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...

Birthday Fun!

Hi! Caroline here.  We are finally up to May and I can talk about my BIRTHDAY!  I turned 2 on May 3!  We had some rolls fresh from the oven (no Mommy didn't stay up all night baking, that dough boy had some ready for us to bake).  It was Thursday so we went to music class like always and they sang "Happy Birthday".  That evening we went to Chicken Poop for dinner. {Editor's Note:  The restaurant is Chicken Coop, but every time we drive by Graham will say 'there's Chicken Coop' and Caroline says "Chicken Poop".}  They have good pizza! 

Grandpa came up on Friday and golfed with Dad and Graham.  Funny how he was here for my birthday, but Graham got to go off and do the fun stuff!  Graham is always working the angles!  Saturday was my big party!  I got to wear a new outfit and sported my oh so cute piggy tails.  Grandma and Grammy came, then Aunt Deb and her family, and Nanny, and of course, Uncle Greg.  We had lunch with stuff I liked - HOT DOGS and juice boxes!

 

After lunch, it was time for CAKE!  I have to admit, I didn't really like it when everyone sang happy birthday.  I actually wanted them to stop.  At least once they did I could eat my cupcake!

Then it was time to open presents!  I think I did pretty good getting everything unwrapped.  Mommy helped and Dad worked on putting stuff together.  My new bike was definitely a hit.  I really like to ride it.  I got some cute clothes and fun toys and a sleeping bag.  Graham thought we should try it out and pretent to sleep. 

It was definitely a fun time!  Cupcakes and presents - can't go wrong!

The following weekend we went to Sigourney for Mother's Day.  The weather was awesome!  We played outside most of the time we were there.  Daddy and Graham went fishing at Grandma's pond.  Graham caught a BIG catfish.  He called it Brutus!  They never keep the fish they catch so they didn't have a way to bring him back to the house.  We didn't get to see Brutus so we just have to take their word that it wasn't some fish story!  We also played in Grandma's shed - sitting on the tractor, the mower and the golf cart. Daddy stored his bbq trailer in Grandma's shed so he got out the two wheeler.  Graham and I pushed it around the shed.  Daddy took both Graham and I out on the mower.  Grandma hooked up her wagon to the mower and gave us a ride.  As always, we played with Grandma's toys, played the piano, and 'exercised' on her treadmill.  We even went up to Belva Deer and played on the play equipment.  We had a lot of fun!! 

We were also busy with playdates.  We had several picnics with our preschool friends.  They even had a picnic with all the kids from preschool with their whole families.  It was kind of crazy with all of those kids there, but I tried to use it to my advantage to sneak extra juice boxes.One just isn't enough!  Graham got out of preschool towards the end of May.  He was able to go to the last music class with us.  Graham's swim lessons lasted all of May and his gymnastics class will continue through summer.  Mommy took a few pics of Graham at gymnastics.  He is practicing cart wheels in the top pic.  He is also jumping on the trampoline in a couple of the pics.  All the kids love the trampolines!  I can't wait until I can take gymnastics class too!!!

Well that is all for now.  The next post will be about our vacation!  I am sure Graham wil have to write that plog post....