Center of attention 1
This is how Maggie started - and as I kept shooting she moved closer and closer to me. What did she want?? "See Maggie, Momma." Immediately after having her picture taken, she wants to see herself in the screen on the camera. So funny.
The doggie in the picture is our "CGD" Child Guard Dog - Maverick has been with us for 7 years and guards these children as if it were his job. He is so gentle with them and so protective. Earlier tonight, Walker was running through the yard, somewhat out of control, and Maverick ran in front of him to try to turn him away from the woods. He ALWAYS lays right by the stroller and his absolute best feature ever - he NEVER EVER licks! You can put your nose right on his and he will sit there and never ever lick your face. He doesn't even lick your hand! I don't think there is anything I could ever say bad about our Maverick. Oh, and if you're interested, he's an Australian Shepherd.
Messy Maggie May
Here's my sweetie pie in her traditional after nap hairdo. I fear she may never be able to tame the beast that is her hair. Note, she has worn a bikini and espadrille sandals all day. I fear her fashion sense will go down in history. She is holding baby doll "Josephine" a name I suggested because she decided all her babies names were "Maggie too." As I write this, she is saying, "Jo-je-jean, wook at Me!" I guess baby Josephine is in trouble. Why do the weirdest names pop into my head to suggest to her for her babies names? Guess in the weirdness category, the apple doesn't fall from the tree.
Swimming choo-choo
We went swimming today at the home of a family friend and had a wonderful time. You won't see any pictures of Walker because he was never still enough for me to take his picture! Maggie learned how to swim without holding on to us today and Walker managed to swim half the length of the pool with his face in the water. I am so proud of my little fishes! Even Will loves the water. It was a fabulous day. I had to teach Walker the Lezzer family phrase of "Everybody out of the pool!" because he wouldn't get out. Needless to say, he and Maggie fell asleep in the car before we even got a mile down the road. We couldn't ask for a more perfect summer day.
Here's a binky, Momma.
Will DOES NOT, I repeat, DOES NOT like a binky, never has, never will. His sister is trying to calm him down by giving him one she took from her bedroom. He does not like it and is giving it back.
The playhouse
The final resting place for the playhouse. As is tradition around our house, the 4th of July weekend entails us doing a semi-large yard project. Two years ago we started the play area, today we expanded it to fit the new playhouse. It is going to be so sweet - Erik set it up a little higher than the play area and is going to put in stone steps and next year, I'll transplant day lilies and daisies around the house to make it even more quaint. I'll post more pictures of the play area as we finish it in the coming weeks.
In this picture, I can see Will as a "big" boy. This is an expression I have seen many many times in his brother. I often wonder how much they will look alike since they are spitting images as babies.
Will did not like the feel of the grass on his knees so he crawled around on his hands and feet. Too cute.
Oak
I always admire this oak tree that sits in the middle of the field across the street from us. Tonight, while I was taking pictures at the family reunion, I took some shots of the tree at sunset. I just love it. I imagine I will be taking many more pictures of this tree at sunset. There is just something about it I love.
Happy Independence Day!
We spent our Independence day at the Fowler's. We had a delightful time and the children had so much fun. They had an adorable little play house with these sweet adirondak chairs fit just for the small folk. I couldn't resist posing Maggie May & Willie J for a picture.
Little miss Maggie is no less brave. She crawled around the kiddie area on her belly - putting her face in and having fun. Then she wanted to go to the "deeper" area - like Brubby, so she started jumping in and going under water. She never once fussed - I was so impressed and amazed - I thought the first time she got water up her nose she'd cry and fuss, but she would just push her hair up off her face and say, "More time, Momma!" Which in Maggiespeak means "again please!"
Will loved the water too and laughed and splashed - watching everyone and everything at the pool. He never once fussed either.
Blue lips and shivering, we had to force the children to leave the pool they had such a fun time.
Literal translation
Our mulberry tree is producing mulberries and they are getting ripe. We found a branch laden with the berries today and decided to try some. I told Maggie we had to wash them before we could eat them. She took my words literally for when I went upstairs to the bathroom later in the day, I found a stray mulberry and the soap in the wet sink. No wonder she told me the berries were ca-ca. They probably tasted like soap!
Walker great-grandchildren
The Chester & Billie (Helen) Walker great grandchildren were all present yesterday ! What a crew! The boys out number the girls, but the girl power rules!
Walker wins a blue ribbon
I took this picture of Walker today at the Big Butler Fair - we went to watch the goat judging and they had a "junior showmanship" class. A very nice girl allowed Walker to lead her goat around the ring a few times with the other two girls. He was so proud to win a blue ribbon. We hooked it to his belt loop and he would show it to people saying, "See my tag? I won it at the goat show." He was so sweet. He liked showing the goat so we are going to start working with a few of our goats for him to enter in the junior class at the Butler Farm Show. Guess I've got a busy month ahead of me helping him prepare. I've got to teach him how to lead the goat, etc. I'm really putting that Master's degree to use now! Maybe I should have studied animal psychology!
Pot of gold
This is my grandparents house. My sister took this with her camera phone and I enhanced it a little with Photoshop. It is so beautiful and holds so many precious memories for us. I'm so glad she got this shot! It will be cherished by us all.