Summer fun, aka pool time

We've had a weird summer. It started late and hasn't been all that hot. When it is, we make sure to use the kiddie pool. Bath time has become play time, so I figure we'd use the pool to burn some energy too. It's a good way to cool off after a long walk.



We've got some pool toys. A fish that swims, an alligator that paddles and a lobster that swishes its tail.
Wind them up and...


...in the mouth they go. Apparently Roman likes lobster.



And Zoe, she's getting the hang of splashing (and wincing).

Elm Creek some more

It's getting harder to sit down on a blanket with the two of you. You're moving too much for me to contain both of you!



Last Wednesday we found a shady spot by the play area. Right in front of us were some kids playing (on a kid-size zip line I guess is what you'd call it). You two were mesmerized. You do enjoy watching other kids play. One of these days you two will be out there...



It's actually really fun to watch you watch kids. I really wonder what you're thinking.

p.s. I had to get Zoe in the outfit again. The little skirt is just too cute.

More from Elm Creek

Beautiful flowers along the path.



A flower adorning our beautiful little girl.



Not for long. That's just as bad as a hat, Mom!

Seriously, Superman

Remember, Superman is dead serious about his duties to protect mankind.



But he's also got the cheesy grin®




p.s. Mama had fun with these this week! :)

Zo Zo's Tutus

Grandma Candy bought this for you awhile back. I can't remember if it's because Zoe on Sesame Street has a tutu, or if it's just because you're a little girl and it's fun to dress little girls up in girly things. Anyone who knows me know this is SO not a mama thing. I've been surprised though at how much fun I've had putting you in cute little outfits. It's so much fun to dress you up! I figure I better enjoy it while it lasts! And I better thank all those friends and relatives out there who have been supplying much of the wardrobe. Ok, I now get it. We don't have to get _all_ our clothes at garage sales...

When I was a little girl, as soon as I could say so, I stopped wearing dresses. Probably pink too, I don't recall that one being an issue. I do recall receiving a bunch of hand-me-down girly clothes from a family my family was friends with. I remember seeing it and thinking "no way am I going to wear that". I don't think I said it out loud, but I probably gave my mom a look like "you aren't going to MAKE me wear this are you?" I distinctly remember a green jumper. Nope. Not going to wear it. And I remember my mom thanking the other mom and saying something about how cute the clothes were. My memory may be manufactured, but hey, it's what I remember (or think I remember). I would guess my aversion to the girly clothes had something to do with the fact that I was surrounded by boys: 2 older brothers and 2 older boy cousins who lived down the block. And along with that all their friends (boys).

Superman and the cheesy grin ®

Superman makes Daddy laugh.



Superman makes Daddy squirm (Superman is testing his strength).



Superman makes alters the function of Daddy's facial muscles, which produces the cheesy grin®

Arboretum (some more)

We'll have fun with water features like this when you two are a little older. It's a stream that winds it way thru the path and down to a pond. Hopefully we won't be plucking you out of the water, but if you poke around in it, that's okay.

Superman Takes his job seriously

But how can mama take Superman seriously when he's sucking on his sister's, er... Zoe's, hairbrush?

Zo & Mom!

Back to Elm Creek

This time we entered at the Nature Center entrance.
Mama got a map. This is a big park! We took a walk on the paved trail first.


Not sure what Roman was thinking, but Zoe was ready for the camera.




Having fun. And mom was stunned at the beauty of the prairie landscape.






I had a lot of thoughts.
1) Why hadn't I been doing this all summer? Walking outside with you two every chance I got? Instead of sitting around gaining weight? Eek.




2)It's funny how a landscape can bring up memories, or stir your thoughts. I thought about a book I read in college - My Antonia. About living out on the prairie (and if I remember, how depressing it was to move there and find no trees). I thought about how beautiful the sky looked against the tall grass. How blue it was. And how beauty DOES exist in Minnesota. Sometimes I'm down on MN because there are some amazingly beautiful places out there. I took some pictures of the landscape, but it doesn't do them justice. I think the last time I paused to take a picture of the sky was in (Qwest trip!... snooze) Angel Fire, NM. Gorgeous. Never forget it.

Well, I had to go find those pictures. The snapshot in my head and the label associated says "Angel Fire". But my file name on the photo cd indicates I have it wrong. Imagine that. Outside Taos is the real location, although I do remember Angel Fire too. It's a ski area near Taos (and visited the same day I am sure)

By scanning my disc of pictures from back then, I see I took a lot of pictures of skies on that trip! Mama is getting an idea....Qwest trip 2004 might be integrated into this blog. Lots of pictures, and many with stories.

Taos:



Angel Fire:

Superman

Thought he'd play a little bit.





But Superman, he's not all just play.



He's keeping his eye out for Mommies and Daddies.

MN Landscape Arboretum

Saturday was a day Dad had to go into work. We're winding down on summer weekends, so I thought we'd better go out and about. After scanning thru my mental filing cabinet of places I wanted to go this summer I decided on the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Your uncle Dan worked there for a couple of years after he got his horticulture degree, but had to leave. Due to the fact that b)it was a job above and beyond his normal job and b) gas prices last year made the long commute difficult. Or these are the reasons I'm going with. How they align with reality, well who knows (but I think it's pretty accurate).

At ANY rate...

I saw these flowers and thought of your dad. He's put in a bunch of gaillardia in our backyard. They look a lot like these.



When I saw what this variety was called, I was thinking of you, Annie!

Superman flew in

Nice landing, Superman.

more (sculpture) garden

While Zoe laughs, Roman schemes to get the car keys. They start with this stuff younger and younger, don't they?




Roman: I'm the star of Daddy's video!
Zoe: I'm free!


Zoe: See ya later, alligator!
(at least Daddy was videotaping)

A very special visitor

I don't know how we managed it, but we had a visit from Superman!

Sit in wagon or frolic in the grass?

Sit in wagon, see sculpture.


Two way mirror?


Cool.


Sit in wagon, see flowers.



Frolic! Get out of wagon


Frolic. What are you doing Mom?


Roman likes to frolic.



Although I must admit both of them are really good when we are out and about.



Frolic! Happy to be seeing the world I guess.


Up close and personal.