Loving Those Words!

It's been so wonderful recently to hear Gwen saying "Love you" to us! Last night she went around the table at dinner. "Love you, Seth. Love you, Ca-yub", and so on. She even says it to our neighbors' puppy that the kids take out every day at lunch.. "Love you, Taz"!

I feel like I've waited a long time to hear those words, despite the fact that Gwen expresses love in so many other ways. She stops me to blow kisses to me now as I am leaving her room after putting her in bed. She gives great tight hugs, and loves to snuggle. She likes to hold hands when we're walking, even if it's just in the house. She is always happy to see us when we pick her up at the church nursery... she literally jumps up and down and screams with joy.

She doesn't say her "love you" all the time... despite the fact that the neighbors' puppy gets to hear it, she is still somewhat selective with what moments call for it. But I'm not complaining... I'll take those words whenever they come.

You've Heard of Bed Head...

Well, at our house we have trampoline head!

Getting All Dolled Up

Well, I have a new haircut. I guess I should do my nails and complete the look.
I can paint yours too, Mom. Just hold still!
Let me just get this last one...
Ta-da!!

I Was Takin' A Bath

Getting clean is pretty good fun!

I love making waves!
Seth demonstrates how to blow bubbles, hanging over the edge of the tub!

On a Sunny Afternoon

I'm all dressed up and going for a ride.
My sister's coming too!
She's a little faster than me...
Oh my, I don't know if I can catch up... do you see how far ahead she is?
Come here, I think I see her!
Maybe that's her, over there!
It wasn't her... oh well, I found some maple seeds to put in my basket before I head home.
Home at last, I get to have a cookie outside with my sister and her friend!
My sister's friend took this picture of us. Even though it's out of focus, you can see that I was too tired from my long ride to even smile!

Jumping for Joy

In the spring when she first tried the trampoline, Gwen was a tenative jumper. As she's gotten the feel of the trampoline, her confidence has increased. These days, she pretty much jumps with abandon!

Hair

Mommy curled mine for the first time...
... and I brushed Madelyn's!

Double Trouble

Seth and his evil twin, I mean... er, his fun-loving uncle, Justin! :-) Really, we love Uncle Justin!

Takin' in the Sights

Watching the Labor Day parade... Gwenny with Daddy, and Madelyn with Pa and Nanny.

Down By the Sea

Well really it's the lake, but it looks like it could be the sea! This is one of my new favorite Gwen pictures. Almost two and a half years old!

One Week Down

All the kids together on the front porch before Caleb leaves for his first day of school.

Last week Caleb completed his first week ever of traditional school. As a seventh grader in school for the first time, I think he handled it well. Of course I don't really know exactly how things went, since he was away from home all day without me, but it sounds like it was a good thing. It was a good thing for me too... after schooling him at home for the past seven years, this was a new thing for me, to send him off for the day. He shared a lot about his days with me, as I asked strategic questions, but I know I didn't hear everything. One of the many reasons I've homeschooled the kids is that I like knowing everything that goes on in their days.

I think that maybe now I've grown up enough that it's okay if I don't know everything.

The Queen of Sheba

... in her laundry basket chariot!