Rainy days and Sundays . . .

I just thought that was a funny title since it has been so rainy here - and I am a little down today.  Mostly because I am tired.  Poor little Willie J had a temperature yesterday - I blame it on teething (I can see those huge red bumps of eye teeth straining against his gums) but I think there is also an early fall cold going around.  Poor little guy woke up around midnight and couldn't get settled back to sleep - I brought him into bed w/ me and at 1 am, Maggie joined us.  That woke poor Willie up, so he and I went downstairs for a dose of Tylenol and a couch cuddle - when I thought he was asleep, I carried him upstairs, laid him down, moved Maggie back to her room, but Will was not asleep and could not get settled for another hour.  We both finally fell asleep (I ended up nursing him after 1/2 hour of tossing) and then Maggie joined us again at 4 am.  UGH!  Luckily, they are both now napping and I may take a little snooze myself.  

Walker is at the Fall Festival (they used to call it the Ethnic Festival) in Butler today, helping out at the deli.  Thankfully, Shelly called this morning and asked if he could join her.  He will have a blast and get some energy spent waiting on customers and cleaning tables.  He loves to work and today would have been so boring spent all day inside.  

I took some pictures of Maggie & Will playing this morning - they were playing with the cash register.  Will saw how Maggie was speaking into the microphone and he imitated her.

Unfortunately, they don't know how to not put the entire microphone in their mouth when using it.  Eew - gross!

Rural myths and legends

So, I'm in my car about to leave for my Bible study this morning when all of a sudden I hear scraping under my feet and a big "thump, thump, thump."  Somewhat frightened, but aware that in all likelyhood it is an actual pet under my car, I jump out and take a peek.  And I find this . . .

I'm not sure how much exactly Rocco weighs, but I'm guessing at least a good 150?  How he managed to crawl under my vehicle in the first place. . . ?  And now I wonder, was he there all night?  Did he craw under at the storm at 4 am and get stuck there?  I did hear the dogs barking a lot at the storm - but maybe it was him barking, "Help!  I've gotten stuck under a car!  Someone help me!"  Oiy yoi yoi. I am positive that this is how "urban" - well around here we have to call them "rural" legends of creatures hanging from the undercarriage of the car follow you around then when you least expect it POP out and murder you.  Or something to that nature at least.  Had I been getting into my car in the dead of night, there is no way after hearing that I would have stopped and looked.  I would have gunned the engine in reverse hoping to lose whatever had latched itself onto my car.  Ugh, I shudder at the thought.  It is really scary out here at night.  Especially since our dogs, trained to know us, don't bark or move when we are outside in the night, then all of a sudden, something wet is in your hand!  AHHHHH!!   STUPID DOG!  YOU SCARED  ME!!  And now that you're here you have to walk with  me all the way out to the garage and back so I can get eggs for breakfast tomorrow.   Stupid dog.  

But not really. We do really love our dogs around here.  They are good friends and faithful servants - as pesky as they may seem at times, we really would be lost without them.  

Now for a different rural myth . . .  The case of "Happily Ever After."  It does exist and we have proof with the celebration of Erik's grandparents 60th wedding anniversary.

This is Ches & Billie feeding each other cake that my talented sister in law Julia made.

Can you even imagine?  Some days I think I'll be lucky to make it to age 60!  Chester & Billie 

(Helen is her real name) have 3 children, Bob, Shelly and Ron.  Shown here from left, Ron & his wife, Alidra, Shelly & her husband, Bill (my in-laws) and Bob & his wife, Bonnie.

Shown here are some of the grandchildren:  from left, Travis & his wife, Julia.  Jennifer, married to Erik.  April and her husband Jeff, Velvet & her husband, Chad.  Somehow the other married couple, Jon and his wife Courtney, escaped this photo.  Also missing are Brynn & Cory, unable to fly East for the party.   

Finally, the great grandchildren . . .

