More Pictures of the Kids

Decked out and ready for the LSU/Arkansas b-ball game on Friday.
Getting ready for play/ cheer.

Rally cap?

Prairie Home Companion

More from the "Is this normal" collection

This is normal.
No pictures please!

Is this normal?

Um, it is over 100 degrees every day where we live and his room is the hottest room in the house. The funny thing was I had gone in there to try and put ear drops in his ears while he was sleeping but access to his ears was denied!We have some very odd children but we sure do love them!

The Little Guy

The Little Guy - who will be 5 1/2 on September 30th as he told someone the other day - is an amazingly smart almost-kindergartner. He has been in school since he was 2 3/4 years old and has been a sponge since he was 2 3/4 days old. I could spend a lot of time bragging about his amazing knowledge, but I will shorten it by telling you about his passion for reading. (Seriously, I don't know where he gets it . . . and he loves puzzle books . . . I know, crazy!) He was the only non-kindergartner to be reading chapter books this year at school and he was allowed to bring one home to finish this summer. Here it is . . .What's funny is they want him to read slowly and then "journal" about each chapter when what the kid really wants to do is fly right through it. We went to the library yesterday and he picked up a bunch of new books (all Berenstein Bears, his favorite) and he has read them all - including one of them being a chapter book.

His passion this summer is baseball. He loves the Diamondbacks, of course, and knows all the players and their positions. JP is playing catch with him but he has a long way to go . . . .

Friday was his last day of school and they had a little music presentation. Here he is "going on a lion hunt."
And here he is doing the Minuet in F with one of his classmates and her sister who is a tad older than Pickle.He is a very sensitive boy and was very sweet with this little one . . . probably sweeter than he would have been with his sister!

Big Wheelin'

The little lady sure likes her big wheel. Although she cannot reach the pedals to crank correctly, she has found a way to make it go and make it go quickly. Enjoy the squeals of delight!

Today she had her 18 month check-up and weighed in at a solid 26 pounds and measured 33". She is definitely tall for her age and can just about reach on top of the kitchen counters. She is also very resourceful . . . . When she couldn't reach what she wanted in the kitchen drawer she marched herself down to her brother's room, got his step stool, and brought it back to the kitchen to get what she wanted.Here is a snapshot of the kids having popsicles yesterday . . . I believe this is Pickle's first!

House Work

This weekend hopefully marks the last big push on the remodel. Yesterday we got a lot of painting completed . . . more still to go, and we started the floor in the den. The start is always slow but JP is picking up momentum and when Pickle wakes up from her nap we will be moving into the long stretch down the hall. I imagine we'll be laying floor over the next week. We are so close . . . just have to keep JP motivated so he doesn't poop out before it's time to put the baseboards on and do the finishing touches (not his favorite part). Here is a picture to illustrate why this project has taken so long . . . .

Cartouche

Do you know what a "cartouche" is? Well, my 5-year-old does . . . .

The Scene: Dinner table . . . Pickle is waving the Tupperware top around and being silly with it.

Me: "What are you doing?"

Little Guy: "Yeah, are you making a cartouche with birds and your name?" (Of course this came out in a jumble that did not make much sense to us.)

JP and I look at each other . . . thinking what the heck?

Me: "Did you just say kartoosh?

JP: "Son, a cartouche is a round paper object."

He looks to me for support and I shrug . . . I've never heard of a kartoosh (in my mind it is spelled this way, of course).

Me: "Get the dictionary."

JP looking in the dictionary: "He's right."

The 3rd entry in Websters says: an oval or oblong figure (as on ancient Egyptian monuments) enclosing a sovereign's name.

Of course with further discussion we learn that these figures can be adorned with birds, bugs, etc. He has been fascinated with mummies for the last month since they have discussed Egypt in school. It truly amazes us everyday what information he retains!

And now I know what a cartouche is!

Fresh Bounty

Look what this beautiful bounty became on "Meatless Monday!"Going meatless at least one night a week can do so much for the environment! Producing meat is one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gases . . . but I'm not ready to give up my steaks and burgers just yet! JP made this wonderful fresh pasta that was like Bruschetta in a bowl! Here are some other pictures of what we have growing in our garden:
More tomatoes! They are growing thick and wonderful this year!More zucchini! I counted 11 when I took this picture!Our sunflowers are getting ready to open!