Dancing Queen!

Cute video of Evelyn and Eli dancing!  You'll have to imagine the music in the background!

Books and character!

Since when did my little Evelyn become such a character!  In the past week she has grown so much in her ability to talk, problem solve, communicate and play.

Example 1: Evelyn and I were heading upstairs to change her diaper and go to bed.  She walked over to her diaper bag, pulled out a diaper and her wipes, picked out her monkey pajamas to wear and walked over to the stairs.  She made it up the first two stairs before the wipes slipped out from her hand.  She stopped, turned around while putting the diaper and pjs on the step, re-arranged the items and tried another step.  She was having the same problem each time but wouldn't let me carry anything for her.  I grabbed a plastic bag and offered it to her - this time she placed the bag on the stairs and filled it with her belongings, slung the bag over her shoulder and attempted the ascent - victorious!

Example 2: Evelyn has moved beyond simply naming and recognizing the individual animals that she sees.  She now knows that they are all "Amm-os"!  A dog, tiger, cat, penguin and fish are all animals!  She also knows that apples, grapes and strawberries are all fruit.  So smart!

Example 3: We read six books tonight and we would have continued if it was up to Evelyn.  I love that she enjoys books!  She is able to recognize so many objects, colors and shapes from the pages of the books.  I'm even able to read longer stories to her and she'll continue to listen and turn pages for me.  It was so fun to cuddle on the couch and read while she was snuggled up next to me!

Cute things that Evelyn does:

1. When I walk in the door from work, she immediately breaks out in to a chorus of "Mommeeeeee! MamaMamaMommy-mama!" then gives me a huge smile and hug!
2. She carries purses around and bags over her shoulder and fills them with useful objects - picks up a cell phone and her baby and struts around the house chattering away.
3. Loves to dance!!!  When she hears music, she bops around to the rhythm and the beat!
4. She's formed an attachment to her snuggle puppy stuffed animal and loves to sleep with it
5. Every time she pointed to the correct object/animal/shape/color in her book, she would clap her hands and say "yeah"!  

Glitz and Glam

I love the glitz and the glam and the lights of the Midway as the sun begins to set and the band starts to warm up in the Grandstand.

While the crowds thin out, the lines for French Fries get longer as families fight for their last fair food finery.

What can I say - I'm a State Fair kind of gal!

Keya Monster

I can't believe it's almost the fall!  Where did the summer go?  Where has September gone?  I think this is a sign that life is a little too busy... that it feels like the days fly by so quickly!  

It was a tough month and end to the summer.  We had to put Keya down the Thursday before Labor Day.  Signs of her illness came on so quickly and she wasn't responding to the treatment and medications.  It was an incredibly sad and difficult decision to make and we really miss her.  I think I've been putting off writing on the blog because I didn't want to write this all down.  Poor Keya monster.


We were able to enjoy a great trip to the farm with her at the beginning of August - she got to play outside and sit in the sun, run in the field and play in Lake Superior.

On another note... Every day is so amazing - playing with Evelyn, watching her grow and talk more and more and observing as she figures out the world!  More for  another day.