A First Haircut for Buddy Bear

Just look at those curls.

Some people spend a lot of money to get their hair to curl like that.

Sad to say, those curls were making it hard for Buddy Bear to see.

'Seriously, Mom and Dad, I can't see over here.'

 So, this past week, we paid someone to cut them off. 

 After all, big brother and sister shouldn't be the only ones celebrating big firsts. :)

*Sigh.*  Good-bye, curls.

The stylist made quick work of Buddy Bear's locks.  Her hands were flying!  But, there were no tears or fears from Buddy Bear.  He was dialed into Elmo the whole time.

Pretty soon, our little buddy could see again.

All done!  We couldn't believe how different and how grown up he looked.  He seemed truly pleased with himself.

The best part was getting to pick out a lollypop of his own.  He even shared a few with his brother and sister.

We couldn't get him to take the lolly out of his mouth to take an after-haircut photo!  He and that lolly were stuck like glue.  It was a well earned treat, to be sure.

Great job, Buddy Bear! 

Happy Birthday, MoMo

Happy Birthday, MoMo!

Tonight, thanks to MoMo, we held the first birthday celebration in our new house.  

We felt so flattered to host our very gracious guests! 

E-Bear and G-Bear were in charge of frosting the cake.  They did a great job!  

We treated MoMo to dinner on the lawn, complete with a mishmash of birthday decorations:  first birthday lanterns, birthday murals courtesy of G-Bear and E-Bear, and giant flower plumes made of packing paper (we have plenty).  T made appetizer popcorn and sweet tea, plucked flowers from our garden and turned on the oldies tunes.   Pretty nice! 

The birthday girl was radiant as always.   She was even gracious enough to let her grandchildren help blow out her candles (their reward for making such a great cake!). 

We love you MoMo!  What a treat it was to all be together for your birthday.

Six in the Garden

Perhaps more than any other corner of my parents' house, 

my children love the garden.

My kids are in heaven during planting season when Papa asks them to help him plant his annuals.  In late august, there may not be much planting to be done, but Papa managed to find some planting work to do when the five cousins convened last week.

A sweet little zinnia had grown from seed in the wrong spot, and he dug it up with the crew to transplant it to a patch with more space.

Everyone helped with such gentle hands!  They are learning from the best.

The garden is such a sweet place to be, together.

G-Bear's First Day of Kindergarten

It is hard to believe that we have a Kindergartener in our midst.  Dressed neatly in her new school jumper and hair bows, G-Bear was walking on air this week for her first day of school.  While she admitted to MoMo that she was a *tiny* bit nervous, her nervousness didn't show as she ventured into her new school for the first time.

On Wednesday, T and I joined G-Bear for her Kindergarten orientation with her teacher and classmates in their new classroom.

G-Bear set right to work.  She and her classmates made Kindergarten look like a piece of cake!  She was proud to show us her artwork at the end of orientation and declared that she was "very excited" for her first day the next morning.

G-Bear hard at work during orientation.

 Thursday morning was almost a magical time.  MoMo and Papa were in tow to see G-Bear off at her new school.  All the kids line up on the plaza to enter into school together.  As the Kinders walked in with their classmates, all of the older students, parents and teachers erupted into applause.  It brought tears to my eyes!  Fortunately, I held those tears back, because our sweet girl turned to give us a long wave just as she walked into the building.  What a blessing that T was standing elsewhere and could get a great picture!  Then, off she scampered to have a great time.

G-Bear waving to us as she walked into school.

It will take me a while to get used to the new quiet in the house when G-Bear is at school.  Today, E-Bear said to T, "Dad, do you know who I like to play with the most?  G-Bear."  We will all be missing each other a little bit more these days.  Thank goodness that Kindergarten is only half-day!  Our pre-lunch, after-school reunions are super sweet.

G-Bear and E-Bear after the first day of school.

So, after two days down, we have a school year to go.  May God bless this school year, our learning, our friendships, and each of the days to come.

State Fair Fun 2012

Nothing helps our family get ready for fall like the Minnesota State Fair!

After reluctantly missing the Fair last year due to our cross country move, we were back in force for 2012.  Thanks to MoMo and Papa, who coordinated so much of the festivities, to Uncle C, and to Uncle T and Aunt K, who brought the cousins to share in the fun-on-a-stick.  

MoMo and Papa were thrilled to have their whole crew in tow!

We couldn't visit the Swine Barn this year because of the dangers of Swine Flu, but we had a great time mooing in the Cow Barn, watching the horse shows at the Coliseum, climbing the tractors on Machinery Hill and, of course, riding the rides at the Kidway.

E-Bear loved the bouncing tractors,

everyone loved the Dora swings,

Cousin H and Uncle T drove circles around the other drivers,

Aunt K and Cousin T hitched a ride on a tractor,

and before the day was over, G-Bear convinced her dad to join her on the whirling beetle bugs!

Buddy Bear liked his ride the best.  It came with a nice view of the Fair!

Perhaps you can tell that we spent more time riding rides this year than in years past.  I guess we have hit that stage!  *Sigh.*  Not that I am anti-rides, but I still hope for a day when my Bears are excited to join me in the Education, Ecology and Home Improvement buildings.  Ha!

Of course we nibbled some treats throughout the day, despite the heat and crowds.  There is nothing like a Pronto Pup at the Fair, right Cousin T?

It was another great year at the Minnesota State Fair!  Until next year.....

E-Bear's First Day of Preschool!

Hip, hip hooray, 

E-Bear's first day of preschool was today!

E-Bear's first day of preschool 2012

It's that time again!  The day after Labor Day so often marks the beginning of a new school year in Minnesota.  Today, we are celebrating E-Bear's first day of his new preschool!  Today was a real treat for us in many ways.

We are all so excited for E-Bear.

 Papa and MoMo came over to join in the send-off festivities and the obligatory front step photo shoot.

E-Bear and Papa

Then we all jumped in the car to drop our superman off at school.  Just like his sister before him, E-Bear raced to the front door.  We were left in his dust.  Even his sister could barely keep up!

E-Bear racing with G-Bear to his first day of school.

 E-Bear wasted no time getting into the routine.  G-Bear helped E-Bear find his backpack hook,

 he hunted down his hoot owl name badge,

 and made sure to give us all hugs goodbye before heading off to play.

The verdict at the end of the day?  "Great!"

Happy first day of preschool, E-Bear.  We are so proud of the little gentleman you have become, your enthusiasm and delight in learning and life.  May God bless us with a great school year!

Cousins at the Cabin

Oh, did we have a wild time up at the cabin!

Seven cousins under five years makes for tons of fun and energy and several tired parents.

What a blessing that we had grandparents, grandaunts and granduncles along to make fantastic food and inspire the fun!

For instance, check out the front yard bubble blowing:

The cousins, catching bubbles in the front yard.

 No one does bubbles like Aunty Cindy.  She is a pro.  There were bubbles for everyone to catch!

Plus, she had all six kids out of the kitchen, having a ball, and running around before dinner time.  Perfect!  Like I said, we have the super grandaunts, granduncles and grandparents to thank for a wonderful weekend together.

Welcome, September!

Peek-a-boo, we see you!

Our Red Pepper

"Mommy," G-Bear said,

"I have some joyful news for you.  One of our peppers has turned red!"

After lots of TLC, daily watering and a cross country move, we finally have our first ripe red pepper.  We enjoyed it for lunch today with our sandwiches.  

It was amazing how quickly we gobbled up the fruit of weeks of attention and energy.  Oh, how it makes me thankful for the farmers who are growing the rest of our food everyday!