Amundsons

This was an exhibit that Children's Hospital put on for kids to learn how to: safely cross the street, not pick up candy from the gutter, not talk to the scary stranger dude in the red car offering a puppy... you get the picture. My daughter danced down the middle of the street. I don't think that was what they were going after, but when Broadway is in your heart an empty street can not be simply passed up.

I have dreamed of having a fondue pot my entire married life. Perhaps I do have a strain of mid-west practicality in me that has just keep me walking past the single use kitchen appliance for 9 years. But I have dreamed. So, a couple weeks ago I just couldn't do it again, and picked one up. It wasn't on sale, I didn't have an occasion, my only excuse is I am pregnant and we are lucky I didn't upgrade to the giant chocolate fountain. Oh my it is fun, tasty and I don't regret yet another piece of kitchen equipment that only does one thing. My panini maker- yes, my new fondue pot- never. Baba, Grammy and all three of Jacob's sisters came down to see us last weekend. So I was all excited to share my new toy. Here we are getting the chocolate and marshmallows all melty for the yummy treat. Charlotte has gotten quite good! Aunt Becky is home from China so it was a special treat to get to see her. She brought Charlotte a beautiful new dress from China. Which J...

So it was a pretty early morning for a little girl who had just had 2 weeks of vacation at home with daddy. Probably should have stuck to my guns when Jacob rolled his eyes as I was started snapping pictures of Charlies first day at Preschool . But I backed down and her one and only face shot was the beginning of a half yawn... but it doesn't matter, she is still stinkin' cute even if she was in a full on yawn. Walking to school, with her dad and her new school backpack. She kept just yelling to people as we were walking "BACKPACK!!" yep... its a backpack. A fellow mom who understood the importance of the first day of school picture, and kindly took a shot for us. And our new room The Blue Room. Charlotte is pointing to her coconut. This is one of our all time favorite books, if it is any indication of the fun about to be had in this room we are in the right place.

Year 1 : Eliot was supposed to be a pea pod (didn't come home on time, blah blah). Charlie was a carrot. Peas and Carrots. Year 2 : The monkey and banana Year 3 : One of my top 5 favorite Eliot pics! Do you see her desperation? Only more pronounced given his calm confidence. (that's not even close to what's really going on but man, it looks awesome!) Lisa and I have chosen year 4 . We're painfully aware that our opportunity to choose their costumes is drawing to a close so we were very particular this year. In honor of our last hoo-rah, we're hosting a contest to see who can guess the famous duo for the theme this year! The closest guess will get a fall-related basket of goodies that, trust me, YOU REALLY WANT! The contest will last from today until August 31st at midnight. (How very official!) You may guess more than once. You may guess on our blog or Lisa's . Jake and Russ may not participate. Purchase is not required and rules are subject to change.

Charlotte is spending the weekend with her Baba and Grammy. I received this voicemail yesterday: "Mama, Hi Mama... Can I get some new toys at the store?? She said YES!!!" and then it hung up. She is 3. We are in for some interesting teenage years.