Another day to play in the turtle!

Caleigh found her spray turtle and it wasn't long before she was suited up and enjoying the water in her big turtle. Never did get the sand in the turtle, but that's okay 'cause Caleigh likes the water just fine.

From the turtle (dripping wet) to the slide (affectionately known as the "weee!"). Caleigh can get on and up and down all by herself and enjoys saying, "AGAIN!" when she hits the bottom of the slide and running back around to start all over.
She then ran around the house three times. Straight to the bath and then a nice long nap after these adventures!

5th Anniversary Weekend Away

Dan and I enjoyed celebrating our 5th anniversary in the mountains of western MD (and traipsing over into WV and PA mountains too). We figured it was fitting as we celebrated our honeymoon in a WV cabin.

Here we are standing in front of what is supposed to be the tallest waterfall in MD -- only 68 feet so we're hoping that was a misprint.

Then, a view from our house/cabin. Pretty area and acres and acres to ourselves. I was excited to try out their basketball hoop and Dan cheered me on as I made basket after basket....;-)

It was a little early for the leaves to change in MD, but we saw great color on our WV scenic drive. We did go on two hikes and I didn't pass out! I am 29 weeks pregnant on this trip and feeling rather large (notice there are pictures of my only neck up ;-).

We also saw covered bridges, wind farms and a few interesting roads. We had to laugh when our GPS tried to send us down a road (from a very bumpy dirt/gravel road) that was clearly on an Amish farm...I contend tractor wheels made that "road" in the grass. The weather was perfect.

We also enjoyed delightful hours at an Appalachian Folk Festival in Frostburg, MD. I especially enjoyed the hammer dulcimer music, listening to a talk about the history of flat footing and clogging (and the demo!), and talking to a professor about an antique spinning wheel and it's parts. Oh, I also really enjoyed sitting in the shade with a cold drink (recovering from our hikes the previous day, I think ;-)

We missed our Caleigh but are thankful to have been able to get away.

To the farm!

The baby animal and Fall festival farm, that is. Thanks Oma and Jochen for taking me there on Sunday. What fun I had petting animals (I LOVE animals!!) and riding the hay wagon and the big, FAST slide! Oma said I fell asleep before even getting back to the car. But a little cat nap later and I was ready to welcome Mama and Daddy home from their get-away weekend. Thanks for all the adventures over our long 3-day weekend together!

Caleigh helping with the dishes

Caleigh likes to help put away the spoons and forks from the dishwasher. Usually we can get the rest of it cleaned out while she stays busy with this task! Then, we move on to organizing the mess Caleigh creates in the silverware drawer. She gets a little distracted at times, but she is a big helper. ;-)

Breakdancing

Caleigh is hip in her John Deere overalls and so 1980's all at once. Perhaps she was falling here, but we prefer to think she is busting a move.

On a more serious note, Saturday morning Caleigh surprised us by correctly naming four of her crayons -- purple, orange, blue and red. She refuses to replicate the feat, but we know the knowledge is stored somewhere in her expanding brain.

Green eyes a-shining

A little close for Caleigh to look her best, but you can clearly see her beautiful green eyes.

She has an odd "skier" run at times -- here is a couple looks at it. Usually she runs around the house and yard quite normally. However, when the mood strikes, she throws her hands behind her & leans forward. We think this winter she may be on skis! (HAHA!)

What are you trying to say, Daddy?

Caleigh looks a little skeptical (or modestly fearful) of the prospect of having us try out any suggestions from this book. She knows that she is a very good child, and we're happy that she has a "strong will." However, it's never too early to think about harnessing it for her good! ;-)

Reading with Mama

Caleigh loves her big Noah's Ark book, with the four animal specific smaller books to go with it. She likes pointing to the animals and telling us what they are. It's fun to hear her learn more and more of them, and be so excited to remember and name them for us.

Bitten

Nope - Caleigh didn't take a tumble or get hit in the eye. A nasty mosquito got her on the left top eyelid one evening. Her eye looked like this the next day, and was even worse right after her naps...nearly swollen shut! She was a trooper about it, though, when it wasn't itchy. By the next day all was nearly back to normal and Mama didn't mind taking her out in public. ;-)

This last picture is a good example of Caleigh's scowl. When she is 'naughty' (as she likes to say), Daddy will scowl at her. It's really hard not to laugh when she scowls back at him.

Pretty blue dress

Look! Did you see these pretty yellow flowers, Mama? And I just love this hat. Very fashionable on these sunny summer days.

To the park!

Caleigh couldn't wait to try out her wagon so we had a trial in-house run. Daddy pulled Caleigh along pretty back streets to a park with a couple slides. Caleigh enjoyed every minute!

This was part of our relaxing (and somewhat productive) 4-day Labor Day weekend. We also enjoyed lunch on a patio in University City, inside and outside housework, visiting yard sales, and cooking yummy dinners. A very nice time.

Long legs and hat attack

Caleigh brought me the camera, sat down, and said "cheese!" ... so I had to appease her. We think she might have inherited some height...;-)

After nap Mama was putting away clean clothes and Caleigh just 'had to have' the hat (umm...those are bloomers, honey...). She managed to get two pacifiers in her mouth at once. She continued to ham it up for the camera in her cute skirt and matching "hat."

We are thankful she goes to nap easily and most times wakes up happy -- if not downright silly!