When Daddy's Away, the Girls Will Play!

Daddy was gone this weekend, and that meant a weekend with my favorite lady, MAMA!!!

We had a very busy weekend planned, it started out on Friday night at the Steele County Relay for Life.  We weren't part of any team, but we knew a lot of people who would be there.  It was really great seeing everybody out, and there were tons of activities.  It is great knowing that all this money is going to support cancer research.  

A couple weeks ago at the Farmer's Market I was able to decorate a luminary for the event in honor of Papa Bob.  After walking around for a long time we found it, isn't it cute!?!  We had to leave before they lit them all up, but I heard it was beautiful.

The next day we drove to Rochester to hang-out with Grandma Nancy and Papa Bob.  We got to take Papa's convertible to Red Lobster to celebrate our trip to Maine last summer!  I can't believe it has already been a year.  Papa was nice enough to share a bite of lobster with me, he is the greatest!

After lunch we went back home and got ready for Dinner With the Cows.  Normally it is called Breakfast on the Farm, but this year they had to change it up because of all the rain we got this spring.  I was so excited to ride the bus out to the farm, I talked about it all day!

Once we got to the farm there were all sorts of fun activities.  I think my favorite was the baby animals, or maybe the play-doh, or the jumper, and the Dairy Princess...No, I think it was the horses and baby cow!  I think they were all my favorite, but my definite favorite was the train ride!

To make it even better, Papa Bob and Grandma Nancy came over too!!  They just stayed for dinner but it was great seeing them!

Once we had done all of the activities at least twice it was time to ride the bus back home.  I was pretty mad at Mama because she wouldn't let me keep riding the bus once we got back to town.  I guess I will have to wait until next year!

Well folks, that is what I was up to, hope you had a great weekend too!

Linden

The Things You Say

Mama is going to to be doing the blog today, sorry it has been so long!!

This past year has been a crazy one, full of all sorts of ups and downs.  Have a 2 year old has been a great blessing, she fills our hearts and home with love and laughter and each day is a new surprise.  It has been over a year now since my dad (Papa Bob) was diagnosed with brain cancer.  We have been so blessed to be given so much time with him.  In addition, we have all of the normal life things going on that just keep us moving.

As you all know, Linden has always been a good talker.  She started young and hasn't stopped since (wonder where she gets that??)  The past few months have brought on some pretty funny conversations.

We were at the Lake with Grandma Carolyn when I overheard this conversation:
(Linden to Grandma Carolyn: Grandma, Can I have a cookie?
(Grandma Carolyn: I think you need to ask your mom...
Linden looks at me, looks back at Grandma: No, I think I need to ask grandma...

On our way to the grocery store she asked what we needed to buy.  I told her we needed some fruit and veggies, and when she asked Why (gotta love that phase!!) I told her that they make our bodies healthy and strong.
Linden: Mama, I think we need that (she points to some chocolate covered nuts)
Mama: How come?
Linden: They make our bodies healthy
Mama: No, I don't think we need chocolate.
(A minute later)
Linden: Mama, I think we need that (she points to some chocolate cookies)
Mama: How come?
Linden: They make our bodies healthy
Mama: Carrots and apples make our bodies healthy and strong
Linden: Nope, Chocolate

When Dave puts linden to bed I go running, I always tell Linden that I am going to a meeting so she doesn't want to come with. The other day she saw a pair of her tennis shoes and said, "can I put my meeting shoes on and go run with you mom?" She's too smart for me!!

The stories and things she comes up with amaze me each day.  When she was just learning to talk Dave and I made a point to use the correct word for things even if she didn't so that she would eventually learn it.  Now that she is older I have stopped, maybe because I think some of it is really cute, and maybe because I just want to keep a little bit of my baby girl still.  Here are some of my favorite Linden-Speaks

• Mola Bar (granola bar)
• Mogurt (Yogurt)
• Corn Chops (Pop Corn)
• Cereal Bran (Raisin Bran, her favorite cereal)
• Pochi Pochi (Chipotle)

I love my kid.  When I over hear people say "I can't wait until my baby is talking" I laugh and think, you don't always want to know what they have to say!  And some days that is true, but it adds to the adventure and the fun and I wouldn't want it any other way.  

We'll try and get back to posting more often,

Amanda