Kurt's Day

In lieu of the traditional Father's Day card, how about a post in honor of the resident dad of the house? I am sure bloggers across America are doting on daddies today, and I will happily join that bandwagon because ours surely deserves it.



Dear Kurt,

How do we count the ways in which you are totally rad? Nearly impossible. From listening to me weep on tough days to taking a paci run for Lily at 4 a.m. to pitching in with housework that I can't seem to get done to rushing home from work when I nearly slice my finger off to taking the kids to the library...you really are OUTSTANDING. I am so grateful that God gave me the perfect partner in this world of parenting and that you extend me such grace as I try to figure out who I am as a mother. Thank you for working so hard so that I can be home with Westie and Lily and enduring the "simple" life that that entails (i.e. taping Friday Night Lights on VHS when 90% of of Americans have cable with DVR). This is an exhausting chapter of our lives, but I know that decades from now when our children have left the house we will look back on this time and miss it terribly. It is such a paradox, but in the most chaotic time in my life, I have more peace than I've ever known. Thank you for continuing to lead me down the paths of God's peace.

I'll leave you with a couple of quotes from our recent days of parenting that make me smile (if not almost pee my pants)

Weston (making his cow speak to the donkey): "What's up donk?"

You (before bed one night in reference to Weston's picky attitude about eating): "Do you think kids starving in other countries whine about being hungry?"

With much love from your proud wife :)

Here's a picture of Weston decorating your Father's Day card. He tried to convince me to draw a cow on it, but I refused.

Banana Smoothie

Weston has not been much for baking with me lately, but he will endure the short time it takes to make a "shnoovie". Here's a new one we tried yesterday. And actually, it's a good one to keep in your back pocket for fall/winter when berries are not in season.

Banana Smoothie

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 Tbsp. honey (lightly sweetens, increase according to your sweet tooth)
nutmeg
1 large banana, frozen and sliced (note: freeze with peel off)
1 cup Greek yogurt (we used Trader Joe's Whole Milk European style yogurt)

Blend everything except yogurt until smooth. Add yogurt just until blended.

Then enjoy with your favorite tot.

Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

As previously told, Lily had quite the little virus two weeks ago that ended in an ear infection. Four days in to the antibiotics she was still refusing to sleep in her crib, waking up every 45 minutes and generally just wanting to be held.

I waited through the weekend and called our pediatrician first thing on Monday morning. I was SURE that she was resistant to the antibiotic and that the infection was not clearing up...what else could be going on?

The verdict? Her ears looked perfect. As did everything else. "Nothing should be bothering her at this point." says Dr. Schmandt.

After keeping me up at all hours of the night and wearing you on me like white on rice, all I have to say to you Lily is "Liar, liar pants on fire!"



"Who me?"

Fun at the Farm

My talented and dear friend Erin took our pictures at a very fun little farm several weeks ago.

Much to Weston's dismay there were no cows. But it didn't keep him from asking where they were...about every two minutes. Lo and behold, we will find some cows this summer. How dare I take him to a "farm" that had such an obvious oversight?! Nonetheless, his time there was not all for naught since he discovered the TRUE sound a rooster makes. He no longer says a rooster goes "cock-a-doodle-doo", he gives the real life "er,er,er,er,errrrrrrr".

Here are a few of my favorite shots...









I'm not sure if she has any slots left, but check out this blog post for more info on Erin's next farm shoot at the end of this month. You too could master the call of the rooster and land a few sweet pics to boot.