The Iowa State Fair

 After the big birthday party on  Saturday Willie and I took Kahlen to the Iowa State Fair. We went with our son Josh and soon to be daughter in law Caitlin.

If you have never been to the Iowa  State fair, here are a few things you need to know. First, this is a pre-caucus year. Iowa, being the first state in the nation to vote for who will run for president, gets flooded with candidates during the fair. There is good and bad in this situation. The good is that Iowa gets a lot of revenue from candidates, reporters and others following the candidates.

 The bad part of being the first in the nation caucus state, the political commercials. For every candidate there are political action groups both for and against them. For every PAC there is at least 15,000 irritating, and less than honest commercials.

 The fair is a favorite place for these candidates. They schmooze, they shake hands, they smile, and let's face it, they lie. Finally, they leave.

The second thing to know about the fair, and this is so much more important, there is FOOD. Lots of it. If you can put it on a stick, coat it and deep fat fry it, it is at the state fair. This year the new fried adventure was deep fat fried butter. I never found it, can't tell you how it works or if it tastes better than it sounds. It sounds awful to me, but I guess those who tried it liked it. My favorite fried food on a stick is fried pineapple. Ok, yeah, I go for a good corn dog as well. There are also pork chops on a stick, chicken on a stick, bananas on a stick. Oh and deep fat fried pickles! They aren't on a stick, but there are YUMMY!

The next thing to know is there is always a butter cow. There has been a butter cow at the fair for the past 100 years. How they kept it from melting before reliable refrigeration, I don't know. Iowa gets very hot in the summer and fair time is usually the hottest week of the year.  Some years the butter cow lady will also make other butter sculptures. One year she did Elvis, one year she did a tribute to the first moon landing. It is always a must see at the fair.

The fair is 100% family oriented. There is something for everyone. There are animals to see, including the big boar and big bull. Everyone likes to stand next to the big boar pen just waiting to see him get up and move. He usually doesn't. The big bull, no one messes with him.

There are chickens and bunnies and ducks and sheep. There is just about everything a little kid could want to see.

Of course there is the midway, with its rides and carny folk. I don't take Kahlen through there yet. She is a little young for that. I do look forward to taking her on the ferris wheel one day.

There is so much to do and see. There is art, music, and of course toddlers dancing in the streets. We were very lucky to have a beautiful day.  We walked and ate and watched Kahlen happily dance for 45 minutes. She had a lemonade that seemed to have sugared her up just enough to keep her going for hours. I thought for sure she would fall asleep on the shuttle bus back to the car. She didn't.

It was the perfect end to the perfect day. Once in the car Kahlen finally passed out, happy and content.

Happy Birthday, Kahlen!!!

 Kahlen is TWO! TWO!!! Can you believe it? Our little "Punky Brewster" has changed from the baby born two years ago. The little helpless, screaming, pooping blob all swaddled so carefully in a receiving blanket is gone. She changed swiftly into a crawling baby getting into what ever she could find and chasing kitty whenever kitty made the mistake of getting in her way.
Soon she was cruising the furniture and then wobbly walking around the living room. The baby, changed into a toddler and is now becoming a little girl! Time has flown by and not likely to slow down anytime soon.

 Her birthday party was a lot of fun! It was at her Grammy's house. (Thank you, Anita) Lots of people were there. Kahlen spent a lot of time running from person to person greeting and hugging. There were a lot of kids there for her to play with, which kept her very busy. She had presents and cupcakes and all of the rest of the birthday essentials.

Puppies were invited to the party as well. We brought Bazinga along. He got to play with Anita's dog, Bubba for a while.  Bubba was about 10,000 times bigger than Bazinga, yet Bazinga seemed to think he could take him down. Bubba seemed fine with it and quickly taught Bazinga a few manners and they got along fine after.

The day went much too quickly. How come the fun days always do? Kahlen was getting tired and needed a nap, people started leaving, the day was a success. Kahlen was a happy two year old. She had been the center of attention as it always should be in Kahlen world, life was good.  

One year ago

 Can you believe how she's changed?!?

Two years ago

Looking Forward

After a week at the new job, I am exhausted and disheartened. Nothing seems to be going right and everything I try to do fights me. From trying to put my application in, to every step since then. It is like the universe is telling me that I am not supposed to be working there, but at the same time not giving me any viable options. It is frustrating. I feel like my life is at a crossroads, with no signs to tell me which way to turn. I feel like I'm supposed to reach for something loftier, but I have no ladder to climb to get there.

So, for now, I will try very hard to concentrate on good things. I will put my time in at work, work hard and do my best but look beyond the eight hours, and look forward to better things.

