Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Hey Graham Fans! I turned 4! Isn't that exciting?! Boy did we celebrate my birthday big this year! This was the first year that I celebrated with friends. We invited some preschool friends to the Clive Fire Station! Who would have thought you could have a birthday party at a fire station? Mom, Dad, Caroline and I got to the fire station early to set up. While we were getting ready, the firemen were so nice and willing to help out. Mom forgot a lighter for my candles and they offered a big torch to light them! While that would have been cool, one of the fire fighters walked to the corner and picked up matches at the convenience store. How nice is that?!


Would you believe that the first rain in weeks started right before my party was to start? My friends were really wet! Once they all arrived we left the party room and headed out to see the fire trucks. They had fire hats for us and everyone that wanted got to sit in at least one of the fire trucks. Eventually they even opened up an ambulance. It was all so cool. Best part was everyone having fun and I didn't have to be the center of attention. We only played one game - a water balloon toss. Everyone loved it. By the time we picked up the balloon pieces, it was cake time. I could have done without the song, but I ate two cupcakes! Next it was time for presents. My friends picked out some fun toys! I am lucky!

My fire fighter party was just the beginning -my birthday was two days later. It was a great day! We started out having breakfast at Krispy Kreme. We watched them make donuts then picked out what we wanted. I love donuts and sometimes can eat two, but not that day. I got one down but struggled to get half of another one. After the donut factory, we went back home to get ready for the zoo! We rode the carousel and the train and saw all the animals in between. Mom asked if I wanted to get my face painted, but I was not interested! We ate our picnic lunch outside of the zoo and headed home. After nap time, we headed to the John Deere store! We sat on the mowers, Gators, and small tractors. They even had a cat named Scruffy! Caroline loved petting the cat! I did too for that matter. For dinner we had hot dogs, then we went swimming!!! We went to the aquatic center in West Des Moines. Lots of fun stuff! On the way home we went to Culver's and had ice cream! The day ended with some presents - a mower for my tractor and a tablet (Leappad2). I was so excited to get the tablet I had wanted!

The fun continued! I still had my family party the next weekend! Grandma stopped by Friday night. Uncle Brad, Aunt Lisa, Benjamin and Joe came Friday night. We played and played. Lots of pure silliness! Saturday Grandma was back. Grandpa and Susan came. Nanny came. Aunt Deb, Uncle Tim, Sam and Kayla and of course Uncle Greg all came to celebrate my birthday. I liked the party but got kind of nervous with all that attention. I also wanted to unwrap the gifts first or at least eat the cupcakes! The cupcakes were awesome and I got some great gifts. I am a lucky kid!

Play Dates and BBQ Contests

Howdy!  I just came up with a new greeting but Mommy put the kabosh on it.  I wanted to call you all Friends of Caroline - F.O.C.  Mommy didn't thank that sounded appropriate for a little girl.  Hmmmpf!

Graham shared with you our 4th of July activities.  On the 5th Uncle Brad came up.  We went to Chicken Poop (for infrequent readers, she means Chicken Coop) and then went fishing in the pond near our house.  It was so HOT!  Fun nonetheless.  Daddy and Uncle Brad went golfing early in the morning the next day.  Graham wasn't happy he didn't get to go. 

Daddy had to travel quite a bit in July.  He didn't like it and we sure missed him.  Mommy worked hard to keep us busy.  The heat wasn't helpful.  We had a few playdates.  We met some preschool friends at Backyard Adventures and met some Brighter Beginning friends at BA another day.  We always pack our lunch and eat there.  It is a great time running, climbing, playing, and eating your picnic lunch.  We had friends to our house too.  Mommy invited some preschool friends over so their mommy could run some errands.  I have to say that I wasn't that comfortable with it.  I like our guests but kind of got me upset to share mommy like that.  Once I got over that, I wanted to play pretend shower, but Mommy put the kaboosh on that.  My girl friend didn't seem offended by the idea, so I don't get what the issue is.  We also went to some of our friends' houses.  One day we went after Caroline napped and we got to play in our friend's house, and THEN outside with water guns.  The second playdate at another friend's house involved more playing with different toys, a cool rocking horse that is on springs, some construction toys, a slip and slide and sand!   It was fun!