Four of them (Erik, April, Travis, and Velvet) have produced 10 great grandchildren!   From Left:  Walker & Maggie Schwalm - Maggie is in the light pink dress standing in front; On Grandma's lap Taylor Schwalm, daughter of Travis & Julia, and Haley Henry, daughter of Velvet & Chad, Standing, Chet Schwalm, son of Travis & Julia, Caleb (sitting) & Ian (leaning) Burke, sons of April & Jeff Burke. Above them in the polka dot dress is their sister, Grace.  In GP's arms are Edward Henry, son of Velvet & Chad, and Will Schwalm, son of Erik & Jennifer.  

What a crew.  Anyone notice all the namesakes?  

Walker is their surname (Chet & Billie Walker), Chet is short for Chester (GP is called Ches) and Edward is Ches's dad's name, and Grace is Ches's mom's name.  Sweet, huh?

The Pied Farmer?

Erik put up his portable netting fence at the front of the house yesterday and decided to move this year's kids to the front.  All you have to do to get the kids to move is to shake a feedbucket and they will follow you anywhere.  The only problem was that Maurice, the guard donkey, escaped too and did not want the goats to go with Erik, so he kept interfering with the progress.  In the midst of it all, you will see one of our turkey hatchlings.  She is either Butterball or Honeysuckle - we're not sure which.  Both turkeys are extremely friendly and affectionate.  I almost feel bad we're going to butcher them.  They are so funny wandering around the farm yard.  The best is when Maggie goes out and hollers, "Butterball, Butterball, come here Butterball!"

Oh, and the pictures are grainy because I took them through the window.  Imagine my shock when I open my eyes from my deathbed, I mean sickbed on the couch and see a herd of goats followed by a donkey and a turkey.  I obviously had to get a picture!

Just a reminder - don't forget to check out flickr (link on the left) to see TONS more photos of life here at goodness grows farm!

Walker's first day of 3 day Preschool

Today was Walker's first day of 3 day Preschool.  It started off poorly though - the past 3 days I have been suffering from a horrible sore throat.  I thought it was just allergy related.  But, the last two days, I've had a fever and today my throat was (according to me) almost swollen shut when I woke up this morning - it felt like I couldn't swallow my own spit.  I felt horrible but the day was looking up as I thought I had heard Erik cleaning up the kitchen - a task I was unable to do last night since I had developed a 102.5 temperature and chills - the works.  It must have just been wishful hearing because I came down to a dirty kitchen and kids that wanted breakfast and to play.  I managed to beg my neighbor, Dear Donna, to watch the children for me while I went to the clinic and prayed that no one else would be there so I didn't have to wait and I'd be home in time to take Walker to school.

I do have to say for my husband that he did find out when the Walgreen clinic was open for me and had he not been working for another landscaper today, he probably would have stayed home to help.  But, I don't think he thought that I was as seriously sick as I am.  And to be honest, neither did I.  I totally expected to get to Walgreens and they would give me, "well, it's not something we can treat with antibiotics" and spend $60 to buy a bottle of tylenol and suffer.  Luckily (?) I am sick - I have a diagnosis of acute pharyngitis and got a prescription for amoxicillan and will hopefully be well soon.   For anyone considering Walgreens for such an ailment, I highly recommend it!  It was fast and easy.  

But all that Drama screwed up my big plans for Walker's first day of school.  Of course he didn't even notice - he could have cared less.  In his world, he just finished two day preschool yesterday.  He got to school, saw some old friends - he only has 8 others in his class.  He was funny - reminding me this morning, "Kendyll won't be at school this time because she is on 'acation with her family.  But she will be there next week."   He had a fun 2 hours and Mrs. Yam said she thought all the children were all going to get along really well.  

I did manage to take the above adorable pictures.  It almost makes the sore throat go away.

Almost.

Adventures with table food.

