Enjoying the summer

Hanging out in the backyard

Playing at the Port Washington Splash Pad

Yanique doing painting projects on the lake dock.

Hydrangeaas from the garden

Enjoying the mud 

Hanging out at Kate and Aaron's place 

Cleaning out the gutters

Playing with Remy, the neighbor's dog. 

Bedtimes

Mina and Rowan get an extra burst of energy at bedtime.  Despite the full on bed time routine (which has now been done for...THEIR WHOLE LIVES...they don't like to go to bed. They giggle across from each other in their beds. Mina creeps into Rowan's, and then they both bounce up and down.  Rowan insists he needs to do susu, even though he doesn't.  They need back-tickling. Then they need belly-tickling. Then patting. Then a song. Then music. Then, no, not the music. Then, a particular toy. Then, the blanket isn't spreading properly. Ok, do you do you guys need to be separated? No!  I like it when Rowan sings to me  (which does not happen). And don't turn off the light, the foxes will come!

For example:

M: Mom, I need tape!

R: Why do you need tape? It's bedtime. 

M: I need tape to put my sword together

R: [Gives tape]

M: [rolls up a magazine and sticks it with tape]

Ro: Fight. De. Foxes!

R: why do you want to fight the foxes? 

Ro: Coz! Mina. Do. It!

R: Mina, are you going to defend yourself against the foxes? 

M: Yeah.  If any foxes come in the distance...if you or dad are scared...I'm going to smack it with my sword. 

Ro: 'Mack it!

And another, from nap time: 

Finally out.

Funny Sayings

One word:

Mna (Mina)
Boobies (blueberries)

Two word sentences:

Chup please!
Want. youuu.
I coming!
Come back!

Three word sentences:

Want hot waffas (waffles)
Cook it up! (While playing with his kitchen set)

M: I need some tape mom! (calling from the bedroom, after lights had already gone out)
R: Why do you need tape? It's bedtime
M: I need tape to put my sword together
R: (gives tape)
M: (rolls up a magazine and sticks it closed with tape)
Ro: Fight. De. Foxes!
R: Why do you want to fight the foxes?
Ro: Coz! Mina. Do. It.
R: Oh! Mina, are you going to defend yourself from the foxes?
M: Yeah. If any foxes come in the distance...if you or dad are scared...I'm going to smack the fox with my sword,
Ro: 'Mack it!

Ro: (Singing, and throwing toys into a box) "Keen up, Keen up"

July 9: 

Yanique's text: We had a talk while I was putting Mina to bed and in the end I told her if she focuses on the positive (good) oppose the negative (bad) she will feel better. Listening over the monitors I hear Mina say: "Okay so I will focus on the positive things...Something that makes me happy is momma and dada coming home, that's a good thing..."

Bedtimes: Mina and Rowan get an extra burst of energy at bedtime.  Despite the full on bed time routine (which has now been done for...THEIR WHOLE LIVES...they don't like to go to bed. They giggle across from each other in their beds. Mina creeps into Rowan's, and then they both bounce up and down.  Rowan insists he needs to do susu, even though he doesn't.  They need back-tickling. Then they need belly-tickling. Then patting. Then a song. Then music. Then, no, not the music. Then, a particular toy. Then, the blanket isn't spreading properly. Ok, do you do you guys need to be separated? No!  I like it when Rowan sings to me  (which does not happen). And don't turn off the light, the foxes will come! For example:

Mirror Project

Dip fake flowers in a paste of plaster of Paris. Then hot glue gun the flowers onto a mirror.  Tip: the best flowers to use are the hard, fake-o ones, since they maintain their shape the best.