Lazy Days of Summer???

I've never really understood the lazy part. I've yet to have a summer where all I do is lounge around in the sun sipping lemonade. As far as I know, the start of summer doesn't magically stop dust from collecting or keep the the toilets sparkling.

Here's what's been happening on our end:

We celebrated Alex's 3rd birthday the end of May. He requested a Mickey Mouse cake. I quickly found that the cake pans that are supposed to outline the designs are anything but easy. Thankfully I was able to free-hand most of the design. My aunt was able to fly up for Alex's birthday and meet Aaron for the first time. We don't get to see my family too often. It's always bittersweet when they come to visit.

June's big event was-- Aaron decided to crawl.

July was very eventful:

Alex and Aaron got to meet the M&M's from WY and see Grandpa Bede and Grandma Rose. He's yet to stop talking about his cousins.

My aunt and uncle from AR came up.

We went to the fair. Alex LOVED feeding the animals. He was disappointed he couldn't pet a turkey!?

I turned 30 on the 11th. It's something I had been dreading for over a year. I'm not really sure why. I guess I figured I'd no longer be able to relate to young people. 29 sounds so much younger than 30. Paul made the transition very easy for me. On Friday he brought home chippers and a chocolate rose. Saturday morning he gave me a really cool necklace. On Saturday night he surprised me with dinner and play. I knew something was going on that night, but I didn't know the specifics. Nancy and Todd were at Toscana to surprise me. It was pretty neat. Then they treated me to dessert. You should have seen us eat our way through over $4o worth of dessert....yum, yum. Sunday was my actual b-day. I woke up to a fresh chocolate chip pancakes and a mocha. The boys got me an MP3 player and arm band for the gym. I was finally able to get rid of my junky radio that didn't work most of the time! That days we smoked ribs. Monday came and it was like the day after Christmas. I guess I'll have to wait until my 40th for another b-day celebration like that....AHHHH.

Towards the end of July we headed out to MN to pick wild blueberries and raspberries. It was so peaceful. We even stayed out through a pretty strong t-storm. We ended up with a bountiful harvest and fairly tick free.

I'm pretty sure August will be just as busy. Maybe some day I'll find those lazy days.

weak stomach??...don't read!

I debated on whether or not I should post this. However, reflecting on the moment, I decided that this must be archived!

Most of the time I get to do very little in the garden. Someone is either sleeping, eating or I don't take the time to get every coated in bug repellent. Tonight I decided that even with the mosquitoes being nasty, I would lather everyone up and we'd all go outside to pick veggies. As Aaron is getting more mobile, I worry about him launching himself over the edge of the wagon. I decided to spread out our picnic blanket instead. This usually works well because he isn't a fan of the grass just yet. We were happily pulling carrots and conptemplating picking the beans when I heard, "Ack! Ack!" I looked back and noticed something in front of him on the blanket. I thought Alex had put something in front of him, and he was chewing on it. I scurried over only to be completely mortified. My sweet baby was playing/eating dog poop!!! I thought I was going to barf. I quietly but sternly yelled, "Paul, Paul get over here!" Laid back Paul didn't move too quickly but there was no way I was yelling, "Get over here. Aaron's eating dog shit!" for the whole neighborhood to hear. Paul picked him up and hauled him in. We quickly got him cleaned up. He's now squeaky clean! We think Gus is to blame.

What a day!

Garden Party

This weekend Fargo Parks put on a garden party at Rheault Farm. Alex was very excited and kept saying he was going to the party garden. Not quite!

It turned out to be really neat. Each kid was given a passport to be stamped at each station. The zoo from Wahpeton was there. They had a tortoise just wandering around for kids to touch, a big python, a ferret and a vulture (not for petting). There was a station to plant flowers seeds for the kids to take home, a plant walk (Alex won a flower pack), bug hunt, smell and feel plants, 3 crafts, the bug man (didn't get to see his table) and face painting. Plus, they provided free snacks. Alex really enjoys smelling flowers, so this was a blast for him. When we are at the grocery store it isn't the candy or cookie aisle we have to drag him away from, but the floral department!

Sunday morning we were greeted by our annual visitors. The mallard ducks are back! They were in the front yard this time. Usually they meander about the back. This is the 3rd year we've had ducks. I guess it's the female returning, but I'm going to check with my buddy, Mike, in fish and wildlife to see if that's correct. I remember that ducks are monogamous for a season, so that's why I think it's the same female. I hope to see them more through the summer!

..that's what we've been up to!

It's been a rocky month or so. Alex is having some issues with being a sibling. I thought this sort of acting out would have happened back 5 months ago. It seems like we've regressed. I think it could be a combination of many things, but he is really struggling to gain independence. I'm more than happy to let him spread his wings, but he gets a little to big for his britches. I try to give him little decisions to make like what to wear, lunch choice, he gets to help with chores and dinner (this might seem nice but it makes these tasks take way longer) and such. Our biggest obstacle has been revenge. He has decided that if he's mad about something like having a time out or not being able to watch tv, for example, then he will pee in the floor. It's by no means an accident....just an "I'll show you!" It's pure craziness! I've tried every solution I can think of. It's slowly getting better, but it's not solved.