Will has made the great migration from baby food to all table food.  It has been challenging figuring out what to give him since of late, my children have only wanted to eat corn on the cob and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Will, fortunately, loves jelly sandwiches and has been able to enjoy that delight with his siblings. 

 

The other night while preparing supper, I offered Will a popsicle to keep him quiet and entertained while I finished our meal.  

I was making enchiladas - I ran the risk but thought if I disquised the fact that it was an enchildada by calling it "confetti beef" and adding black beans and corn to the mixture, the children would gobble it up. (I'm doing a lot of disguising stuff within stuff these days.  I'm going to ask my sister, Katie, to borrow her copy of the Jessica Seinfeld cookbook that came out last year with all the recipes on how to disguise good food in foods kids will eat.)  

No gobbling at his house!  Walker had a melt down saying he didn't like "Fetti beef."  And, true to form, Maggie pushed her plate away and said, "Ca- ca.  Me eat o-gurt, Momma."   So, the older two ate left over hamburgers, yogurt and corn on the cob.  Oooh - variety!

Will, however, scarfed down the confetti beef like a champ, never even letting on he could taste the mexican seasonings in the beef.  He ate so much and so well, I had to bath him following his adventure.  Of course, what better place to bathe a baby than in the kitchen sink.  For those of you not familiar with this concept, it allows a lot of flexibility in the kitchen.  Will was able to sit in the sink while I finished clearing dishes, wiping the counter and sweeping the floor.  Additionally, somehow he managed to grab a brownie off the plate sitting next to the sink and enjoy a sweet treat during his bath.  What better way for a 

baby to eat a gooey, sticky brownie than in the tub.

 You just drain the water and start again.  

After his bath, I put him in the cutest velor Pajamas that my Aunt Alicia had given him when he was born.  I was afraid we may have missed our chance with them since they were size 6 month and he's 10 months, but luckily, they ran big and he looked so adorable all cleaned up and in his baby pajamas.  I hate the fact that he is losing his babyish-ness.  He's starting to let go of things while he is standing, balancing for a few seconds before he realizes he is doing it all by himself.  If he is like his siblings, he'll be walking in 3 weeks or so.  : (  I'm gonna go cry now.  

Look at his little curls forming in the back.  How cute is he?

We are now mac users

Well, I did it.  I walked right into that apple store and bought an imac.  And during the checkout process I had heart palpitations.  It was my first charge card purchase in almost 2 years.  I regretted it instantly but only for a second.

Now I am looking at a 24 inch screen and at the dinky PC screen next to it and wondering why I was so scared.   What a difference.  I'm a little intimidated by all that I don't know, but I signed up for one on one classes at the apple store and will be learning all kinds of good stuff there.  I can't wait.  Now I just have to begin the process of transferring things from my PC to the mac.  Not much, really, just songs and pictures, which shouldn't be hard.  

We went to the Aviary today with our new friends, the Browns, and we had a lovely time.  My children were all extremely well behaved and did their momma proud.  We saw a bunch of neat birds and the impressive bald eagles and he stellar sea-eagle.  Very cool.  We also saw pygmie falcons sitting on eggs.  It was quite comical peering in at her in her box then she would sit up and squawk at you if she thought you were too close.   I forgot to bring my camera - I know, what was I thinking? so I don't have any pictures.  But I'm sure the Brown's will send me some soon.

I'm so excited - I'm leaving to explore more on my mac!

It's almost school time

Today we had three day preschool orientation at Walker's school. He was so cute. His little girl friend, Kendyl was there and they pretended not to notice each other for the first 1/2 hour then they were inseparable. Twenty four kids were signed up for the 3 day preschool class, so they decided to divide the class in two. I told the school that I was flexible so we put Walker in the afternoon class. Yesterday, when Erik told Walker we had made this decision, his only question to Erik was, "Is Kendyl going to be in my class?"

I spoke with Kendyl's mom today and she said she would go ahead and put Kendyl in the afternoon class so we could keep the little lovebirds together. We are good mothers!

