Whistling Well Orchard

Last weekend we visited the apple orchard as a family.  The girls got to see chickens and goats, jump off of hay bails and munch on delicious apples.  We came close to taking a family photo with all of us smiling.  Before leaving, both girls threw a coin into the pretend well to make a wish.

It is now a week later and Emma can't stop talking about wishes.  She wants to make sure her wishes come true.  If you really listen closely in the car or at times when Emma thinks she is by herself, you will hear her whispering wishes.

Picture Perfect

The girls and Mommy recently had a photo shoot in a Minneapolis park.  Between finding a place to park the car and running after each girl when they didn't want to take a picture, Mommy found herself exhausted.  Thank goodness we managed to get a few good shots for holiday cards.

(Ani at the tipping point... )

More Fun at the Farm

Emma and Analise tried out a few new items at the family farm today.  Although Emma and Analise both tried out a hammock for the first time, Emma was the one who wanted to take a nap in it.  She spent much of the afternoon ordering around another little boy, asking him to do her bidding as she rocked in the hammock. 

Emma also had her first opportunity to ride on an ATV around the farmyard.  She enjoyed when the four wheeler went slowly but became rather upset when Daddy drove the vehicle a bit faster. 

Both Analise and Emma enjoyed the homemade ice cream and delicious potluck that was prepared by lots of family and friends.  Analise had her first opportunity to sip from a bottle of water.  What she still hasn't figured out yet is that there are many water bottles that look like the one she used.  Anytime she found a new one on a table or in the grass, she thought it belonged to her.  Mommy has decided that we will need to purchase a water bottle for Analise so she can easily distinguish her beloved bottle from all the rest.

Dragonfly Catchers

This weekend Emma and Daddy participated in a class that taught them the art of bug catching and identifying.  The adventures did not stop with the collection of dragonfly nymphs at the Maplewood Nature Center.  Emma progressed in her capturing abilities while we visited Lee and Beth's family farm near Lacrosse.  Below is a picture of a newly discovered bug.  This bug is so new that there isn't even a name for it yet.

To Grandma and Grandpa's House We Go

This past weekend, we visited Jan, Bruce and Michael in Madison, Wisconsin.  On the car ride over Mommy perfected her skills in manipulation.  What do you do if you have someone who intentionally drops the item you just handed them and then screams for you to pick it up again?  You develop a secret plot called "Kitty Time."  We have two girls that love kitties!  Any screaming or whining in the car meant that more kitty time was ticking away.  As soon as Emma found out about kitty time, the whining stopped and peace enveloped the car.

After arriving at the Maas home, we went out to the Union at the University of Madison.  The girls sat on the steps by the lake and threw bread crumbs to the ducks.  Emma even let the duck eat out of her hand.  There was a sign that asked us to not feed the animals but Mommy has to admit that feeding the ducks with my grandma was one of my fondest childhood memories.  She was so glad the girls had an opportunity to do this with their grandma.  After the bread crumbs were gone, we headed over to Michael's new house.  He showed us all of his current house projects (painting, carpeting, etc.)  Emma checked out his backyard and immediately saw a large red shed.  "Does Uncle Michael have a barn like Old MacDonald Mommy?"  But of course he does.  Emma is hoping that Michael decides to raise chickens in his "barn." 

 Memories were made here

On Saturday, we visited the local zoo and spent time at the playground.  We were able to hear a lion roar, saw grizzly bears play fighting and posed like the flamingos for a picture.  Although most animals were the same as those we see at the Como Zoo, we did get to see a peacock and a rhino.  One of the playgrounds we visited had a slide that was designed like the fairy tale story the Little Women who Lived in a Shoe.  Of course the girls loved the swings and spent a good majority of their time asking to be pushed.  In the evening, Michael stopped over and we had pizza.  Daddy and Mommy got a chance to go on a beautiful walk in a nature preserve while the girls listened to stories and drifted off to sleep.  Mommy and Daddy found a natural spring.  It was amazing to see how the water just bubbled out of the ground.

 If only we had one of these at home

 

Who knew there was an exact way to say the ABC song.  Uncle Mike and Emma may need to debate this issue further (but Mommy is pretty sure Emma will win every debate).

Bath time with Grandma is always the best

Sunday brought with it more playground time and a trip to the beach.  Emma and Daddy built their one of a kind beach bathtub while Ani and Mommy explored the potential for pouring water down a sandy hill.  By nap time everyone was exhausted.  We packed up and spent the majority of the car ride in nap mode (thank goodness!).  We arrived home in time for dinner and some serious unpacking.  Thank you to everyone who helped make our trip a wonderful one!

 Beans, thank you for putting up with so much this past weekend.  We hope you get lots of rest this next week.

The most beautiful picture Mommy can imagine

No Fireworks, But Had a Blast!

It was a great time to get out and enjoy some gorgeous weather over 4th of July weekend.  We started the weekend off by setting up the tent in our backyard and pretending to camp.  Both girls absolutely loved the tent and Emma referred to it as her playhouse.  We kept the tent up the entire weekend.  Dan and I got to use the tent as well to view the neighborhood fireworks after the girls went to bed.  Besides hanging out at home, we went to the lake for the 4th of July and then out for ice cream. 

 Mommy and Ani spent time building sand castles and sending princesses down rivers

While Emma and Daddy went for a swim

 And an inner tube ride

 Daddy:  "The fish is biting my butt."

 Emma:  "I want the fish to bite my butt."

 Swings are a great way to dry off

 Although Ani was resistant, Grandma made sure that she didn't miss out on all the water fun

Emma's Birthday

Although this post is over a month late, Emma had a wonderful birthday.  Over the weekend both sets of grandparents and Emma's Uncle Michael visited.  During the week, Emma had a celebration with her class.  Grandma Kathy and Daddy were able to attend the celebration.  Daddy read some favorite moments from Emma's first three years of life as she circled the sun with a little globe.  Emma went around the sun three times to represent her first three years of life.  Then each student gave her a stone for her bag.  With the stone, the student said something they wished for Emma in the coming year.  Emma also received handmade birthday cards from all of her classmates.