Little Bits of Cute

My friend, Lisa, has dubbed this the "Summer of the Yellow Dress" for miss Eleanor. We got this dress as a hand-me-down from LaDonna's daughter, Kelby, who is now a senior in high school. Yup, it is about 14 years old but still in good shape and it is Eleanor's favorite dress of all time. If this dress is clean, Eleanor is wearing it. There is no arguing with her. She would wear this dress every single day if she could.

 And who could blame her for wanting to wear something that makes her feel like this?

I went on a little hiking trip with my friends, Colleen and LaDonna, for my birthday and while I was away the kids decided they needed to make me some toys as a present. (Doesn't that sound a little like "honey, I bought you a gun for your birthday?") Anyway, Penelope told Aaron what she wanted and how to make it. So I came home to a flower transport semi-truck with a removable trailer . . .

and a tractor. Of course, I am not allowed to play with these. Or so it seems. Because Sullivan screams loudly in protest every time I touch them.

And for the last little bit of cute; chubby cheeks in a helmet.

First, First Day of School

My good friend, LaDonna, and I were talking the other day and we realized that this is their family's last, first day of school and our first, first day of school. There are lots of first days of school ahead of us and what a great way to start off. Penelope was so excited and had fun choosing her outfit and how she wanted her hair done. And I surprised her with a cake (K for kindergarten) which she got to eat after school.

Penelope just had to share the excitement with Eleanor. And Eleanor just soaked up the one-on-one time with Mom that she got that day.

When we got to the school Penelope tried to convince me that I could just drop her off and she could find her classroom just fine without me. Ummm, no. I did let her go in by herself on the second day (and I followed her closely to make sure she made it there ok.) Today I was brave enough to let her get out at the curb and go play in the playground until the bell rang. I didn't even get out of the car. Go me!

And Sullivan just likes to have his picture taken. Although, he really did miss Penelope all day. He kept saying "Pelpy? Pelpy?" And then I would reply she was at school and he would resume playing. After his nap I went in to get him and he was being a little grumpy, not wanting to get out of the crib. As soon as I said "Let's go get Penelope from school" he was up and jumping up and down in the crib. "Pelpy! Pelpy!" Cuteness.

We have all day kindergarten here in Montana and I really wish I had a camera on me as Penelope was walking up the hall to me at the end of the day. She was exhausted. But a big piece of delicious cake took care of that problem in a hurry! What a great first, first day of school.

Fair Time

We have had such a fun and busy week. I feel like I haven't been home at all in the last 3 days and Aaron's parents are coming to visit on Tuesday and I have done nothing, nothing, to prepare for their visit. But it was worth it to see my kids having so much fun this week.

We started off with the pet and doll parade on Thursday. Sullivan and Eleanor rode in the wagon and Penelope walked. I got Sullivan's little firefighter jacket at a garage sale that very same day. It worked perfectly with our firefighter hat.

 Eleanor didn't really care what she wore as long as it sparkled and was pretty.

 Penelope was a fairy princess who forgot her wings in the car. :)

On Thursday and Friday we went to the fair. Thursday we looked at all of the exhibits and animals and Friday we did rides. It was so hot that we brought spray bottles to keep the kids cool. We went with our good friends, the Young family, and so here is Sullivan with Silas. Spraying each other of course.

There was a little play area for small children that had musical instruments, bowling, soccer, drawing, ball pit, etc. I think we went back to this spot 3 times.

 Oh yes, snow cones were also a great way to stay cool. And as an added bonus they were so yummy!

Penelope couldn't get enough of riding rides. She and her friend, Kael, could have kept going all night long. Their favorite ride was the Tilt a Whirl.

 Eleanor and Kael.

Sullivan LOVED this ride. I took him off of the ride and he just cried and cried so the girl who was running the ride let him back on and he rode it 4 more times in succession before he was willing to get off. I think it must have been the steering wheel that he loved so much.

Saturday morning was the Fun Run. Penelope and I did the 1 mile in 7 minutes, 20 seconds. I am always amazed at Penelope's running. She just kept a nice, steady pace the whole time and didn't stop once. She and I both won in our age categories. I tried to get Eleanor to run but she just wouldn't. Her reason? She wanted to wear her pretty shoes. :)

 Penelope won sunglasses, a sports bag and a water bottle.

 Kael, Penelope, Eleanor and Silas after the race.

 Sullivan enjoying the apples that they had at the race.

After the run, we went to the parade. The kids had a great time seeing all of the participants but by far their favorite thing is the candy.

Aaron actually got to go with us to the parade. Here he is being his normal goofy self, carrying the chairs back to the car.

Deer, Oh Deer

We are all moved in to our new house. Oh believe me, there is still plenty to do. I have a total of 3 pictures on the walls and a lot of re-organizing to do but we are mostly unpacked. I blame my sister, Janet, who came to help for 3-4 hours the Saturday after we moved in. And I'll tell you, she kept me on my toes the entire time she was here. We unpacked the whole kitchen and laundry/craft room while she was here. Probably 50 boxes. She would unpack everything and put it on the counter and I would frantically shove things in cabinets, trying desperately to keep up. Still, it was nice to get everything in so quickly. So thanks, Janet.

This is such a fun property. I have had lots of friends comment that you feel like you are out in the woods. And it does feel like that but then you look out of the windows in the back and you can see the whole town. But it is also fun to see things like this little guy. He just sauntered up to the house and started munching on my flowers. That doesn't bother me so much but I now am convinced that we will need a fence around our vegetable garden.

The kids were sleeping when the first deer came into our yard and Penelope kept telling me that she wanted to see a deer. Well, she got her wish last night. This was a bigger buck and wasn't quite as brass as the other deer. He was still on our property but didn't come up to nibble my flowers.

 He looked right at me and so naturally I said "Hi deer." He didn't hang out much longer after that.

 I love living in a small town. We had a little street fair/art walk this weekend. They had a dunk booth, a train that gave rides up and down main street, pedal tractors, a bounce house, food vendors, art work and classic cars. Penelope was in heaven. Eleanor and Sullivan were feeling a little shy that day and stuck close to me but they still had a great time. Eleanor in particular liked the classic cars and pointed out the pink one every time we passed. All of the kids events were free and it was so much fun.

For the Love of Books

Sullivan loves books. In fact, "book" was one of his first words.

 He often asks me to read to him and when I am busy he just helps himself to the books. Which is just fine until you realize that to get to the books here in our rental he has to first. . .

 climb on to the top of the piano. (Cue running.)

He doesn't know anything is wrong with this picture. He just wanted the books. 

 Luckily, not all of his escipades end with my heart racing.

 Most of the time I just think, "oh what a cute little man."