Family Update

Ben and I were looking at the blogs last night and saying that ours was getting a little out of date. So, it is time I update you on what is happening.

Saturday Nicholas was invited to the neighbor girl's (Kiah) birthday party at the Aquatic Center. Kiah is the little girl I watched during the year. So I packed up the beach bag and we headed off to the pool! Nicholas was a little nervous in the big pool like he usually is at the beginning. So we headed over to a fountain squirter area. They have these little things in the ground that shoot water. There are a few different types of spray. Some are more like a fountain (go straight up), and others are more of a small stream or mist (they shoot more to the side). He really enjoyed these. He toddled all around the area and was so happy! Next, we went on the lazy river. He was a little nervous when we first got in the tube, but quickly calmed down and enjoyed the ride. That is until we got underneath the buckets that dump on you. The poor kid got the whole bucket dump right on his head. He didn't flat out cry, but it wasn't as fun for him after that! We took a break to eat cake and watch Kiah open presents. Then we headed back to the pool for a while. This time we sat at the beginning of the pool (it is the beach style that slopes down) and let him splash for a while. When he seemed to be having fun we went in a little deeper and he was much more comfortable with me splashing him up and down some. I'm excited for swimming lessons to start next week!

Nicholas took another header last week off of the porch. He decided to try to step off on his own, and landed on his nose. I've decided I will not comment on other children's bumps and bruises...especially one on the nose. All I heard for a week straight was, "What happened to his nose?" It got very old and by Sunday I was about to put a sign around his neck that explained it. Anyway, enough of that.

As I type Nicholas just found the oscillating fan. We don't usually have this fan on when he is awake, but the house is unusually warm this morning and I'm trying to cool it a little before the heat of the day comes. He is giggling as he feels the breeze hit him! Such simple things are so exciting to a one year old! He got one of his molars a week and a half ago, and the other one seems to be sitting just under the surface. It has been bothering him enough to try to chew on my knees, arms, elbows...whatever is availible, really! Now he just found the garbage can and his hauling it out of the room...emptying it as he goes. Ben shouldn't have to wonder long why the house is such a mess.

After catching our first skunk on Thursday, we didn't hadn't had anymore activity. After the big spray on Thursday (and yes the yard still stinks when watered!) I called the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and they are loaning us an enclosed skunk trap for 2 weeks...at no charge! We baited the traps Friday night, but then neglected to change the bait Saturday and Sunday. Last night about 10:30 we realized we forgot to go put fresh food in the traps, again. So the food that was in there had been there since Friday...gross. Anyway, last night one skunk was dumb enough to go for it and we caught him in the enclosed fiberglass trap. We have decided that these traps are sooooo worth the effort. I walked up close enough to tell if it was a skunk or a cat, and no spray. Then Ben walked up, picked it up by the handle and dunked it in the tub...with no smell! It was a little harder to drown this way, but well worth the effort!

My garden is coming along quite nicely. I picked a carrot last week, but it wasn't ready. In fact it looked quite pathetic. We'll give the rest of them a while and see what happens. Nicholas and I cut one of our heads of lettuce last week and I made a big taco salad for dinner with it. I was very impressed with how it turned out and Ben noticed right away the "quality difference." I picked 4 more zucchini yesterday (for a total of 7 or 8 so far). I was able to give one to my neighbor, but may take a couple to Bible study today to give away. I need to go see how many more I have coming on soon. My yellow squash are also about ready...which is good because I am ready for some fried squash! I think I might do some up for dinner tonight. I'm sure Ben will be thrilled. One of my pumpkins is getting big. It is probably 7 or 8 inches across already. Hopefully Nicholas will have a nice pumpkin to carve this fall! I'll have to get some new pictures up soon.