The Fashionista

Helps Daddy change the oil in this...

I think I saw her grown-up twin in Boulder, CO...

The Moments

This morning we had our Oklahoma Parents as Teachers appointment.  Charissa loves playing with their kitchen, Brandt enjoys charming our sweet OPAT lady, Amy, and I enjoy visiting with a knowledgeable mommy-friend to verify that, yes, my children ARE normal!  Then she gives me great tips on how to interact with them at their developmental age. 

Yay for OPAT!

Afterward,

- I found 3 sweaters, 3 pants and 1 overall for Brandt in like-new condition from a craigslist add.
- We bought 20 books for $5 at our wonderful local library book sale.  They are adorable!  I will have to show you my favorite.  It brought tears to my eyes :-)

Once home, Charissa went down for her nap but my sweet Brandt wasn't having it.  I put him in bed and he screamed and screamed. 

Ugh. 

Now, I'm not going to lie.  I was kind of (read REALLY) interested in taking a nap myself.  Brandt has been up sometimes every hour for the past few nights.  I think he's teething.  I've been saying that for a month now...I think.

But I finally picked him up and on the spur of a moment took him outside.

We danced.  We sang.  We picked green beans and he chewed one while I bounced him to "This is the Way the Ladies Ride."  I told him I love-ah mah Bubby.  Yes sir, I do.  I told him God loves him, too, and made the beautiful day for us to enjoy. 

Then he fell asleep in my arms.

When I put him back in bed, Charissa woke up, so we read some of her new books.

I guess these moments are just waiting to be made. 

(And the oatmeal from breakfast petrified on the dining room table. And the laundry sat in it's basket.)

I'll nap when they're in college.  In between crying my eyes out.

The Park & the Pond with Auntie A.

Doug's sister came this past weekend.  She is a senior nursing student attending college about 5 hours from our home.  Charissa was so happy that "My A-A" came to see her (and her parents loved visiting, too!).

On Friday we all went to the park.  We have a playgroup that meets Friday mornings.  My friend Angela and her daughter were there.

Every article of clothing Charissa owns is from this sweet little cheeseball.  It's an ENORMOUS blessing and I thank the Lord every day!  (Well, at least once a week...)

A-A spots our daring Charissa.

 Up...

and down - on top of Mama!

A train track runs right past the park and a big train came by.  Brandt wasn't so sure what to make of it.



"Wow!  That thing is loud!"

"Uh, Mama?  Should I be scared?"

"HA!  You can't scare me, big 'ol choo-choo! 
Just you try messing with me!"

"Yep.  I really showed him."

Swinging...

and tickling!

"Push me willy, willy HIGH, A!"

That evening, Doug and Andrea both went fishing - and caught fish at the same time! We had them for lunch the next day.

Kitty Clyde was terribly interested in what was going on.

Andrea's was a little bit bigger.  I had Doug put his hand down for perspective.

The fish weren't caught in time for dinner, but I made some pork stir-fry and we ate by the pond.  Charissa was pretty excited as you can tell.

Then I asked Andrea to take an honest-to-goodness picture of me and Doug together since I'm always behind the camera.

We went back in the house and ate homemade vanilla ice cream to celebrate Auntie A being with us.  It was a wonderful visit :-)

We love you, Auntie A!!!

There was a little girl...

She had a little curl,



Right in the middle of her forehead.
And when she was good...



She was very, very good!

But when she was bad...

She was horrid (rawthur naughty).



Brought to you by my favorite toddler.
I wouldn't trade her for the world!

Umm...

Yes, we ARE having potty training regression issues.  Why do you ask?

Our Fisherwoman!

Yesterday evening was delightfully cool.  Fall is finally coming to rescue us after the insanely hot summer!  Our little family trotted over to the pond to enjoy the beauty.  Daddy had brought his fishing pool and Miss C (being two) kept asking, "I do it!  I do it, Daddy!"  So, Daddy handed her the pole and she started reeling like a pro.  Daddy cast out, started reeling, and got a bite!  He handed it to Miss C for her to reel in by herself.

As you can see, she was a little proud.

The "picture smile"

I ran and got the camera and asked Daddy to cast out again so I could get some pictures of her reeling.

 Low and behold...she caught one!

It was a nice bass!

Daddy got it all cleaned out, I fried it, and we all had crappie and bass for dinner.

She loved it!

(Please excuse the coloring in this photo.  My camera flash is dead so I have to play around to make pictures visible!)

Here's the video!!