Wonderful Weekends

It was a 4 day weekend for us, so we headed up north to Moorhead to visit Uncle Robby, Auntie Nicole, and Cousin Kylie. Grandma and Grandpa Nyhlen came down on Saturday to spend the day with all of us, too!

Here is Zander sleeping in the car. Doesn't he look comfy?

One of the times that all the kids were happy playing together. There tends to be a lot of tears when 1, 2, and 3 year olds all are learning how to share.

Grandpa rescues Zander from one of his "I am going to walk this way" moments.

On Saturday, we went to a children's museam. It was a really nice day.

Zoey got to play at a park. Her favorite thing to do is to get on these springy animals and yell, "Yippee Kay Yi Yay! Cowgirl Zoey!"Zander explored the entire museum!

One of Zoey's favorite rooms was the music room--she got to make a ton of noise.

Cousin Kylie also liked the music room.

The highlight of the trip (at least for the kids and maybe grandpa) was going on the merry-go-round. We are pretty sure that this was Zander's first time on the carousel. He seemed to like it.
When we got back, Grandma and the girls went out the rake/play in the leaves.
Here is Zander moments before his face met the sidewalk--he looks like he won a pretty good fight.
Once we were home sweet home on Sunday, Zander continued working on the yard. We will never get rid of all of the leaves that continue to fall!

New Shoes

Zoey and I went to the mall today buy new ballet and tap shoes. We also decided that Zander needed big boy shoes to celebrate his new talent. He was so taken with them that for the first few minutes after I put them on his feet he wouldn't walk. He just sat there and played with them. He did start walking in them and they look fabulous!

Here is a clip of a semi-typical play session between Zoey and Zander. . .

Teddy Bear Park

Our friends Roz and Kevin and their daughter Hazel came to visit on Saturday. They had never been to Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater, so since it was so nice out. . .we took them! It is a wonderful park for kids under 3 years old because everything is proportioned just right. Now that Zander is walking he was able to explore the park on his own terms. He walked all over that park!


Zoey had a great time, too. She immediately found a girl her age, went up and introduced herself and they played together until the other girl had to leave. It was very sweet. Also check out her hair! She is letting me put a "whale spout" in her hair almost every day now!



Oh the difference a year makes. . .same bear. . .same kids. . .a year ago. . .

They grow up so fast!

Zander is starting to look more like a little boy to me than a baby. With all his walking around, he is able to do so much more.
Speaking of growing up to soon. . . anyone need a ride?

Friday Night, Party Night

It was the annual cookout at Mary's Little Lambs and what a beautiful night! It was a little chilly, but we all had fun! Mary had a pinata for the kids and once they got the hang of it, they had a blast trying to break it open.


Zoey was thrilled when she saw what was inside. She stuffed all of our pockets with goodies.

Zander on the other hand, kept picking up things and putting them back into the pinata.

He kept sitting at the table, waiting to be served.

Right before we left, Bob gave all the kids a tractor ride around the yard.

Next year we are looking forward to staying a little longer as it will be the first time that both kids will be able to stay up longer than 7pm and still be happy campers!

If I didn't think she'd kill him, I would have grabbed the camera. . .

I wish I had pictures to go along with my Thursday night with the kids, but seriously there would have been an accident had I left to grab the camera.

Tyler had an open house at his school, so I got to spend the evening with the kids. Zoey was in good spirits and in a very helpful mood. During supper, Zoey felt the need to feed Zander his yogurt. So she took the spoon from me (here is where I thought it could be a nice picture moment) and jammed it in his mouth (here is where I decided I shouldn't leave the room). Zoey kept feeding him, but we worked on the term "gentle."

After Zander was sufficiently covered in yogurt. It was time to go into the bath. Again, Zoey was my right hand girl. She was there to wash Zander by continuously pouring water over the poor boy's head and insisted that she be the one to wipe him down with the washcloth. (At no point did I even think about going to get the camera, but there were a few cute moments in the chaos that was bathtime.)

Bedtime was oh so sweet. . .

One Jealous Granddaughter!

Grandma and Grandpa are currently traveling back from their vacation in Florida. They were there visiting my grandparents but took a day to visit Disneyworld to say hi to some of Zoey's favorite characters. I showed her Grandma and Grandpa's blog this morning, after I had discovered the pictures and she she was just amazed that they were standing next to the same characters she reads about and watches on TV. Glad you had a great time!

(I stole these pictures from their blog to share. . .)

Timon and Rafiki

Grandpa with Aurora ("Sleeping Beauty")

Their fairy godmother

Homecoming 2008!

It was homecoming week at Mahtomedi this week, so I picked up the kids from daycare and brought them back to school to watch the parade. Before the parade began we hung out in my classroom. Zander climbed right up into a seat and had a snack.

Zander was fascinated by our alphabet chart, prompting both kids to use the pointers to read the poster. Must be in the genes!

Mary did Zoey's hair--I think it is so cute! Zoey has never even let me try to fix her hair. Now she says that only Mary can do it.

Zoey was excited that her old daycare friend Justice was at the parade.

She was also very excited to see "her Annie." Annie takes care of kids from time to time. Zoey and Zander really like being with her.

Check out Zander's eyes as he is fawned over by all the girls.

I have never set out to take similar pictures of the kids. But every once in a while, I take a picture of Zander that reminds me of a picture I took of Zoey. We moved our couch away from the railing by the stairs, now that Zander is a full blown dare-devil. I made it into a little book/toy corner. Zander found it right away and has sat there a few times today to look at books.
Here is Zoey at around the same age looking at books by the bookshelf in her old room.

Mommy's Birthday

Zoey is all about the birthdays. All weekend she kept telling me about all the people she wanted to invite to my party this year. Cousin Kylie and Godfather David will be happy to know they were at the top of her list! I told Zoey (as I did last year) that I just wanted a nice family dinner for my birthday. But, to make her happy, I did take some balloons from school and bought some cupcakes to help make it seem more "party" like.

This morning as we were getting ready for the day, I told Zoey that I had to go to work. She looked at me and said, "No, Mommy! It's your birthday. You should stay home and clean."

Look What Zander Can Do Now!