Somersaults

Or somerflops, depending on how you do it.

A Face of Joy

Just wait for that last moment!

Singing Time

Recently, Jared is learning to be a little performer!

Lyrics:
If you chance to meet a frown,
Do not let it stay.
Quickly turn it upside down
And smile that frown away.

Pool Bums

It is good to be in charge!

Also, I'm not sure he knows the difference between "boss" and our last name.

Whole Plate of Volcano's

Jared loved this.  It was more of a fine motor activity than I had anticipated.  It is actually really hard to operate a dropper if you think about it!

Plate of baking soda and two colors of vinegar.

He's got such a great face.

Japanese Garden

Strangely enough, there is a park around here that contains a small Japanese garden.  I thought it would be a nice Saturday activity!

The statues gifted by the Japanese sister city.

Taking a break in the pavilion.

Apparently Japanese maples can survive in this climate!  We had one in our yard back home, but there was just one too many hard frosts I guess.

The bridge over a pebble stream and lake.  It took a lot of work to get Jared to stand still next to me.

Also, just as we were leaving a wedding party was arriving.  Apparently a great place for a small ceremony if you were interested!

Mind your 6's and Q's!

4H County Fair

On the 4th, we went to the local 4H County Fair with our awesome friends, the Coffmans.  It was wonderfully American.

Jared, Sophie and Ryan

As there is at any fair, they had a Civil war era village.  And Ken took a hand at Hatchet throwing.

And so did Jesse!

We saw lots of cows, horses and other animals.

We loved the air conditioned exhibition area.

We had some awesome fried food for lunch and then went home and rested from all the fun!

January flashback

 Not to be redundant with sleeping photos, but I found these on one of our cameras.  And I love seeing how much she has grown!

Jared is Three!!!

 The years are getting shorter I tell ya!

Warning: not all festivities shown.

 Can you tell that we had record breaking heat the week of his birthday?  Sweaty boy!

 Now for a costume change on account of some family swimming.

And then the camera died in the precise moment that Ken tried to take a picture of my awesome ombre cake, which (since there is no photo evidence to say otherwise) looked as awesome as this.  But beyond all of that it was great day to celebrate my wonderful Jared.  He makes us happy (at some point) every day!
Things I love about Jared at this age:

• He is a little monkey- jumping on his bed, climbing onto dressers and into Rosie's crib.  I really think there is little in our home that he cannot reach.  It is pretty impressive!  And scary.
• His imagination.  This morning at breakfast he started to "play" the new board game he got.  He passed me the imaginary spinner and took it back when it was his turn.
• Everything is thrilling- Cheerios at breakfast to a trip to the playground to the prospect of a bath.  I can think of very few things this boy doesn't like.
• He's very affectionate.  He loves to kiss and hug his sister.  He lets me know when he needs a little cuddle or some affirmation.  He loves being a smart, handsome, helpful boy!
• He is good at rules.  If he knows the rules, the chances are good that he'll try to follow them.  He holds our hands when we're near cars; he know that he can watch a movie only after his nap and that he needs to clean up before he wants anything special.

Just Like Little Angels

They are great in the morning, but they are the best when they are sleeping.  

Jared sleeping the night before he got his big bed (pictures to come)

Rosie started waking up when I took this picture, so I immediately ran out and shut the door.  Disaster averted.

A Series of Awesome Dinosaur-related Pictures

This little lady has a dinosaur.

Dinosaur confusion

 

 

 Dinosaur ferocity

 

This photo makes my day.  Every time.  Make it big.  It is even better!

Dinosaur resolution

Sink Sitter

He just does cute things.

And apparently never wears pants when I get the camera out!

Twinsies!

It was a while ago now, but when Ken and Jared went to the Fathers and Sons outing, Rosie and I had a night of bonding.

This bonding mostly involved me alternating between holding her foot down so I could paint accurately and holding it up, so she wouldn't smear the carpet or herself.

Purse Tirade

I never carried a purse on a regular basis until Jared came along.  Because I do not like purses.  I don't like that I usually forget it under my chair.  And I hate that I have to have things. 
Pre-diaper bag,  I would stick a credit card and license in my back pocket and my keys and just maybe chapstick in the front.  And it was awesome.
Now I have to carry a diaper bag nearly everywhere I go.  Diapers, wipes, changing mat, a few toys, a drink, a burp cloth, emergency snacks, chapstick, lotion, hand sanitizer, wallet, cell phone, tissues.  Ugh.  I lug it around because small disasters occur every time I don't have it with me.  But I resent it.  I resent having to be the one who is prepared.  Why aren't men the ones responsible for all the stuff???
Fortunately, I love my diaper bag.  But I long for the moments and even the days, when all I need is my keys.