New Bench

When Etta was born our good friend Nancy Nelson got her a bench. Bob was very good and got it put together right away. Fast forward a couple of years. Nancy got Mae her own bench...but Bob just got around to putting it together. It's a hit!

Come sit with me sister!

And this is our dog, Lena.

Thanks, Nancy!!!

Benny

Etta met Benny awhile ago. But Mae hadn't met him until after school got out this year. He was a hit.

Kisses for Benny.

Etta still loves him.

Hug goodbye.

Deary

Memorial Day 2012

We are all loving our time at Deary this summer.

[Mae is holding the dogs leashes. Even the little dogs got to go that day. And didn't have to be on leashes or leads!!]

Getting Serious

When Etta was younger, probably around the time she turned two and before Mae came, we would take time to "play" the guitar and other instruments. Then things got . . . busy . . . and we hadn't done it for awhile. Last Friday, the first day of Bob's summer vacation, we were kind of adrift in our free time. Etta asked if we would take out our guitars and play. Before she kind of liked to just mess around, but this time she seemed interested in actually playing the guitar. May be time to break out a mini guitar for her. Thankfully Grandma Cathy got one a couple of years ago and we were just waiting for the right time to give it to her. Christmas is coming!

Strum with the thumb.

Even getting some left hand finger action in.

Mae and Bob shared his guitar for awhile but she soon lost interest. The case could contain more fun things anyway. I think she may be in the choir someday...

Friday Morning Ritual

Watching the garbage truck.

Butterflies!

For Etta's birthday Grandma Cynthia got her some butterflies. Well, actually, she got her some...larvae...I guess. We got to watch the process of going into cocoons and coming out as butterflies. And then set them free. Really a neat process that goes along with all of the nature learning we've been doing. (We've been eating lettuce, arugala and endive that we've grown, strawberries are ripening and our pea plants finally have a few blooms on them!!) 

Seeing if they will fly out of the cage themselves.

Of course Miss Mae has to get in on the action.

New Bed

It seems just like yesterday that we moved Etta into the toddler bed. But apparently it was almost two years ago. Well, she was starting to have to sleep a little diagonally to fit. So we figured it was time to move her into a big bed. She really enjoys it. And she's only been . . . flopping around . . . and bonked her head twice. No harm, no foul.

Definitely loves the bigger bed.

And there is a bit more room for all of her "stuff".

Mae did not get into a new bed. But her bed did get moved. She still sleeps all. over. the. crib. So I don't think that she is quite ready for a bigger bed. She'll be there sooner than later I'm sure!

4th Grade Rendezvous

In Idaho in the 4th grade all students learn about Idaho history. In Lewiston all 4th graders (including private schools) get to participate in the 4th Grade Rendezvous. There are approximately 28 different stations/activities related to Idaho history in which the students partake. One station is wagon rides with a sing-a-long. Bob always rides on a wagon. I have tried to take Etta every year. Both girls were excited to go this year.

Waiting and watching for daddy's wagon.

Waiting for the ride to start. It was a full wagon so I didn't go along for the ride. I asked Etta if she sang along with the songs. She replied, "I just sat very quietly".

Hair Cut

And when I say "hair cut" I pretty much mean hair. cut. As you can tell she only needed approximately six or eight hairs cut to get her bangs out of her eyes. I would say she was happy with the result. It's incredible how different a person can look with half a centimeter trimmed off of about eight hairs!

Cat Girls

Yesterday the girls decided to wear some Cat gear. Grandma Cynthia wanted pictures, so here you go!

I said, "Okay girls, let's take some pictures for Uncle Erik!" Mae hopped right to, was posing and ready. Cheese!!

Etta finally moseyed on over. Mae thinks that she is hilarious - most of the time. And we had already brushed her hair. I swear. 

(With silly faces) demonstrating the concept of:
"near"...

and "far".

The Summer of the Oo-oo (aka: Gorilla)

One night when we went down to Hell's Gate to have dinner and enjoy the surroundings, Etta found a little plastic gorilla under the swings. She quickly lost interest but Mae found a new best friend. She proceeded to carry it around that entire evening playing with it. Including setting it gently on the swing and pushing it. While I didn't get any pictures of that it did give me the idea to get some photo ops of different activities that we do this summer.

Last Friday we went to the levee to feed the ducks and geese.