Random Cuteness

A few weekends ago we attended the Paola Roots Festival.  It's a long standing blues festival in Paola, on their town square.  It's family friendly and a good time!  Last year we took Haley when she was a wee nugget - just a few weeks old.  She snoozed the entire time, this year she wanted to dance!

I thought seriously about putting her on stage to impress the audience with her sweet moves and vocal stylings.  Karl said no. 

We've been working hard to teach Haley how to go down the steps.  She can motor up a flight of stairs without any hesitation, but going down was trickier.  It finally clicked and she can get up and down stairs and furniture like a champ.  It's entertaining to watch - she looks something like a crab.  Very cute!  

It's Genetic

Karl's greatest love in life (other than me and Haley) is the vacuum.  He genuinely enjoys vacuuming, which I find so weird.  I'm glad he likes the task, but why and how is beyond me.  It must be genetic because Haley shares his love of the vacuum.  The noise soothed her to sleep many nights.  She squeals with delight whenever Daddy vacuums.  And now, she hugs the vacuum.  What has the world come to?

The Many Faces of Haley

Haley has recently adopted a very serious look, complete with wrinkled eyebrows.  It's what we refer to as her "don't mess with me" face.

Don't drink and drive.  Haley crumples into a ball whenever she snoozes in the car...it looks uncomfortable, but she's never minded.

Typical, happy baby girl.  (Totally agree with her shirt...her dad is totally awesome!)

Life IS Good

The Bug has decided to start walking.  What?!  Who told her that she could use those chubby legs for anything other than letting Mama squeeze on them?  Video evidence of her new found mobility to come.

KSquared in the Kitchen: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

I love each of the four seasons for their unique sense of style.

Spring breaths new life into everyone and everything - flowers, green grass, warming breezes are all welcome after a cold winter. Summer is full of adventure - backyard barbeques, long dusky evenings, kids playing outside and cicadas providing the soundtrack. Winter gives me a feeling of nostalgia - we slow down, burrow under quilts, snuggle in front of fires, spend time with our families and eat comforting foods. Fall...my personal favorite. Fall is the shy, modest sister. Spring, Summer and Winter are outgoing with their wild temperates and suprising storms. Fall is calm, she is soothing, she is predictable. Fall and I are good friends - she brings me crisp evenings, Halloween, hues of orange and deep reds. She encourages me to eat soup and wear my favorite worn out jeans. Most imporantly, Fall brings me apples fresh from the local orchard and pumpkins straight from the farm.

I love all things pumpkin. Sweet or savory, I do not discriminate. This recipe is as easy as it delicious. 

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

1 box spice cake mix
1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
1 bag mini chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350.  Mix the three ingredients and drop by the teaspoon on a lighly greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 12-15 minutes.  Makes approximately 42 cookies. 

A Case Of The Mondays

I'm having a case of the Mondays.  No particular reason...maybe a million inconveniences, but nothing terribly unusual.  I decided that whenever I was in a funk I should list 10 reasons that today is a good day.  Here we go...

1)  Sandwich with a homegrown tomato.  Yum.
2)  Getting to work to find a cute email from the husband
3)  Being married to The Husband
4)  Being mom to The Bug
5)  Two furry love balls - Barley & Chloe
6)  Newly improved vision (Lasik rocks!)
7)  Friends who understand life's frustrations
8)  Hugs (and free dinner) from Mom & Dad
9)  The knowledge that this too shall pass...whatever 'this' might be
10)  God's grace

Whew, that does help.  So does looking at cute pictures.  Muuuuuuch better!

Haley vs. Barley: Throwdown In The Octagon

This morning, Haley is sitting on my lap enjoying a bowl of Cheerios.  An all-American, classic breakfast. And, our new morning routine. 

Baby Girl is enthusiastically munching on her breakfast cereal when Barley The Wonderhound approaches.  To Barley's delight, Haley's bowl of Cheerios is at snout level.  To Haley's chagrin, Barley attempts to snarf some Cheerios.  Not off the floor and not out of the bowl but off of the spoon.  (Full disclosure, our dogs are spoiled.  They were our first 'kids'.  We occassionally give our dogs people food, they are allowed on the downstairs couches, and they sleep in our bed.  But we have never, NEVER spoon fed either of the dogs.) 

I was trying to shoo Barley away while balancing Haley on my lap and a bowl of Cheerios in my hand.  Haley decided to take matters in to her own hands and took a few swings at Barley's snount.  He was not detered and came in again, goobery Basset Hound mouth dangerously close to her spoon.  I could forsee disaster.  Haley lunged towards him, and he retreated.  She took an extra big bite of Cheerios and said "mmmmmm", just to rub it in his face.  I think this is only round one of many more breakfast brawls to come.  The gauntlet has been thrown.

Haley - 1.  Barley - 0.