Overhead in the car

Dear Jesus, please have matchbox start making toy asphalt reclaimers and pavers. Either wheels or tracks is ok. Amen. Oh. I forgot. Now. 'Cause we're on our way to Target. Amen.

Late Summer

We love this time of year. It's so mellow, the mornings are cool, and there's the anticipation of school for both of them this year as Tess is starting the toddler program in a few weeks. We also need to buy some mums.

Me: ugh, we have to get some new flowers this weekend.
Tess: I know, those purple flowers are gross.

Papa's birthday at the Fair

We spent Saturday morning at the Spencer Picnic and parade. When Papa was growing up he went to this annual event with his family so we thought it would be fun to spend his birthday there. We had a great time! The kids got way more than their full of candy and Tess ride the world's scariest roundabout!

Happy birthday Papa!

Teamwork

Since vacation ended, the kids have been getting along quite well, which almost makes up for the fact that Tess has only slept through the night twice...

This morning she spilled a cup of water on the floor, after which she uttered a halfhearted "sorry I didn't mean to," and then Finn ran to the rescue with a dishcloth and a sigh, Tess, why do you always make so much work for me?!" hmm, can't imagine where he has heard ithat before!

Great Wolf Birthday

We are almost home from our 2012 road trip and today is Finn's 4TH birthday!!

Last night we stopped in Sandusky, Ohio at the Great Wolf Lodge. We hadn't been to one but basically what you get with the room is admission to an indoor water park, which was just the ticket after a long day in the car.

Poor Finn appears to have some sort of sinus infection that we hope to have resolved at a doctors appointment this afternoon (then hopefully to the pool.)

Happy Birthday Finn! You're our favorite boy in the whole wide world.

South Bend

With 600 miles to go, Tess struggles to get comfortable ...

Prairie girl

Here we are in central Nebraska! More photos coming soon...

Pilgrimage

We visited the John Deere pavilion in Moline yesterday after driving all night. Suffice to say it was a big hit. Now 100 miles from Omaha!

No comment needed

Rumplestiltskin

Finn was in a very owly mood yesterday but wouldn't take a nap, so we went to the movies and halfway through Ice Age 4, he zonked out. He practically slept standing up on the walk to the car ... And he slept until 6 am!! He was complaining about his legs hurting this morning so we suspect he grew a half inch overnight.

(I should add that this was at 3:30 p.m.)

World = Rocked

Papa and Daddy took Finn to the Chemung County Old Timers equipment show this morning and he hasn't stopped talking about it. Of particular interest was the old-fashioned rock crusher and the puppy riding on the tractor.

I have to say, I just love this picture. (Photo credit: Papa).

How Helpful!

This is "Tess's how-to guide for using the potty" by Finn. He taped it next to the toilet yesterday.

Girl with Frog

His name is Hoppy. Isn't he cute?

Our day at Knoebels

We went down to PA's family friendly amusement park for the day. The kids loved it. The are currently passed out as Aunt Heather drives us home. Ah summer!!

crumbs

Finn (upon seeing something unsatisfactory): Oh, crap.

Me: You know what I like to say? "Oh, crumbs" or "Oh, fiddlesticks."

Finn: Well, I like to say, "Oh, crap."

pre-k 1

Here's another good one from the beginning-of-summer archives that I didn't want to let slide, because I  just love the way these two photos scream "first day of school" and "last day of school"...

May he always be so confident (and happy.)

Herbs

We have a little container garden on the porch and I keep telling myself that it's there not only for cooking but for fun and learning as well (Tess knows the names of more herbs at her she than I did at 20!) Finn goes out every morning and eats some rosemary and/or thyme while Tess is partial yo digging up the parsley. I do keep the sweet basil in the kitchen since its my favorite and i use it all the time. In a few weeks we will be picking cherry tomatoes off of the vine, if they leave them alone long enough to ripen!

matching shirts

It's July - wow. How did that happen? And here I am still posting photos from June.

Here's a good one, no matter what the timing. Mimi bought this nice button-down for Andrew, and then scaled a second one down so that Finn had the exact same one in his very own size. Really just about the cutest thing ever.

Tadpoles

We love swimming lessons!! This is Tess and her friend Caroline hamming it up at the pool. We will see you in a few weeks to show off our skills, Granddad!