This weekend I get to go home for Kahlen's birthday party. I am so excited. She is changing so quickly now. My little grand baby, grew into a toddler and is turning quickly into a little girl. A little girl with definite likes and dislikes. A personality, with a sense of humor. I can't wait to see her. She will be two years old on Friday. TWO! Time passes so swiftly. Her smile will brighten my universe!

And there are weddings! And bridal showers to look forward to. The first of which is Alyssa's bridal shower. It is in about 2 and 1/2 weeks, another wonderful reason to get to go home. The next few months will be a whirlwind of activity and things to get done. I am looking forward to good times with family and friends. It helps to get me through the here and now.

The Sandbox Dilema as told by Kahlen

 Mama, Dada, Auntie Valerie and I, all went on a big bye bye to go see Nahma and Grampa a couple of weeks ago. I was very excited. I hadn't seen Nahma and Grampa in a long time. I like to go to their house, I also get to see Kitty and Puppy. I love Kitty and Puppy, especially Puppy. Puppy plays with me and lets me hug him and hold him. Kitty hides in a box most of the time. Sometimes Nahma will drag her out, and I will get to pet her, but then she runs away.

I like to play outside at Nahma and Grampa's. We play bubbles and um, puppy and um, play in water, and um pick tomatoes. It is a lot of fun.

There is this thing outside though that they seem to think I should like playing in. They call it a sandbox. I call it an evil ancient torture device. It has this stuff in it. They call it sand, I call it the pit of doom! They want me to sit in it, and touch it! What is wrong with these people? Do they take delight in seeing me suffer?

The first time they put me in the pit of doom I didn't have any shoes on to protect my feet! They put me in anyway! It was OWIE! Nahma and Auntie Valerie put their feet in without shoes too! Obviously, their feet are made from asbestos. I should call the environmental  protection agency on them, that'd show'em.

For whatever reason, Mama and Dada did not try to save me from this torture. Not even when Auntie Valerie started pouring the evil substance on my legs! OWIE! I yelled in vain. How could I ever make them understand!

But wait, this stuff is kind of interesting. It pours kind of like water, yet isn't wet. I can scoop it with the toys, and put it in the truck Nahma and Grampa got me. Oh, and I can drive the truck through this stuff. Hey, maybe this could be fun. As long as I have my shoes on and don't have to actually sit in it.

Kahlen, Bubbles, Side Walk Chalk and Swimming Pools

We recently got to have Kahlen here with us for a week and a half. As you know well, I enjoy having her here more than anything else! Getting to wake up to her giggles, and snuggle with her at nite nite, is the best way to start and end each day. And the stuff in between, well, that's the frosting!

Most of the time she was here it was HOT! Illinois, like most of the rest of the country has been in a super dome of heat and humidity. Otherwise known as summer hell. I try not to swear on my blog, but there is no other way to describe what the weather has been putting us through. But..... there is no such thing as climate change...... whatever, that's another blog, though.

With the weather uncooperative, we were not able to do some of the out door things I would have liked to do. Taking a stroller ride down to the park was out of the question. The slides and swings probably would have been to hot to play on anyway.  This meant creative activities would be the norm.

Not that we didn't get out at all. We went out in the early mornings. I found that there is one activity that will keep Kahlen occupied for hours. BUBBLES!  Kahlen loves bubbles! Every morning two words came out of her mouth as soon as her eyes opened. First, "Grampa?" No, Grampa is at work, I'd tell her. Second, "Bubbles?" Every morning, right after breakfast, changing clothes and brushing teeth, it was time for bubbles.

Little Miss Kahlen can entertain herself with a jar of dish soap and a plastic wand until she passes out from oxygen deprivation. If we were outside, she had bubbles in hand. I honestly don't know how she didn't pass out. She had me blowing them too, and I got a little light headed.

There were a few times that she would put the bubbles down. It was rare, and soon she was back at them. In between, though, she did find time for sidewalk chalk. She went about it in a way that made it look like she was marking her territory. She would draw something, carefully peruse the patio, and choose another spot. She would draw something there and then map out where her next masterpiece would be. It was all very meticulous and precise.

In the mornings, while she was busy with her bubbles, I would fill the swimming pool. It would have time to warm up all day in the scalding heat of the day and be ready to play in by the late afternoon.

Kahlen was not sure what to make of it. The first day, we had two other kids over. They were a little older and, of course, took right to the pool. They played and splashed and had a good time. I put Kahlen in, she stood there like she had never been in water before. She didn't cry, but she didn't move. Her feet stayed in one place for an hour. She played with her bubbles and watched the others play, but she never moved her feet. She didn't sit, she never put her hands in the water.

