Back to School Party

It wasn't a party in the true sense of the word. Simply a playdate with a special dessert. Back-to-school time is starting around here. Way too early, but it's happening anyway. So we celebrated with our wonderful friends one last time. (Of course, Rachel is having a tea party tomorrow, so this isn't really the very last day for playtime together.)

Some Randomness

McCance eating his cream cheese sandwich faces.

Cora napping nekkie on the kitchen floor in attempt to curb the diaper rash.

Another foot picture, but notice the rolls on her thighs in the background.

Holding up her head so well, sporting her stripey longies and wild, wild hair.

Bradford's play clay creation. Makes me hungry even though
it's not the color of any food I know.

Bradford and Cora

Fashion Show, Part 3

In brown and white polka dots with rounded collar and matching bow.

In a light blue dress with smocking and lace at the hem of the leg.

In lavender gingham overalls; notice the embroidery at the leg.

And just because she's so cute. (I know. I write that a lot.)

Our Wiggly Girl

New-to-us Pizza Joint

We drove out to a little town called Colbert to have some pizza at Paparonni's. It was delish and we had a nice drive "in the country" on our way there and home again. Scott took Bradford back in to use the washroom one more time while McCance and Cora posed for me.

Sleeping Cora

Six Flags

A week ago Monday, Scott and Bradford took off for Six Flags. Bradford earned a free ticket for himself and his teacher in a reading program earlier in the year. So they made a day of it. I got to stay home with the two youngest. McCance and I did a lot of reading, had some friends come for a playdate, and made cupcakes. He decorated them all by himself with the sprinkles. Meanwhile Miss Drool had to sport a bib. . .

What Is a Cool Summer Morning Really For?

Fishing, of course. And we finally found a place not far from home to do it. The boys tested it out Monday morning. A few nibbles, lots of little fish gurgling around, but no catches this time. We'll try again another day. It's obvious from the pictures that the time was enjoyable even without fish. Isn't it beautiful?

Flowers, Bees and a Skink

On the way home from the museum we stopped to shop at Trader Joe's. The one we went to was in a very classy shopping plaza. It had fountains, benches, and beautiful plantings to enhance the center of the outdoor walkway. It was almost like visiting a little park at the same time. These purple flowers were full of bees of various types. As we were walking, Bradford spotted this little skink. So we got to experience a bit of nature while amidst suburbia.

Imagine It!

Last Tuesday we met my friend, Heather, and two of her kids in Atlanta for free day at Imagine It!, the children's museum. We only had to wait for an hour and 15 minutes or so, but that was only because Heather held our place in line for us for the hour prior!We started out on the other side of the parking lot in the picture.

It took us probably 20 minutes to get this far.

The view of Americas Mart from our place in line.

Here we are actually in front of the museum building--after 45 minutes or so.
All 5 children were amazingly patient and calm, even though it was in the high 90s.

View of the line from where we started.
It was longer than the city block.

Happily shaded in Hotlanta

As adults having been to two other children's museums (Columbia, SC and Coralville, IA), we actually enjoyed the other two much more. I think Bradford still ranks the one in Iowa as number one. Nonetheless, our boys, as well as Liam and Garland, seemed to enjoy the museum itself, in spite of the crazy number of people there.

Fashion Show, Part 2

In fuscia with a lime bow in her hair to accent the lime of the leaves

A sweet white and pale yellow with ribbon and daisy trip to accent the embroidery.

A patchwork of pink, light green, and white make up this sundress
(Thank you, Bekah and Rachel!)

Bradford Sports a New Look

This is Bradford's very loose tooth.

This is the space where Bradford's tooth once was.

The Tooth Fairy has officially made her debut at the Howen household.

Bows

I made Cora her first hair clip. It's not officially a bow, but a little flower that I put on a clip. I will admit I'm having a lot of fun dressing Cora in girly outfits and might even have more fun with the hair bow thing!