After orientation, I took Walker to lunch and then we hit Target for some back to school shopping. He picked out three shirts, two pairs of shoes and a back pack. He is so thrilled about this back pack. We searched and searched the aisles until he found what he was looking for.

Wheels.

I don't think he would have cared if Hannah Montana or Hello Kitty was on the back pack, as long as there was a set of wheels and a handle. He has taken that backpack everywhere today. He took it to show Donna, our neighbor, who watched the little two for me, and to the pool where it sat in the van but had to be with us. Then he was so proud to show it to his father who oohed and aahed over it the appropriate amount.

The funniest part of the day and the thing that Walker is most proud of . . .
I bought him a travel size thing of deodorant. He is so happy. He told me the whole way home from Target, over and over,
"I'm going to put my dod e rent in my shelf wif my cwoves so I can be wike Daddy and put my dod e rant on when I get dressed in the morning."

Oh, gracious, that boy is something else. He is supposed to be in bed right now falling asleep, and he keeps coming downstairs because, "I just need to tell you somping, Momma." The first time he told me, "I just can't sweep. I have too many boo-boos that are hurting."

The second time, "Momma, I have a idea. I want to get a wittle cooler wike Daddy has so I can take sammiches wif mustard and mayo on them to school and they won't get bad."
Me: "Well, honey, that's a great idea, but you will be going to school after lunch so I don't think you'll need a whole sandwich."
Walker: "But it's for my snack!"

The third time (I have a feeling there will be more trips down here) he says, "Momma, I'm tiwed of wistening to dat CD pwaying. I've heard all them songs too many times alweady. I need a new CD."
Me: "Walker, that is a radio station playing. You can't change the songs."
Walker in his most annoyed and and disparaging voice, "I KNOW! And I'm tired of them songs, Momma. I need a new CD!"
Me: "Go to bed NOW!"

I do believe Walker has inherited my genes in the sleep department - he just feels like he's going to miss something if he goes to sleep.

He is something so sweet though. I just love him so much.

And I hear footsteps . . .

Sad news

Our miracle Carnie goldfish passed away sometime in the middle of the night.

The funeral was a small family affair. In fact only Walker & Erik were in attendance. I was busy preparing the post-funeral meal and Maggie & Will were busy crying. Not about the fish, but for food.

Walker & Erik joined us at the island counter and began to eat.

Walker: "Why did the fish have to die?"

Me: "Well, those types of fish live a hard life before we get them. They travel with the carnival operators and don't always live very long lives. They really need to live in a pond or a lake."

Walker: "I'm sad all of our fish died."

Me: "I know it is sad when things die."

Maggie: "Fish die. All gone. Go to potty now. Bye shishies." (Maggie cannot say "F" and says it like "sh"instead.)

Walker: "Can we be done now?"

Me: "You're excused."

Thirty minutes later . . .

Walker: "Mom?! When can we get new fish?"

It's a great day at Goodness Grows Farm

It is a great day here at Goodness Grows Farm. Well, except for the fact that Will got up at ten to seven. And that I had to get up at 7:50 because Erik went downstairs and Maggie woke up and woke me up because she wanted to get dressed and eat. But, I got a lot done this morning. Last night before bed I felt totally overwhelmed because I had so much laundry to do - actually, the doing the laundry doesn't bother me - it is the folding it and putting it away that I can't stand! Walker had wet his bed two nights ago, so I still had sheets to put on the bed (luckily there is a spare bed in the boys room, so Walker slept in that last night) and I had I'm ashamed to say, FOUR baskets of laundry - 2 to be put away and 2 to be folded and put away. Then, this morning as I was getting the little two out of my bed, Will burped and threw up all over our sheets - so I had yet another set of linens to wash. Luckily, Erik played with Will & Maggie while I did the laundry and went back upstairs to put it all away. All that is left to put away is the boys clothes b/c Will was asleep by the time I got to their stuff.

