Family Outing: Swimming at Cuivre River

Hot Day

Bunny Watching

We have a little bunny family that lives in the crazy out-of-control brush behind our play set, and Iris and Lydia have been spending a lot time in the back yard watching them (and stalking them) while they frolic and play. I've obviously not done a good enough job scaring these bunnies off because they are pretty bold - the girls are able to get within a few feet before they scamper away into their burrow. This is a huge thrill for Iris and Lydia - getting to see an actual bunny up close in all his bunny splendor, along with the added bonus of possibly getting to touch him.

And because it's all bunny all the time around here these days, I've been answering a lot of questions. Where do bunnies sleep? What do bunnies eat? Why don't these bunnies have whiskers? Why do they live in the bushes? Do bunnies have blankies? Does Jesus like bunnies? - and so on and so forth. I get such a kick out of Iris referring to their home as a "burrow", and I love to hear Lydia's little voice saying, "bunny! bunny! bunny!" Two nights ago I looked out our sliding glass doors to see Iris trying to crawl head first into the bushes. She said she wanted to see the inside of their bunny house! And she leaves plastic carrots outside the entrance just in case they might need a snack.

Oh, they are an endless source of entertainment for my sweet girlies, these bunnies!

By the way, aren't the girlies so cute in their matching jams? They had just spotted two little bunnies from our bedroom window.

Family Outing: Forest Park

The Summer Fun Has Begun

Can you believe it's kiddie pool time again? It's boiling hot and humid here already, so the girlies have been spending A LOT of afternoons in ours. They aren't complaining, though. They love it! Lydia, especially, loves the hose. She thinks it's her own personal play thing, and I have quite the time wrestling it away from her when it's time to turn it off!

And Iris, my big girl, started swimming lessons today and did absolutely great! She was so nervous about them that her tummy hurt when she woke up this morning, but we prayed together, and I think that helped. I was a little concerned going in that she might choose to be stubborn and not participate, but there was only one game she decided to sit out, and I was fine with that because the rest of the time she kicked and splashed and smiled and laughed and had a fun lesson! We are very much alike in temperament, I completely get her fear of the unknown, and so it always makes my heart ache with tenderness when I see her overcoming her fears and being brave. She completely exceeded my expectations, and I'm so proud! Yay, Iris!

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

This is such a great photo of Lydia because I was able, in one lovely shot, to capture her with all of the things she loves most in the world right now:

1. Her blankie. We have a lot of blankie love going on at our house and Lydia is no exception!

2. Shoes. Any pair will do, she's not particular - the girl just adores shoes.

3. Her beloved potty. Heaven help the person that comes between Lydia and her potty. She's obsessed with this thing! We trip over it all day long. Any time any bathroom-related words are spoken in this house, you can be sure that Lydia will be running to get her potty shouting, "Pee-pee!" and trying to pull her pants down. Maybe a diaper free household is closer than we think!

Just To Clear Up Any Confusion

Iris: Daddy, some boys wear dresses.

Todd: Boys don't wear dresses.

Iris: Some boys do, daddy.

Todd: No. Iris. No boys that I know wear dresses.

Iris: But daddy, some boys do!

Todd: Iris. What boy do you know that wears dresses?

Iris: Um...a boy that doesn't know you, daddy!

First Popsicle

We're Getting to be Old Pros

Well, we made another trip to the Emergency room last night. This time because Iris fell off a chair into the corner of our TV console and gashed her head open.

Poor, poor Iris! She hardly ever gets hurt, being a fairly cautious girl by nature, yet when she does her injuries always seem to end up being on the serious side. Apparently, she's going to be an all or nothing sort of girl when it comes to getting hurt. And because there seems to be a growing connection between Iris falling off chairs and Emergency room visits, we're thinking of banning her from all the chairs in our house! Seriously, I don't think they are friends!

Looking on the bright side, though, she was a little trooper and held perfectly still without making a peep while the doctor glued her head back together. We were so proud! I have a feeling much of her willingness to cooperate stemmed from her great relief over the fact that no stitches were in order, which was perfectly fine with me. She did great!

Here's a picture of what her head looked like this morning:

Sorry! I know it's a little blurry - our camera doesn't really like to take close-up pictures, but I think you can get the general idea...

She's totally OK today and has already nearly forgotten the ordeal. The only real casualties, I think, may be her favorite Hello Kitty t-shirt and skirt. I'm having a hard time getting the blood stains out. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve to try before I call it a day and toss them, however, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I think the loss of those, especially the t-shirt, might end up being way more traumatic than getting the wound in her head!