The first sign

that fall is around the corner, I found our first red leaf this afternoon. I am glad to say that I am still happy it feels like summer. Fall is great, I like fall but I have a hard time letting myself fall in love with fall because I know what lies ahead. The next 6 months will be brutal with cold, snow and staying indoors. Well enough of that.

Since we have moved to our new house we have been taking walks around the block. Walks at a toddler's pace can be quite time consuming but he loves to go. Recently we have been collecting things, and pointing out all the 'bots' (spots) on the sidewalk. Do you know how many spots are on the sidewalk of a neighborhood block? Let me tell you, there are many, make sure to have allotted plenty of time for the walk.


Here is our red leaf, yellow leaf, rocks and d corns (acorns)

Imitation

So I know that imitating is a normal toddler thing to do, but seriously whose kid imitates a flag flapping in the breeze? Yup mine does. He can imitate a persons posture by picking out the smallest detail and he gets a kick out of waiting to see if you notice him mimicking you. Every weird sound in the store that can be heard is mimicked by Dane including the sounds of other whining kids to the whir of an air conditioner.

But the other day as we were chasing our shadows on our walk around the block he was distracted by the flag shadow and started trying to imitate how it was moving. I guess when your vocabulary is limited you do what you can. Maybe I should sign him up for interpretive dance.

This picture has nothing to do with the interpretive flag dance but he is helping me cook dinner.

A sad day here

Everyone else is sending there kids back to school or to school for the first time. Well here at our house we took Aunt Mo Mo to college. She has been living with us since January and it has been a lot of fun to have her around the past 8 months.

On one hand I am super excited to have the baby's room empty and ready to start decorating and getting things put away. But today I am just sad my little sister isn't staying with us any more. We are sure going to miss seeing her everyday. She always has a way of making Dane belly laugh so hard it's contagious. Come visit often Aunt Mo Mo!

We took Aunt Mo Mo to the 'dowm'. One of our other favorite visitors just got back into town yesterday and will be rooming with my sister. My cousin Tessha is back! We missed her last year while she was in Peru. She used to come over over every sunday and do her laundry and bake us cookies. Maybe she will resume that practice? This is her last year of college before she goes off and gets married to the man of her dreams!

Here is Aunt Mo Mo's new bedroom. Dane did a really good job skipping his nap and 'helping' unpack. At least he didn't freak out and melt down in a fit.

Iowa State Fair

We made it to the fair this year. We don't go every year but we thought Dane would especially enjoy it. We actually went the past 2 evenings after Andy got home from work. Tuesday was way better because it was rainy and cool. The heat just about did me in last night, I was starting to look for the booth where you can rent a motorized scooter, and was seriously considering what the weight limit might be on the stroller. So here are a few pictures of all the fun we had.


Dane was mesmerized by the band Vocal Trash that was preforming. Though we think the lady in the group was on crack, they did a good job.

Here Dane is trying his hand at 'farming'. It was for ages 2-12 and he seemed a little confused as he was being rushed through, but I think overall he got a kick out if it.

Seriously is he already old enough to be doing this stuff? :o( Before I know it he will be going to starting school like all the other kids did this week.

Just got down the giant slide with Daddy. We actually did this both nights, he loved it both times! A little thrill junkie already.

He thought it was so funny when he would let the goats nibble on his jacket. He wanted to let each and every one of the 50 goats present take a little nibble. He talked about the 'goats' getting his 'jacket' quite a bit the next day.

Nothing screams state fair like a pregnant lady and ...... wait a minute is that a beer?

(j/k it 's a delicious apple slush)

Conversations

It seems that everyday Dane is saying more and more words, and the words are becoming a litle more clear. He makes it easy to learn his language as he will repeat and repeat until you understand what he is saying and that 'word' will forever be the word he uses to describe the said object. So today during his snack starts talking and I have no point of reference to start guessing.

Dane: "Be pa, Be pa, Be ba" (not quite sure on the pronuciation)

Me: "Big ball?"

Dane: blank stare, "Be pa"

Me: long pause "People?"

Dane: Blank stare, " Be ba"

Me: Long pause trying to think of what could possibly sound like Be pa, I try it again "big ball?"

Dane: very clearly and firmly " No mommy"

"ding batta batta"

Me: "Oh, Baseball!"

Dane: big smile and head nod "yeah" , "Mommy pleey"

Cravings.

Today I worked on finishing Dane's room. I opened up a can of delicious chocolate brown paint, not kidding it was the consistency and color of chocolate pudding. I had an immediate craving for a cool, satisfying, chocolaty bite of pudding. I stopped prepping to paint and went rummaging through my cupboards and came up with a packet of chocolate fudge pudding. I haven't had pudding in ages, on top of the fact that I seem to be lactose intolerant now. After avoiding dairy for a year, I feel awful if I eat yogurt or ice cream or milk. Yeah, no ice cream for this girl, I have been eating popsicles as my summer treat this year. Anyway Andy whipped me up some chocolate fudge pudding while I was painting, though he was trying to get me to just eat the paint. And let me tell you it was satisfying, the pudding, not the paint.