June 30, 2008

He still doesn't have that crawling thing down, although he's an expert at scootching himself backwards on the tile.

June 29, 2008

When I told C and E that we were going to Cedar Falls, and that Mary-Claire would be there, they were both very happy. Ellie told me "I'm so glad Mary-Claire will be there. She the best. I mean, I really like Sarah, but Mary-Claire..."

Sarah, you'll be pleased to know that Conor just smiled.

June 28, 2008

Saturday was the Sturgis Falls Day parade. Dad was in the pre-parade, and Ellie went with him. I honestly don't know who was more excited.

June 27, 2008

If he were our first kid, I would have been mortified that he had this in his mouth. As he's not, I went and got the camera, then waited to see if he'd do it again. You can't hear the echo as well as in person, but you get the idea.

June 26, 2008

On Thursday I watched a friend's kids, and they were here early. Ellie got up early to play with them, and they played like crazy. When they went home after lunch, I sent C and E upstairs to read for 30 minutes. The timer went off, and Conor came down. I went to check on Ellie, and this is what I found. I woke her up after two hours, and was worried she wouldn't go to sleep that night. I shouldn't have worried - she fell asleep in 10 minutes.

June 25, 2008

I'm not sure what started it, but C and E are terrified of rain. At the first drop, they are clingy and whiny and carrying their flashlights. It's even hard to get them to play outside unless there are absolutely no clouds. Because it just might rain, you know.

So tonight they were both scared to go to bed, because we are having a thunderstorm. After many tears, they finally agreed to go. And 20 minutes ago there was a huge clap of thunder, so I went up to reassure them. But they're both asleep.

June 24, 2008

I know I should be happy that the big kids get along so well, and that they don't mind at all that Rowan likes to play right beside them. It's just that it always happens to be just where I want to walk.

The six-year olds (C especially) love nonfiction. Last month it was birds, and now it's wild cats. Rowan? He'll eat any book, fiction or otherwise.

June 23, 2008

Just your normal post-gymnastics/gladiator boys cooldown session.

June 22, 2008

The view from Rowan's skybox. Conor asked me what the name of "that Packers receiver" was. He was "thinking Joey Galloway, but that's not it." I didn't know, and Jon wasn't home, but Conor told me "That's okay. I just use the names of the guys I know, and then I start to make up names." He then found a football magazine and determined it was Donald Driver. He was pretty disgusted with himself for forgetting that one. (Sorry, Kate).

June 21, 2008

Rowan with his favorite toy in the world.

June 20, 2008

We were in the pool Friday for a long time. Grandma and Grandpa Wilson stopped by, so they got to see everyone swim. Rowan would give anything to crawl after the other two. He even holds his own in the “grand finale” of splashing.

June 19, 2008

On Thursday C and E had a birthday party for a neighbor boy. This is the second year he's had a party for the neighbor kids. They have cake and ice cream in the garage, then all play in the yard (the slip and slide this time). They specify no gifts, and invite everyone (as far as I can tell). I fully intended to copy them this year, but didn't get it done. Maybe next year, because I love the idea.

June 18, 2008

Ellie really hasn't shown up here recently, so I set out to get a picture of her. While I was doing that, I recorded the following. I taped it because Rowan was really giggling whenever Conor said peek-a-boo. I kept it because while you can't really hear the cute part of it, you can completely understand why someday Rowan may try to bite his older brother.

Or at the very least tell him to back off.

June 17, 2008

It would appear that we have another musically inclined child. 50 cent this time. (Conor loved Nellie). The love of hip hop music? That comes from their father.

June 16, 2008

It's Vacation Bible School this week. I don't remember ever having this when I was little, but it's everywhere now. Our church usually has about 250 kids signed up. Last year C and E didn't have much fun, at least the way they tell it, so dropping them off on Monday didn't go the best. In the afternoon, however, they were singing a different tune. Literally. Ellie's favorite part is the music, and now for the rest of the summer she will continually ask to hear the cd. She'll then do all the dances and actions, except if she catches me looking. Conor had a friend in his group, so he's loving the whole thing, especially the games outside.

June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day!!

June 14, 2008

After Conor's tball games, he and Jon like to unwind by checking out sports stats. You'll notice Conor takes it just as seriously as his dad.

June 13, 2008

We are really fortunate that we're not directly affected by the flooding. We didn't need to sandbag to save our downtown area, Jon's office doesn't need to close early to make sure he can get home, and we don't need to worry about being evacuated. For the most part, our back yard is really wet, the sump pump runs all the time, and there's pretty much just one way to get anywhere.

But today the kids and I had to run an errand, and found this. It's kind of along the "back way" to Jon's work and Sarah's house. The treeline in the distance is where the river is supposed to be. The building on the right is a Casey's. (Dad, Quick Supply is just not quite in the picture on the right).

Good news though (I guess) - According to the person we were visiting, in 1993 the river was up to the road in the foreground.

June 12, 2008

Most nights after dinner we sit on the front steps with an ice cream cone or popsicle. Tonight was dry enough to sit on the grass. Only in the front though. The back is still a bit splashy.

June 11, 2008

I ran upstairs quickly today, leaving Rowan in his highchair and Conor talking to him. This is what I came into the kitchen to see.

June 10, 2008

Today was a good day - the zoo in the morning, and Bria in the afternoon.

June 9, 2008

Rowan's 9 month appointment was today. He weighs 18 pounds 10 ounces. Conor was 18 pounds 4 ounces at his 9 month appointment, so I guess we know who he's built like at least.

June 5, 2008

This is how the mantle in the toyroom is currently decorated. All I have to say is, I only know one person who works for Nationwide. And I will remember that she encouraged this obsession.

June 4, 2008

When no one else is around to play, Conor will ask if Rowan would like to come down and watch him play ball. Rowan is always happy to do so, sometimes for up to 20 minutes. Conor says this is because Rowan is a football fan. I think it's because he's a Conor fan.

June 3, 2008

This is the view at our deck steps- lilacs on one side, and a beauty bush on the other. They've both exploded and will need to be trimmed after the flowers are gone, so it makes going up the steps feel like you are in a jungle (or a princess in a parade). They smell amazing though. And as our neighbor pointed out (the one who thinks it's funny that my kids go barefoot a lot) "We can't tell if you're on your deck anymore." Oh darn.

June 2, 2008

Ellie got a phone call from her best friend. She's heading over their for a playdate next week, but apparently they needed to catch up before then. The side of the conversation that I could hear went something like this: "Um, playing outside mostly. Yeah, the playground in my backyard. Oh, yum. But we don't have a camper! Oh. Well, tonight I have a new gymnastics class. Way fun. Okay. Bye"

June 1, 2008

Rowan took a good nap on Sunday afternoon, so Conor and Ellie were able to swim their way before the baby joined them in the pool.