Just for Fun

As much as this little girl would love to go outside.... She will just have to keep up her wishful thinking till the triple digit temps die down!!! :)

The phase we are in...

Is so much fun. So far I think that just about to be two-year-olds are pretty much the best.  I know it is kind of cliche to say that "motherhood just gets better and better" but it is true!  Why do I know this?

We've gone through a box of bandaids in a matter of weeks (for some real "injuries", yes) but mostly because they fix all visible and INvisible boo-boos.

Toes must be painted pink at all times.

Blueberries are "bluesies" and strawberries are "stawbees."  Also, "Dis' some good melon!" is something you might hear.

Counting sounds likes this, "1,2,4,6,7,8,10!" Other numbers are optional.

JB is already getting tickled nightly. Poor brother better get used to serious affection.

Name is spelled "E-M-E". Out loud, frequently. And these are the most important letters of the alphabet.... clearly!

"I draw, Mom. Star, heart, circle!"

Night time prayers include being thankful for chocolate milk.

Life is good :)

Do Everything

I recently heard this song on the radio by Steven Curtis Chapman. It reminded me also of some of the things I have been reading in the book The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson.  The lyrics of the first verse just remind me that no matter how small the act, or how routine, or how hum-drum, or how "meaningless," everything I do can be done to the glory of God and it is made "meaningful!"

You’re picking up toys on the living room floor
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost
Cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips
and head out the door
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you
Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
Little stuff big stuff in between stuff
God sees it all the same

Happy 4th of July!

Wisconsin Memories

 Family picture while Emme was napping.

 Enjoying strawberry shortcake with Daddy!

 My personal strawberry :)

 Lovin' some park time!

 Riding high on the biggest slide at the park...

Catching a hug from Uncle Scott.

Look Who's Talkin'

We hear a lot lately coming from our almost 2 year old.... some common phrases... there are so many now it is really hard to keep up with!

I shoppin'
I runnin'
I jumpin'
I dancin'
Grammy
Pappy
Shcott (as in Uncle Scott)
Peekee & Bullet (puppy dogs she loves)
Outfit
I go peepee/poopoo
Emme silly
E-M-M-E (She will spell her name out)
1-2-3-4- 6- 9- 10! (Her way of counting to 10, especially fingers and toes)
I play
Jazz-cise :) (this makes me happy)
Shewwwweee (when there is a stinky diaper)
Scuuuze me (after burping)
I do it
Good Job, Mama! (personal favorite)
Emme cozy (after being in her big girl bed)

Summer Days

Have I mentioned how much I love summer?!? It is so wonderful to have Ben at home and I can not express how awesome it is for him to get extra time at home with Emme. There are really challenging things about teaching, but having extended time with Ben is such a huge bonus that it makes up for it! I am trying to soak up all of the fun times together as our family of three, knowing that it will be different (exciting and wonderful, but also an adjustment!) next summer having a 7 month old also in tow ;)

We are enjoying the carefree schedule we get to have.  Days look something like this:
Wake up & have breakfast together
Jazzercise with Emme while Daddy gets his workout/ Hang around the house and play
Eat lunch
Nap
Play and Eat an easy dinner (favs this summer include pb&j, grilled cheese, or something on the grill)
Pool Time!! (Emme coined this term by the way)
Bed Time

Basically this is our M.O. from June to August and I just love it! It is so fun to watch Emme play at the water park. We love the fact that she can go up the slides all by herself and it is so neat to see her jumping up and down in the water and enjoying the season. Some of my favorite memories of my childhood are at the pool and I am glad she will have those as well. It is great having such a cool place right down the road from our house- we will bring her PJ's to the pool and stay there till it closes. She is so exhausted when we are done she heads right to bed.

Here's to many more days of fun in the sun!!