Beading Project

Today was the first day of summer daycare without Brody (besides the days at the farm).  Brody is spending the summer with his new baby brother, Maverick, and his mommy (and daddy some of the time).  I have some "projects" planned for Claire (the big girl) while the boys aren't there to "help".  Today during Max's nap, Claire learned how to bead a necklace.  She did a great job once she got the hang of it.  Sometimes it takes a little while for her confidence to kick in, but with a little attention, she gets right into it.  I take a lot of shots of every event because usually only one turns out, but this sequence really captures the project from start to finish!

More Overnight Fun

Had to wash off all that "farm", right!  They seemed to enjoy the bath!  The next day Claire kept busy for a long time "painting" everything - toes, fingers, elbows, furniture.  After Max's nap, she even talked him into a mini-pedi!

Overnight at the Farm

Note how tightly Max is hanging on to Claire's shirt!  She's a pistol behind the handlebars!

Max and Claire spent the night with Omi and Papa at the farm.  Don't tell Brody, but Claire rode his motorcycle ALL over!  Even Max gave it a try, but he really just wanted to push the noise buttons!  After all that fun, we went to the Tasty Freeze in Lonsdale with Auntie Heather.  Claire had an orange Slush and Max shared a fresh raspberry M&M blizzard with me.  Auntie had a fresh raspberry sundae.

Happy Birth Day, Maverick Barrett Park

Brody and his Daddy welcoming little Maverick to the world!

 

Auntie Heather meeting Maverick - I think she thinks he's a keeper!

Omi and Papa get to hold Maverick on his very first day, only hours old, May 30, 2012!

Happy Birthday MAX - 1 1/2 years old today!!

Max does love him some Mini Cooper - Docken Farm Version!  (he's a real good driver)
     We sure do love ya, Max!

All Stars

Brody went shopping with Auntie Heather and I at the Northfield Book Fair, he picked out a book that he just HAD TO HAVE - it had a handle on it.  He was NOT leaving without it!  He was so busy swinging it around, I couldn't get a photo without movement!!

Claire was enjoying a special treat - a piece of tootsie roll.  Papa and I got them at church during the annual KC Tootsie Roll Drive for the Mentally Challenged.  They are always the FRESHEST tootsie rolls ever.  I don't think these kids have ever had a tootsie roll before.  They enjoyed them AND they made them last a long time!!  It was nice out today - but perhaps not quite warm enough for her tank top dress, flared jeans and matchy matchy Crocs, she put on the cap because the wind was whipping her hair every which way.

Max, Claire and Brody celebrating Max's 1 1/2 year birthday today (with the special tootsie rolls).  We sang Happy Birthday MANY MANY times, and then everyone clapped each time!!  We sure do know how to
P A R T Y!!

Claire's 3rd Birthday at the Zoo

Claire's 3rd Birthday Party was held the Sunday before her birthday.  On her birthday, April 25, Papa and Omi took Claire, Brody and Max to the Zoo to celebrate.  We enjoyed the Spring animals, the baby chicks and baby bunnies in their warmed cages; the monkeys and new babies outside in the sunshine after the cold winter months; and the noisy fish (well, Claire thinks that area is noisy!).   We had cheese & caramel popcorn, pasta salad, orange slices and bananas.  The sun came out unexpectedly, so we had some fun on the Minnesota Trail.