help my mom celebrate her 54th birthday. HAHA mom - everyone now knows the truth!!

Grandma & T loved swimming in the lake

Connor swam later too, but she mostly enjoyed some chill time on the boat.

This weekend, we are staying home.  We need to do some serious laundry and house cleaning. Exciting pictures will come from that, I'm sure.

A Big Week

Papa Tom turned 60!! Happy Birthday Papa Tom!

Also, the girls started at their new daycare/preschool. I get a sheet every day telling me how things went for each of them, what they ate (and how much), how much they slept, etc.  Connor is easy - she did great.  I was worried how Taylor would adjust, but she also has done super.  It helps that they did an art project on the very first day...they made a 'Cee-Pock'.  Ahem...Peacock.  I'm incredibly happy with the whole thing, and we are even happier that the girls seem to like it too. T already has friends, and a little boy named Braden whose somewhat smitten with her...that won't last long once she starts bossing him around.  I have no idea where she gets that. 

Anyway, obligatory first day of school picture:

I'll have a gin & tonic and 1 organic milk, please....

So...A lady in town is upset because the owner of a local establishment (restaurant/coffee shop by day turned into bar at night) told her he thought it was inappropriate for her to bring her 11 month old son to the bar at 11:00 pm.  This has exploded in hippie-town, and even migrated into a breastfeeding debate.  But the root of the article is this: should kids (infants) be allowed in a bar at 11:00 pm?? 

No. No they shouldn't.  That's the answer from this house....besides, can you imagine taking these two there?  I mean, this one would try to get everyone to play hopscotch:

Or shove obnoxious amounts of fruit in her mouth

And this one would lick everyone/everything and try to pull hair

Nine Months

I took Connor to her 9 month appointment Wednesday, and she is now a whopping 17.7 pounds and 27.75 inches long.  Such a little fry!

We've been working on more finger foods, and avocado was one of them.  Connor heard that avocado was great for your skin - so she not only ate it, but tried the topical approach.  It was a lovely mess.

And this little butterfly...she's so funny lately. 

Exciting news though, we are starting at a new preschool/daycare on June 28th!  I'm very excited and Taylor is too.  The program Taylor will be in is more like a pre - preschool...and Connor will have a room just for her little same age buddies.  You even have to take off your shoes before you go in the infant room - what a change!  She may be spoiled though when she gets home...I'm pretty sure our floor doesn't stay that clean.

Connor also started crawling, and it's craziness.  She has no depth perception, so she's ready to go down the stairs, out of our arms, off the bed at any minute.  Right, I know, watch your kid.  Got it.

Just a little lazy...

I hope you don't come here for the fancy backgrounds or witty commentary....'cause you are going to be sorely dissapointed with this post.

Drooler.  Maybe we'll have teeth in the next month.

Ellie graduated from Journalism School at KU, and she took Taylor (and us) on a tour of the building most of her classes were in.

That's it for now.

Just a Coupon

You know, I'm not sure who really still checks out our blog....but if you are a parent or friend of a kid, this coupon may be useful to you.  I just got Taylor a sweet pair of summer sneakers - they have openings on the sides so they are like sandals, but they have the support of a tennis shoe.  The combination is ideal for a dancing queen with sweaty feet!

Have a great memorial day weekend....

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