August!?! NO!!! What have I been doing?!

 I know you all are not surprised that I have again let so much time go by.   I can not complain about my sister Glenda.   I wish I could be a super mom (in more ways than one)  like Linda D and once or more a week telling of all my walks, baking, children........  First I have to take those walks and also bake bread.

Joseph on his first day back to school.  Abigail wanted to be included in the picture.

The Green Bay Packer outfit came in a bag of hand me downs.  Thought we better show some team spirit for Wisconsin.

Joseph getting ready for school one morning.......  Abigail wanting to be right there doing the same as her big brother.   He like to show her how its done...........    At school they were talking about colors and what would happen if you put colors together.  We followed this experiment that was sent home to try with food color, ice cubes and clean soda....  below are the results.

 We stopped in to see Grandma Millie at Uncle Jim's.   Abigail was trying to get the cat......... as you can see in the next picture the cat jumped to the window and then in the next picture Abigail caught up with it again.     We also stopped to see Anna, Teresa's daughter, and her daughter Winter Rose.

 Helping hold Daddy's legs while he does sit-ups.




Abigail likes to wear Joseph's hat around.......  and any way she can put it on. 

 Went to the park yesterday........ was a beautiful warm fall day.  Abigail sure enjoyed her time there.....  I think she had grown since the last time we went because she was able to climb around a bit more.

 So...........  another try with pictures.  Trying for the perfect family picture........

We got some good ones of Joseph and Abigail.  

 Over a long period of time Dan and Joseph collected paper towel tubes, toilet paper tubes, reynolds wrap tube, waffle cone package and other odds and ends...........  Dan planned to make Joseph a space shuttle with launching boosters or whatever they are called.

Joseph was quite pleased with it.   

Doctor Check-ups

Joseph had his five year check up yesterday.  He had to have three shots...... which he did not enjoy.  Abigail ended up getting three shots also....... which she didn't like either.    The check ups went fine and they look healthy.   They are both in the 75% of their age group.    Joseph's eyes are good and his hearing is great....... which means he doesn't have a hearing problem.  I mentioned that to the doctor and he said it is at this age (when they having their hearing tested) that the parents learn its not a hearing problem but listening problem.

Joseph (5yr) - Height 44 1/2"   Weight  46#
Abigail (18m) - Height  32 1/2"  Weight  21# 15 oz
(Joseph at 16m             33 7/8"              28# 11.5 oz)

I know you shouldn't compare children BUT  Joseph has been on the bigger side which makes Abigail seem smaller.   Abigail is ahead of Joseph in motor skills and such than he was at her age........ but is he doing better.

Joseph is looking forward to going back to school and so am I.   I've heard him tell a few people that he is going to be in 4K again.  Guess he has heard me say that.   It doesn't seem to bother him.... I did tell him he would have new friends and that he probably would not have the same children in the class.

Looking at milkweed

 While looking through the milkweed to find a monarch caterpillars I came across this spider.  Neighbor said its a corn spider??   It doesn't matter what kind it is..........  it makes me think twice now before I take a walk through milkweed or any other weed.        



And no we haven't found a monarch caterpillars yet.......  I was really wanting to find one for Joseph to watch turn into a butterfly and of course for myself.  We've seen the monarchs around here but haven't found where they laid their eggs.

Fun time with friends

Went to Bob and Karen A's yesterday. (Saturday)   Did some swimming and a bit of fishing. Joseph remember going there last year.  Once Abigail was in the water she was fine...... in fact she loved floating around.   She did not like to be sat or stood in the water..... I think it was the feel of the sand.   Joseph used his fishing pole right after we got it for him (when he was 3) and now this was his second time.   He caught 3 or 4 fish.......  of course his Daddy was helping him.   He did a great job on casting but needs some practice on reeling in.   The child's pole isn't made to catch too big of a fish...... I think the line snapped a couple times.



working on the hold



waiting for a nibble




reeling one in...... with a little fight



just his size and a good size for the pole




here is one of the many that Heather caught




there is Karen and Abigail




we had this float for Joseph but never used the shade




getting ready to go for a little drive.......  she doesn't realize she needs to hold on




now she is holding on and she is on the edge of her seat




coming between our van and the Boyles car
the Boyles weren't around...... so no heart attacks




I thought this was a cute picture

For the Grandmas and Aunts.......... for the first 3 or 4 times that they went on I was right beside them walking fast or running.  When I saw she was holding on good then I just watched....... plus I was tired of the running.   A few times she was having so much fun that she was clapping then Joseph would give it some power and her hands went right back on the grab bar.   I'm sure they would love to have one of these.


Joseph's Birthday

Yesterday was Joseph's 5th birthday.   He opened his presents after we ate brunch..... his favorite breakfast meal of cheese grits and eggs.   He asked me  " Moma when are all the people going to get here?"   Well.... I hadn't invited anyone...... didn't think about having a birthday party.  We had one when he was three.  So....  after he mentioned it a few times we invited Brian and Heather.  Glad they could come at a last minute notice.  Joseph was very happy to have them.




Looking for something in the bag (Yes Debbie.... I reused your bag)




Remote control monster truck
(we went for the cheap on $8..... hope it will last awhile)



Looked like a fun game to me...... hope it will help his cordination
(another cheap item $5......  fell apart on the first use.  Dad fixed them... to last and last...)



They saved the day and made the party!!!





More presents today (Sunday)
Got some this morning and afternoon



Making the birthday cake.....

Earlier last week Joseph told me that his Daddy was going to make him a cake..... one that looked like a race car!!  So when I came home Thursday night this is what I found...... the start of a race car cake.  Dan made two cakes and put them together.  The one on top he baked with the pan slightly tilted.   He worked on it Thursday evening and Friday evening.

Dan tried to make it to look like Lightning McQueen....  it turned out pretty good.... he did a good job!!  And it taste alright and it stayed moist..... I should say that it didn't dry out.