June Catch Up

So I am really, really behind in my blog. And this was supposed to be my remedy to not having scrapbooked for the last year and a half!

There were a few things I wanted to add to June. One was some pictures from before they started their first dance class.

The other thing that I missed was that we spent several days at Meme and Tim's. We went to the Vinton Farmer's Market one evening and they had a pretend cow that the girls got to "milk." You can see Maren's feet underneath it. Somehow I lost the pictures of her milking the cow. It even mooed. It was fun to see their reactions to that. I love that we get to do these things and be out in the country with them.

 

 This was in the storefront window of a shop in Vinton. Love it.

 Maren and I on the Heartland Chiropractic Float in the Johnston Green Days Parade. 

It rained on us at the end. The kiddos had a great time throwing lollipops to the crowd, and of course, they loved the balloons. Elena had a great time walking at the back of the float with Danny. We also got to meet Valerie's niece, Maren. Thanks to Val for inviting us! And thanks to Mom for loaning us your car. 

 Maren and Danny on the John Deere rider at Danny's house.

Maren driving solo

It really was a fun trip. The first "road trip" I have taken with Elena and Maren and I. And there was no tv for them to watch. We had to keep ourselves entertained the old fashioned way on our drive to DSM. I really enjoyed that time, as I love short car trips like that and it was fun to do that with them. We were all excited and we got there just in time for the parade. 

September 30: A Few Words About Maren

I have to say that this month, this last week, has shown a big change in Little MIS. She has been attached to me at the shoulder, waist and hip for the last 3 years and three months. Aunt Rhoda even asked me recently if they had detached themselves at all. I had gotten a little fed up with it a few months ago and was kind of annoyed and then it hit me that this was it, the final hurrah, and one day this little baby would not need me like that anymore. So I decided to indulge her, and when she asks to be carried I carry her unless I just can't. And this Saturday, the final hurrah was final. She spent the entire morning playing with Elena and our two-three neighbor kids - in and out of their houses, yards, running all around and having a great time. She hardly came back to me once. It hit me a little bit hard as I watched her running around. For the longest time she has stayed so close to me and/or kept coming back and she truly is my baby as she is the second and last. But she has been in preschool with Ms. Diane for almost four weeks now and there was a big shift this last week. She told me on Wednesday: "I love going to preschool!! Ms. Diane is the best teacher in the whole world!" She sang as she ran through the kitchen excitedly and we gathered her things to go to the school. I love hearing this. But I am also sad to see my baby girl become my little girl. Bittersweet. 

More June Activities

Just a few things I forgot about June... it was a busier month than I remembered! We spent Father's Day weekend partly at my mom's and partly at my dad's. We flew to Meme's and then borrowed her car to drive to my Grandpa Bob's. We worked in conjunction with Uncle Rob and Aunt Tara and went and got some flowers for Dad. I decided to go close to naptime. Not the greatest timing. Elena decided to stay at Grandpa's and watch shows while Maren came with me. The poor child passed out in the frozen food section of WalMart (remember the no nap thing!!!) and I ended up carrying her and pushing her all the way across the store to the garden section because I was afraid she was going to smack her head on the cart. A wonderful young man helped me get everything in the car while Maren continued to sleep on my arms and in the car seat. I am not a WalMart shopper, but I have to say this turned out to be a experience I would tell people about!

Back at Grandpa's, he helped clean out many of his pots and I planted snapdragons and some other flowers that I do not know what they are called in six giant pots. It was fun doing it, and Dad has something nice to look at every time he comes in or goes out of his house. GREAT idea, Aunt Tara!

We also got to see Valerie, Nick and Danny for a while that weekend, too. We got to visit their chickens, ride Danny's little John Deere vehicle and visit for a while, always a big upper for all of us. We stayed in a hotel that weekend, too. The girls thought that was great fun. It has been quite a while since we had stayed in a hotel. Elena loved having her own queen sized bed and Maren enjoyed sleeping right next to me. And I next to her. :) 

We unfortunately did not get to see Kirk on Father's Day, but he got a nice relaxing weekend with the house all to himself, which he appreciates. So that was a Father's Day gift in itself. 

The other big thing was that Maren and Elena started ballet and tap classes. This is from their first class. It is a lot of fun to watch them. Most of the parents wait outside the room but they both wanted me in there and the teacher is fine with it, so I stayed, especially since Maren has not taken classes by herself yet. It is so fun to watch little girls do tap and ballet. Elena and Maren love it.