Mommy organized a couple non-kid playdates - with Uncle Greg!  He has some toys I like so we had dinner at his house and I got to play with his toys.  Caroline likes to chase his kitty cat.  He made us mac and cheese and some other stuff.  We had a good time and we both got to do what we liked.  Another week, he came over and then we went out for ice cream.  As we were leaving the ice cream store, we saw a train on the tracks down the street.  Mommy tried to get us down the street to see it, but it was a short train.  We 'chased' it down and saw it at another intersection.  It was really big and REALLY loud to be that close!  We were parked several feet from the intersection and it really made an impresson on me!

At the end of the month, Dad and Grandpa had a bbq contest in Council Bluffs.  Mom, Caroline, and I went along to see the Omaha Zoo and support dad. I actually rode with Daddy and Grandpa so I could help set up.  We headed to the zoo after we finished setting up and found our hotel.  I have to say the zoo was pretty cool.  Lots of big cats, bears, and a bunch of gorillas!  The aquarium was pretty cool - sharks, turtles, penguins.  We hung out at the bbq contest after that.  The contest was part of the county fair so there were other things to look at - tractors, combines, Gators!  We also saw some animals and rode a few rides.  We went back on Saturday.  We played around Dad's trailer and taste tested some chicken.  We headed back over to the fair grounds and sat on the tractors.  It was exciting because we stayed to watch the awards.  Dad got some great ribbons!  He did really well!

Enough for now.  Graham will post next to talk about his birthday!

4th of July celebrating

Hey Graham Fans! We are still working to get caught up on the blog.  One of these days it will be current!  I get to share our 4th of July activities!  Aunt Karen (Grandma's sister) and Uncle Vance and family were coming from Texas and we were going to head to Sigourney while they were there.  Sigourney has a big parade on the 4th of July and ultimately this was the reason we decided to go on the 4th.  Uncle Greg had the idea that we could decorate Grandma's golf cart and ride in the parade.  So we did!

The fun started on the 3rd.  We left for Sigourney when Daddy got home from work and made it in time to see party of the pie auction.  They have a pie contest and then auction off the pies to raise money.  Grandma's black raspberry didn't win a prize but sold for $200!  I sure hope she doesn't make us pay for her pie!  I don't think I have enough money saved up to eat her pie if she does!

We headed to Grandma's house.  Dad had the idea that we could camp in Grandma's back yard!  What a great idea!  It was hot, really hot, but I still wanted to camp. Daddy got the tent set up and I quickly got tired.  We needed to go to bed so we could camp!  Caroline wanted to camp too.  Apparently Grandma  distracted her with the 'puppy book' and then Mom just put her to bed.  Dad and I slept outside all night long!  Well I slept at least.  Not sure that Dad did.  I was so happy when I woke up!

Daddy took me out on the four wheeler in the morning.  What a great day way to start the day!  Everyone got ready and went to town where we decorated Grandma's golf cart for the parade.

We had plenty of time before the parade so we went to Grammy's house.  We had some snacks and then got ready for the parade.  Daddy drove with Sam up front.  Caroline and I rode in the back with Kayla.  We had four ice cream buckets of candy and I threw out two of those.  It was so much fun!  It was really hot but we survived just fine.  We had plenty of water in the cart to keep us from getting too hot. 

