Strawberry Beefcake

Going along with our fruit themed summer....

Fred seemed more of a beefcake than a shortcake.

We literally are getting the first fruits of our garden with strawberries and raspberries. Like anything you grow, the taste of these guys is simply amazing. I'm not even a big raspberry fan but with these home grown beauties I could eat them all day. Fred really enjoys helping and being his own little farmer. He loves getting in the strawberry patch. We've only had a few not quite ripe ones picked and just a handful being turned to jam in the patch under toddler feet.



I got a rain barrel and compost tumbler for Mother's Day - and Fred already knows their function and what we are suppose to do. It's fun to teach good habits now. But even more fun is to hear two year old speak describe what is suppose to be done.

Cooking Watermelon

A rainy day project and my sous chef got a little ahead of me while I was washing my hands .



And yes he polished off that half of the melon.

The Worst Father's Day

Besides being a amazing, caring, sweet, funny, intelligent guy who also happens to be a highly engaged, silly, imaginative, helpful father - you should know I really only married Stan for the lifetime of jokes. This pun never gets old.






I love Fred's scowl looking at a screaming Cal as if he is ruining everything while a peaceful and serene daddy sits in the middle of his two boys. Best part of the day was when I told Fred he should say "Happy Father's Day" because it was Dada's special day. To which he mumbled out some sorta "Happy Dadaday. (pause) ok Mama now its Fred's Day. Happy Day to Fred," and proceeded to steal the last of Stan's ice cream cone out of his hands!
Happy Father's Day Stan - we love you!

Cal's first month and a half...

Well let me just say - we breed 'em big here! Calvin has grown an inch and put on almost 2 and half pounds since birth. He's no 11lbs 12oz. We just seem to make boys that grow like weeds! I'm not sure how we can afford to feed them in the teenage years but we'll worry about that later.

As far as babies go - cal is like his shirt says "Cool as a cucumber". I don't know if it's just because he's the second and I kind of have a clue or if he's just that different from Fred, probably a combo. But will you check out those sweet cheeks?! They are too much to handle (a feature his brother never had!).


Fred is becoming more the man of the house, playing on his own. Thankfully we scored some great garage sale finds for the backyard - now if only the weather would cooperate and the bugs would go away we could be out all the time!


Fred wanted to share his cool look of sunglasses with Cal - because we ooze coolness at this house.


Fred is a great big brother, he's very concerned about Calvin. Doesn't like to hear him cry and will get the him his pacifier or little toys he's been given. He really likes it when they both sit in their chairs and watch Curious George or Thomas. It's been a really good month and half - if everybody's sleeping would improve I'm sure it'll just get better and better.

Meet Calvin Edward!

He's here! And I will try to post pics, but lets be serious about how likely that's going to be so instead I will send you with this link to Abby's blog who has done a much better job of documenting my kids than I have!

Quick stats:
9lbs 4 oz
22inches
15 in head circ!

We are doing well and as of today (one day home) Fred loves his role as big brother... not sure how long that will last but it made a very nice homecoming. It also made me a hormonal weeping fool of nerves and more just overwhelming love for my boys (big one too)!

Monster Trucks before baby makes 4

Well this is it kids - Wiggly will be here Tuesday! Crazy! Haven't had a lot of time to really process how there is a new person, I've been more focused on freezing meals, laundry, cleaning, organizing, purchasing crazy items like deep freezers, 1/2 a hog, double stroller, life insurance, and a mini-van! So all my consumer report research has pushed the idea of "baby" to the back. But its all done, we are all ready to go and now the nerves/excitement/anxiousness has begun to set in. Still no good feeling as to who is going to show up so you'll just have to stay tuned.

But in order to celebrate the end of our time as being a family of 3, we went to Palatine's big truck show and brought along our good buddy Noah and his prego mommy too! Fred was very anti-camera but did love getting up to the big trucks. It was a really neat morning and we got to top it off with hot dogs and chicken nuggets for lunch!

wailwoad picnic

Knowing our time with just the 2 of us during our day is limited, the other week Fred and I had a spontaneous picnic at the railroad station. And really when you are 2 and love trains is there anything better? Oh yes, there is a bonus of watching a police man in go-cart thingy shooting his radar gun at cars crossing over the tracks, a mail truck, bus, and construction trucks cross too! Who knew transportation could be so fun!