Weekend at the Peterson Cabin

We had a lovely weekend full of firsts at the cabin. Emily had her first pontoon, and speed boat ride, and a first game of croquet. We ate like kings, Emily ate her first corn on the cob, she had three helpings of grilled pork loin (so weird for her to eat meat, especially that much), she had three pancakes for breakfast, and her first fried ice cream at a El Toro! Thanks Peterson's for giving us a relaxing weekend full of R&R, we owe you. Thanks to Christopher for sharing all of your toys.

Emily's Birthday List

I have been putting down a couple of ideas that I think Emily would enjoy for her birthday. I thought I would post since many of you have been asking for ideas.

Books, (I spy toddler, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, The Very Hungary Caterpillar, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Boyton's Greatest Hits Vol. II )

Mr. Potato Head

Duplo's, (Lego's intermediate block) Lego building plates

String a Farm, by Alex

Wooden Puzzles, (Melissa and Doug is a great brand)

Clothes 2T,

$$$ for 529 college fund

Play Tent

PlayDough accessories

Craft time supplies

How many of my readers ignore posts that do not contain pictures?
I wanted to update a couple of Emilyism's. She likes to spontaneously tell you "I love you", we don't have to ask for it anymore, it is the sweetest! Emily went #1 in her little potty last week. She has been asking to sit on it and the big potty often, but nothing ever happens, I think she was a tad surprised, but I laid on the praise thick, this encourages me. I had been hoping to potty train her in September when our daycare shuts down for a couple of weeks. Robert and I are each going to take a few days vacation to stay home with her, and the training will commence. Would it be to much to ask that I only have one in diapers at a time?
Emily is also speaking in sentences, at least 3 and 4 words. She is getting the hang of using adjectives and learning opposites. This morning she declared she wanted some of daddy's shake, we can hear the blender from upstairs. We went downstairs and she asked for a big shake, Robert poured her some protein smoothie into a glass for her, she then went on to say that she and daddy both have big shakes, and that there were two shakes. Hopefully I can post her birthday list soon. I have had some inquires as to what our almost two year old is hoping for, and we have a list, so I will get it out soon.

Summary

We have done a lot in the last two weeks. Robert went to the Indy Corn 250 with his co-worker Ike. Last week the Barnstormers came to Ames, they came a couple of days early since no-one could get to the Iowa City Airport due to flooding. We visited the airplanes several times, Emily really enjoyed them. Dallas came on Tuesday and they went up for a ride.

Emily and I went strawberry picking for the first time last week. She finally likes strawberries. Robert had the camera for the day, so I had to settle for this picture of us and our loot in the kitchen. The last picture is of Emily taking a bath in the laundry basket. She has hated baths and cries, will not sit and for the last couple of months. Robert came up with this genius idea to put a laundry basket in the bath tub. Emily loves sitting in the basket! Now the only crying that happens is when it is time to get out.
The other big news is that Emily is expecting a sibling in December. I am 14 weeks pregnant and everything is going well despite the fact that I fighting walking pneumonia. I am showing a lot sooner than with Emily, I suppose that is how it goes the second time around, anyone know where I can find some cute khaki shorts with an elastic waist band?

Artist

Emily has been quite the artist lately. We have been going to the Ames Library reading program. This summer it is themed "Catch the Reading Bug" Everything is about bugs. It amazes me that they have enough books, activities, and songs to fill up a whole summer. Today is story time all three books were about worms or slugs that left a slime trail. The craft activity was to paint a slime trail, they had popsicle sticks with yarn attached to the end. The idea was to paint using the string. Here is Emily's final product.

Happy Birthday Robert

Well I am dreadfully behind on so many posts, I don't know where to begin. Yesterday we celebrated Rob's birthday. We went to Wig and Pen, which has always been a favor tie of ours in IC, but now they have a location in Ankeny. I made a strawberry pie for dessert. Emily made a lovely card/poster for daddy.

Emily's fashion show

Emily has become quite opinionated on her outfits as of late. If she wants to wear a shirt at all, it might be her favorite wool sweater. I seem to hide it weekly, but she always seems to find it, she really loves cardigans! Sunglasses have also been a standby lately, although I don't mind that as much. We always get so many comments on her not minding to wear them. Seems that is a trait many parents wish their children had.

Tale of two Hair...styles

Before



After


Emily's hair had been getting out of hand lately. Her mullet look put me over the edge the other day when we were at the library and actually spent time at the Lego table with a little boy who had a rockin' mullet. Emily's haircut went really well after we introduced her to her very first lolly pop! She was beyond amazed by the lolly pop, she kept licking it and saying "pink". Her hair is much thicker looking and looks great, even though it makes her look a little older...

Cute as a button

I thought Emily looked cute for church on Sunday, it is finally nice enough to break out the summer clothes. She received this dress for her birthday last year, it fits her perfectly! I picked up the bow for a nickel at a garage sale.

Engine and Transmission removal

Robert got to work on Tuesday and removed the transmission from the Chevelle. He is replacing the transmission and the engine is getting a tune up as well. I got to assist as head photographer, hoist puller and pumper, and steering the car (without power steering). Robert did all the manly, strong car guy things.