Everybody Poops....

...at least that's the title of a rather gross out children's book. So yesterday afternoon I'm making a quick run to Target with Everleigh. I did bring along an extra diaper, wipes, a snack and her sippe cup but wasn't planning to be gone long. It was a mild day so she was wearing a little 3-piece jogging suit. I had the item I stopped for and was heading out and realized she had a dirty diaper so went to the family restroom at Target to change her. Well...she refused (as only a toddler can) to lay down on the cold, hard plastic changing table (who could blame her?) and her diaper had leaked to her first layer. So I changed her while she was standing. Of course, I had to completely strip her down including socks and shoes and try to wipe her as best I could. She was happy as a clam but just didn't want to lie down. Good thing it was a quiet time at Target and no one was waiting to use the restroom and good thing I had plenty of wipes to clean her, me, the table, and a host of other surfaces. (sorry, Target!) We made it home w/o further incident but needed a wardrobe change for both of us.

Then...this morning I'm getting Andrew ready to head to Scott's. He's dressed, changed, in his jacket and hat and strapped in his car seat. Another explosion...I could hear it! So....stripped down (him, not me), made the diaper change and rebooted. Made it to Scott's just in time. (W-Th-F most weeks I bring Andrew with me to Everleigh's house). Again, he was happy as a clam, albeit a bit lighter, but I think I smell like poop....or is it just in my nose and I'm really ok? No one here to ask....

Happy 12th Birthday, Matthew!

Happy 12th Birthday to the best grandson

anyone could want. Through the years you

have blessed us in so many ways. Hope it's

a great day and a great year for you. Love

and miss you....Gma Bunny

what I would have missed....

Happy Halloween, Andrew

Minnie gets a hug, too.

Happy Halloween from Andrew

If I hadn't "retired" last year to take care of Everleigh and now Andrew here's what I would have missed just this week:

Everleigh is using the word "nommie" to identify her Mommy and calls her on her "cell phone".

I found Andrew "sleeping" this morning with one eye open.

Everleigh has a little play purse equipped with play lipstick, which she expertly applies to her lips.

Andrew can sit pretty well on his own for a few minutes.

Everleigh came walking towards me in the living room from the kitchen on her own.

Andrew and Everleigh greeting each other in the morning with a hug.

Minnie, the cat, playfully lifting her paw to Everleigh and Everleigh squealling with delight.

Andrew reaching for my toast.

oh...and about a dozen poopy diapers, a couple of changes of clothes due to spit up or food issues, and 5 episodes of "Wake up" Show on Sprout TV.

fall outside and inside

Our Fall continues here in the Northland. It's been one

of the prettiest and longest season of color I can remember.

Our newest maple trees out front have just turned red

and even though the day is gray, they look beautiful.

Also, our indoor project keeps going. Pictures above are the

tile and sheetrocked wall in our bedroom, and tile just laid

in the hall. It's coming along...next is the bathroom wall,

then paint, new doors and floor trim and then....on to the

family room. Trips to Menard's? a dozen or so...

And a picture of Greg and I with Andrew yesterday...cute

little pumpkin...(Andrew, that is)

In order to make an omlette.....

....you have to break a few eggs. We had some water issues

after the 8+ inches of rain in late September and decided to

replace tiles on the basement floor. Once Greg got the

project started, he found mold on the sheetrock and

trim boards....so.....our basement is now under

"destruction" with the intention of replacing all the

bottoms of the walls, floor tile and trim boards.

Oh...and the new driveway is being installed today as

well. Nothing like everything happening at once.

The end result will be a much improved driveway,

beautiful ceramic tile flooring and no more mold.

Greg's going to lay the floor tile with the help of our

neighbor so we've moved our master bedroom

back upstairs for now. Ahhh, life....any bets on

how many trips to the hardware store/Menard's

this will involve? We're already at 6....:)

Mieska Family Gathering

Andrew and Everleigh

GG with great grandkids and mommies

extended family cousin, Luke, Owen, Jude, Finn, Claire,

Brody, Everleigh and Andrew...this picture doesn't

really capture the chaos involved in taking it!

Love the PJs!

Spent this past weekend in Ankenny, IA...half way point for

Mieska extended family to meet between Mpls and Council

Bluffs. It was a beautiful fall weekend with warm temps,

a great pool, a wonderful outdoor patio and firepit, and

fun times catching up with extended family. Next time,

all you Florida people need to be there!

a trip to the zoo, holding hands, just 2 and a stroll...

A lot of pictures.....Andrew, Everleigh and I joined Jesse,

GG, GAS, GAA, Brody and Claire at the MN Zoo this week.

It was a beautiful fall day, no crowds and the animals were

all so visible....really great viewing for the kids (and adults!)

Then I was able to take a few pictures late in the week of

Andrew and Everleigh sharing a little time together.

They were actually holding hands....so cute....

Then Everleigh was taking her stroller for a "stroll".

What does she put in her stroller? a can of cat food

and some silver initials off the side table, of course!