Stop to smell the petunias...

(I liked this picture in color too, so I thought I would add it)
  

Gramma Kaalberg

I am finding myself turning into my Gramma. I am doing, saying and eating things that only she taught me.

This week I have: #1-ate a green pepper with peanut butter on it #2-yelled at the kids to "get in or out, you are letting flies in!" and #3-found myself posted in the kitchen with a fly-swatter killing flies and then cringing with disgust when their guts squish out.

I have thought of her with delight on each of these occassions.....I have a feeling that next I will be re-heating the same cup of coffee about 50 times after continually forgetting it in the microwave :)

August in Iowa

 
You know it's August in Iowa when several meals per week involve ears of corn. I personally find it too messy, but the kids enjoyed picking and eating the corn they grew in the garden. Of course I got to shuck it and cook it....maybe thats why I don't find it as enjoyable as they do :) 

Lovey

Creighton's "lovey" has been a significant part of his life since he was just a couple of weeks old. Lovey is a soft little blanket in the shape of a giraffe and has a stuffed head and tail. It was received from my Uncle Tom and Aunt Linda as a gift when Creighton was born. He slept on it when he was an infant and as he grew older he snuggles with it, hugs it and wraps it around his head as he sleeps. We even had to buy an extra Lovey to take to daycare for naptime. After forgetting his Lovey there a few times I decided that I didn't want to be responsible for dragging that thing back and forth every day.

It was very cute when he was little to see him so attached to his Lovey. Little did I know that 3 1/2 years later we would still be hunting for Lovey when it's time for bed! A couple of weeks ago when he stayed all night with my parents he woke my mom up in a frenzy because Lovey had fallen out of bed and he couldn't find her--a very scary moment for Creighton :)

My kids have always been pretty set in their bedtime routine. If something doesn't happen just exactly as it should they have a difficult time settling in for the night. Creighton's routine includes Lovey being laid a certain way on the pillow so that he can grab it, roll over and have it wrapped around his head in just the right way. Just about any time you find Creighton sleeping he will have his Lovey so perfectly wrapped around his neck.

It is difficult to find a good time to wash Lovey. A few times Creighton has told me, "Lovey STINKS"! But of course when it is time to give Lovey "a bath" (in the washing machine:) Creighton doesn't deem it necessary. He has cried at the washing machine and refused to put it in the dryer. Not to long ago Creighton was outside playing and discovered Lovey hanging on the clothes line. I believe he considered that to be Lovey abuse and mom should go to jail for THAT!

And of course, Colby has thought on occassion that it would be fun to hide Lovey and see how big of a fit Creighton will throw as he searches for the love of his life. Not funny, AT ALL!

Lovey has gotten a little worn in places and is kind of dingy even when freshly washed, but overall Lovey has held up pretty well considering the heavy use.

Greg is thinking it is about time to break him of his Lovey. I think it's OK if Creighton wants to take Lovey to college....

Stuff

 
 
I have been trying my hand at photography which is not that of my kids. This is a new concept for me :) and I am trying to do a little abstract photography too. I am NOT good at all. I promise I won't bore you with these photos too often :) I think it will be a learning process, but I am enjoying trying. I didn't do the beautiful moon justice at all. I just kind of liked how it was peering through the hole in the tree leaves. Oh well...it was a good idea, I just have to keep working at it.

The house is quiet tonight with Creighton sleeping and Colby and Greg at the aquatic center for the church swim night. I have a lot to get done before they get home. That means off the computer and back at it :( 

Water Games

 
 
The kids were in the pool and I went in to start a load of laundry. I came out to find Creighton sitting in a chair outside the pool and Colby in the pool spitting water at him. They both thought it was quite funny. I thought it was disgusting.... 

An Afternoon Alone...

 
I took the afternoon off work. Took my car to Bettendorf for service, went school shopping, went to Starbucks, went to Schnucks, went to visit Kathy, came home. What a busy day, but got a lot accomplished.

It's hard to believe that the kids will head to school in just a few short weeks. It seems like there is so much summer fun to be had that it can't possibly be school time with Fall just around the corner. I'm not ready...and I'm definately not ready for my baby boy to start pre-school. Stop, time, STOP.... 

Impromptu Sleepover

Colby had some friends out last night for swimming, riding 4-wheelers, to see her kittens, etc. It turned in to a sleepover complete with nail painting party! It was fun for all of us, including me as I got to get in on the nail painting. The storm had them all up at 2am, but they quickly went back to sleep. No one was real interested in getting up at 7am to leave though. I dragged four little sleepy kids out the door this morning to get to daycare.

A few more...

 
 
 
a few more sunflowers. 

Sunflower Fields

 
I traipzed through the shoulder high weeds and thistles to get some shots of the sunflowers tonight. This is my favorite one.... 

My Sweet Baby Girl

 
Colby had a little "procedure" done on her foot today for a small growth on the bottom of it. She did fine and only took one dose of ibuprofin this afternoon for pain. I was amazed how well she walked on it--just like nothing happened. Three more of these treatments and hopefully it will be gone for good. I hate to see my babies in pain.... 

Learning to dive

 
Colby is learning to dive using proper technique--without belly-flopping! 

Just pictures

 
 
 
  

A Night With Friends...

What a great day yesterday. My mom picked up the kids Saturday afternoon for a sleepover at her house. Greg and I had some friends over for a cookout and a few beverages. We shared a lot of stories and ALOT of laughs mostly reminiscing of years past. The girls and I joked that it was pointless to have put on make-up as our tears of laughter had washed it all away. We then headed to the guys' 20 year reunion gathering at the riverfront. More stories, more laughter and a few more beverages :) A great time was had by all including the kids.

After church today I picked the kids up and we headed to the aquatic center for a full afternoon of water fun. They were a little short on sleep last night, but you never would have known it. They swam and played like no other. Assuming they were tired, we headed home at about 4pm. They got home and swam some more! Supper dishes have been cleared and I thought everyone would be ready to hit the sack early tonight, but once again, I am wrong as they all headed outside to play football!

After a week of vacation and a weekend of fun with friends and the kids it will be tough to go back to old grind tomorrow. Mondays are never fun and when you are coming off of a fun weekend, it's even worse. Wishing some of these days could last forever....

Blank Park Zoo

 
 
 

Just a few shots from the zoo.... 

A Day At Adventureland

  First ride of the day--the train. Creighton's fave.












  SOAKED on the Log Ride!












  Cruising along....














  New this year-the Frog Hopper. It tickled their bellies!







The kids had a great day at the park. A fun-filled family day. Creighton loved the train and the frog hopper. Colby loves all of the water rides and the Space Shot. She rode the Space Shot 5 times--it was a first for all of us on that one. I think my stomach is still somewhere in Altoona :) 

Adventureland

 
 
 
  We just arrived home after being in Des Moines for a few days. We went to Adventureland, the zoo and various other stops along the way. Haven't had time to go through my pictures too much, but these are a few from the hotel pool. Notice my children are bellied up to the swim-up bar having fruit smoothies. I believe Greg opted for the Miller Lite instead :) I had been up in the room and came down to the pool to find my entire family perched on stools at the swim-up bar. It made me laugh....