Updates

First, the baby news. My friend and neighbor, Helena, had her baby today. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be there to help out. Clara developed a fever overnight to go along with her nasty cough. Helena's midwife thought it best that I keep my distance. I was very disappointed, especially as I saw the cars gather in front of the house. I actually took this photo for them. Theirs is the red house. The room where I knew she was laboring is that window on the far right....right next to the giant cement mixer at the jerky neighbor's house.
I kept myself busy by baking banana bread, which I took over later. I also got a call to run out for some ice for them, which helped me feel a little bit useful. When I got the call that the baby was here I ran over with the banana bread. I was going to just wave to Helena and Baby Norbert (!!) from the doorway, but they waved me in. We visited for a bit and I got to hear some of the story. I was honored to be there within his first hour! I guess it got a little hard there at the end, as Norbert had his hand up on his head, but they both came through it just great!

In other news: I baked these crazy brownies today for Henry and Pete to take to our friend's barbecue (a real barbecue- not just grilling out). Clara and I had to stay home. These brownies are from a recipe Aunt Nan shared at the wedding shower Aunt Joyce held for me. Everyone brought a chocolate recipe. These are brownies with Fluff and frosting. Wow. I hope they all get eaten, or at least that Pete has the foresight to not bring any leftovers home.
Bedroom update: We finished painting last weekend. This is a nighttime photo, taken on laundry day, so it's kind of hard to see, but we're really pleased with how the room looks.
And finally....Henry's book!! I'll just translate, in case you can't read it.

"Butts"

"Toot tooty butts"

"This is a picture of a penis really! close."

"Nipple. Hairy on boys. Nipple."

"Ear. They can hear."

"Uvula. It's hangy."

"Poop. It's smelly."

"Pee. Fly-y"

The last four pages of the book each contain a heart and then, of course, "the end".

Breaking News!!

I know you were all waiting for the blog entry about Henry's book- (which is titled "Butts" spelled "BUS" by the way)- but we had a pretty exciting morning.
I took the kids back to the River Trail nature center, which we hadn't visited for a long time.
Did you know bald eagles snore?

Anyway, we had a great time.
They have totally redone their learning center, with a room dedicated to kids and it's awesome.
It is my new favorite place. In this photo Clara's choosing a book and Henry's making a spider web.
This is an accurately-sized bald eagle nest with a fox den underneath. Both are full of cushions and books about animals.
But here's our favorite guy: Ranger Brian. We asked him a couple questions about the skunk, like "when should we come so we can actually see it?" and he took us outside for an up-close encounter.
A field-trip that he had to lead happened to be there as well, but Ranger Brian gave some special attention to Henry.
And he let him pet the skunks tail!! Oh my god!!!! This is the best photo I have, but just look at Henry's face!
Of course there's all the typical indoor animal stuff as well- fish and snakes and a little kestrel.
And a table full of antlers and bones and stuff to touch.
This last picture is for Grandpa Bill...we thought this might be a fun project for you! It was tic-tac-toe on a stump with acorns and leaves wood-burned onto the discs for the x's and o's.
Next time you come to visit there is a high likelihood that we will take you to this nature center.

Stay Tuned!

Henry just notified me that he's writing a book about "boy body parts". He says I'm really going to want to read it. I'll leave Pete's and my responses up to your imagination.

Spontaneous Art Installations and General Mischieviousness

The other day I had the big bag of chocolate chips on the counter. I heard a thud, came into the kitchen and saw this:
Little munchkin.
Yesterday Henry decided to make himself a monster mask.
Clara's answer was to be Scary Shoe Face.
Here they are together...are you scared?
The art installations in our house have grown exponentially since I last reported upon them. You would think with a whole wall devoted to the kids' art, Henry wouldn't need more space to post his work. If you did think that, you'd be wrong.
Here's a little octopus picture posted right on the other side of the bathroom from the art wall.
And a drawing of Henry and Clara with the ceiling fan, on the other side of the art wall.
And another octopus picture by Franklin's food bowl.
And this piece, titled "Monday!" on the window.
Here are a few pieces in our living room.
And one of the favorites so far, this one showed up on the bathroom door one morning.
Here's the door to Henry and Clara's room.
And the door to our room. The orange piece says "Betsy! A! Peter!-S! Room!"
And one last little piece on the side of the bookcase. Franklin has become a sincere art appreciator.

Question

Hi Bloggy friends. Does anyone know how to post a slideshow of photos on Blogger?

Travelling Art Show

Lately Henry has taken to taping up his art projects wherever he deems appropriate. First there were pieces on the bedroom doors, then the rainbow in this picture showed up, followed soon by the dinosaur and then the "picture in a frame".
Earlier today he asked if I wouldn't like him to make me a project. I said "sure" so he drew this picture of what he and Clara will look like for Halloween and made the lovely red frame for it.
The newest addition showed up just a few minutes ago. In the car tonight Henry took a liking to an Adrian Belew song "Oh Daddy". So he wrote the title up and posted it in the kitchen.
As a child I remember feeling like taping things up on the wall required explicit permission. I kind of love that Henry just takes the initiative to decorate as he sees fit. Of course, now I have to fight the urge to not ever take them down...

Ups and Downs

We've had a few trials around here lately. Work has been busy and challenging. I have to go in tomorrow for 3 hours, which means I'll be missing out on some great weather, as well as Touch-a-Truck. At least I get paid a little, since it's a mandatory training thingy.
Home has been a little goofy too. I don't know if it's their colds, or adjusting back to daycare/preschool, but Clara's been waking in the night and not wanting to go back to bed and Henry has been having some attitude issues. Last night he threw a full-blown tantrum complete with kicking, hitting and screaming. It was not at all pleasant.
Today was a better day. Here are some photos from our morning at our favorite park...

A couple more from the wedding...

Here are a few more photos we captured on our phones...
Pete and Henry in the limo.
Liz and Van in the limo...
Me and Pete and Henry...Henry thought the changing colored lights in the limo were especially cool.
And our one photo from the reception...Clara and Henry with us at the head table. Instead of salads they got fruit cups. I was also a little jealous of Henry's chicken strips and Clara's huge bowl of mashed potatoes (though my meal was quite tasty as well).