Silly Sprinkler

As our days of summer wind down, we're trying to find new ways to spice up the time we have left. Last week, I found this sprinkler in a closet. Apparently I bought it a couple of years ago and promptly forgot about it. So? Sprinkler time!

Bookin' It

Recently, Hudson has rediscovered the joy of books. I say rediscovered because I'm pretty sure he liked them as an infant, but now he really gets the purpose of them. And enjoys it! Not really reading (not yet), because I can't say that he enjoys hearing the story read aloud to him. Rather, he prefers to point out specific pictures and say their names. It's especially fun if someone says to him, "Where's the red bird, Hudson? Find the red bird!" He giggles and grins and points a precious little finger at whatever he's been asked to find. Every once in awhile, especially if he's sleepy, he'll sit long enough to listen to a reading. But mostly he likes for books to be interactive and fun. Singing is another part of the experience he loves. We have an especially fun musical version of Brown Bear, Brown Bear (pictured above) that he dances to every time.

I always knew I loved this toddler stage with Ava, but it's so much fun to rediscover it with my little man. He's learning his colors, new words every day, and he's so curious about what he sees and hears in books. Is it because I'm an English teacher? An avid reader myself?

Nah, it's probably just because I'm one proud mama! Keep reading, Hudson!

4-H Fair

All this week, Erik and I have been promising the kids we'd take them to the Dubois County 4-H Fair. Of course, something seemed to come up every night, and we were unable to go. Then we realized it was Friday; if we didn't go, then we'd forfeit our promise. So despite the sweltering heat, we packed up our gear and headed out.

Our best move was deciding to eat at Fazoli's on the way, and in the air-conditioning! In fact, Hudson was so happy from his pasta and breadsticks that he was in a mellow mood for the rest of the evening. He pretty much just chilled in his stroller while at the fair. Despite all that heat, he was Mr. Cool. Observe:

Apparently most of the animals thought it was just too hot as well, cause the only thing left in the barns was a goat, a cow, a horse, and a couple of pigs. Ava petted the horse and the goat, and decided the rides were where the action was.

She went on a couple herself, then convinced me to ride inside the hottest strawberry ever. Needless to say, after considering the price and the heat, we made short work of the rides. Then grabbed a couple of lemon shake-ups on our way out.

In all, our trip to the 4-H fair this year was quick and effective. We saw a few animals, rode a few rides, and visited with a few people.

Mostly, we sweated. And we could do that anywhere.

i luv u

Yesterday, Ava walked into the living room with a toy cell phone and a smile. Actually, it was my old cell phone. And it was really more of a grin. She waved said phone in Erik's direction.

Ava: Hey, Dad, did your cell phone buzz yet?

Erik: Huh?

Ava: (more waving of her cell phone) I just texted you! Did your cell phone buzz yet?

Erik: Huh?

At this point, I interceded and nudged him knowingly. It's a game! She's playing with you!

Erik: (finally getting it) Oh, awesome, Ava! It just buzzed. What did your text say?

Ava: It said, I love you.

This simple little moment melted my heart. Modern technology meets old-fashioned sweetness! i luv it.

Photographic Memory

Ask what I wore when I took this photo & I bet she could tell you!

Last year (actually, I think it was more than a year ago, because at the time I was still pregnant with Hudson), Ava and I made a random stop at Holiday Foods in Jasper. We never shop there, but for some reason we were close by and required some groceries. We popped in and hurriedly gathered our victuals. While in the salsa aisle, a man in front of us knocked off a jar; it shattered in the middle of the aisle. Salsa everywhere!

Apparently, it made quite an impression on my daughter.

A few days ago, we found ourselves in the same situation. Close to Holiday Foods. In need of groceries. Honestly, we hadn't been there since that random day over a year ago. This time, all I needed was some ground chuck. Holding Ava's hand, without thinking, I hurried through the salsa aisle to get to the meat area.

Suddenly, a tug at my hand.

Ava: Hey, Mom, look! (pointing at that specific spot on the floor) That's where that man made a mess the last time we were here. Remember?

Me: Holy shit! (or some similar verbal shock) How can you possibly remember that?

Ava: I know! He knocked something off and it broke! Right. There.

After relaying this occurrence to my husband, we are now considering the possibility that our first-born child may have a photographic memory. Either that, or she just simply rocks the house! And I'm so not saying this to brag! I just honestly, completely, shockingly cannot believe she remembered that random moment from a long-ago random grocery trip. I can't even remember what I did yesterday. Or where I left Hudson's other shoe. Amazing!

Flower Girl

This weekend was a very important one for our family. Not only did Ava make her debut as a flower girl, but my cousin Sara married her love of six years, Levi. It was a blessed event for everyone involved and a joy in which to take part. I was so impressed with both families! They worked together beautifully for this wedding, nothing but love, support, and happiness. In fact, the only drama from the whole weekend was when Ava cried going down the aisle! Sweet, brave little girl! I know Sara & Levi will have a wonderful marriage to go along with their lovely wedding. Congrats you two!

