adventures in grasshopper hunting part 1

I just can't get over how effortlessly you ride your bike, Jacob. It's like you've been practicing for months and sadly it's more like once a month you get to ride. 

I'd say today was another successful adventure. You caught and released 5 grasshoppers and only saw 4 escape their death from the fish below. 

It was warm enough for someone to treat you two to an ice cream and "shicken" at Culvers.  I'd say it was a pretty special day. 

A little girl and her horses

So, is this a phase that all girls go through? I'd say I'm enjoying it as a mom. I love watching you talk nonsense to your plastic four legged friends. I don't even mind getting pulled by a string for a walk or reading you pony stories over and over again. The other day I had to buy you your first pair of cowgirl boots. If your feet grow I might be buying you two pair this season...so I guess I should let you wear a hole in them. 

I'm looking forward to a couple horse rides this fall and will do what I can to make sure we get them. Until then, keep on dreaming and playing! Oh and hopefully the two foot tall pony won't be on your wish list come Christmas time! 

"Thanks Dad...you are the best."

This summer your dad is getting quite the thank you's and it is usually after a fishing trip or an extra stop at the firework stand. Last week it might have been because the trains made it out for a summer excursion around the basement floor which you and me both were happy about. 

Your dad deserves a huge thank you for our driveway and upgrading the hoop to be the hoop that the older neighbor boys want to play on and will tolerate playing with a younger kid to do so. 

We look forward to watching you grow into this hoop and developing your hockey and basketball skills on the driveway. 

So thanks Todd, you are the best. Thanks for working hard to support all of the fun things we do as a family. Especially the ones that cost more than I like to spend:) 

In July...

We picked 2 pints of blueberries from our tiny bushes. You nearly ate them all by yourself. 

Had fun with sparklers and more in the backyard with three neighbor boys

This guy made it to our sparkler display at Pa and Grandmas, but ducked out just in time! 

You both continued to be wiped out from travels and somehow managed to make it into our bed half way through the night.

You guys went to vacation bible school together for 4 nights. I can't believe they welcomed kids your age for 4 hours!!

Had a couple nice days at new parks

Made it to the ice cream social where our neighbor, Grace, can show you off! You guys played these games for over an hour and collected a bunch of ----!

Had the best breakfast with Doni and enjoyed splitting a pancake and listening to tunes on the juke box

Treated you guys to a visit to the "state fair" when you realized it's getting smaller

Thoroughly enjoyed Stephanie's pool

Another bad hair cut! Help!!!

Gave me some cheesy smiles and dad supported a new camera purchase for me!!!!!!!!!!

After looking at some of these pictures I will support a haircut from the barber so you don't get made fun of at school:) 

We can wait until August for that one

Made it to the river museum to show you what a real catfish looks like

Finally got you to wear your cowboy hat at the Cowboy Mouth concert

Water balloon fun with friends

Played with more toys...usually the ones I dug out to give to someone

I hired you to be my photography assistant...

made it to your first birthday party...thanks to your dad for remembering that one:)

 

 

 

Still our little athlete 

 a couple new bike adventures

probably ate your body weight in fruit this month:)

still not pumping by yourself

You caught your first fish using your new princess fishing pole:) someone sure loves you

You were able to fill our house with the popcorn and grape scent from your trains.