Kids Keep Growing

Here is a little update on the development of the Weisensel kids....

Rowan will be turning 3 very soon. Her birthday is at the end of October and she will get to share her birthday party with her dad once again. I think it will be a few more years before she gets her own party.
She is still the little boss and wants Harvey do things how she sees fit. Sharing is still minimal, but every once in a while she shares without being prompted.
Rowan is still riding her little pink trike she got from Aunt Julie. She has outgrown the baby bike at Grandma Allord's house.
Rowan can do most things on her own now (opening doors, buckling herself into the carseat, pottying...) but she has developed a habit of using the phrases "I don't know" and "I can't!"
Most of the time she does know and she really can.
Her most recent accomplishment (much to our dismay) was coloring on our computer area with a Sharpie. She got the desk, keyboard, mouse, monitor and her own lips. She was in big trouble and we learned just how much elbow grease one really needs to clean permanent marker off an LCD computer monitor!

Harvey is really enjoying being 1 year old. He is walking everywhere and making naked escapes while I try to diaper him.
A few days ago he really focused on going up and down the sun room steps. He would go back and forth while holding my hand. He really wanted to walk down like everybody else. He can now comfortably get down those two steps without crawling. He is now determined to walk down the main staircase as well. He will not crawl down backwards. He will hold the railing and wall and walk down. Only at the bottom (where the rail stops short) does he take my hand to descend the last two steps.
Harvey is now also allowed to walk on the new deck. He doesn't like to be stuck in the baby walker anymore. He can climb onto the bouncy horse, teeter totter and little play car all by himself. He is slowly learning how to propel himself on the play car - with a big smile on his face.

Harvey still has 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom. But he really loves eating almost everything. This boy is a bottomless pit at most meals. If you ever try to sit down with a snack in the living room, you can expect him to zoom to your knee and start bouncing up and down - like he's saying, "please, give me a bite." One afternoon, I had all three (Rowan, Harvey and Maverick) at my knees. Maverick had the sad eyes. Rowan said, "me too. me too. me too." and Harvey was bobbing up and down. I don't even remember what it was I was eating, but it must have been quite yummy.

Not much else going on, but we will have the kids professional photos taken this weekend. I will post a link to share photos as soon as I can. I hope to have the actual prints in time for Rowan's birthday party.

Rowan hits the jackpot!

Rowan helped Andy sort the copper from the silver a few nights ago. She did a pretty good job. The last time we asked her to help out with this, she flung coins everywhere. This time she was fairly neat and tidy.

We told her that she could have all the pennies. The next day, Janea took her to the bank and we cashed in her winnings. She told the teller about her pennies. For some reason, the teller wasn't smiling that morning. I picked up Rowan so she could see the lady operate the coin machine. When all was tallied, Rowan walked out of the bank a richer girl....11 dollars richer.
When we got home, we took her money to her piggy bank. She had to fold the bills a few times, but eventually she got it all in there. She seemed to be happy that she got to put money in her piggy bank. Too bad bills don't rattle when you shake the bank.

Mom and Dad cashed in the "silver" and made a modest 58 dollars. We were pleasantly surprised and decided to spend our "fun" money on something fun.

Harvey's First Haircut

We took Harvey in for his first haircut since he was starting to look just a wee bit shaggy.
This is our "before" shot.

He sat on my lap since their kid chair booster was not really safe enough for him. I got a cape and Harvey got his own blue cape.

We are discussing what length we want the top, sides and back.

Rowan kept asking me why the lady pumped my chair up. Rowan tried to pump me a few times and we had to shoo her away.

Havey did very well for his first haircut. He never cried and hardly squirmed. He got to hold and chew an orange comb. Most of his styling was done with a scissor but he did get a little bit of shaver just above his ears and at the base of his head.
He just looks so dapper now. He is all ready for his photo shoot in two weeks.
Many thanks to Becky the stylist who had fun with Harvey. I'm sure the fact that he has 3 kids of her own helped a bit.

Gazebo

I've been meaning to take a photo and upload it to the blog. I've forgotten so many times, but now I finally can cross that task off my list.
As you can see, we haven't had "grown-up" visitors in a while.

I was so happy to find that the temps were lower today. It was about 65 degrees and Rowan requested pants and a jacket to play outside. I finally got to put on a sweater and drink hot tea while I watched her play. I hear tomorrow is supposed to be cooler and rainy - yipee! Finally, weather to drive away the mosquitoes.

End of summer fun.

Harvey was acting so cute, walking with his cracker. I just had to take a few shots.

It was very warm and muggy yesterday and today. Andy pulled out the sprinkler ball. Rowan didn't like getting wet at first, but eventually she became more comfortable with it.

I guess using the umbrella defeats the purpose, but helps Rowan's confidence.

More Birthday celebrating!

Harvey is very excited about his birthday meal and his birthday cake!
On August 30th, we visited my parents in Janesville. My whole family was there to celebrate Harvey and Grandma Donna's birthdays.

Rowan praying before the meal is served.

Harvey was itching to stick his fingers in the cake.

Mmmm....

This cake is so good, I think I will rub it right into my face.

Harvey did not enjoy his post-cake bath. It was kind of essential since he was rubbing cake and frosting into his eyes. He was very ready for a nap after all they birthday excitement.

Harvey got some more nice toys from Grandma and his Aunts and Uncles.
Thanks everyone for making his birthday so much fun!

Golf Outing

On August 24th, we participated in a golf outing with Andy's family (maternal grandmother's side). There were 9 teams of either 3 or 4 players. Our team included Andy's aunt Julie and Andy's cousin Hans, Andy and myself. I think I had the least amount of skill. I really surprised myself and didn't totally stink that day. I am truly not a golfer, but enjoy trying to golf. I just don't get any time to practice either. I get to swing a golf club about once every 3 years. Nevertheless, our team came in 3rd place!

The same day of the golf outing was Harvey's 1st birthday. He got to play with some cousins he'd never before met. After all the teams returned from the golf course, we ate a large potluck meal. Harvey ate his first piece of birthday cake (chocolate with some raspberry filling). He really only ate about 1 bite and then played with the rest of the cake.