LENS Photo Challenge

Doing the photo challenge again this week. The theme is 'listen'. I wasn't really sure what image would portray this best, but I figure one of Rose dancing would do well. There is also one of her on the phone. Wasn't sure which to pick! You can find other entries at Home is Where You Start From.

St. Rose of Lima

Most of you know that our daughter was (in part) named for St. Rose of Lima. Well today was her feast day, so we had a big day. First we went to mass and Father gave a special blessing to Rose. Then, in the afternoon, we had pink cupcakes with pink icing, followed by fun with friends and coloring some Rose printables found here. Finally, we went and got this crazy tutu that she has been wanting for a while - I will have to post pics of that later. During the day Rose wore her crown of roses that I made. It was a super easy craft, I just wound some fake ivy to fit her head, used floral wire to secure it, then wove tiny fake roses in - I put pics in for those of you interested in a step by step. Overall, we had great day and I think Rose had a lot of fun.

Nature Center

Today we met our friends at the local nature center. They had a great time playing. The seat shaped like a butterfly was in an area full of butterflies (as seen with the yellow and blue one). We will definitely go back later in the fall, dressed for mud and fun.

PS there will be a post soon about the tie-dye shirt Rose is wearing.

Cabbage Ball with the Rulis

Our friends the Rulis are moving away at the end of the month, so they had a cabbage ball picnic Sat night (I told you we had a busy weekend!). So after a short rest from the boat we went out to play. Dan had fun pitching to Rose, who 'ran' the bases with John Thomas, while James ate a pickle! Dan got to pitch the adult game with a sleeping baby on his back. James actually slept through most of the game, even with Dan running to catch balls or the bases. It was a fun evening.

Boating Trip on Saturday

Ok, so we had a busy weekend, but I am trying to post closer to the actual event. We went boating with Nana, Pops, and Aunt B on Sat am. After some hesitation at the whole venture, Rose warmed up and had a blast driving. She actually drove on her own for a while (see the crazy wake in the one picture!). James had a blast the whole time, of course. He had great sea legs, as you can see we were actually moving for the one picture.

Fun @ Ikea

Last week we went to Ikea for free kid lunches with a friend. Rose had a blast and conned me into buying this ridiculous birthday cake hat. They spent most of the time dancing and singing through the aisles. Everyone else just laughed, even though our kids (babies included) were making so much noise!

L.E.N.S. Photo Challenge - B&W Portrait

I am getting into some other blogs, and found this challenge. Thought this picture of Rose was perfect. You can find the contest at Home is Where You Start From

Carnival Fun

James Eating

James has been eating so much lately. Last week, he ate part of an avocado, Dan's refried beans at the mexican restaurant, sticky rice, yogurt, and applesauce. Today he polished off half a mushed up banana. I bought a sweet potato for him to try later this week. In one of these pics he is trying to eat (or lick) the bowl after I was done feeding him. Crack me up.

Beach Week

As you can see we had a lot of fun at the beach this past week. We went mini-golfing on our way home, played in the sand every day, buried Rose Aunt B and whoever else would let us, played beach skee ball (like from the arcades), and generally had a good time - except for the ride home which took 6 hours instead of 3!

I might post more pics of the beach later, but these were some highlights.

Baby Jail is FUNNY!!!

A visit with GG Mom-mom

Princesses

Rose is really really into the Disney Princess scene. And when I say really, I mean she can spot something with a princess on it from across Target (who knew you would find them in the kitchen towel aisle?) and knows that if she sees the Disney script that there is usually something with a princess nearby (we recently ordered a swimsuit on sale and it came in a Disney box, she said as we walked up..."something for Rose, it's Princesses!"). Well, she got these miniature figurines and goes pretty much everywhere with them. The other day she set them up with her lunch and pretended to feed each and every one between each bite. That meal took FOREVER!

Just some thoughts

James is pretty funny around the camera. He lights up and smiles really big when he sees someone is pointing a camera in his direction. So I have missed out on some of the funnier things he does since all he wants to do is smile! I will try to post some of it...especially when he is on all fours 'walking' around. Not too much longer he will be walking - AHHHH!
And Rose is a little chatterbug. She just keeps going and going. If she is in a mood to talk on the phone, she will tell you everything she did that day and more. I have to keep it on speaker phone just to understand the question so I can translate all the words that are her answer. She is growing up so fast (she starts preschool in the fall)!

Family Get Together

We met up with some cousins at a park that was central to all of us...and had a great afternoon. Rose had her first swim in a lake, in her new princess bathing suit. James had fun with bubbles. And we all wore ourselves out!

PS That is my sister Steph holding James.

Fun Stuff

We went to a park the other night, it was so nice out. Daddy was helping Rose climb the wall, and James thought he could do it too. Of course he didn't get much farther than this!




James eating mushed up bananas, he was very excited about it. Even cried when I took it away to fill it up with more. Of course, there was a good bath afterwards. (His hair is crazy because we went to the pool just beforehand)

I'm Stuck in a Rut

Ok, so I know this is the same idea, but it is so funny how James is doing the same things Rose did, and I mean, almost exactly the same. You probably have to go back 2 julys to find Rose doing this, but she did.

Remind you of anyone?

I found James taking all the puzzles out today. Kind of reminded me of Rose and the DVDs, which I am pretty sure James would also take out if only I hadn't put up a gate to keep them out of the electronics. Check July 18, 2008 if you don't remember!

4th of July (a little late)

Here it is...from 2008

Fun at the Park (Again)

If you look back at some pictures from 2008 you will probably find a picture of Rose in the same place as the one of James. I will try to find it and post at a later date.