Yesterday was another one my worst mom of the year moments. Usually we keep the gates to the fence chained and locked due to them mysteriously opening. We think it's the little neighbor girl. Anyway, we are getting a sprinkler system put in, so we've left the gate unlocked because there are people coming everyday to mark with flags. Well, yesterday afternoon the doorbell was going crazy and the neighbor tells me that the dogs are running around and headed for the main street! I had to think fast. They may be bassets, but I had no idea how long they had been out. So I decided that it would take too long to put Aaron in his seat and Alex in his seat. I chose to put Aaron in the crib and take Alex with me. Also, Alex had no pants on...a totally different story involving chaffing. I barely turned around the block and saw the dogs. I breathed a sigh of relief, got them in the car, and drove back around the block. I wasn't even gone 3 minutes. So I close the gate and unload everyone. I go to open the door to the house...hmm..it's LOCKED! Ok, we've got an extra key...no big deal. Our door knob isn't one I'd suggest on buying. This happens all the time. Well, there's no extra key. Panic is now setting in. So, I go over to the crazy neighbors house with my pant less kiddo and ask to use the phone. I explain that the baby is locked in the house. They start chattering whatever language they speak, and I knew it was in astonishment. I wanted to tell them not to judge me since they let their 4-5 year old drive cars and never have put her in a car seat. I finally get a hold of Paul and he tries to tell me that there is a key and what it looks like...blah, blah, blah....as if I know none of this. I hang up on him and go back thinking maybe I totally over looked this stupid key. Nope! I haul Alex back over to the crazy house and use the phone again. Thankfully Paul was smart enough to get his hind end in the car and head home! Of course, we know what really happened to the gate. It wasn't the wind like the neighbors claimed. It was helluva windy day, but it doesn't lift the gate thingy, swing against that strong of wind, and lower the gate thingy back down.

Chocolate & Storms

Two of my favorite things and also words that come to mind when I look at my boy's eyes.

Alex: eyes like chocolate. Not deep like dark chocolate but more like creamy milk chocolate.

Aaron: sometimes bright and blue and other times blue/grey... just like storm clouds rolling in on a summer's eve.

I don't know if either will retain these beautiful colors, but, for now, I'll enjoy each moment of them.

Pictures and potty time

Aaron's pictures are available to view at www.cheriesphotography.com. Click order online and scroll to my name.

We've had some excitement at our house. Alex is well on his way to being potty trained. I had no intentions of working with him on this because he did not exhibit the "signs" of being ready. While at my parents he started asking to go on the potty. He's continued ever since. We are going on little over a week of only night time diapers. I had gotten Pull-Ups but abandoned that idea and decided to go cold turkey. The first day of doing so was a bit of a struggle but after a couple of times of having wet pants he cooperated. He need some help with pooping, so last night I got him a poop book. He had me read it several times this morning and tonight he felt comfortable enough to go on the potty! He's even told me he needed pee in public ( I put him in a Pull -Up then just in case). I'm so excited about this milestone!

smiles, belly laughs, b-days and beer!

That's just some of what we have been up to in 2010!

Today is my last day of being toddler free. Alex took his first vacation away from us starting on Friday afternoon. It's been kind of strange not having him around. It's been quiet and almost boring. I'm glad though that he can be away from us and not get upset about it. Of course, what could be better than hanging out with grandparents!?

Paul held his annual stout party this past Saturday which was the reason Alex wasn't around. He would have LOVED the people, but I figured bedtime and trying to get things ready while he was around might be a problem. The party mostly consisted of fellow brewers. Thankfully there were a few women.

Paul "celebrated" his 31st b-day on the 8th. It was very uneventful. My present didn't turn out and the dessert he picked wasn't made because I didn't have all the ingredients. He had to shovel when he got home, so Alex and I had to eat without him. His request for his birthday meal was, in his words, "a big, nasty omelet." I kind of felt bad for him, but he didn't seem to really care. I did finally make his peanut butter bars this week.

Aaron has turned in to quite a little Buddha baby. We've been surprised by him. We figured we were doomed after Alex being such an easy baby. Some how we managed an even better tempered baby! I have no idea how that worked. I'm a little leery because Alex was a very good baby, but he is a very stubborn and on the go toddler. I think we pay in toddler hood. I'm hoping this trend doesn't continue or else our excellent baby will be even more work than Alex as a toddler. YIKES! :)

Aaron has found his voice and has been giving us huge belly laughs. He is so smiley....except for yesterday during his first photo session. He was too focused on what was going on. He did manage to make a huge poopy diaper about 10 minutes in. UGH...I used every wipe I had and hoped he was finally done. He isn't a napper. He's more of 30 minutes of napping here and there. I'm not quite used to that. Thankfully the lack of napping doesn't make him fussy. It will be interesting to see if he is an anti napper as he gets older.

When Aaron's pictures are up, I will put the link to them on here.