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Photo Friday: First Day of School!
My sweet baby girl has started school! We were all pretty excited as we counted down the days (remember the paper chain we made a couple weeks ago?), so when the big day finally arrived, we had things all in order. I mentioned that, after lots of searching, I found a backpack I knew Ella would love and ordered it from Paper and Polka Dots on Etsy. I wrapped it up and Pete & I gave it to her on Sunday night. She was so excited that she slept with it. I didn’t mind a bit.
Monday morning, Miss Ella put on the dress we had set out the night before, slid a bow in her hair, and put on the new “running shoes” she insisted on wearing. At least they were the same color as the dress. After saying goodbye to Daddy, we both ate a big bowl of Cheerios, made a lunch to put in her owl backpack, and took the mandatory first-day-of-school photos. Then we were off!
I was so excited for everything Ella would be experiencing at school that it wasn’t hard for me to drop her off. She’s so social that she gave Sam and I a quick hug and kiss and ran into her classroom. The quiet time at home while she was away was a little harder than I had imagined. I have no doubt I’ll get used to it, but when she’s not with me I’m usually busily working on something. Monday morning was just quiet. So different. But it helps knowing that she’s getting to do so much on her mornings away. This month she has school every day from 9-1. Beginning in September, she’ll still go every day but the hours will be different. I’m still not exactly sure what they will be, but she’ll come home before lunch. I’m glad. I’ve been missing our lunches together in the nook.
And now we’re off! We’ll be heading out the door in just a few minutes to make our way to Minneapolis for an annual family pig roast at my aunt and uncle’s place. I’ll also get to see a few friends and introduce them to Sam. I love showing off my little guy!
Have a lovely weekend!
To Wisconsin We Go!
Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we went. And what a time we had! Our very short trip into the heart of Wisconsin farm country was relaxing and lovely. This was Sam’s first time to Nana & Papa Olsen’s house and his first time out of Minnesota. I’m so very fortunate to have two amazing little travelers. Ella read books and watched a movie while Sam slept nearly the entire way. Near the end of the long trip, things got a little silly.
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At one point I wanted to show Ella a few Wisconsin farms with their expansive barns and picturesque farm houses. It reminds me of where I grew up. We took a country road off the main highway to “find cows.” As soon as we saw our first one, Ella started singing Old McDonald.
At last, we arrived at Nana & Papa’s. Ella set to work helping them water their plants, something she’s very good at. (Probably didn’t learn that from me, though. You should see our outside plants. Or not. They don’t even exist anymore. After the flowers on the deck dried up, I tossed them with the yard waste. At least that way I don’t have to be reminded of my lack of plant growing ability. Inside plants, yes. Outside, no. Maybe next summer will be better.)
At dinner, Ella was given this enormous book to use as a booster. I remember sitting on a stack of phone books at my grandparents’ house when I was little. I couldn’t resist capturing the moment.
The first evening of our stay, Auntie Kristin and I were watching the Olympics while Sam slept and I wondered what Ella was up to. When I searched in a basement bedroom, this is what I found. A perfect little picnic.
Papa and his boy. The two of them together just makes my heart happy.
While I was out, I saw this shirt in Ella’s size. Pete says this all the time.
It was hot during our visit (so thankful for air conditioning!), but we still spent plenty of time outside. Ella loves to walk around the small lake behind Nana & Papa’s house.
Ella loves her Auntie Kristin. We’re so fortunate to be able to see her just about every visit to Wisconsin. Ella also loves taking pictures, but we already knew that, didn’t we?
She’s gotten really good at throwing rocks in the water after all her dates with Daddy down by the lake. I think they always end up throwing rocks on their dates.
Another moment I love of Papa and Sam.
I know this picture was taken moments before leaving Nana & Papa’s because Ella is holding a melting M&M. Nana always has a bowl of dark chocolate M&Ms out, but I don’t let Ella know that until it’s time to go. If you ask what her favorite food is, she’ll tell you without hesitation choc-o-late. Just hearing the way she says the word makes me want to give it to her. Choc-o-late. I hope she says it that way forever.
After our 48 hour stay, it was time to head back to Duluth. The drive back wasn’t quite as peaceful as the way there. I was a bit on edge before we were halfway home. Not good. The sun was beating down on me as I drove and Ella was practicing her two favorite questions “what?” and “why?” a few too many times for my liking. We finally stopped at a park in Solon Springs, a little town I’ve been wanting to check out. Ella played, I fed Sam, my sanity returned, and we all got some fresh air.
We had been watching gymnastics on the Olympics the night before, so when Ella saw this parking block, she pretended it was a balance beam. My dad was a gymnast back in the day, so I had to capture these photos.