Last night Erik took the kids to the rodeo and left me home with Willie J. We had a nice evening together - and Will even managed to get in some reading time.

Despite all the laundry, we had some cute moments here today. Erik is in the process of brush hogging (mowing) some of our fields our lots that we have for sale. Some folks are interested in the lots, so they wanted to see it mowed. Maggie & Walker tagged along with him today - Walker found lots of black berries and picked us a cup full. Maggie just followed along with her baby. She is so into role playing mommy.

So, a few pictures to document our day:

Because the kids got home from the Rodeo so late, we just let them sleep in their clothes. Except they always like to take off their pants when they sleep. So, here is how Walker woke up this morning.

Wanting to play . . .


Outside


On his tractor.

WITHOUT PANTS

"No shoes, No Shirt, No Service . . . NO PROBLEM!"


And our resident movie star cow-girl . . . Heaven forbid she be seen without her glasses. Are the Paps going to be taking pictures of her like this someday?
And my sweet
Willie J

Before breakfast on the left and after breakfast on the right. He needed a bath - and decided to have a spot of tea during his tubby.



My farmers. Working so hard Maggie May fell asleep in her daddy's arms. She's a good momma - still clutching her baby.

Goodness, everyone sure is growin' fast 'round these parts. I'm not sure if I'm emotionally prepared for all this growin' up!

Miracle Update . . .

For any of you wondering, at the time of this post, the Carnie gold fish is still alive.

Miracle on Heller Road: The Tale of the Carnie Fish

It was the weirdest thing.

Well, let me back track first.

Last Friday at the Farm Show, we won 3 fish.

One fish died the first night in our home. Since then, I've managed to keep the other two fish alive by rotating them between two mason jars filled with well water.

Today, I was in the kitchen and all of a sudden I noticed one of the fish floating on the top of the water. It was the ONLY fish in the mason jar!

I looked around and lying on the kitchen counter was the other fish. Assumming it was a goner (I know, I know - what happens when you assume) I went and got the camera to take a picture of it because who knew, like the Great White Sharks off the African coast, simple, everyday gold fish can LEAP out of the water in search of their prey.

The result:

Could the fish see the food sitting outside the jar and was he/she trying to reach it?

What possible reason did this fish have for leaping out of its perfectly nice mason jar home?










See, here it is in close up - and as I'm taking this picture close-up-ish of the dead fish on the counter because I thought it was so unique and unusual

The gills start to move!

That's right folks! The fish was breathing outside of water.

Since I did not know the Guiness World Record number off hand, I quickly filled the other mason jar with water and threw the fish into the new water. And it is still ALIVE!! As you can see here!

Just call me the fish whisperer.

Maggie was there to witness it all - eating a piece of peanut butter toast. Well, more accurately, licking the peanut butter off of a piece of toast. She was not too impressed with the death and is not too upset over the loss of the fish. When the first one died, Walker declared that one was Will's fish. Now I suppose he will declare this recent loss as Maggie's fish. That would leave him with the only living fish.

Sounds pretty typical for a first born.

Erik is taking them to the rodeo tonight. I'm going to try sending the camera with them - I doubt he'll take pictures though.

Speaking of rodeo's, I am in search of toddler/youth sized cowboy boots. Oh, and did I find some cute ones at Shepler's.com. They are so adorable. I don't know how I'm going to pick a pair. Don't tell the kids, but that is what we are going to buy them for Christmas. They will be their "show" boots for when they show goats. Fun, right?!

Technology frustration

So, in all my experience in working with computers, photography and the like, everyone has always advised, "Don't store your photos on your hard-drive. Hard drives crash and then you have nothing!" So periodically, I go through and burn my photos to a CD. I did that for my July photos the other day and now only half of the files are there on the disc. I am confused because I ALWAYS check the disc for the photos before I erase them from the hard drive. I popped in the disc and BAM they were there. Today, when I was attempting to bring up some of those photos, they were gone!!