After the parade, we went back to Grandma's for lunch.  Everyone was there - Aunt Deb and her family, Uncle Greg, Grammy, most of Aunt Karen's family, and of course Grandma.  Mommy's cousin Julie has a little boy my age, Jackson.  He is pretty outgoing.  We played a lot.  My shirt got wet before lunch so I took it off and he took his off too!  We played for awhile in the house after lunch, but despite the heat we still went outside to play.  Dad took us out on the four wheeler.  Then we took pics of Grammy with her great grandchildren - eight of us!  Greg had fired up the tractor so we couldn't leave until I rode the tractor.  I squeezed in a ride on Grandma's mower.  She lets me steer!   We headed home after that.  Plenty of excitement.  Mom and Dad took use to see fireworks later.  Caroline didn't want to stay and I didn't really want to either so we only saw the beginning of the display.  No big loss.  Hope you had a fun 4th too!

Time to play

Hi!  I just stole the computer when Graham wasn't looking!  Tee hee hee!  It is my turn!  Yes, this is Caroline. June was a fun month until it got so hot outside we were stuck inside.We finally got a sandbox!  We love it!  I think we played in it everyday for a week.  Some of the neighbor girls even came over and played.  Now we aren't in it as much, but we still like to play in it.  Graham has a backhoe, dump truck, and digger to use in the sandbox, plus Grandma has gotten us some sand buckets.  We stay busy.  We even pretend to do the long jump in the sandbox.

In other backyard news,  Mom and Dad had gotten our frog sprinkler out, but they finally blew up our pool!  We played in that for several days in a row.  We got to go to one of the neighbor girl's kiddy pools one day also.  That was fun!    Graham goes to the other side of the yard, then run back and jump in the pool.  He loves jumping in and splashing around. We have played in our pool pretty regularly, but then it gets too hot to even do that.

We finally made a trip back to the zoo.  We rode the train, and fed the goats and the llama.  Now that we have the Llama Llama books, feeding the llamas has more meaning. We always have a good time.  As we were finishing up, we saw the new carousel.  Of course we HAD to ride it and I did NOT want to get off.  Our turn was way too short.  I CRIED!  I did not want to leave!  I need to ride that carousel again!

We have had a few playdates.  Graham even has gone on a couple on his own.  That doesn't make me happy.  His friends are my friends right?  Well I wasn't invited!!!  The first one he got a little upset, but then later said that playdates are more fun without Mom.  That probably meant he slammed a bunch of juice boxes and ate a bunch of cookies!  I did get to go on one play date.  We played outside

and inside. They have a play house in their basement which I really liked!

We went to Grandma's toward the end of the month. Mommy had her class reunion. We went to Belva Deer. We ate lunch at Grandma's so we didn't join in on the picnic. There weren't really kids there, but it was the first time we played in the lake! We usually just play on the play equipment at Belva Deer. Graham really liked getting wet and we played in the sand on the beach. We were so dirty that Dad and Mom had to strip us down before getting in our seats! Later Daddy went fishing on his own. Not sure why Graham didn't want to go along, but Dad might have enjoyed the peace and quiet! He caught Several fish and one was big enought to keep. Mom and Dad went to town for Mom's reunion so we played at Grandma's. Aunt Deb, Uncle Tim, Sam and Kayla were there and so was Uncle Greg. We had a good time, plenty of people to entertain us! When it was time for bed, Grandma put us to bed in our respective spots. After Grandma left, Graham talked me into laying on his bed (actually an air mattress). We didn't stay up talking too late because we did go to sleep. I guess Uncle Greg moved me back after I fell asleep. I roll around quite a bit still so probably best I not sleep on an air mattress! Sunday we went to a family reunion for Grandpa Dennis' side of the family. There were a lot of people there and that was only a fraction of our Peiffer family!