We eventually did make it home. I was ready for a nap the moment we did, but of course the little ones had been in the car so long that they refused to rest. Isn’t that always the way of it? No worries. Being a parent just wouldn’t be complete without a few moments of exhaustion every now and then. And after such a relaxing stay at Nana & Papa’s, I didn’t mind quite as much.
Brother & Sister
A long post with lots of pictures from Grandma & Grandpa’s house last week is on its way but isn’t quite ready yet. In the meantime, I’m posting these lovelies from play time this afternoon. The Pea Pod tent was delivered to us earlier today. We plan to use it for Sam’s bed when we are in Kenya this winter. I’ve had friends rave about them, and we just happened to have a gift card for Target where they’re available. So far, I’m in love! It’s small and light and even looks like it was made for adventure. Ella is a huge fan and I didn’t hear any complaints from Sam! They were both very happy to play in the tent side by side. Melt. My. Heart.
Photo Friday: The Olympics!
I love the Olympics. The hype and pride and athleticism and endless coverage of individual background stories that make a mama teary. (I’m not the only one who gets teary watching those, right?) I’ve been looking forward to these games for months and months, planning way last winter that I would be watching a majority of them in the air-conditioned comfort of Eli & Krista’s house since we neither have air-conditioning or (even more importantly) a TV on which to watch them. Krista & I are huge Olympics fans. Therefore, we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a little opening ceremony party last Friday.
We sent a few texts to each other and to friends to get the party ball rolling, making it clear that everyone was expected to dress to represent an Olympic event. Immediately, I knew how I would dress the kiddos, but my own outfit was only selected about 20 minutes before leaving the house. I’ll admit, the main reason for that was because so many things still don’t fit this post-baby bod.
Can you tell what our little Samuel dressed as? (Hint: that’s a stuffed horse next to him.)
Yes! A jockey! Our little equestrian was set to represent in a polo shirt and little cap. Isn’t the cap adorable? I think it came to us in an enormous box of hand-me-downs from Jess and her boys. I want more pictures of him in it. It’s so boyish!
Here it looks like Jack & Caleb might be attempting to get arm wrestling into the games. Jack (4 months) was a sailor while Caleb (11 weeks) was a swimmer.
It’s just not a proper party without a cake. I have to explain the holes in the top of this one. I was practicing various wedding styles the night before and stuck a large monogram letter in the top. After the practice session was complete, I painted the Olympic rings on top, wrapped it in gold ribbon, stuck in the flag and – viola – a party cake. (chocolate with almond frosting & fondant, I think)
I ended up going as a weight lifter! I’ve got plenty of workout clothes, so I dug up a couple sweat bands from my running garb and lugged a set of 8-pound weights to the party. Eli was a tennis player and Krista was a biker. (The great thing about Eli’s outfit? Apparently he wore that to every tennis class he had for a semester of college. Nice work.) I’m crazy about Caleb’s goggles here. Ella had a pair too, but was far more interested in writing “checks” than taking a party pic.
I’ve been soaking in as much of the Olympic action as possible. I catch what I can online. One night I saw swimming at the hospital in an on-call resident room while Pete was working. Then we were at Grandma & Grandpa Olsen’s house for a few days and I got to see a lot more. Tomorrow we’ll be watching with Eli & Krista again. I would be so sad if I missed them!
I think I’d have to say that my favorite summer Olympic event is gymnastics. It’s so hard to decide, though. They are all so much fun to watch, especially after learning the personal stories of the athletes.
What is your favorite summer Olympic event? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below!
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Since I mentioned the practice wedding cake, here are two versions of what I made. The final cake was a lot like the bottom of the two but with higher tiers. I’ll be posting the real photos soon on The Little Yellow Kitchen website.
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I did something crazy this week…I joined Twitter! It’s actually been a really fun way to stay up on all the Olympic action, seeing pics and getting results right after things happen. I’ve also found some cool people to follow, like other parents of kids with Down syndrome and cute boutique shops. I’m still figuring out how it all works, but if you’re on Twitter, look me up! I’m @OlsenAngela.
Photo Friday: A Hobbity Celebration
I was looking way back through some old posts I never published and came across these photos from nearly one entire year ago. My brother, Jake, was celebrating turning a quarter of a century and did so in unique style.
Enter…the Hobbit.
Hobbits come in all sizes. Here, Miss Malena Hobbit with her Uncle.
Hobbits are known for the large, hairy feet, yes?
Ella Hobbit wanted the proper foot look, too.
The Mama Hobbit (yes, I got to be a hobbit, too) made these capes for Malena & Ella Hobbit the day of the party.
I also tried my hand at my second fondant cake. This entirely edible little hobbit house remains my favorite of all cakes I’ve made.
A celebration in the style of the hobbit is not complete without pipes and large mugs of beer, cheerful lighting and whimsical music. All was in abundance the night we celebrated Uncle Jake’s 25th.