After the other two kids went home for the day, Kahlen and I went back out to the pool. I put her in, again she just stood there. I took her bubbles and threw them on the other side of the pool. She looked at me, and looked at the bubbles. "Bubbles?" she asked with the sweetest face and voice. I told her if she wanted them she had to get them. The magic of the bubbles got her to move! She walked very carefully over to the bubbles and picked them up. I was so proud of her. Now, if I could just get her to sit down. I decided that was going to take force rather than delicate encouragement. She walked over by me, poor innocent soul. She, wanted me to blow bubbles. I wanted her to sit in the water. I splashed her a little, her response? "NO!" I knew what this meant. I knew what had to be done. I picked her up, and sat her in the water. She was NOT happy! There were tears, her heart was broken. Until..... she figured out she could splash with her legs. All was good!

The rest of the evening was spent blowing bubbles in the pool and watching them dance on the water before they popped. Pouring water from one cup to another. Pouring water on "Nahma's" legs. Chasing puppy around in the pool and having a very fun time all around.

Best Weekend

 The weekend before last was a great one. Why was it so great? What made it so special? Valerie, Alyssa, Shane, and Kahlen came to visit. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if Josh and Caitlin had been able to make it, too. It had been two months since I had seen any of them. I was so happy to see them pull up!

Kahlen had changed so much since the last time I had seen her. She has so many words now. She can tell you exactly what she wants, and you can understand her! She has gotten so tall. I have a spot in the kitchen where I measure her. It is where the family that lived here before us had theirs. I decided to leave theirs and add Kahlen to it. Kind of a little history of the house. Since we moved in here in November, Kahlen has grown 3 inches. Amazing!

The weekend was spent going to favorite restaurants, talking wedding and spending time together. We went to Heron Park one afternoon. Kahlen got to see swans and listen to bullfrogs. There are many, many bullfrogs to be heard there. She saw big carp plowing their way through the algae in the water. But I think her favorite part was riding on Daddy's shoulders and bossing everyone around.

My favorite part was just having all of us together. It is what I miss most being so far away. I even miss my kids arguing and yelling at each other, well, a little anyway. Maybe for my birthday I'll ask Alyssa to get mad at Josh and throw something at him...... Nah.

Of course the weekend went much too fast. It just feels a little more like home when the house is full. Knowing the rooms aren't empty. Having laughter fill the air. Saying goodbye is always so hard!

The one consolation was that Kahlen was staying with us for a week and a half. I know how hard it is on Alyssa and Shane when she is here with us, but I am so very, very grateful that they let us have her now and again. She just brings a sparkle and energy to the house. Days with Kahlen are always an adventure!

Gardening With Toddlers

Gardening with a 20 month old sounds like a fun idea. The toddler gets to play in the dirt with no one telling them to stop. They get to get as filthy as they want, and no one gets angry. It is encouraged to get the hands in and smoosh the earth between the fingers. Should be every child's dream right?

Kahlen is not that kind of a toddler. While she loved wandering all over the yard with her watering can, getting dirty had very little appeal to her. She watered a few rocks and loved watching me fill the watering cans, but beyond that had no interest in getting dirty and planting herbs or tomatoes.

I tried repeatedly to get her into the garden to dig and get dirty. She even had her rain boots on, to keep her feet good and clean. She would have none of it. She kept trying to wander off and go into the garage. I went outside with the intent of planting a couple of herbs, a tomato, a flat of flowers and a columbine plant. I got the tomato in and had to chase after Kahlen. Then I got one of the herbs in and had to chase after Kahlen. I got the second herb in, and decided to get things watered and be done. Willie wanted me to put the veggie garden clear at the back of the yard. Guess where the hose doesn't reach. Back and forth with two watering cans we went. Kahlen quickly got bored with that, not that I blame her. It was aggravating me as well.

I'm beginning to think that Kahlen may be a bit of an indoor girl. She enjoys sitting out on the porch watching the cars and trucks go by. When a big semi roars past she gets all excited and says "WHOA!" We play a game where we guess what will come next a car or a truck. She excitedly waits until the next vehicle comes and claps and giggles when we have guessed correctly.

While, Kahlen does love the park, and going for walks, it might be a little tough getting her to embrace the outdoors completely. She just doesn't seem to care for getting dirty. I hope she grows out of this stage, I want to take her camping someday. When we camp it is in a tent. Kind of hard to stay clean in a tent.

For now, lunching on the porch watching the world go by is a wonderful alternative. Chilling out with an ice cream sandwich and lounging on lawn furniture is a perfect way to spend the morning.