Marshmellows are cheap

Briggs walks behind the doll stroller, practicing

for walking on his own....it won't be long...

Everleigh and Briggs spent the night recently

so Gpa Greg built a fire on the patio and we

roasted marshmallows.  And when I say roast

I mean as in the fire.  Everleigh wanted them

directly in the fire.

Gpa was able to secure one for me to eat though.

As much as she liked sticking them in the fire,

she didn't really want to eat them.

All my toys were on the floor within 10 minutes

of arrival.  Always great fun.

Briggs, Ami, Scott and Everleigh joined GG

and GAS at a nearby parade.

Everleigh is very patriotic for a 2-year-old.

And Andrew tried out some new paint brushes

this week.  I got to wondering why I don't

have more pictures of little brother Ethan.

Then I realized that watching Andrew

and trying to use a camera are mutually

exclusive activities.  But I'll try it again

soon cause little Ethan is growing fast.

Finally...cool enough to play outside!

Andrew and Everleigh "ride".

then...slide...

Everleigh is always fascinated with Ethan...and he with her!

Kinda funny...They were playing in Andrew's Gazebo

"kitchen"...making sandwiches (thanks, GAS) but the

next day when Andrew was playing alone, he was

using the Gazebo as a garage for his trike.

Briggs with a very sweet smile....but watch him!  He's quick!

On Ben & Jesse's anniversary we took care of their

boys at the camper.  Here Gpa and Andrew share

a swing!

While I chill with Ethan in the Bjorn.

Andrew tries out the new trike.

Then...decides to take over the handlbars for himself.

Later in the week, Everleigh and I headed

to the zoo.  She liked to ride this piggie....

6 years...really?

Can it be only 6 years ago this week that these pictures

were taken?  So much life has happened since Aug 4, 2006...

Anyway, congratulations to Ben & Jesse on their 6th anniversary.

This was the just the first day of their adventure together.

And now...back to our regularly scheduled program...

I haven't posted much about the kids recently so a bit of an

update on them.  We spent time together at GA Sue's

this weekend so I took a few pictures which are posted

below.  But what's new with them?

Everleigh is communicating anything and everything all the time.

She can talk pretty much non-stop and is very willing

to share her opinions and feelings.  She is singing complete

songs (including the Chicago Bears fight song, thanks

to her mother) and knows a lot of her books by heart.

She is sweet, loving, just a bit stubborn but

mostly easy going and funny.

Andrew is still full on boy.  He is also communicating freely,

although sometimes a bit hard to follow.  Like Everleigh

said to him the other day..."I can't understand a word

you are saying!"  

He loves his "big" trucks, his tools, Caillou and "helping"

with anything you are doing.

He is task oriented, gives hugs freely, and

is very good with his little brother.

Briggs is on the move!  At 10 months, he can inch-worm across

the floor in record time.  He has eyes that capture

your heart and is getting a beautiful hairline.

He is still just getting mommy's milk and some

formula but once his food allergies are under

control is going to love eating real food.

He likes playing with different things so

needs toys rotated often

but everything goes in his mouth first.

He's strong and husky and is learning to

pat-a-cake.

Little Ethan (4 months now) is such a good baby.

He only seems to cry when he is hungry or tired.

He polishes off his mommy's milk quickly and

is always disappointed when it's gone.  When he's

tired, he just needs a quick fix of pacifier and his

swaddle and he's asleep like a little angel.

He's wiry and strong and is smiling and cooing now.

 Swenson family

Ethan, Jesse, Ben and Andrew

 Andrew's first toasted marshmallow...I

think he liked it!

 Andrew and I get a ride on the pontoon.

 Brody gives Andrew and Briggs a wagon ride.

 Everleigh asked to hold Ethan and

smiled for the camera.

 Briggs checks out GAS's toybox...with his mouth.

Andrew, Max, Brody and Claire enjoy supper al fresco.

What I Accomplished

While Jesse was on maternity leave (late March
to late June) I had about 10 weeks

of an abbreviated daycare schedule because I had

just 3 days a week with Everleigh and Briggs.

So...I had a host of things I was sure I could accomplish:

Thoroughly clean my house...including windows,

dusting, closets and drawer..... (never even started)

Catch up on all the grandkids' scrapbooks....(got a start on one)

Have leisurely lunches with friends every week.....(had 

coffee with a few)

organize all the photos on my desktop....(nope)

Take a couple of long weekend trips....
(I did get to Florida for 5 days
and Galena for 5)

Read books.....(finished one)

Spend more time exploring Pinterest.com...(actually spent less time)


Get my teeth checked....(made and cancelled an appt....got to do this!)


Annual physical.....(didn't even get it scheduled)

Now that I'm back to 5 days a week, maybe there's a better
chance I'll be more productive.  I seem to do better with deadlines!

But I did...

take several naps


host the Florida family in April for a few days


keep my car clean....(yes, Marland)


Celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day with the MN kids


and enjoyed my new grandson, Ethan.....

Gpa Greg celebrates a birthday

Finally....

Greg is as old as me again.  That time between

April and July is always filled with pointing out

that I am the older woman.  Well...not any more, Greg.

Happy 62nd Birthday!  It was a good one.

Thanks, kids, for making it special for him!

Reunion 12

A weekend of connecting with family when our

Mieska family gathered with mom for 2 days

at Great Aunt Sue's, who puts the great

in Great Aunt.  All my kids and grandkids

in one place....sweet!