Sunday, July 29, 2012

July 29

Petting sweet Jersey calves at the farm where we get our raw milk.


July 28

Rocking with Daddy at our friends' 60th anniversary celebration!


July 27

Picking our own blueberries with Daddy. Not quite as big, sweet or abundant as the ones from the farm, but hey, they're ours!


July 26

Toes in the pool!


July 25

Watching the fire she and Daddy made while snuggling Panda.


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

July 24

Clara and her "child" sitting under the table. All morning Clara referred to Sadie as "my child" - "Mommy, my child is in our house (the shop), she's sleeping so be quiet," "Mommy, my child needs to come with me," "Mommy, I'm going outside with my child."


Taking a break

I figured this would come at some point. In some ways, I feel guilty because it's so close to the end of the year - why didn't I just push through? But lately I had started feeling very resentful of the camera. Like I was missing out on just being with Clara because I was worried about making sure I took pictures of her. I got pretty sick of that feeling, and took a break for three days. So, no pictures from July 21, 22 or 23.

Saturday we had a full and fun day and yes, no I do wish I had pictures of it. We spent the morning (all of us) at the fabric store and then at a great farmer's market in Troy. We will definitely be going back! We got peaches and a rosemary plant and ogled all the beautiful produce, artisanal cheeses, rustic breads, ethnic food vendors, grass-fed meat of at least 6 different types of animals, etc. It was a super fun atmosphere with a great band and tons of people. I was very thankful that we had the stroller, though, as it would have been a lot of walking for Clara! She loved riding around and taking in the sites. In the afternoon we had a retirement party for our pastor and Clara had an absolute blast playing with some little girls at the party. There was a newly-2-year-old whom Clara has met a few times before, a nearly-4-year-old who was a new friend, a 5-year-old Clara has met once or twice and then her "regular" church friends Callan and the Niles' girls were also there towards the end. Clara, the 2 year old and 4 year old played for such a long time, running around, making a train and generally having a blast.

Sunday we went to church and then up to the Niles' as usual. Clara played some and then actually napped (a rare thing for her to do there these days!) while Luke and I got to ride together for the first time in a long time! She woke up just after we got back, played a little more and then we all went to the Ice Cream Man for dinner. Another full and fun day!

Monday we did tons of laundry and some major cleaning and moving of things in the kitchen. Another good, full day with my little girl that is fast becoming a big helper. All I can think when I look at her these days is, "You are so BIG!" She has definitely spurted up and is much taller but more than that, just the way she carries herself seems "older." She moves with confidence. She uses mannerisms beyond her years. She tells stories and carries on conversations that make me wonder who in the world this big kid is and what did she do with my baby? Less than six weeks away from 3, but I have found that lately I always refer to her as "almost 3" instead of "2 and 9 months." It just fits.

July 20

Uncle Joel's future soccer partner.


July 19

Sweet little mommy, taking her baby for a horsey ride.


July 18

Little corn shucker.


July 17

More blueberries! I think Clara and Annabelle probably had at least a pint each...


July 16

Yay for rain? Puddle push-ups on the driveway anyone?


July 15

Sunday afternoon after church. Yes, that is Luke in a kilt. Can you find Clara? Fun for all on the volleyball court! (and kudos to both dads for not letting either little one get hurt!)


July 14

Popsicle!


July 13

Helping Mommy clean and organize the shelves of canned goods. Such a good little helper! "Mommy, can I clean too?"


July 12

Chalk and water on the driveway! What fun!


July 11

Looking for chickens again...


July 10

Watching the chickies enjoy some kefir.


July 9

Clara and Callan, having a blast together blueberry picking. Kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk anyone?


July 8

Taking her babies to South Dakota while Daddy and Uncle Scott spent an entire Sunday afternoon fixing Daddy's truck.


July 7

Running under the hose with her "helmet" - isn't this what every little kid does while Mommy waters the garden?


July 6

"Brushing" Mommy's hair with a nail file.


July 5

Being silly with Daddy while waiting for our new interim pastor and his wife to arrive. My terrific little two year old was a big helper unloading stuffed animals and played so well for so long - we were there unloading the moving truck until about 10:30! She was so tired but such a trooper.


July 4

Watching God's 4th of July display for us while waiting for dark and the fireworks to start.


July 3

The only photo I have of her from the day - another carseat shot. We've been on the road a lot lately!


July 2

Mango!!


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

July 1


June 30

All ready for her campout with Daddy! (which lasted until about 9, when she was tired of waiting for it to get dark and came inside to sleep in her own bed)


June 29

My walking partner and exercise conscience. "Mommy, let's go for a walk!" "Can you run, Mommy? Let's run!"


June 28

Silly girl!


June 27

Those chickens are getting pretty big for her to hold but she still loves them dearly!


June 26

June 25

Sharing a stool with Callan - or are they witnessing the second coming?


June 24

Two months shy of 3 she's still happy as a clam rear-facing in her Graco MyRide! Love this carseat and so thankful that it's kept her so safe for 2+ years.