Finished Kitchen

The kitchen is done. There is no more work to do in it. Grout is sealed, kickboards and top molding is all in place on the cupboards. Yay!

I've had several people remind me that they hadn't seen the finished result, so here it is!

Here's a close up of the decorative bit above the stove. Still getting used to the gas stove, by the way. Low on a gas stove is hotter than low on an electric stove. I keep burning things. But I love the way it looks!

If any of you didn't know, Brad did this room himself. Tile floor, cupboards, installation of hood, range, oven, and the plumbing for the sink and dishwasher. Previous to this remodel, he installed the can lights. There was no hiring out, save for the counter installation (which included grouting the sink in). He even connected to the gas line and ran it through the walls. Safely. He is outstandingly talented, and I'm so pleased with the kitchen!

Mac Again

Mac really just has such personality. She is totally into putting things on the way she thinks they go (see previous post) and this was no exception. She's been playing with the snap buckle thing on this helmet for days, and then she decided she was going to try and put it on. Sideways doesn't work...


The right way doesn't work when your head is too small...


And so, you can virtually see what she's thinking: 'Fine. I'll HOLD it on.'

Mac

At the risk of putting something inappropriate on the blog, here's this post. Yes, that is what you think it is around her neck.

Water Balloons

On Saturday, Brad's brother, Rob was here with us for a few hours, and while he was here, Brad and he went to get some water balloons for the kids. This one of Leiden is somewhat scary. I barely got the snapshot before yelling not to throw it at me with the nice camera.


Mac thought it was great. Brad kept making teeny tiny ones that wouldn't pop for her. She is so fair.


Leiden popped balloon after balloon after balloon. She LOVED this activity.


This one of Mac is great. She's got two, and she wandered around with them for 10 minutes or so.

Yay for dads who play really great things with their kids!

Triathlon

Yesterday was the big triathlon, and we all traipsed down to Lake Minnetonka to watch. I didn't get a picture of Brad getting out of the water, because I didn't realize it was him until he was past me! But here he is getting ready for the bike ride.


See those cones behind Mac? These hard core triathletes were whizzing by on their bikes right behind them. Needless to say, I kept a hawk's eye on Mac the whole time. She was less than appreciative of my watchfulness.


Here's Brad coming in on his bike, ready for the run.


And here he is, coming up to the finish line,


and another, right before he was done.



A bunch of people from our ward participated, these four, plus one other man and our Relief Society President! Go Paula!

Brad did really great, with his best triathlon time ever. He finished the entire race in 1:20. (That's one hour, 20 minutes.) Good for him, and good for all the ward members who participated!

The Princess Party

The long awaited Princess Party finally arrived! Here are the cute cupcakes I made for the occasion.


Leiden was very impressed with their sparkly-ness. Just right for a princess.


Pre-party dressing. She did have a crown, but decided not to wear it. She's all about natural hair these days. She has to be talked into clips, bows, and hair ties.


The Young Princess. She was all decked out in her Snow White costume.


Blowing out the candles. (Terrible picture quality.)


Brad gave Mac some cupcake. Needless to say, she wanted more. And more.

Eating cupcakes.

Princess glitter playdoh. Brad fashioned Leiden a glittery dragon.

After the presents. There were really no good shots during presents, as there were always other kids in the camera's view, and Leiden insists on holding whatever she's gotten right in front of her face when I take a pic.

All in all, it was a good party. I learned some things that will be taken into account for future parties, and most importantly, Leiden had fun. Thanks to everyone who came!

Happy Birthday, Leiden!

Minnesota Zoo

On Friday, we decided to go to the zoo, where they now have the African animals exhibit. Giraffes!! We participated in what will be a one time experience, although Leiden will ask every time we go: we fed the giraffes! For $5 (!) you get two smaller-than-graham-cracker size crackers specially for the giraffes. Leiden was totally game, and didn't seem leery at all.


The zoo worker then offered to take a picture of all three of us with the giraffe, and he went for us! (Notice Leiden is still totally calm.)


Mac seemed to like them, too.


Mac and Leiden playing on the playground. I do not spend the money for a season pass so they can play on a playground, but it's hard to tell them no when every other kid is playing!

We wandered out to the farm at the zoo, where we saw baby cows and pigs, and Leiden got to ride (sit) on a tractor. She's a natural.

What should I plant next?

Mac Smiling

This was just a great run of Mac. I know I post a ton of pictures here, but that's not going to change! Usually when I get the camera out, she turns the other way as a matter of principle, but I got lucky today!

Mac has this great mouth--even when it's wide open, the ends turn up.

Etsy Yart Sale

If any of you are Etsy fans, head on over there and search 'yart' for all the items on sale from today through June 14. There's free shipping, % off, BOGO, it's up to each shop. There's still time before Father's Day!

http://www.etsy.com

Yes, I am participating, but you all know where to find me, anyway!

Laundry

The girls are both exceptionally helpful when it comes to laundry. Leiden is learning how to fold the little towels. Mac is great at grabbing handfuls of clothes and strewing them all over the house--from dirty and clean batches--she doesn't discriminate. Mac also loves to dive headlong into the laundry baskets. Although this time, leiden was already in there!

Love this one with the leg straight out.


Leiden is getting smashed.


You can imagine what Mac is thinking.


Mom says, "Girls", and this is what she gets. Slightly abashed, but not repentant!

What little lovelies!

Como Zoo

Last Friday at about 2:15, Brad called me and asked me what I was doing. Mac was asleep, so I was just being lazy. He then told me he was on his way home (!) and that we were going to the zoo. Leiden has wanted to see the lions for weeks, so off we went. Here are the best of the bunch.

We did get to see the lions, but of course they were sleeping. All four of them. Leiden, of course, had the shortest attention span of all of us, Mac included. We'd barely stop in front of an animal, and she would turn to me and ask me what animal we were going to see next. We zipped right through there! She did like the baby orangutan! Mac liked the fishes.

Mac is saying a ton of words, and she can definitely understand us when we talk. She will even, if she's feeling generous, follow instructions once in a while. My favorite thing she's doing? When we sit down at dinner, she automatically folds her arms and says, "Amen!"

Leiden is beginning to read, and she's doing a great job. We inherited 'Hooked on Phonics' from our little neighbor, and she does a very good job at sounding out words. We just need to work on sight words. My two favorite things that Leiden is doing right now? 1. She can say WALL-E just like the show. 2. She will yell out, "I love you, daddy (or mommy)!" when we tickle her. Brad taught her that.

Leiden's friend party is coming up this week. There are only a couple girls her age in our ward, so it will be a small affair, but she's excited for her PRINCESS PARTY! (Sorry, boys her age!)