Odds and Ends

1.  I finally finished the thank you notes for Laney's birthday, and I have to say that I love the way they turned out.  I have been dreaming (yes dreaming) about buying a circular paper punch, but they are expensive and I haven't had a *valid* reason to until now.  As luck would have it, Michaels had the punches for 30% off, so I went hog-wild and got 2 circle sizes, a ruffled edge circle, and a square punch to boot!  Feeling some creative juices flowing again after making all those cards.

Here is a sample of my work (and thanks to Martha for creating the adorable elephant punch that came in sooooo handy for Laney's elephant party!)

2.  We have a pair of doves living in our yard somewhere.  We haven't identified the actual place yet, but they are big fans of our pergola by the barbecue.  We see them out there all day long, and hear them cooing to each other frequently.  Laney has decided to name the pair Helen and Thomas, although I think they look like a Harold and Maude to me.  

Helen and Thomas of Shadetree Drive...although I couldn't tell you which is which

4.  Patrick and Gavin made it to the top of Mt. Shasta and back, and all in one piece.  They ended up summiting a day early due to weather, and only got about 2 hours of sleep during their first night camping on the mountain.  I am so proud of them for accomplishing their goal, but mainly for not ending up in the E.R. and still being on speaking terms after traveling together!

 Learning how to camp in the snow, use crampons and ice axes

Their hike to the summit began on day two, at 1 am.

Each of the boys at the summit of Mt. Shasta

At the summit, amidst the haze and weather!  14,000 + feet.  Wooo hoooo!

5.  Laney went to the Fair for the first time yesterday.  She went with her Oma and Kiersten (her cousin).  Laney reports that "I went on the swings with Kiersten and did all the rides.  I played a fishing game and I winned a orange doggy toy.  I saw goats, some rabbits, some sheep, some chickens, and a rooster in a special gate.  My favorite part was the orange bus and the double decker one with stairs.  I ate chicken nuggies and french fries.  My legs were tired and I just watched the kids on the slide."

I asked her if she would like mommy to take her another time (feeling guilty that I don't enjoy the fair and have dreaded taking her as soon as she was born.)  She said she wants Oma to take her again, not mommy.  How lucky am I?

My gorgeous baby is getting so big!

6.  Liam is ALMOST crawling, and I feel like my life as I know it will soon cease to exist.  He can get up on his hands and knees, or hands and toes, or some combination of both.  He tries to rock forward but ends up falling over most of the time.  Liam really likes standing up and holding onto the sofa or the coffee table.  He is so brazen that he will turn around from the coffee table and lunge toward the sofa.  He still has wobbly legs as he is learning to stand, but will pick up his feet and move them as if to walk if you hold onto both of his hands.  I think he is desperate to be mobile and it won't be long before the child safety gates get re-installed in our house.  Liam is also starting to give kisses on demand (mostly only to mommy, but we are working on that).  He loves to plant an open mouthed slobber kiss on me, especially when I get him out of his crib after his nap. He also likes to check himself out in the mirrored wardrobe doors in his room after getting up from a nap, and smiles brightly at his own reflection as he pats the mirrror and greets his adorable smiling face.  He is such a flirt and a goofball all rolled up in one.  Heaven help us, I think we might be raising the class of  2028's Official Class Clown.