I wish I could include all of my photos from the big day, but here are a few of my favorites:

Wedding party

Big-girl make-up

Admiring the results

Ava w/her friends (& the flower girls from my wedding)

Smith family pic

On the dance floor

Fourth of July "Weekend"

Enjoying a patriotic snack

Happy Fourth of July! I hope everyone had a fabulous time celebrating our country and spending time with family and friends. Our family certainly did! In fact, we had so much planned that we ended up extending our "weekend" with an impromptu overnight at Evansville. This was our first trip away with both kids (if you can call an hour away a trip!) and we gained some valuable insight about traveling with a drama queen and an independent toddler!

A quick recap? Of course!

On Sunday, we spent the day eating, visiting, and swimming. Both of my kids love the water! In fact, they exerted so much energy in the pool that both were fast asleep well before fireworks time. So Erik and I rented a movie and listened to the city park's fireworks display from our living room.

On Monday, we packed up the family and headed to Evansville. We had several stops to make, plus some shopping to do at the mall. Nothing major or noteworthy. Then back to our hotel for some more swimming! That night, the kids enjoyed just being at the hotel and playing together (although Hudson later refused to sleep in his Pack 'n' Play and Mommy got no sleep).

On Tuesday, we visited the Children's Museum of Evansville for the first time. It was nice that there were features that appealed to both a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old. Even though it was a blast, the kids were tired and ready to head home by the end of our time there. We hope to go back when we have more time to spend.

Basically, we had a fun and busy holiday. And even though we enjoyed our quick trip to E'ville, we realized that longer travel might not be in our immediate future. It's a lot of work packing everyone up, monitoring two kids at all times, and trying to maintain an important routine while away from home. Whew!

P.S. I was too lazy today to copyright the pics, so enjoy the wordless images. :)

Backyard Cool

Future heartbreaker

Hide-and-go-seek

Sanctity of the Nap

I'm going to be honest; I LOVE sleep. I mean—let's face it—sleep is one of those things our bodies naturally require. And as my husband can report, I am not a happy camper if I don't get my sleep.

Which means my children need their sleep.

Now, this is not—as some of you may think—a post about babies, toddlers, or children who won't nap. Nope, not this one. This post is about those moments when naps go off without a hitch. Dreamland has arrived! Mommy has some much needed rest opportunity, or time to complete chores, or whatever. Yes! And then.....

Ding. Dong.

Why, why, why do people manage to ring my doorbell at the very moment my children slip into a nap? If this was an isolated event, believe me when I say I would shrug and move on and get over it. But it's never a singular incident. Never. Does this happen to other people as well?

Like me, my children are light sleepers. Yes, a doorbell wakes them up! And while I realize the strangers ringing my doorbell (because friends and family never do that, being understanding and respectful and all those wonderful things) do not know there is a sleeping child on the premise, I cannot help but feel overwhelmingly furious at them. You see, the woman waiting for you behind the door of my house totally depends upon whether or not you've just awakened my child—either of them—from a nap.

Just ask the poor boy selling magazines who stopped by the other day. I was exhausted. Hudson was sleeping downstairs, mere feet from the front door. Ava was quietly playing in the playroom. Perfect! I settled onto the couch, felt my eyes go heavy, and reveled in the perfectness of it all.

Ding! Dong!

Poor guy never knew what hit him. As Ava flew into the living room, as Hudson blearily opened his eyes and began to squirm, I felt my blood pressure rise. I flung open the door not caring about my flyaway hair or the fact that I still had a dot of toothpaste on a random pimple (people still do that, right?). There stood a short, stodgy boy with a clipboard; I'm pretty sure he was selling magazines. He opened his mouth to begin his spiel, but I couldn't help myself. He had just ruined my perfect nap. Plus, I already looked crazy. Might as well back that up with my behavior. Before he could get the first word out, I shook my head and growled. Yes, my name is Lori, and I'm a growler. No words came out, just a rumble of frustration. Both furious at him and shocked at myself, I simply slammed the door in his face. Did I feel guilty about that? Yes! What can I say?

But that DOESN'T EVEN COMPARE to Monday. Because Monday? Erik was gone on a golf trip to Indy, Hudson was just getting over his virus, and I was exhausted. By some miracle, Hudson was napping. Ava was playing. I was desperate for a nap. See a pattern here? Yup.

Ding. Dong.

This time, I decided to just ignore it. Maybe if I did, this person would just go away. Maybe I would get lucky and Hudson would sleep through it.

Ding. Dong.

Okay, just to be safe, I took a peek through the playroom window to see who it was. My neighbor, Bill, holding an envelope. Crap! He'd seen my van. He knew I was home. Maybe he'd take the hint, leave the envelope on my porch, and go home.

What he did instead was put his thumb to the doorbell and press down. Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong.

O.M.G. Those next few minutes were a total blur. I know that Hudson woke up. I know that I opened the door and somehow, someway, held a perfectly respectable conversation with my neighbor about how he had mistakenly received a piece of our mail. I know I shut the door and fumed about yet another interruption. I know I somehow ended up with a hammer in my hand, standing on my front porch.

All right, calm down, I didn't injure anyone in my muted fury! Nope, not me. Instead, I very calmly cocked my head, considered my doorbell, and proceeded to WHACK IT OFF WITH THE HAMMER. Yes, I did. Not my proudest moment, but you know what? I dare anyone else to try and ring that sucker while my kids are napping. It won't so much as make a peep.

Now I've just got to figure out what to do about any future knocking.....