Olive Shoots

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Memorial Day

5/30/11

Memorial Day was a wonderful family day. We started the morning with our ‘special day’ breakfast of Dunkin’ Donuts and then went blueberry picking. The farm was having a special event because of the holiday, so the girls got to see a pony and rabbits. Elisabeth loved the rabbits and would follow them as they moved around the pen. We stopped at Walmart and picked up a kiddie pool on the way home, which has been a hit for the entire summer. I had actually gone to pick one up earlier, but the one that I purchased would not fit in the trunk. The family parked next to me tried to help me maneuver it into the trunk and then helped me carry it back to the garden center. This episode made such an impression on Clara that she still talks about the pool that did not fit into our trunk! That evening Nathan and I also had the opportunity to go on an anniversary date. 5 years! It is hard to believe how time has flown by! We enjoyed a special meal at Taste of Texas – a place we have been told to visit since we moved here! Better late than never!

The Fountain Restaurant

My dad started a new job just south of Houston, so we have been fortunate to see him weekly or so. We have been meeting for dinner about half-way and the establishment of choice, for the girls at least, is the ‘fountain restaurant’, Goode Company Taqueria. We make sure to bring plenty of change to donate!

5/25/11

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Blackberry picking

5/25/11

We picked berries again this spring – blackberries are much easier than blueberries! I had to explain to Clara that the red berries were un-ripened blackberries, not raspberries, and I promised that we would be able to pick raspberries when we moved to Chicago! Elisabeth did not quite get the picture and puckered-up with some of her sampling selections!

A red-letter day!

Clara wrote ‘Tulip’ after we talked about how to spell it.

5/21/11

Daddy took the girls to the carousel!

(Clara is searching for her token.)

Ah-dee!

05/21/11

Both of our girls have lifted their hands above their head to signal ‘All done!’

A brother or a sister?

05/18/11 – We brought the girls to the ultrasound and the technician told Clara that she would tell Clara the ‘secret’ and then Clara could tell us if she was going to have a brother or a sister. So the tech whispered in her ear and we predictably asked, ‘Clara, what is the baby?’ She responded, ‘A brother or a sister.’ The second time, we did get a clear response – we are having a boy!

On a side note, Clara asked me why they were changing my diaper when I was lying on the examination table for the ultrasound!

Pudding Finger Paint

Beginning…

Middle…

End!

05/11/11

Michigan for Mother’s Day

^05/07/11

Grandma’s back yard and Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan

There is nothing that compares to the blossoming of Spring, and the flowers delighted both of the girls. Clara was so excited to hear that there was a tulip festival and Nathan’s Aunt Carol was kind enough to lend the girls Dutch costumes to wear to it. They looked very authentic and were repeatedly asked for photo-ops! Clara, however, had no interest in being a model and Elisabeth didn’t quite get the idea, though I have a feeling her personality will eventually develop into more of a performer!

They both enjoyed watching the Klompen-dancing and Clara almost ran out into the street to join the performers. I don’t think they have any Kinder-Klompen in Houston!

Attempts at a picture with Grandpa and Grandma

05/08/11

Our precious baby girl!

Foo-la-la

05/02/11

One of Clara’s best friends was having a birthday party when we were going to be out of town, so we celebrated a little early by going to Chick-fil-a and having cupcakes from Ooh-La-La, which Clara continues to call Foo-La-La.