Look out, there's a two year old in the house!

Liam turned two today, the whole family came to celebrate with us, and there were no tantrums! (BTW, no one was worried about the two-year-old having a tantrum--it was mom who has a history of losing it at 2 year b-day parties!)


Perhaps the best moment of the day was when Liam opened a package of balls for his new ball pit (thanks, Papa and Nana...I think) and instantly 175 balls were flying through the air! He was in heaven!

The First Day of School!

Drew started Pre-K today! Our district has a great program for those summer birthday kids who could go to kindergarten but would benefit from a little extra time. He'll go all day (8-3) three days a week. He's SO excited and I know he's going to love it.

As for mom, those four hours between 11 (when he used to be done with preschool) and 3 are going to seem like an eternity!

Summer in Iowa

It just doesn't get much better than this!

He's five...

...and able to leap small buildings in a single bound!

The birthday theme this year was water fun!!



We spent a wonderful afternoon celebrating with family at beautiful park complete with beach front.
And for the "kid" party: one slip and slide, one inflatable pool, and a cooler full of water balloons=6 very wet, but very happy kids! (I had to call them twice for cake!!)
Who would have guessed blue frosting could be so much fun?

Why I've Been Neglecting My Blog!

Since I've been totally neglecting my blog, I thought the least I could do was show you what I've been doing instead!That's Liam modeling my latest project -- a hat that's actually for Brad (trust me, it's very stretchy!)

I also made him mittens:



My very first truly successful mittens, I might add. Maybe you'd like to take a closer look... :)



And this is actually a bag I made for my sister-in-law for Christmas...I was uploading it for Ravelry.com anyway (another reason I haven't been blogging), so thought I'd add it here as well.

True Maturity

In my very first post on this blog, I talked about the moment I first felt like a grown-up. Today I bring you irrefutable proof that indeed I am officially and undoubtedly an adult.

Behold, the Kenmore Progressive Canister Vacuum:

No other material possession has brought me such sheer, unadulterated joy since... well, since we bought our minivan last year. (I rest my case.)

We found it a week ago, spent a week doing internet research (Brad) and dreaming/pining(me), and finally purchased it this weekend. As soon as Brad had it out of the van, I carefully and reverently unpacked it, put it together and read the manual from cover to cover.

And then, I vacuumed! Oh, the glory, the splendor of it all. The kitchen tile, the hardwoods, the area rug, the cursed almost-shag carpet on the stairs--it does it all with grace and simplicity.

I think I'm in love.

Here she is....

Sweet Zaila Jane!
"A cousin...at last!!"

"Ooh....mouf!"

"I think I'll kiss it!!"

"Mmm..that looks so comfy, let's all try it!"

Suffice it say, we are all smitten! She's a keeper!!