The InDeeds of Life: June 2013

Baking at the Bakery

Usually we visit the bakery in the morning when things are bustling and customers are coming in. A couple weeks ago, however, we got to visit after-hours such that we had free reign to "help" Grandpa and Nana with some bakery work.

Nana was planting flowers outside...in between playing peek-a-boo.

Grandpa, teaching the girls the fine art of thoroughly greasing the brownie pans.

Papillon got to wear an apron for the occasion. Note the bandaid on her forehead. Confession: there is no reason for this bandaid. Usually when Papillon asks for a random bandaid, I say no. When she asked for one smack dab in the middle of her forehead...I couldn't refuse. How adorable!

Making brownies!

Hibou ventured outside to help Nana with the flowers, after fencing her work area off with orange cones of course.

She had to make sure the mulch was up to par.

It passed the napping test.

Quality control also stepped in to check the brownie batter. It also passed.

Papillon got to work the big machinery (aka the mixer)

Papillon was a big help pressing the Savannah Bar batter into the pans.

And Hibou mastered the art of weighing the muffins to make sure they were the right size.

Work-Playdates

Recently we've had a friend over for some work-playdates. Kind of like an all day play date where the kiddos play with each other and we moms get some work done. It actually works out pretty well. And totally beats trying to get work done without the added entertainment of guests. Even a 5 month old provides just enough distraction to let me focus on work things.

But of course I had to take a break from being productive to get some pictures of the kiddos having fun.

Hibou, smiling for the camera.

Papillon and our little friend (he's in there under the stuffed animals somewhere, I promise) playing "train" and traveling to Kansas.

Our little friend enjoyed being buried.

And, of course, Papillon read him a good number of books.

Hibou: 15 Months

I didn't get around to an official photo shoot this month, but here is my little 15 month old who loves nothing more than to sit in kid-sized chairs and do...whatever. Doesn't matter, as long as she is sitting in a chair. Truly it is her favorite thing.

Hibou at 15 months....

...weights 19lbs 14 oz, and is 30 inches long.

...takes just 1 nap a day (generally), and then sleeps from 7:30ish until 7ish.

...is a bit of a picky eater. Sometimes she loves eggs, some times she won't touch them. Same with most foods. Except fruits...she will eat all fruits, all the time. Oh, and 99% of the time she is ok with yogurt.

...has a few words. Mama. Dada. Occasionally "book". Uses the baby signs for "please" and "more" very effectively. Also can occasionally be convinced to make some animals sounds (Tiger, fish, dog, and even once she did a full on "meow"), but only when she's in the mood. (did I mention she is strong willed??)

...can tell you where her tummy, head, teeth, and sometimes ears, are.

...loves babies. And adores giving kisses.

....is a goofball. Frequently does things simply cause she knows they are funny. Faking you out with a kiss. That kind of thing.

...doesn't walk yet. Goof. She still prefers the scootch. Sometimes she crawls. She often climbs on things (like the coffee table). Until last week, if you tried to help her walk, she would pull her feet up into the air, and then scream at you. She was totally not interested. Then one day, Mon Amour, being persistent about such things, attempted to give her a hand with walking, and she was ok with it. They invented a chase-Papillon game that both girls love, and now Hibou is generally ok with you helping her walk by holding both her hands. Eventually she may let go....maybe...

And, just for fun, a cute picture of Papillon. They both love babies so much which is a very good thing. More on that later.

Love you both muchly!

Strawberry Picking

We managed to squeak in a little family strawberry picking outing before Mon Amour left for his most recent trip. It was a good day for strawberry picking - a little warm, but not hot, a little overcast, but no rain. The strawberries had been pretty picked over by the time we got there, so they were small and a little hard to find sometimes; but all in all, a very successful outing.

Papillon was very good at being particular and only picking the completely red ones.

Perfection!

There is a reason we call Hibou "Pinkie"

All done, and ready to head back. Her basket ended up being the "cracker basket" so she could dole out snacks and she deemed appropriate.

Satisfied with a good days picking!

Playdates

Just a few sweet moments from a few precious playdates over the past weeks.

Playing in the stream with a friend....with no regard for her damp dress.

Friends on a rock!

A younger sibling, taking in the sights from the comfort of a cozy baby carrier.

At a friend's house warming party - a younger friend just pulled right up into Papillon's lap.

And on a rainy Friday play date, it was time to snuggle up on the couch and watch a little movie.

Sisters are the Best

Found these girlies together on the sofa the other day. I don't really know how Hibou got up there...but that issue aside, it was an amazingly precious moment.

Spontaneous kisses!

Grandpa and Nana's House

Just a few photos from a recent visit to Nana and Grandpa's.

The kiddie pool was freezing...but tons of fun!

And all it takes to entertain Hibou is a pint-sized rocking chair.

And all Papillon needs is a baby strolling device of some kind.

Hibou is also a fan of baby dolls.

She kept hugging this one, giving it a kiss, then laying it gently in the stroller. Then repeating the process. Over and over and over again.

So sweet.

Muffins and Juice Boxes

Tis always fun to visit Grandpa's bakery and enjoy some muffins and juiceboxes.

Yummy!

Hibou's Fork

Ever since introducing her to utensils, Hibou prefers to feed herself and prefers to do it with a utensil.

Don't mind the shirt-less breakfast; she is not a fan of putting her shirt on in the morning. Why insist until after the mess of breakfast is done?

Memorial Day Family Fun

My younger brother managed to come home from Navy Flight School for a brief visit over Memorial Day Weekend. The occasion, of course, called for a picnic!

As is fitting, there was tasty food...