Another Day At The Kohl Children's Museum

Here we are at the Kohl again. Much less crowded than it was at the winter break. We can actually see the floor this time. The girls can play with things.

If her legs were a little bit longer she might get it to pump air. Of course I just noticed as I post these pictures that there is a black handle under the seat that would have let us adjust the seat forward.

The girls played briefly in the house they can decorate. Paint brushes, rollers, floor coverings, wall coverings. It only held their attention in short bursts.

This was the first time in the house today. Cora took off suddenly. It was as if she remembered the water room.

Logan enjoyed the environmental exhibit. She could carry this bucket and put balls, bean bags or "rocks" in it. They could play in a tent, dress as rangers or pretend to plant trees. They could row the boat and catch fish.

The row boat was fun. Mom had her challenges when it came to fishing. In her defence, that is not how one uses a landing net.

Exploring music at the Kohl is a challenge for adults as well as the children; but, for different reasons. The children are challenged to make the sounds work. The adults are challenged to cope with the cacophony.

What a frantic pace they keep. Finish a song, back to painting.

A little video production. Supposed to play dress-up and put on shoes, etc. But, really, that is well beyond a two year old. They were more interested in dancing and showing their belly.

Logan got the wind energy to work and no one was there. She called and waived them over; but, turned around and had to go get them.

That's a wrap! Off they go to the ladies room, I will go watch Logan.

Logan liked driving in the Fields Auto group display. And that's putting it mildly. She would really get the steering wheel spinning.

I told her to slow down and she replied, "I drive fast!"

I asked, "Who drives faster, Mommy or Daddy?" She said, "I do!" Then she flashed that impish little smile at me.

Mister Ruby Came To My House

In my spare time I can watch the feeder on my fromt window. I have been seeing the little, tan, female hummingbirds.


Suddenly a male visited the feeder for the first time. Notice the white collar and the ruby patch just above it on his throat.



And off he goes in a moment's time.

Board Certification

Geoff's Residency is drawing to a close. That means so many things. Prepare to move, start a Fellowship, take "The Boards".

SO, that means Geoff has to spend most of his waking, non-working hours deep in study of "everything in medicine". That is tough enough in its-self, nearly impossible with those babies around the house.

That is Grandma's and Grandpa's gain! We get Sunday visits from them so Geoff can concentrate.


Here's Grandma "hogging' Hazel. (just kidding)


Cora plays with one of their favorite toys, The Farm.

I'm Catching Up!

Another Wednesday, another play day. We try to give the girls as much time together as possible. Cora will be moving to Edina, Minnesota June 23rd. They will be separated for much of the next year.


Hazel has not only discovered her toes, she likes them.


Hazel not only likes her toes, she likes the taste.

Now that the walker has reappeared for Hazel, the girls have a renewed interest in it. They have figured out how to get into it; but, their legs are too long to allow them to use it "properly."

As Logan demonstrates, they can use it. They just pick it up and run with it.

Memorial Day 2010

What a pair these girls are. Cora and Logan. Close Cousins in every way. Both two and a half, cute as kittens, bright as can be and happy. We all tend to sit around and watch them.


I often wonder what exactly they are thinking when they get that look. They can look so impishly sweet that I know they are contemplating something.


Cora and Logan were so very busy watering plants for Grandma and Grandpa.



And again. We had to stop them before they drowned those poor plants.

Fill up those sprinklers again. There are a lot more plants.

Uncle Drew is a good source of ideas. Of course it may not be something you should do.

This basket won't hold water!

But it is fun to put on your head!

Cousins engaged in a favorite activity, bubbles!

"Sit on my lap, Cora." said Logan. And Cora did.

Then Grandma and Logan had a big laugh.

This is Cora's first look at our little pool. She quickly joins in with her cousin, Logan and learns to fill her sprinkler can. They did this until there wasn't enough water to flow in the tops of their cans.

Those lovely little girls were set up for failure, to get soaked at the least. Someone said, "Go put water on the red ones." I can see in their look back that they know it won't work.

Fill those sprinkler cans again. And Logan tries to shake the water off her foot while holding a cup of water. That combination doesn't allow her to make progress.

Uncle Drew shows the girls the frog. And Logan tries to spin with her head in a basket.

"That head in a basket stuff looked like fun!", says Cora.

Uncle Drew plays with Hazel to her delight.

A New Ester Williams?

Grandma is always thinking of things for the kids. So she has me call Kyle and tell him to be sure to bring Logan's swimsuit on Wednesday. So they bought her one and brought it Wednesday.


Logan was so proud of the ruffles. And she was a happy model, giving one of her 'cheese' smiles.


