September 3rd, 2010

genteel ladies

by betsy

The south is full of ladies, real ladies who curl their hair, wear hats and meet for tea. FireDog and Ellie Bear have now joined ranks with the Belles themselves.
You see, FireDog needed a bandaid on his tail. And Bear had a run-in with Murphy the dog. Both were cleaned, but they had an odd residue. So this morning, they earned a trip through the rinse cycle. And, being the Southern ladies that they are, they have chosen to dry out seated on the rocking chair. Yes, here they are, sunning themselves on the veranda. Now, if I could only find some little hats.

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September 2nd, 2010

ellie’s recovery

by betsy

Ellie is trying to recover from the flu and the cold this morning. She was willing to try breakfast, but needed Bear with her.

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September 2nd, 2010

sickies

by betsy

I haven’t posted in at least two weeks, but there are big changes brewing here at the Grapevine house. There will be big news in the coming days.
But first, this post. I come to you from MiMi’s house this morning, where the kids and I are relaxing while Lance continues thesis work.
We all drove down here together last Wednesday and Thursday. Then, Thursday night, dear Josh threw up. And was sleeping in it when I came up to bed. He had experienced some carsickness earlier in the day, so we weren’t sure if he was sick or just tired of our travels.
Then on Saturday, Sam got sick as well, but just after a long boatride, so, again, the circumstances were somewhat suspicious.
Everything kind of unravelled from this point, though. On Sunday, Josh got a cold. On Monday, Ellie got a cold. On Tuesday, Lance got the flu. On Wednesday, Ellie, followed by MiMi, got the flu.
So today is Thursday. And I don’t know what Thursday will bring, but I suspect there is more laundry on the horizon.

August 13th, 2010

pulling up!!!

by betsy

She did it!

Today, just two days before her first birthday, Miss Ellie pulled up on the couch! My mom senses must have been operating in hyper-drive because I just happened to grab my camera in the moments leading up to it! So exciting! What a big girl!

Look at me, playing and sitting so nicely.

What’s that wonderful singing noise?

Hey! That boy took my new purple puppy!

Josh, that’s my new puppy. Unkie and TiTi M gave her to me for my birthday. She sings my songs and says my name.

Well, if you’re not gonna give her back, then I will come up there and get her myself.

Uuuuuugh. Puuuuuull.

Hey! Look at me! Are you getting this, Mama? Make sure the lens cap is off!

Whoa. What happened?

August 11th, 2010

party dress

by betsy

For Sam’s first birthday, nearly five years ago, he wore a polo, until it was cake time. And then he wore only his diaper and mounds of blue frosting. For Josh’s first birthday, he wore his jammies because I was so sick I could barely get out of bed long enough to sing to him. Getting him dressed was out of the question.

Ellie’s first birthday is a whole different story. A party requires a dress. And a first birthday party requires a very special dress.

Thanks, Mimi!

And here are a few more pictures, if you are interested. I took about 500 photos of her in this dress. Bless her heart.


Party Dress

August 10th, 2010

camp grandma and grandpa

by betsy

As I mentioned in my last post, the boys visited Lance’s folks down in St. Louis this past weekend, at an event we fondly call “Camp Grandma and Grandpa”. They had an amazing time, visiting museums, playing outside, and even making books with their favorite pictures from the visit. I wanted to share just a few of the wonderful photos! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!

August 8th, 2010

report me to the authorities!

by betsy

Seriously. Can you believe this picture exists? I didn’t even know Lance took it; he was on the other side of the glass door, as is evident in the picture’s quality. So sneaky!

August 7th, 2010

fancy breakfast club

by betsy

The boys are off enjoying a long weekend at Grandma and Grandpa’s house down by St. Louis, so it is just Lance and his girls. We let Unkie and TiTi M make plans for the five of us, and make plans they did. A fancy, tablecloth breakfast on a perfect summer morning, followed by a trip to the local farmer’s market. Oooo, I feel so spoiled!

August 1st, 2010

impromptu picnic

by betsy

Most Sundays after church, we can be found at Jimmy Johns. We sit in the same booth, know everyone who works there, and recruit other families to join us for, what has become, a family tradition. And we do pretty well at Jimmy Johns. We get subs and chips, cookies and sodas. They don’t mind that we’re loud, we can’t stay in our seats, we spill drinks. It’s the perfect place for us.

But today the weather was just too pretty. The sun was too shiny. We had to get the Jimmy John’s to go. And to the park we went.

The boys wanted to eat their sandwiches on the rocks, so Lance, Ellie and I shared the picnic table. This park has an amazing climbing area, which Sam is finally brave old enough to really conquer. And then there’s this whole pretend area, where Josh first was a storekeeper, and then a pirate ship driver, and then a cook. He had me sit at a nearby “booth” and order ice cream. It went about like this:

“Mom, order some ice cream.”

“Well, what kind of ice cream do you have?”

“Ummm, we have chocolate. . . and, ummmm, vanilla with M-ies. . . .  and special leaf ice cream with lots of celery.”

Obviously I ordered the vanilla with M-ies, my very favorite, as Josh well-knew when he put it on his menu. I promised him that next time I would order the special, particularly if I could pick out the celery.

Click on the picture below to enjoy the photos. They are a little Josh-heavy. Sam never stayed still long enough for a photo, and Ellie and I headed out a little early for a nap. Enjoy!


From Impromptu Picnic

July 31st, 2010

dinner dress-ups

by betsy

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For over a year now, Josh has been wanting to be a firefighter when he grows up. In fact, yesterday at the park he climbed the playground ladder over and over in preparation for his future career, and today he wanted to watch the movie about firefighting equipment and vehicles. So it’s no surprise that when we called Josh to the dinner table, he arrived in style.