Is anyone out there computer savvy?? Can you help me or offer some rational explanation as to what happened?

I'm saddest about the fact that I lost the 3 pictures I took of Walker at his first concert. Luckily, I had blogged it, but they were such cute pictures.

On a less "pity-me" note, Will has been such a bugger today. I think he knows just how to push his sister's buttons because she has been at her wits end with him all day. If I hear, "No, no, Willie James, no, no!" one more time, I may have to change Will's name!

So, all of you out there who have already told me, I freely admit, "YES! I HAVE MY HANDS FULL!" But I wouldn't want it any other way.

How can you not love these faces?

This week is flying by!

I can hardly believe it is Wednesday already! Where does time go?

We've been busy around here. Last night we took chickens to the butcher so we can have nice fresh, farm raised chicken - no hormones! I'm excited. We have to pick them up tonight and we'll probably have chicken tomorrow for supper. YUM!

I have a photo shoot scheduled this afternoon. I'm excited to be doing some work again. It's been forever since I did anyones photos besides my family.

My funny story for the day is this. On Sunday, we were watching the Olympics - the gymnastics, of course. How do those girls do the things they do? Anyhoo, Maggie was enthralled with them. Any of you that know Maggie know she doesn't sit still to watch TV (and as I type this she is watching her first ever full length episode of Little Einsteins - usually she watches the opening song and then shouts, "Done!") so her sitting and watching the Olympics was a feat of Olympic proportions in itself. When one of the girls would finish her routine, she would yell, "More times! More times!" meaning she wanted to see another gymnast. After a while I said, "You know Maggie, little girls can take lessons and learn how to do that. Would you like to take lessons and learn how to do flips like those girls?"

Maggie's response, "Yes, Momma. And me wear my swimmin' suit?"

She thinks the gymnasts are wearing their swimming suits as uniforms.























I'm not sure any of these looks are very patriotic - or Olympic inspiring. I think the first look she has confused the summer and winter Olympics. I think in the pose on the steps she has her "I stuck the landing" look down. Tah-Dah!

I'm A Winner!

We had to go up to the farm show grounds today to pick up our animals and pick up my photo contest entries. I am proud to say that one of my photos took second place. That photo is:

Pretty cute, huh?

That's my Maggie May with her cousin Olivia. They were playing in Nana's dressing room. Ok, it was a totally posed shot - we had a photo shoot because Nana redecorated her bedroom and we decided that pictures of the girls playing dress up in her dressing room would be cute.

So, let me tell you the difficulty of this shot. First, the room is kind of narrow and the lighting is just so-so. The biggest challenge is that there is a huge wall to wall mirror above the vanity which, if not careful, the photographer finds herself reflected in. Plus, the mirror also reflects the big brothers playing in the bedroom outside the dressing room - angry because they are not allowed to play dress up too. Not that they would want to play dress-up, but because they have been specifically told they cannot play dress up, they are angry and want to. Oh, and the photographer also had to deal with Olivia's mom's feet (my sister, Katie)- she was sitting outside the dressing room with her bright fuchsia colored slippered feet resting on the ottoman. Those feet popped into every picture!

This shot is actually one taken in the mirror - I would have never been able to get their faces due to the narrow space of the vanity, so I just shot straight into the mirror. Good thing my mom is a very clean lady and the mirror was streak free.

I used some of my favorite actions to blur the background because of the above mentioned feet, but erased the blur somewhat on the girls. Very cute, don't you think.

Personally, I believe I should have won first place, but what do I know? The first place winner was really cute too, (a little boy and a little girl- possibly siblings - walking down a tree lined cobblestone street holding hands) but seriously, shouldn't these adorable pixies have won?

My prize you ask? Well, I now am in possession of an adorable red ribbon: it is 3 inches long by 1 inch wide.

