Car Trouble

Jonah pushing Emma Claire...can't believe these two are so grown up! Friends since the womb!

Maiden Voyage

We took the red wagon out in the neighborhood for the first time (Emma Claire+Sophie+Rudy)... We made it halfway around the block before Emma Claire insisted on getting out. So we turned around, dog leashes and wagon in tow in one hand and Emma Claire on the other hip. I am pretty sure it looked every bit the fiasco it was. I wised up and put Rudy in the wagon. Emma Claire then agreed to sit with him. Rudy tolerated it for a few minutes before jumping ship. Sophie was much less tolerant in the wagon. We made it home all in one piece.

Farmer's Market

I love Minneapolis for many reasons (the Winters NOT being one of them). But one reason is the Farmer's Market. Just a few miles down the road, it is one of my favorite weekend things to do. It has become sort of a weekend tradition for Emma Claire and me.
We had our first trip of the season this weekend. Picked up some fruit, some beautiful cut fresh flowers and some kettle corn (which Emma Claire loved). Listened to the man play the saxophone and watched the clown make balloon animals. Think I will buy some flowers for the yard next weekend. They say it is OK to plant outdoors after Mother's Day here. Where to begin...???

Rosebud

We had a great time in Texas last weekend. It is always fun to be in Rosebud, with Papa, Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Sharon, Jason, Edel (met Margeta for the first time, too) and Leigh Ann.

We had fried catfish, ate good German sausage, went to the Dairy Queen, spent time at the farm and the church, visited Oma's grave and just had a good time being together. Margeta (2 1/2) speaks German as her first language and English to those that don't speak German. Amazing. Maybe Emma Claire picked up a word or two. We had a short immersion program going. Anyway, we took lots of photos. Enjoy...http://eckadue.shutterfly.com/1043

Sophie has a problem

We love our dogs (most of the time, anyway :-). Rudy is pretty easygoing and pretty smart and well behaved. And then, there is Sophie. Not the brightest bulb on the tree. Has a chronic cough and a food addiction. Sophie always acts like she hasn't been fed in weeks. If there is food, Sophie is there. She can sense it from outside that something food related is going on indoors. So, when I cook there is Emma Claire either wanting to be held or clinging to my leg and Sophie right under my feet. When I do dishes, both Sophie and Emma Claire are right there, usually trying to stand on the dishwasher door. I am trying to look it as a game rather than a pain lately. Anyway...this is life with Sophie.

Chocolate???

One of our favorite outings is Costco. What's not to like?? Lots of people for Emma Claire to wave to, buying in bulk, great meat and fish, lots of food samples, etc. You never know what you are going to bring home.
I usually get a good 15 or 20 minutes before Emma Claire loses focus and wants out of the cart. This day, they were giving out samples of Hershey bars. PERFECT! That should keep her happy until I can finish loading the cart and checking out. Rookie mistake. I look down and melted chocolate EVERYWHERE. In both hands and all over the face. Of course, no wipes with me. Fortunately, most people seemed to think it was cute (as, of course, I did) and the checkout lady gave me paper towels. Another one I didn't see coming. Made for a cute picture, though.

Pigtails

It thrilled me to no end that I was able to get Emma Claire's hair in pigtails this week. She looks like a different little girl with the new do! Endless possibilities now...ribbons, bows... The fun of having a little girl!

http://cmd.shutterfly.com/commands/pictures/slideshow?site=eckadue&page=eckadue&album=1036