Sunflower Fields

I love these people - http://www.krisgrinter.blogspot.com/

I mean really. Only in Kansas will you meet someone that says, "Hey, we have a sunflower field that is beautiful. Come out and take pictures with your family. Just don't block the neighbor's driveway. And if you take a sunflower home, please leave $1 in the lockbox. We are on the honor system." Only in Kansas people, only in Kansas! Think about it. I would likely be greeted with a shotgun if I went walking through someone's pasture in Texas. Not here. Not at the Grinter's Farm! I love it and we look forward to it every year. So thank you Mr. & Mrs. Grinter for planting a piece of beauty and serenity here in Kansas. Thank you for letting everyone enjoy it. Thank you for sharing!

Sunflowers as far as the horizon.

Oh mighty grasshopper, what say you?

Miss Sloane!

Children of the corn, errr, I mean children of the sunflowers. Yeah. That's what I meant.

Sam is 100% boy. He has never met dirt that he didn't like. Here he is contemplating the finer points of farming.

Checking my ME MAIL

Yeah, that is what Kate calls it. This day she just happened to say, "Mom look, I am checking my me mail." She has quite the pronunciation problem. Here is a recent conversation we had while I was painting her toenails.

Me: Kate would you hand me the cotton balls.

Kate: Yeah, here are the cock and balls.

Me: WHAT?!

Kate: Cock and balls.

Me: ***swallowing my laughter while madly texting Jason with the conversation***

Really child? REALLY?!

Funky Mamma!

We recently saw a performance of Funky Mamma. If you live in the KS area and haven't seen Funky Mamma sing and dance, you MUST! The kids love it, and you just might pick up a funky new dance move or two. You know, from those sweet dancing toddlers! After the concert, we headed over to ILan Park and had a lunch playdate. It was mostly play with a quick snack of lunch. Kids eat real fast when there is the promise of a jungle gym and climbing.

Jillian loves to use the finger while screaming "Watch this MOMMA!"

Yeah, I am pretty sure this was not one of my finer moments of parenting - watching my kid bounce up and down on the suspension bridge while my other kid is laying there bouncing and loving every moment. Awesome and completely not safe. *Children do not attempt this at home.

Yep, it's official

Yeah, I think it is pretty safe to say that all toddlers are hobos. Here is some further proof. I think the pictures are pretty self explanatory.

Yeah, those are my gloves that I use when handling hot pans. Don't blame me if your next meal at my house smells like stinky feet.

Rain rain, go away!

How adorable are these bumble bee umbrellas? I LOVE THEM! My kids love them even more. In fact, they would love to play with them ALL the time.

Goodbye Sweet Summer, Goodbye!

WOW! It has been a long time since I blogged. A real long time. We eeked out the last remaining warmth of summer that was possible. We spent every last waking moment at the pool or the park. Here are some photos from those last days of summer.

Ahhh Sweet Sloane rocking the petal bikini. This is my best friend's daughter. Sloane is a sweet princess diva pants! The girls call her "Shwone" which is "Shaw-ese" for Sloane.

The babes of summer - Jillian in blue and Katelyn in white

Sweet Sam - Sloane's older brother and chief protector. He is the head pimp in charge of all the girls.

Yeah, I am *that* mom. The one that grabs her camera instead of assisting her toddler when she is screaming, "I stuck momma! I stuck!" We can just add this to the list of things they will be discussing with their psychologist later in life.

This summer Jillian got her first taste of Sprite. Let's say that she LOVES Sprite. A lot!

Late this summer we also went to Deanna Rose and met up with our friend Tricia and her 2 kids. This is sweet Eli!

This is Eli's sister, Katie. She keeps Eli in check and is the head boss in charge! But how can you not fall in love with that sweet red hair and that smile!

Sloane showing some team spirit!

Sam is the doorman to the tunnel of love. Watch out ladies!

Yep, Jill is not afraid to get dirty. In fact, it is a mission wherever we go. MUST FIND DIRT, PUDDLE, MUD and PLAY! In this case it was sand. And there was plenty to go around - in her shoes, in her hair, and even in her panties. Awesome.

Little Fortunes

So we spent the day out at the Renaissance Fair today. Don't judge. It makes for FANTASTIC people watching. Do we dress up? No, no no no no. I am the person that hasn't worn a Halloween costume since 1987. I like to stand back and watch others enjoy the merriment. Anyways, after the fun and chaos of today, this mommy decided that Chinese take out for dinner was on the menu. Yay for no cooking! Booo because with all these antibiotics in my system, Chinese food sounds yucky. But, I ordered for Jason and the kids. Such a trooper! So the girls finally figured out what a fortune cookie is. We usually squirrel those away, where they sit on the counter for a week until I finally toss them. Well, the nausea hit and I was holding back the gags while Jillian eyed the little package of cookies. "OH MOMMY! WE GOT COOKIES!" Well, there goes my 'no blatant sugary treats before dinner' rule. So they just ate their cookies and mine. Here are their fortunes:

Jillian: You have an active mind and a keen imagination. Apply your ideas. Oh holy moly. THAT is Jill to a T! She is always imagining that she is Astro Boy or a turtle or something completely random and hilarious. She has such a vast and fantastic imagination. We will carry on 15 minute conversations on how she is a turtle, how she is green, and how she loves to eat grass, oh and strawberries. Hilarious! She either has a great imagination or she is completely crazy. I am pulling for the imagination. :)

Katelyn: You would do well to work as a team in the coming week. Ohhhh MY! This is my child that is ALWAYS helping me. She is my team mate. My little mini me and mini mommy! So bossy and busy. Just like mommy. Just yesterday, she helped me do laundry by sorting colors and helped me unload the groceries from Sam's Club. She is my BIG helper. Now if I can just teach her to do dishes and scrub toilets. My life would be GOLDEN!