She sat on the edge playing with the sprinkler can and other bath toys. It was a toss-up between the cup and the sprinkler can,



The sprinkler won! It was very interesting with so many streams of water pouring onto the patio around the pool.

"I watering so it grow." I'm not sure what she thought would be growing.

She was very diligent in her effort to keep it moist.

And if you hold it under, bubbles come out of the sprinkler can.

Do you remember being exhausted from swimming? I do.

One moment Logan was playing with the dolls and eating her fruit snacks; the next moment she was very quiet. I had to take a picture of her totally zonkers.

It's always fun to find new toys and see what they do.

Here is that promised version of "The Idsy Bisy Fider". She does very well and really really appreciates the adoration of the audience. (us)

ONE MORE TIME, FROM THE TOP!

A Reunion Of Sorts

I know this is late in coming; but it was so much fun it has to be posted. May 22 we went to New Buffalo, Michigan for a reunion of long time friends and our children and our grandchildren.


Logan and Sarah rode with us and Kyle had to work. Logan was happy to be going on an adventure and entertained us. She would refuse to sing any song suggested. Then would later break into song as if it were her idea. She even sang some of her own compositions.
You will have to hear a later post of "The Idsy Bisy Fider".


The Skyway Bridge in the early morning fog.



Dick, Mike and Ken work on the fire building. Hurry up! Let's eat.

Roger and Judy put up a volley ball net. Of course, those of us who started "The Volleyball Group" don't play now.

April's and Spencer's cute girl, Savannah.

Julieanna's and Geoff's latest bundle of love, Hazel. She was apparently exhausted from the drive.

A long shot of just some of the group having a water balloon toss.

A close-up of Savannah.

Cora was very fond of the 'bouncy house'. Thanks to Neal Miedema's thoughtfulness, the wee ones had a great time. They have talked of it for a month.

Cousins! Just chatting and relaxing. Neither of the chairs were theirs; but, they enjoyed them immensely.

Cora and Grandpa try a three-legged sack race. She was anxious to get started. Once started, she was all smiles. She is trying to carry me. LOL

If you click on this one, you will see that great smile.

Okay, I admit that I love pictures of the kids smiling.

Sack Race explained to the wee ones.

FINALLY! They're off!

And for the Over 40 grouping, the times were slower.

The boys get a heat too.

Grandma drags Cora for a three-legged race. They both loved it.

More than one way to play toss.

Mothers' Day 2010

Sally's dream comes true. LOL. She got the tomato planter she was wishing for.

"Happy Mother's Day."


Mom and daughter #2. The picture of contentment.



Cora and Alex at play.

Benita, Ashley and Tricia. (Time out from softball)

And little Logan.
Everyone was well behaved. ha ha

Somehow I missed a picture of Sarah.

If I weren't so late posting this I might have remembered.

A familiar tune? Double the pleasure. Little fingers taste good and can feel the slick tongue. Little tongue can feel those probes poking and grabbing at it.

Logan Loves The Park

Grandma dozed on the sofa, but Logan successfully avoided the 'Sandman'.
She played very quietly with her doll on the love seat. She swaddled it and put it down. She un-swaddled it and held it. She swaddled it again and rocked with it and talked to it. But always in low whispers.


She finally came over to me and said in a whisper, "I want go to park, Grandpa."


With that Grandma was up and away we went.



Grandma went to the swings with Logan.

"Higher! Higher! (SQUEAL)" Repeat until weary.

Logan loves the big slide.

She isn't the least bit intimidated by the height. Here she sits chatting with Grandpa on the platform before we each take our turn.

This is the wrong position to launch from. Logan went straight ahead, her feet struck the side and she pivoted to the left and went down backward. Grandma gasped! Grandpa's heart stopped. Logan wondered what all the excitement was.

The new equipment is nice. More usable things and colorful. But it is time to back to the house before Sarah comes to pick Logan up.

Logan is content and willingly, even if not eagerly, leaves the park.

Such exuberance! The sheer joy of swinging. The adrenalin flow!

"I not hold on! I a dare deble!"

Cora Shows Hazel The Ropes

June 5, Wednesday morning Julieanna and the girls came out. Play date with Logan when she arrives around 11.


Pretty Mom and her Beautiful Baby. Aren't they all, moms and babies.


Cora makes Grandma smile. She has a way about her. Sally and I will replay the funny moments over and over, for days and weeks.

Cora interacts with her little sister Hazel well. They are both obviously amused with each other and members of a mutual admiration society.

Cora likes to teach Hazel how to use the familiar things. Some day I think this might end, this eager sharing of her childhood with her little sister.