August activities

Not much to post about in the last few weeks. It's been nice having some time at home. Jon was off the last two weekends of August. The first weekend we went to dinner with some friends on Friday night and then invited our neighbors over for a barbecue on Saturday. They just moved in a couple of months ago so we wanted to get to know them better. They were so nice and we have tons in common. They're about our age and just got married last October. No kids yet but it sounds like maybe soon.

This past weekend we just hung around home and relaxed. We had the VHA board picnic on Saturday. Jon was on call on Sunday and had to go in around 6pm. Maddie and I were playing outside when Jon left. When he came out to say goodbye Casper escaped into the backyard. After Jon left, Maddie and I waited by the bushes for Casper to emerge. He was too quick for me and ducked under some different bushes before I could grab him. Suddenly the bushes started to shake so I knew Casper found an animal. Out darts a huge rodent and Casper right behind it. Casper caught the rodent and ran onto the patio. I moved to the patio to call Jon to tell him about our hunting cat. Unfortunately, I didn't think about Maddie's reaction and that she would understand what Casper did. As soon as I called Jon, Casper picks up the limp rodent and walks away. Maddie starts crying hysterically. I take her inside and told her that the animals were just playing but my little animal lover was not convinced. I left Casper outside hoping that he couldn't find an opening in our fence for the next hour while I did Maddie's evening routine and put her to bed. I lured Casper out of the bushes with some chicken once Maddie was down.

A cute anecdote I'll share is Maddie's new skill that Grandpa taught her. When we were together in Iowa, Al taught Maddie to pump her right fist and say "yes". She can't talk yet but she can say "yes" so I'm totally counting that as a word :) Anyways, the other day she walked up to a big picture of Elaine and Al we have in our office. She pointed to Al, turned to us and said "yes" with the arm pump. It was so cute that she remembered. She then walked around with their picture kissing it. So sweet.

Over the past couple of days Maddie developed a cold. This morning that cold turned into a fever and the big D (as Jon would call it). I also had a cold this past weekend and Jon just caught a bug today. He came home early and went straight to bed for four hours.

At the discovery center with some friends







At the zoo. I just discovered the leopards. All the hundreds of times we've been to the zoo I always skipped this exhibit. I was excited to discover another cat.


Unwinding in the zoo toddler area.





Helping Dad sweep. Can't figure out why the broom isn't working.



"Yes!"


"What Mom, I'm putting them away."

Maddie put this top on herself. She forgot to take off her other shirt first.



"Sorry Mom, using the top bolt won't keep me out anymore."

I am a little worried about her locking me out in the garage one of these days.

Glasses for JoJo


She can't get enough of our pets. Except in the morning or when she's watching her DVD. She doesn't want JoJo around at all then.

"That's ok Casper, I forgive you for hurting that animal."

"Just kidding, take that!"




More pudding painting

It just turned into pudding eating. This activity was done after she had a big lunch but I guess there's always room for chocolate (right Mom :))


In a chocolate daze

You can fit so much more into this utensil. This is when I took it away from her before she got sick.


Reading to JoJo


JoJo needs more books.