Hello, Godmother!

Sam was finally able to meet his godmother for the first time a few weeks ago. Rachana was my roommate in college freshman year, and we have remained good friends ever since. Since she now lives in Abu Dhabi, we decided to ask her to be Sam's godmother when he was born. That way, even though she lives half-way across the world, our familywill always have a close connection with her. As you can see - Sam just loved her!

Here we are in our Abu Dhabi shirts that Rachana brought over for us:

We were also able to spend a day at the Renaissance festival that weekend. Some of Seth's family happened to be going the same day too, which was great because when I woke up in Bloomington at 2:00 a.m. and realized that our tickets were still on our kitchen counter back home (which was 3 hours away), I was able to call my sister-in-law to pick them up and bring them along! This is at the end of our day there. We all had fun, and as you can probably tell from the picture, the kids completely wore themselves out.

You know you live in a small town when...

One of the benefits of living in a small town:
When you forget your keys at the library, the librarian not only knows they are yours but also calls you at home to get directions so she can drop them off at your house on her way home from work.

First Leaf Pile of the Season!

Storytime

It's fall festival season at all the churches around here. As I was making a cake for the cake walk this year, I was reminded of my mom's cousin, Patty, who passed away about 5 years ago. Since I was living in the cities when she died, I attended her funeral at St. Paul's Cathedral. I never really knew Patty, but after hearing about her life at the funeral, I wished I had. One of her sons told a story about her that stuck with me and I'd like to share it with you:

Every year at the fall festival, all the women of the church would bake a cake for the cake walk. Many of these women, unfortunately suffering from the sin of pride, made beautiful and elaborate cakes in hopes that theirs would be the first cake chosen. When the cake walk began, they would all stand around to see whose cake would claim the much envied "first pick." (We obviously don't suffer from that down here at St. Edward's parish where many women simply donate a cake pan with an unmade box of cake mix and frosting :)

One year, Patty came up with a creative idea for her cake. It was just a simple white cake with white frosting. For decoration, she placed on top a plastic rat (or rabbit, I can't remember which) with a trail of raisins behind it.

Come the big day, much to the disappointment of several onlooking women, guess whose cake was the first one chosen? Well, what kid wouldn't want the rat cake? I would have taken it first, too.

I didn't have the guts to replicate her cake for our fall festival this year, but I haven't ruled it out for future years. Maybe next year.

Boxelder Bug Days

Minneota's Boxelder Bug Days was a few weekends ago. It seems to get more fun each year as the kids grow older and are able to participate more. Here are a few highlights:

Sam sliding with his cousin, Kaden.

Getting ready for the kiddie parade with a few neighbors. Elena was a fairy with a pig (her idea). Sam was a super hero. I threw his costume together about 10 minutes before the parade started, pinning one of my red shirts to his back over a pair of superman pajamas. He wasn't thrilled about the whole costume thing.

Like last year, Elena was one of the few brave kids to go up and dance with the cloggers. She was actually the only one who did the dance (the other girl suffered a little stage fright) so for the clogger's sake, I'm glad we were there!

Push-ups at great-grandma and grandpa's house with the cousins

As usual, Elena finished hers first and started to eye up the next kid's push-up.

Milestones for Sammy

Last night, Sam put himself to sleep for the first time since he was in the womb. (Even then I was technically rocking him to sleep.) I just laid by him in bed for a little while, then I said, "I'll be back in a bit. I need to get a few things done downstairs." I went downstairs and 10 minutes later when I went to check on him, he was asleep! Hallelujah!
Then, this morning Elena was going to go to the bathroom and she decided to help Sam go, too. She took off his diaper, sat him on his potty seat, and he went! I was still laying in bed and I jumped up when Elena said he went to see if it was for real (also to make sure he wasn't peeing on the floor).
As Elena puts it: "Sammy's big now."

I know I can't expect either of his new accomplishments to be set in stone, but I'm still thrilled at this minor progress.

Misunderstandings

We were looking for a place to pick up a pizza last weekend while visiting friends. As we were driving, I pointed out the window and said, "Look! There's a Pizza Hut."

Then we heard Elena from the back say: "Mom, why did you say Pizza Butt?"

I can't help myself...

As much as I dread the passage of summer and wonder what the heck I'm going to do being cooped up with 2 extremely energetic children for months on end once it get cold, I just love it when the seasons change.



I love watching the leaves turn color and flutter to the ground.

I love feeling the crisp cool air made comfortable by the warmth of the late summer sun.

I love watching our sedum turn rose-colored and the fields turn to gold as harvest approaches.

I love curling up in the evening with a blanket and a warm cup of tea.

And I love going to bed in cuddling weather.



So remind myself: I will enjoy it. I will not think about the goodbye to summer; and I will soak in the beauty of the present.

Then I repeat this as often as necessary to maintain my sanity.

Our beautiful sedum!

After 6:00 I just don't bother.

Why stop them when they're having so much fun?

That's why we have a bathtub.

Jam-Packed

Our labor day weekend was full to the brim with friends and fun. We made a trip up to the cities to visit some of our friends, and we were able to spend time with 6 different families - all of whom had plenty of children for our kids to play with. Wherever we went, the kids made immediate friends. After hopping from place to place, Elena was quite disappointed to learn that we were going back to our house on Monday. She has already planned sleep-overs with two of the little girls she played with this weekend.

At the playground with Nate and Jude. I didn't realize Elena had her mouth on the bridge until I looked at these pictures. Just boosting the ol' immune system. (Their mom, Erica, took the above picture of our family). We had a great time staying with their family - especially since Erica's sister's family was also staying there with their 7 children, which made for 6 adults and 11 kids staying at the house. There was never a dull moment!

We went to visit the other friends who just bought a new house and happened to be having a house-warming party, so we were again able to visit with several families. The kids had a great time on the tire swing. Elena is swinging with Joshua . His mom and I were pregnant with them at the same time, so it was fun to see them old enough to play together.

Elena with her fast friends, Maria (in white) and Stephanie. Maria was one of the slumber-party planners :)

The next day was onto a park to visit with our friends who have moved to Texas. It was great to see them again and to meet their 4th and newest child. Here is Sam playing with Siena (just 2 weeks older than him). Elena, Jerome and Elliot were too fast to get a good picture!

That evening brought us to the home of one of Seth's co-workers. I will be sponsering their daughter for her upcoming confirmation so we stopped there for some confirmation preperation and a delicious supper. Our kids were once again in 7th heaven in a home with 8 children (ranging from 18 to 5 months) and 9 puppies! Our visit lead into a spur of the moment sleep-over with a big morning breakfast. Here is Sam, playing cars with Paul.

These puppies, by the way, are available for anyone who wants one. They are 3/4 labrador and 1/4 golden retriever. They would make good hunting dogs and are great with children - they're also very cute! Let me know if you're interested.