Friday, September 10, 2010

Hot Weekend in August

Still trying to catch up with posting pictures for you all to enjoy....

We had two hot spells this summer, the second one falling on a weekend in mid-August. For three days the temperature was over 90. On the hot Saturday, Jadyn had a playdate at Alexa's house, and they enjoyed some water play in Alexa's yard.



You may notice the tell-tale evidence of Jadyn's first chocolate chip cookie experience!

Jadyn also liked playing with Alexa's kitchen set-up.


Back at home later that afternoon, when it was topping out at about 95 outside and heating up to 85 in the house, Jadyn thought it was a perfect time to try on her winter hats and mittens. We couldn't decide if Jadyn was displaying a clever sense of humor or if she was truly oblivious to the heat.



Then the little storage crates became objects of play, too.



She decided to show off some of her signs for the camera: more,

bird,

and book.

The next day, still in the 90's, we went to the zoo for a bit in the morning. Lots of the zoo animals were laying low due to the heat. We got to see a bear take a swim! Here is Jadyn looking for otters,

and hanging with Mommy.

The following weekend, a family gathering at Grandpa Jim's and Granny Pat's brought us all to Michigan. Jadyn got to see a real live cow for the first time.


She was a little nervous to get THIS close to a horse -- they're so big and tall!

Per usual, she enjoyed wiping up near the sink, with Aunt Julie. Such a little helper!


Upon returning home, breakfast in a laundry basket was tons of fun,


as was trying on Daddy's flip-flops.

When Mommy was out giving her students their final exams, Jadyn began a climbing fascination with the "coffee cart". She knows this is where we make coffee in the mornings, and she wants to get in on the barista action. She climbs this cart multiple times a day now, and we're looking forward to her tiring of this game, as we are very tired of explaining how dangerous and unsafe it is.

The most-fun food we've introduced this summer has to be corn on the cob. Jadyn adores it! We'll all be sad when the markets no longer sell the yummy, super fresh ears of corn, but we know this is the sort of thing that makes summer so special.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

At long last, another update!

Where has the summer gone??? Here are some photos from this mostly cooler, grayer, and wetter than usual summer. These were taken at the end of July and the very beginning of August.

Trying on some shades

Tempting Cosmo with his fishing pole toy



Hiding behind the couch is no longer "safe" for the cats!

Fastening stroller straps is a much-loved activity

Learning how to operate Daddy's mouse


Still working hard on putting on shoes herself


Enjoying the Taiko drumming at the "From Hiroshima to Hope" event at Green Lake
(you can see more pictures of the event, including the lanterns floating after dark, which was too late for us to stay for, at http://www.mygreenlake.com/2010/08/from-hiroshima-to-hope-3/ )

She loves the book "Dear Zoo" -- it has flaps to lift and lots of animals to see. Here she is roaring like a lion

and "sssss-ing" like a snake.

After drawing a picture and crinkling up the paper, it was time to put the pencil in her pocket

and then play "hide Jadyn in a grocery bag."


By about this point in August, Jadyn knew the names of all of her teachers and classmates, and she could identify which shoes and jackets belong to which of her classmates -- just in time for us to gear up for her transition from the young toddler room to the next toddler room (for kids about 18 months to about 2 and a half). The next post will include photos from a trip to MI later in August!