And . . . I won some money. THREE WHOLE DOLLARS!!

I know, I know, don't spend it all in one place. I'll try to contain myself. I'm sure the bank teller will have to hold the check for a few days to make sure the check clears.

I don't do it for the money - I do it for the fame!!

Ha!

: ( The farm show is over : (

Well, we must say goodbye to another farm show.

I foresee this week being the week the children will identify as the marker of summer being over. I feel that way all ready - especially since the weather has been so cool this week and down right cold at night. We're having late September weather - this is not August weather.

I think I am going to be one of those mothers who does not want her kids to go back to school. Maybe it is my own selfish nature in that I really like having the freedom to do what I want whenever I want to without having to answer to a school schedule. But, I also like what the schedule of school does for us. It's a catch 22, right?

We had a great week at the farm show - I didn't have to go every night (yay!) and the children got to show the goats. Erik & Walker made tons of contacts in the goat tent and they all had a blast looking at the animals, riding rides on Friday, and of course, eating yummy food all week.

Erik took Walker & Maggie tonight for the last night and the big-rig truck pulls. Little Maggie May was excited to go. She asked me all day, "Daddy take me to truck pulls?" She was very worried he would not be back to pick her up. But they went, and judging by the time now, I'm guessing Erik just decided to gather up the goats and all our paraphernalia tonight instead of trying to get back up there tomorrow. I'm sure Walkie and Maggie are fast asleep in the truck - well, maybe not Walkie - he's probably "helping" everyone tear down their stuff and doing "work." I hope his work ethic lasts through his life - he's one heck of a worker for such a small fella'.

Time is going to go fast here at GGF - the Farm Show is over, we have stuff planned for every weekend now through the end of September. I am trying to plan a day for Walker & I to go "back to school" shopping and all that good stuff. Not that he needs much, I just thought it would be a fun thing to do. He really does love to shop. And his new love is short sleeve button down shirts - like Erik wears to work every day. They are hard to find. Hopefully, I'll find some on clearance now that summer is over and I can stock up for next year.

I don't even want to think about next summer and the fact that my first baby will be 5 in 5 months! Ugh - let's not talk about it!

Too cute to not blog right away

So Maggie has discovered Barbie dolls. Someone has passed along to us a case with a few Barbies in it as well as some great accessories. Maggie has taken an interest today in dressing and undressing them and having me put their shoes on them so they can, according to Maggie, Walk, walk, walk, walk.

I just put shoes (mismatched ones at that) and Maggie took the Barbie back - which, from this point we will refer to "Barbie" as "Girl" because that is what Maggie calls her as in, Here momma, dress girl for Maggie.

So, I hand her back girl and she looks at her and points to her chest and says, Beeahs, Momma. For those of you not familiar with this particular Schwalmism, Beeah is the word Walker made up as a two year old for breast. I don't know how he came up with it, but when I nursed Maggie, that is what he called them. And it stuck. It's not such a bad thing - when we are in public and my children are referring to that particular body part, no one knows what they are saying. Maggie is frequently known to shout Momma, Will wants beeah! in public when Will starts to cry.

So, Maggie all of a sudden starts looking at girl and points to her chest and says, Beeah, Momma. I casually say, Yes, Maggie.

Maggie then says, Lots of milk in girl beeahs, Momma? She then proceeds to go through the Barbie doll case to "find baby for Girl to feed".

How do you not laugh at that. And I guess with that, the protesters of Barbie dolls win their argument that Barbie is not a good role model for body image.

Ok, I gotta leave the room before I get sucked into playing Barbie anymore. Maggie is obsessed with removing Barbie's clothing and making me re-dress her.

Uh-oh - just heard, "Help me pease, Momma?" Barbie needs a new outfit!

Will is not having any more of this Beeah talk. He is embarrassed!

How Typical

So, yesterday morning, Erik says, Today is the bicycle races up at the Farm Show. I'll be back at 12:00 and we'll take Walker up to participate.

