Little Passengers

The bike ride to school to drop Benjamin and Eloisa off is getting colder.  Monday was painfully cold and Fall has just begun.  Will we survive the winter?

Daddy Date

Everyone in our house woke up with a nasty cold or a sore throat on Sunday except for these two.  Drew decided it was the perfect opportunity for the two of them to go on a daddy date to Starbucks.  

Soccer

Benjamin has enjoyed playing soccer this season.  He has matured a lot in the past year.  There was a lot less writhing on the ground when he got hurt and no crazy celebrations after he scored a goal.  It will be really fun to watch him play in the U10 (Under 10) league next year.  He is ready to move up and keep score.  Good work, Benjamin!

 My handsome little Sam

He Rides

Drew and I didn't break our backs on this kid.  Benjamin needed a bigger bike and handed his "rocket"  bike down to Samuel.  It took a couple of minutes before he was off and going.  He is just a tad bit too short so stopping without falling over is a challenge.  His inability to gracefully stop is good for my health.  It keeps me running so I can help him at each stop sign.  He is completely thrilled with himself.

Benjamin is thrilled with his new golden bike.  After he parks it and puts the kick stand down, he steps back smiling and admires it for a few moments before moving on.

Party

Anxiously awaiting Stella's birthday party.  Her siblings were much more excited all week than she was.  According to Stella, she just turned 6.  Not sure where she got that since none of her siblings are 6.

My grandma was finally able to come down and see our new house.  I wish she lived closer so she could just come sit with the kids and watch them play more.  The 4 hours of driving wear her out.

 Post nap snuggles.

Stella doesn't see my grandma enough to get cozy with her and Stella is not one to be super friendly to those that she is unfamiliar with.  Drew finally suggested a book which got her close to Grandma Ruth.

 Ready for presents.

Samuel inherited Papa's packing skills and packed Stella's new shopping cart full of all her presents.

 She did not want to stop playing and take a photo with her parents.  Who can blame her?

She had her candles blown out the second we finished the song.  Waiting for the right moment...

And she did not want to stop playing and take this 4 generation photo Drew wanted to get.  Again, who can blame her?  As soon as I put her down she said, "I go get baby hers diaper."

 Love.

This morning I sneezed and Stella said, "Bless you, mama."  I love her sweet voice and I said back to her, "Bless you."  She laughed and said, "Not bless you ME!  Bless you YOU!"

S'more Birthday Fun

We had the Pasko fam over Friday night for s'mores.  Audrey brought Stella a ball for her birthday.  Stella spent the next few hours trying to convince us that it was Audrey's ball since she brought it with her.  She did not understand the whole present idea yet.  

Stella ate more s'mores than I can count.  I told her she was all done after her second but every time I saw her she was covered in more chocolate and marshmallow.  I don't know where she found them but she did and I'm surprised she didn't get sick.  Sneaky.

I saw the girls disappear together and found them on this bench.  I love this huge, old weeping willow tree and hope it is healthy for a long, long time.

And She's Two

Drew brought Stella a flower in at lunch today.  She smelled it and then tore every last petal off all over the house.

She grew up.  It goes too fast.

She loves to ride bike now.  She made it 6 blocks to campus the other day and would have gone further.  I kept asking if she was tired and wanted to ride in the stroller.  "No.  I'm okay!  Whoa, big bump, mama."  Her constant commentary on life is so great.

Benjamin had a soccer game tonight.  Stella and Sam helped me make some birthday monster cookie treats to take and share at the game.

 Stella and her little friend, Audrey.

 Sporting a pirate patch that somehow made its way to the soccer game.

Sharing her birthday cookies.  She recounted everyone that ate one of her cookies on the way home.  "And Samuel had one.  And Sara Grace had one too.  And Benjamin had one.  And Audrey had one...."

She is so funny.  Sometimes a little too sassy.  Most of the time sweet.  My favorite thing she does right now is add an 's' to her pronouns.  "That yours shirt, mama?"  "That hers back pack?"  "I sit on yours lap, daddy."

She will defend any of her siblings when they are being mistreated.  Isa was picking on Benjamin last night.  I was just about to correct Isa and Stella stepped in with her hand on her hip (no joke) and said, "Isa, you be nice to Ben.  Now."  Drew and I had to leave the room.  Isa looked a little annoyed and then they hugged and moved on.

Happy 2nd Birthday, beautiful girl.  We love you!

Assignment Fail and Birthday Eve

At Mike's wedding, I had a discussion with Lisa and Kristi about things we love to do but don't do often.  I love photographs.  But I don't know enough and it makes me frustrated.  Lisa gave me an assignment that I am to post 12 photos on the 12th of every month.  This will help me be creative one day a month and just get my camera out and experiment.  Well, today was crazy and so I didn't get 12 and most of them are of my sweet Stella on her birthday eve.  Two years old tomorrow.  [Sigh]  So...not super creative and not the right number but it's all I had at the end of the day.  Maybe next month, Lisa.  

 Lambie's poor tail is a dreaded, dirty mess from all the lovin'.

Wish she could keep those chunky, dimpled little hands forever.  I know they would look weird on an adult body so I guess I don't really wish that but I'm going to miss them when they are gone.

 Oh these two are trouble...

Our office gets all the lovely morning light.  I love sitting on this day bed and soaking up the morning sun.

 The perfect little curl.

 I will also miss these a lot when they are gone.