Henry's First Haircut

This is fun!

What's happening?

This isn't so bad!
Hey, what are you doing?

My handsome boy!

When we first brought Henry home he had very little hair. Now, seven months later it was finally time for Henry's first haircut. His hair was short in many spots, yet on the sides his hair was long and wispy. Even though I cut the girls' hair, I did not trust myself to cut my very busy and active boy's hair. So I made an appointment with my friend Jessica who owns a children's haircutting salon. The children get to sit in little kiddie cars while they watch a movie. I knew Henry would not be interested in the movie, but I had a feeling he would like sitting in the car and that Jessica, with all her experience, would do a great job on Henry's hair. I was right on both counts. Henry started out really happy to be sitting up in the car, then he was unsure of what was happening. He decided that it wasn't so bad getting his hair cut, but then Jessica brought out the razor. That was not his favorite, but by the time it was all said and done Henry was quite pleased with the whole experience. What a big boy!

Family Reunion

Uncle Bill & Henry

Aunt Toni & Henry

Henry finally got to meet my family. My aunt had a family reunion so that everyone could get to know Henry. Henry fit right in and, as usual, didn't know a stranger. He's very friendly to everyone. Henry loved meeting his young cousins and this time he was drawn to my Uncle Bill (who looks very much like Uncle Larry who looks very much like my dad). We had a lot of fun playing and some people had fun swimming. Since the water was freezing not everyone went in the pool, but all the kids did. It was a fun day and I liked seeing how well Henry fits into my family. :)

Apple Picking

Playing in the tractor = Big Fun!

The most important part of apple picking is eating the apples!

What's better than one apple? 2 apples!!

Mama & Henry riding the swings

We went to Eckert's for some fun and for some apples. Henry has been peach picking, but he had not been apple picking. I'd say that Henry was much more interested in the eating of apples rather than the picking of apples. He picked his first apple and was done because he had to get down to the business of eating it. A little while later Henry picked one more apple and put it up to his mouth to take a bite. He had both apples right by his mouth and was trying to take a bite of both of the apples at the same time. It was so funny!

Eckert's is a very fun farm that has lots of activities besides apple picking. Henry really enjoyed the sandbox, climbing on the tractor and riding a couple rides. Just walking around with all the people made Henry run and laugh in delight. It was a great night!

Fun Dip

Back to School Rush

Our dear friends

All the Grandparents with us at the Magic House

Fun at the St. Louis Zoo (in the Children's Zoo)

Having fun really wears a person out!

My big 1st grader! (How did that happen?!)

About a week before Lydia's school started I happened to look at a calendar (I love it that in the summer I don't have to look at a calendar very often!) and realized that school started in just over a week. Yikes!! I had truly thought that I had 2 full weeks before I would lose my Lydia to school. Well, I had to get busy doing all the things I'd promised we'd do again this summer but didn't because it was too darn hot! Soooo, we had Kamp Kohlenberger (see previous post), we went to the Botanical Gardens, the Magic House, the Zoo and we had some dear friends (my kindergarten teaching partner from back in the day) over for dinner. Ironically, the week we did all these things I'd put off because of the heat ended up happening during the hottest week of the summer. Figures!!

Lydia's summer ended with a bang, but she was one very excited little lady to start 1st grade. I miss her, but I'm glad she's so happy. :)

Kamp Kohlenberger

Lydia working on her scrapbook
Lydia with marshmallows in her tent

Henry trying to join the fun in Trixie's tent

Trixie by the fire with her s'more

A week ago Friday I looked at the calendar and was shocked! I had thought I had 2 more weeks until Lydia went back to school, but I only had 1 week. :( Therefore, I had to kick it into high gear to do all the things I had meant to do with the kids and all the things I had promised. We packed a lot into all of our days and then at night we did "Kamp Kohlenberger." I had Lydia spend the night at her grandparents house and just Trixie got to stay home for the camp. The next night Trixie spent the night at her grandparents house and Lydia stayed home for camp. The girls got to do a craft (Trixie decorated a wooden box and Lydia scrapbooked), then I made a fake fire in the family room using sticks and orange tissue paper. We made s'mores (in the microwave) to eat around the campfire and we sang songs and told stories around the fire. Then the girls got to design and build a tent to sleep in. I slept in the tent with them and we got to watch TV while we were laying in the tent. Then in the morning they got to have a special treat for breakfast -- Poptarts! The girls thought the camp was the most fun they've had all summer. I often forget how very happy kids can be with little things. :)

Uncle Larry

Henry met my Uncle Larry for the first time. I was surprised at how Henry immediately took to him. As soon as Henry saw Larry he started jabbering to him and smiling at him. At the end of the evening I was holding Henry and I told him to say bye-bye to Uncle Larry. Henry lunged towards Larry and pretty much forced his way into Larry's arms. Henry just put his head down on Larry's shoulder and hugged him.