State Fair

David took Tuesday afternoon off and we loaded up the kids and ventured out to the State Fair of Texas. First stop was the live stock area - let's just say that the cows, goats, and enormous pigs were a little too close for Emilee's comfort, and she really wanted nothing to do with them. Next stop was the petting zoo where things were a little bit more to Em's liking.

She saw lots of goats...

...and a miniature pony...


...and a mama pig and lots of little baby pigs that were sooooo cute when they ran around...

and a baby giraffe!


After the petting zoo and a snack, we headed next door to the Little Hands on the Farm. The kids get to wind through a "farm" and help with chores as they go. Here she is in the little apron they give all the kids.

Driving the tractor - David was so proud!

Learning how to milk a moo, I mean cow.

Wes hanging out while Farmer Em is hard at work.

Playing with Aunt Laurie during snack time.

It's not a trip to the Fair without seeing the car show. Em loves the luxury automobile - or it could be because they were so shiny she could see her reflection.
(On a side note - if you look at the Ford cars at the Fair and sign up for a test drive at a local dealership, they will send you a free $50 visa card just for test driving.)



And you have to get a family photo with Big Tex in the background.

Couple of things to look at before you go. Go here: www.bigtex.com for State Fair info. A couple of things that they don't readily tell you. On Tuesdays, if you bring a Dr. Pepper can you get in for $3 instead of $14. On Wednesdays, if you bring 3 cans of food, you get in for $1. Make sure that you get some pineapple soft serve ice cream, it's delish!

Backyard

Emilee has gotten over her fear of grass and is so excited to play in the backyard. She was looking forward to trying out her new slide and running around in the great outdoors.

Pointing to the airplanes that constantly fly overhead.

Ready, set,

....wait, maybe I need Dad's help before I GO!

As always, the pointer finger must inspect that which is new or unknown.

Picking up the grass for a closer inspection.

Cooling down from an afternoon outside. Em thinks this is her personal chair - it's the perfect level for her short legs - all other little kid chairs are still too big!

Girl's Night TONIGHT

Whew! Time for a break. Let's get together tonight for dinner and/or dessert, and lots of girl talk. Give me a call for time and location! Hope to see you there.

-Liesl

Rolling!

Wesley is rolling over. Yea!

Tight Spaces

Em has recently found herself in some very tight spaces. Always one to keep on trying, she keeps on getting stuck...




I was impressed that she was even able to get one leg in.


She did the same thing the next day...


Wesley doesn't seem to have a problem sitting in it, but he is a little puzzled on how he is going to get his hands into his mouth.

This is a Huggies diaper box. I have no idea how she was able to get herself in there, but she obviously had a hard time trying to get out. How bad a parent am I, that I was shrieking with laughter while taking this picture of her distress?


Ahh - now I get it. This was the motivation for getting in the box. She needed to rescue her Pablo!

David has some stuff for work delivered the next day, and this box proved to be a much better place for Em, Pablo, and Uniqua to hang out.


On a different note, congrats to Austin on his baptism this past Labor Day. After a yummy lunch and dessert, Em had free reign on Austin's toy room and had a blast. Austin has an indoor roller coaster! What a cool toy - Em probably rode the coaster 50 times that afternoon.

Ready, set...

Go!!


What Fun!!

What Goes Up Must Come Down

Emilee has started to get a little more adventurous now that she is walking, and has taken to climbing into any bucket, basket, or bookshelf she can find. Here she is trying to figure out how to climb into her tool table.

So funny to see her try to get that little leg up.

Finally in and sitting pretty!

Now how do I get out?

Head first of course!

Ta Da!

No new adventure is complete without Uniqua.

And just so Wesley doesn't feel left out - how cute is that chubby little face after his bath!

I've solved the problem of Emilee taking over Wes's tummy time blanket by putting two down. Now they each have one. Good grief!

This picture cracks me up for several reasons. Wes was really tired and fighting sleep as he usually does, so he looks totally out of it, and Em heard him crying and left him Pablo to make him feel better.

And on a completely different topic - I made home made pizza last week all by myself. Well, almost by myself, if you don't count the 3 phone calls to Val for additional pizza making guidance. It was delish and I might even make it again. I just might be getting a little bit more interested in this cooking thing...

One Of Those Days...

Yesterday was a little crazy. Wesley screamed and wanted to be held all morning, so that left Emilee free to roam about the house as she pleased. I thought I had securely closed all the doors in the hallway, but I guess I missed Wes's room, because this is what greeted me when I went to go change him.


Tremendous - Happy Monday Morning to me.


Emilee was on a roll, because this is what greeted me when I go back from changing Wesley - again - this boy is like his own sewage factory - ewwww. We were in the middle of having lunch and I left her glass a little to close to her chubby little hands, and when I came back she was having a ball playing in her own personal splash pad. We were trying to get out the door for her ENT checkup yesterday afternoon and it seemed like I was never going to be able to get them both clean, changed, and ready to go on time. Huge shout out of thanks to Val for watching Wes while I took Em to the Dr!

So we get to the ENT and Em proceeds to scream for the next hour - she was tired and didn't like people messing with her ears. Not that I can blame her - I would probably feel the same way. Poor thing still has little bitty ear canals that get a ton of wax stuck in them - not pretty. After holding down a screaming 19 month old for 30 minutes I was beat, but all was forgiven when Em got a sticker on the way out and gave smiles all around.

This morning started out much better. Wesley was in a much better mood, and Em was looking for ways to help with little brother. Here she is giving him little pats to help him go to sleep. Apparently she got a little bored with that and thought...


...hmmmm -I wonder if I can do the same thing with my foot.


Em must have magic feet. Wesley is asleep. Hallelujah!

Here With Your Friends...

...The Backyardigans!

Emilee loves the show The Backyardigans and will run from any corner of the house to the living room when she hears their theme song play. Which has actually been quite handy with Wes, because I am usually stuck on the couch holding him trying not to move and wake him up. When I can't hear where she is and I'm not sure what she is getting into, I use their theme song as my last resort to summon her to me. David surprised her one day and brought her home Pablo, and he has been her best buddy ever since.


They go everywhere together! Please note that Em is only allowed her binky at nap and bedtime. However, she is clever and throws (hides) her binky out of her crib before I get her up. After she is out of bed and I am busy doing something else, she will sneak back in her room and retrieve the hidden binky. Please also take note of her shoes - toddler Vans courtesy of counsin/aunt Jen! Love them!



Here she is with her Pablo once again and her little music pod that plays songs from the Backyardigans. I don't know what we were thinking when we bought that!

Em has Daddy wrapped around her chubby little finger. She convinced him to get her Uniqua while they were out running errands. Lucky girl!


Here she is with her two buddies!



This picture cracks me up for several reasons. The main one being that I had just placed this blanket on the floor for Wes so he could get some tummy time in, and as I turn to get him off the couch, little Em plants her rump right in the middle and is so pleased with herself she can hardly stand it.


She then precedes to flap the sides of the blanket back and forth wanting it to take flight... Needless to say Wes had to wait for his tummy time.

Here he is finally on the floor all by himself.





This is my favorite! He's asleep after downing his bottle and I'm not holding him!!! This is huge as David has been out of town all week and Emilee started throwing up Wednesday morning. It has been quite the juggling act trying to keep these two happy. David gets home tonight and I am so ready for a break. Whew!