Baby Explorer

I'm really not needed much these days.

 

 Oh, she's still nursing every few hours.



But as soon as she's satisfied her appetite, she's down and gone.

 

 

Because there are worlds to explore. 

There are obstacles to be crossed. 

And feats to accomplish.

The Bouquet

Answering the doorbell, I found my daughter smiling.

"I picked you flowers."

Probably 25 daffodils and nary a stem in the lot,

but they were a sweet gift, the overflow of a heart full of love.

Happy Birthday to Me

I am blessed beyond measure.

Kitchen Help

...because I can always use a helping hand.

Katherine at Eight Months

I guess I really shouldn't be surprised that she's outgrowing her 3 month clothes.

Bubbles

What's warm weather if you can't have bubbles to blow?  I personally have a love-hate relationship with product: it does provide lots of fun but it's wet and icky and ALWAYS gets spilled.

 

 

 

  

 

This time I made my own solution from a recipe online: 1 c. dish soap (Dawn 'cause that's the only kind I use), 6 c. water and 2 T. glycerin.  I recycled some old freebie baby milk bottles I'd saved from the hospital when someone was born, and we managed to scrounge enough wands to go around.

They played for a long time and even returned their bottles when done...miracles never cease!

Naptime That Wasn't

Katherine didn't take a morning nap so I attributed her squeals to being overly tired and ignored her as I busily worked on a project in the basement and later in the kitchen.

 

When I decided napping was a no-go and went to retrieve said baby, I discovered the problem: naptime becomes playtime when there are two!

Pinewood Derby 2014

It's that time of year again when dads try to outdo each other boys design and race blocks of wood.

 

 

There was a wide variety of cars to compete: lots of racecars, a skateboard, a fire engine with a working light, a station wagon and even a Dr. Who phone booth car.

 

The track was primed for speed.

 

The time clock was ready.

 

And in the background?  Trophies!

 

Our kids have never participated in team sports or other activities in which kids are given a piece gilt-colored plastic for simply showing up so in their minds trophies are Wonderful.

 

There is nothing like the excitement of eager boys.

 

Each den raced with four heats.

 

 

The Hamills showed great consistency: last place in each heat.

 

 

Andrew had the advantage of a Bye lane in his den so he was able

to compete in the final round (the top three cars of each den advanced).

Jonathan soaked up the fun with Stephen and a buddy.

Matthew simply ate his way through the two-hour event: Oreos, Rice Krispie treats, potato chips.

 

 

Stephen received a ribbon for his participation, and Andrew received a trophy for 2nd place in his den.  I braced myself for a bit of disappointment on Stephen's part as he dearly wanted some gold.

 

And wonder of wonders?  We were all surprised when Stephen's peers voted his Silver Bullet car 2nd place in Best of Show and earning him one of the shiny trophies!

 

For all the dissention and debating regarding BSA, it all comes down to the boys and letting the boys be boys, and it doesn't get any better than the Pinewood Derby.

"Porcupine" Mountain

Doug has been wanting to explore some of these local paths and we finally had the chance.

 

It was cloudy and cool, but we scrounged enough jackets stashed in the van and set off.

 

We even consulted a map.

From overlooks to a lake, this path had it all.

An old catfish head was the highlight, though.

And an unusual something.

Beautiful sunbeams breaking through the clouds.

And bug spotting is once again in full-force.

 

An Eastern Bluebird brightened the drab scenery.

 

It was a slightly longer hike than little legs can handle, but we may do it again.