So I get everyone ready and we get the bike in the truck. We even invited our wonderful neighbor, Donna, and she came too. As usual, we were running a bit late, so Erik grabs Walker and says, We'll go register and we'll meet you over there.

As I'm walking toward the track, I'm thinking There really isn't a lot of people here. We get into the track and no one is there. Turns out, my husband read the date wrong and the bicycle race was Wednesday, and we missed it.

Typical.

We'll get them next year. I'll spend the winter training Walker and he'll ride his bike so fast he'll win all the awards.

Or, we'll take it easy, next year will roll around, we'll look at the calendar and decide the day of to participate in the event.

Whichever.

Check back tonight or tomorrow - we're heading up to the farm show later to "ride the rides!" This ought to be fun.

Spitting Image

Erik took the older of the children to the Farm Show tonight and I got to spend alone time with Will.

My first realization was that Will is approaching 10 months. 10 MONTHS!! What??? Where did the time go? Where is my baby going??? I am so sad!

I was watching him play and he was pushing a truck on the floor just like a big boy. He even made attempts at truck like noises. I started taking some pictures of him and he noticed and every so often, he would have this look on his face
I'm not looking at you, Momma! Go ahead and try to get me to look!

He knew I was taking his picture but wouldn't look at me! So smart!!

So many people tell me Will is the spitting image of Walker - Walker is so adorable, so it isn't the worst thing in the world to look like him. But, I pulled out some photos for a comparison. They are all about the same age.

First: Walker

He's about 11 months here, so a bit older than Will now.

Next, Maggie:When did Maggie look so much like a boy?? Why don't I remember that?? Was I so wrapped up in her that I didn't realize she looked like that? Oh, Maggie May, Momma is so sorry! Believe me though - you won't realize you are doing this to your child - it just happens. And I'll pay for your therapy. I promise.

There are similarities between Walker & Maggie, but nothing that would confuse the two.

Now Will from today:
How cute is he and how grown up does he look? I immediately put him in a white onesie - the universal piece of clothing to instantly "babify" an older infant - like Will. He immediately lost about 2 months from his age. Whew - I was scared there for a minute. Oh, but wait, the minute I snapped the last snap and let him down, he started crawling the steps. Stop it, Will! I said STOP IT! You are not allowed to grow up!

None of them listen to me!

And Walker & Will side by side:













I don't know - you decide. I think they look A LOT a like. Too much almost.

Like I said in a previous post. If these guys continue to grow like they are I will not be the only woman to have my heart broken by them.

I am foreseeing a future for them - one where folks ALWAYS confuse them for each other. Kind of like my last visit to my hometown last week - My sister, Katie & I were walking around the fair with our mom - we walked past a woman that I recognized but couldn't place right away - Kate was in front of me and I saw the woman mouth something to her, but Katie kept on walking. I then walked past and the woman said, "Hi Katie." Ok, so it wasn't the most polite thing to do, but A) I couldn't place where this woman would know me aka my sister from, and B) I never expect anyone to know me (or to really be honest, know anyone). I'm not really sure why - especially in my very small hometown, but I guess it has to do with perpetually being mis-identified as my mom or my sister. Of course, I don't think any of us look alike - but apparently I am the only person who thinks that because any time I am in my hometown area, I am confused for my mom or sister.

Anyway, I do imagine that Walker and Will are going to be confused for each other a lot as they grow up. I just hope they don't use it like twins do and pretend to be each other.

I also foresee a day when people will come up to me and tell me how handsome my boys are. Ugh - I can't take it!

And not to leave out Maggie - I know people will tell me how beautiful she is too. She already is. My little sass. The last two days, she's taken to randomly hugging me and saying, Love you too, Momma. How adorable is that?

I'm so blessed to have these precious, precious children. I thank God everyday for this joy. Thank him for me next time you talk to Him too.