EVB: 4 Years + 10 Months Old!

Ellen is BEYOND excited about being *this* close (picture EVB with her little thumb and index finger almost touching) to being 5 and can't wait to be "a whole hand" old. While she waits anxiously for Oct. 27, Ellen has been busy sneaking in outdoor activities as the summer weather dwindles ... She's still enjoying riding her bike and scooter, playing on our play set, swimming in Omma & Boppa's pool and climbing to the very top of the giant rope web at "Spiderman Park" near our house. Ellen continues to be a drama queen and martyr, so we've been working on appropriate ways to express our feelings. (It's a work in progress.) In other news, Ellen is looking forward to starting preschool in the Frog Room and she recently spent the day at Minnesota State Fair for a special date with Mom & Dad. It's good to be Ellen and almost 5 years old!

Face art by Ellen

Taking a break to people watch at the Great Minnesota Get-Together

We all have our own way of eating a Pronto Pup ...

Giant Slide with Dad

... and Mom

Ye Old Mill

Ellen remembered these free apple magnets in the Horticulture Building from last year and her 2014 fair experience wasn't complete until we located them and chose just the right ones to bring home.

JEB: 29 Months Old!

Miss June Elizabeth is another month older and she's as awesome as ever! As JEB approaches the 2-and-a-half mark, it's more evident than ever just how different she is from how Ellen was at this age. Ellen was (and still is) content to sit quietly for an extended period of time reading a book, watching a movie or playing by herself. June, however, is constantly squirming and itching to get on to the next thing and she prefers to have a playmate. She keeps us on our toes, that's for sure! Here's what Junie has been up to lately:

• Testing out rides: June recently took her first spin on a few rides at Como Town and she loved it!
• Going to the movies: I took the girls to see "Rio 2" a few weeks ago, which marked June's first time in a movie theater. She did OK for the first 30 minutes or so, but after that it was all downhill. She spent the majority of the time wandering around the empty rows of seats and complaining that she was hungry/requesting snacks. I was pulling out all the tricks to keep her occupied and quiet; thankfully, there were only a few other people in the theater ...
• FINALLY loving water activities! After refusing to don a swimsuit or so much as dip a toe in a pool all summer long, June finally caved and put on her suit to try a local splash pad. Since then, we've visited two other splash pads and taken some dips in our kiddie pool as well as Omma & Boppa's pool. June loves to swim and is pretty fearless when it comes to putting her face in the water and jumping off the side.
• Making us giggle with her unique little voice, cute phrases and mispronunciations. June has always had a guttural tone and we finally decided that she sounds just like Gonzo from the "Muppets." So, June has a new nickname ... June is always saying funny things with lots of personality, but her newest favorite is, "Hmm, I don't 'sink' (think) so ..." in response to most questions or suggestions ... We also get a good chuckle out of June's request for her new favorite song, "How Much is That Doggy in the 'Wimbow?'"
• Participating in a hunger strike. Or at least it seems that way. June has been nothing more than a nibbler at meal times lately. However, she has yet to meet a salty cracker, chip or hummus she doesn't like. Thankfully she still manages to drink her breakfast smoothie (sneakily packed with fruits and plenty of spinach) each morning.

Eureka! This girl loves water!

"No, Mom, I promise I didn't splash my sister."

Thrilled to be behind the wheel ...

Hanging out with Boppa at the zoo

June's furry friend

Fearless ...

My snuggle buddy!