Streaker. . .with pearls

There are somedays as a mom, that I just have to take a picture because its funny. I also am mean and think of how funny it will be when she is 16 :)

This particular moment was captured on Labor Day. We had a long weekend and were finally at home. Paige said she just wanted to stay home. Good idea. She ran around in her pj's, and then got dressed. When she is dressed at home, that is normally either a shirt or pants--not both. That afternoon got warm and she streaked around in her undies. Whatever. Then she started playing ball and I suggested she should go outside. I heard silence and assumed she was getting her clothes on. I heard the door slam, so I followed and found this young sprite in the driveway. Flip flops and pearls. Nice.

Thank goodness we don't live in town.

Leaving on a "jet" plane. . .

My aunt and uncle flew in on Friday of Labor Day weekend and we all went to see them off on Sunday morning. They save a huge drive from Minneapolis to Hettinger with a flight. Paige is enchanted with their plane, and loves it when she gets to 'fly' it.

In case you land and have no idea where you are, they have signs.

Saying goodbye.

Lack of ground control led to our own signals.

Almost ready. . .


Up, up, and away!

Big Kid

I learned this summer that I don't have a baby anymore--this has been evident in numerous ways. One large factor in making me accept this is the park. I have a small little blur who can run and jump on the 'big kid' stuff. She doesn't need me to catch her, or help her climb things. She is fearless and it sort of scares me at times. She does need help on the monkey bars, but its minimal. I figure later this fall she won't need me for those either. I also do have to help push on the swings, but she's learning how to pump her legs. My job is pretty simple now, I just have to watch and wave most of the time.

We'd put it in a jar

Tonight I was laying in Paige's bed with her and we were whispering about things. She all of a sudden got very animated and starts with, "I was chasing a bunny today and I almost CAUGHT it!"

"Really? What would you have done with it?" I ask, playing along that she actually got close to it and wasn't actually 10 feet from it.

"I was chasing it and it went into the tall trees." she replied, ignoring my question.

"If you had caught him, what would you have done with him?" I ask again.

"I would have given him to Kimmy and we'd put him in a jar." she replies simply.

I ponder this for a minute, and ask "Do you guys put bugs in jars at her house?"

"And butteflies, and ladybugs, and one time a bug crawled on Kayla's arm. . ." she continues.

I listen captivated, trying to imagine jars of rabbits and smiled.

I'm so happy we have a girl. . .

There are days I am so happy I have a daughter. This was one of them. If I didn't have her, there would be no puffy pink princess dresses prancing around my house. There wouldn't be tiaras floating all over, and none for me to wear! There wouldn't be layers of necklaces or bracelets to pile on for fun. We wouldn't get to giggle over all the sparkles on her skirt or how shiny it is. I love how she spins around and collapses in a pile of pink netting. I think no matter how old you are, a girl is never to old to spin in a dress, and the bigger the better. Older girls just get wedding dresses. I love there is someone else who says 'Ew, gross' when her Daddy does icky things. I love that she loves to have her nails painted and thinks makeup is fun. I love that she is a girly little thing who is a fabulous shopper. I adore her cute little phrases and mannerisms. I even love her independent stubborn streak. I love that she is mine.

Locked in the camper

So I left Cowboy and Paige on Sunday afternoon to attend a coworker's bridal shower. I was gone about 1.5 hours and arrived home with groceries. I saw the camper in the yard that we are borrowing (thanks Rick & Jane) for the weekend so I knew Cowboy had gotten it in the time I was gone. I go and find them, and have Cowboy ask me, "Did you hear what happened?" Umm, no. Not sure who he thinks I talk to every second of the day.
Apparently our clever daughter went into the camper and locked herself in. The key was in the camper and Cowboy couldn't get her to flip the little locking mechanism open. The A/C wasn't on so I think he sort of freaked out (understandibly) and got her to open up the escape window latch. So he got the ladder out and climbed in through the escape window and saved her. My father in law pointed out today, why didn't he just open the window and tell her to hand Daddy the key?. . . I can't wait to ask him that and see the look of "well I didn't think of that at the time." I guess she didn't even freak out for the few minutes she was captive. Girls know when their Daddys will save them.

Happy Birthday Dad!

So Saturday was Dad's birthday--no candles on the cake so it wouldn't start on fire :) Just kidding; that is my homemade chocolate cream cheese zuchinni cake w/homemade icing. Worked my tail off on it; I appreciate Betty Crocker a whole lot more now. We had a nice supper with my parents and some of their friends on Saturday night. Our ex-neighbors had just returned from the Grand Canyon and were there when President Obama was there; so we had great dinner conversation.

Copying Gramma . . .

Blue eyes

"I love bubbles!"