Monarch butterfly

When I was growing up we always looked for monarch caterpillars in the fall. This year my mother found one and gave him to us. We watched as he crawled around and made a "J" formation and then spun his chrysalis. It took 2 weeks for him to turn into a butterfly. Ben was so happy to see him and did a really good job of letting him go.

Emma

I've managed to get a few pictures of Emma as we stride about our day.
Here she is with Benjamin's favorite weapon....the hammer from wack-a-mole.
She loves the sit and spin. She doesn't spin but likes the music and will dance. It's quite cute to see it when she really gets into it.
Standing alone is her new favorite skill.

Finger Painting

Lately Benjamin wants to make a scarry face in all pictures almost like he's growling. Gone are the days of the simple smile. We finger painted yesterday. I have some lovely portraits on our fridge.
This is the cheesy smile I get when I ask Ben to smile. He is simultaneously saying cheese.
Emma's first experience with finger paint. She wanted to eat it.

Lion's Den

The activity of choice this week has been building a lion's den. I am the official family lion trainer and feed the lion periodically. The lion in the picture had just asked for a black cookie (oreo) and still has some on his face. Other than cookies the lion says he likes lots of meat. Of course Emma is not allowed in the Lion's den but is fascinated by it.
It has rained quite a bit this week and we are making the transition to indoor activities.

Ist Day of School

Where did my baby boy go? .........and who is this big kiddo?
Benjamin was being a bit of a goof-ball on the first day of school. He insisted on wearing dark jeans and a belt and a plaid shirt just like Daddy. He couldn't wait to take his new lunch box and put it in his cubby. This year I can go with him only every 4th session. I was at a loss today when I dropped him off. Told the teacher at the door that she might get a call from BJ's saying that there was a distraught mom in tears in the Milk isle.

Misc.

We went to the fair on Monday. It was probably a mistake to wait until the last day of the fair. Most of the cattle barns were cleared out. That's what we like to look at. The pigs, goats, chickens, and rabbits were still there though so not all was lost. The kids did really well in the double stroller that I am borrowing from a generous friend. It rained the whole day. I guess that's better than 90+ degrees and lots of humidity.
These little cheribs have been making rocket ships and traveling to Mars. Actually, it's just Benjamin who is traveling. Emma likes to copy everything he does but can't understand why she's doing it yet. Tomorrow I think we will turn the living room into a fort if it keeps raining.

Emma

We have a new family member to introduce. This is Emma. She really is as adorable as the pictures make her look. We have had her a little over a week and are adjusting to having two children. The biggest adjustment I think is for Benjamin. He calls her the little girl and really wants her to stop chewing on his toys. The situation is up in the air ~ as with all of lifes risks and rewards. We don't know how long she'll be with us but we'll love her as long as we have her.

On the cow merry-go-round at the great NY state fair.

Strong Man / Fat Man

Benjamin has a new favorite activity. He loves to put blocks down his clothing and pretend to be fat and strong. He does it to daddy too, but daddy didn't stay that way long enough to be photographed.