Grandma came to visit right after that. Daddy was traveling and Mommy wanted to do some painting. I don't know why she didn't want us to help, but Grandma was in charge. I love to color and am sure painting would be just as fun! Graham did manage to help, but I was kept clear of the paint! You should see our bathroom. It is ORANGE! Daddy and Mommy's bathroom is a much more soothing color. We went to the Chicken Poop for dinner one night. Graham and I love going to Chicken Poop! Uncle Greg likes it too! (Editor's Note - It is Chicken Coop!) Of course Grandma brought rolls! She always brings rolls from Jaarsma's Bakery. I like to eat the frosting off the top. Graham will eat 1 1/2 or 2 rolls. He loves them! Grandma brought some of her own baked goods too. We definitely had some good treats while she was here. For the first time ever, I took a nap in the basement. Grandma had to stay with me until I fell asleep but I was tired so it didn't take long.  I guess Graham wanted to nap down stairs as well.  Grandma got him set up on the couch all covered up.  He stayed there for quite awhile, then eventually started playing with toys on the floor, and then decided it was long enough and he woke me up!  We played in the basement for awhile to take advantage of the solitutde!
Besides what we have been up to, I thought I would share what I am doing. I don't always get to write the update and then when I do forget to tell you about my achievements. I now have all my teeth. My two year molars were in between 22 and 23 months. If I could show you I would! I am also quite the singer. I sing my ABC's. I sing along with the radio in the car. I like to sing Brother's favorite songs too - Hot Chelle Rae's Tonight Tonight and Jason Aldean's Big Green Tractor. And for those doubters, yes you can understand me. I am quite the talker. Many times when I get up in the morning or in the afternoon I say "I wake up!" If Mommy would sign me up for gymnastics I could prove I am quite the gymnast too. Mommy caught me doing a pull up on her car door handle. If I see a bar I will pull myself up and say "I do gymnastics!"Mommy isn't sure how she ended up with two monkeys!

Well enough for now. Graham is going to cover the next update!

Our first family vacation!

Hey Graham Fans!  Hope your summer is going well!  My turn to post and I get to tell you about our vacation.  It was kind of a two part vacation.  We headed to Kansas City and then on to the Lake of the Ozarks.  I know what you are saying - 'going to KC isn't anything new for you guys'.  Well this time we did some touristy things.  We went to Deanna Rose Farmstead.  It was a fun place - we did some gold mining (i.e. mining for different rocks), saw some farm animals and were able to pet them, fished, rode a pony, and my favorite - rode the pedal tractors!  Caroline's favorite was feeding the baby goats.  Here are some pictures:

We did go to Uncle Brad's and had dinner with family while we were in Kansas City.  More importantly, we played with Benjamin's toys!  We played outside of course and had SO much fun! The next day we picked up Nanny and headed to the Ozarks!  We got there and headed to the pool!  It was a great pool.  It had a little cave and Dad would carry me inside.  Then we went on a boat ride.  I LOVED it!  Our ride wasn't long enough!  Dad helped me drive.  It was great - I want a boat!  Caroline dozed off pretty early in the ride.  She woke up.  Then pretty soon I felt sleepy and was out!  I didn't wake up until we were taking the boat back.   

After dinner we went to Nanny's room.  There was a beach near there so we went with Dad to check it out.

The next day the weather wasn't as nice.  We went to the outlet mall and Mommy and Daddy did a little shopping.  Dad was done before Mom so we went to a kid's place across the street.  Mommy and Daddy went golfing in the afternoon.  Nanny watched us and took us to the playroom at the hotel.  We had a lot of fun - I finally got the chance to play with a hulu hoop.  The neighbor girls have them but I never get a turn.  It was a good time!  Later Daddy and Mommy took us swimming in the indoor pool.  We went to dinner that night and Sissy and could hardly stay awake!  Too much excitement!  The last day we went back to the playroom and got ready to go.  I didn't want to leave.  I sure hope we go back to the Ozarks, like maybe next week!

We headed back to Kansas City and played at Nanny's for awhile.  We went to a Royals baseball game that evening.  It was our first MLB game!  The stadium actually had a play area!   I actually got to swing at pitches on a little baseball field and run the bases!  Way cool...  Caroline and I both rode the carousel twice.  I want to go back there some time too!

We headed back home that night.  Sad for vacation to be over...