Things that make us laugh

It's the golden age of talk! So many funny things, and mom and dad too tired to record them all for posterity. A few highlights from the past few weeks.

Every morning we have the same routine - up, Maren gets to watch a short kiddie show or video and have some juice while she wakes up. Then, to the potty, get dressed and out the door. Every morning I say the same thing "When your show is done, we will potty and get dressed and go to school." I sound like a broken record (will anyone born after 1980 even know what that means?). Two weeks ago, I give my speech. Maren looks at me and says. "No, no, no! Dammit, dammit, dammit!" And continues to scream dammit about 20 more times, even as she is dragged to the potty and dressed. I haven't said the word in front of her since winter, what a memory on that kid.

Sunday afternoon, after swimming in a friend's pool we are in the bathroom together. (I know I share too much "potty talk" but what can I say? It consumes a good part of my waking hours.) She is sitting on the toilet and looks at me and says "Oh! I have hot pee!" Made me laugh out loud.

Last night, in her crib, about a three-hour go to sleep process for some unknown reason. She talked to herself and sang to herself and would not settle down. Among other things that we heard "John Robert, come here, I need to check you. John Robert, what are you doing?", the ABC song, Twinkle, Twinkle... She tried to recruit Daddy to her rescue many times.

"Happy Birthday to Maren, Happy Birthday to Maren. Now blow out the candles! Whooo (sound of blowing). Oh, yummy cake! Happy Birthday Madeline and Tacy, Happy Birthday Madeline and Tacy..." and she continued through a host of friends and family.

We have added to our repertoire of prayers and she now likes to say grace before dinner. In addition to the usual grace, she likes to thank God for grass, her pool and cousin Allison. Makes our hearts happy.

The Gardeners

Maren and Daddy did a project last night. The pre-school gave all of the kids grass seed, a small container and dirt to practice growing something. It took off like crazy, so they transplanted it into one of our bald spots. What fun to help Daddy!

Swimming at the Glen

We were in FH for the weekend for my 20th (!) high school reunion (Go, Farmington Falcons!). More about that later. Maren spent time at the Farmington Glen, where my parents have been members for 25 years or more. She had a wonderful time swimming with Bunny and Grandpa, and jumping into Grandpa's arms. He was worn out by her!

Tiny Dancer

Maren took her first ballet class yesterday. She absolutely loved it and wanted to stay and dance in the class following hers. It's a five-week class at the Y, since most dance studios don't offer classes for children under three. If she continues to enjoy it, we will have to do some digging for more dancing in the fall.

Family Time

A few pictures of the family and cabin time. Jana read "Rattletrap Car" to the kids on Sunday night...

Oh! Maren and John hiked part of the Appalachian Trail, too. A family first!

North Carolina???

After a picnic lunch in the park, we ventured "just five miles" up the road to Clingman's Dome...in Bryson City, NORTH CAROLINA. Yup, we went to another state...it was an additional 16 miles to the highest point in the park. It was pouring rain when we got there, but a few miles back toward Pigeon Forge, it cleared enough to take a few pictures of Annie and Danny, John and Maren and the girls and I and all the kids.

More Pics

Here are a few more lovely folks at the waterfall...

Along the trail...

On Sunday, we visited the Sugarlands Visitor Center and went on a short hike with a park ranger to a waterfall. Maren, Danny and Ethan (aged 2 1/2-3) had little use for his informative talk, so a few of us ran on ahead to the waterfall rather than disturb the group.

Hiking

On Saturday we took a short hike and drove the Roaring Forks auto tour. We covered a nice section of the park, not too far from Gatlinburg.

Here at last is proof that Grandma Bunny is a hiker. Who knew?

Great Smoky Mountain Fun

We had a mini-reunion of sorts with part of Jana's family the last weekend in June. John, Maren and John drove with Grandma Bunny in the Jensen's minivan from FH (Grandpa Rich was at the American Birding Association annual meeting in Utah and had already paid when we picked these dates) to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Along the way, we met up with cousin Annie and her son Danny in Ohio. When we got to the cabin, Cousins Clare, Robert, Madeline, Andrew, Tacy and Ethan were already there from Florida, along with Uncle Kirk and Aunt Judy. And, Uncle Dan and Aunt Bev drove in from North Carolina. When we do the next one we'll have to snag the missing ones.

The best pictures of the cabin we rented, Memory Maker, can be found here:

http://www.cabinfevervacations.com/gatlinburg-pigeon-forge-cabin-rentals/cid/817

on the rental website.

Along the way, we had various adventures with the navigator (Jana) being map-challenged, detours and rush hour in Knoxville. But perhaps the craziest car adventure, our own version of the "Vacation" movie, was taking Maren's potty seat in the car. Bunny felt strongly that we should keep the potty with us at all times, so as not to derail the potty training. And there's no way we could have stopped every time she said 'I have to potty," on a 700-mile (one way) journey. So, picture John driving 70 miles an hour down I-75 in Kentucky in the mountains downhill while Jana turns around from the front passenger seat and Bunny helps in the back as we get Maren out and sit her on the little pot and back into her seat. Talk about unsafe at any speed...again, parenting tips are provided here for free. That potty got A LOT of use and was very helpful during the two days in the National Park as well.

The top shot is a great view, the middle is Maren at one of our stops in the park, and the bottom is a black snake that she was fascinated by in one of the historic cabins. She kept asking to go see the "black snake cabin again, AGAIN."

Farmer Hat

We just returned from a whirlwind tour of the Great Smoky Mountains. Tons to post and share. This is one picture that I had on my phone of Maren with Grandma Bunny, wearing the "farmer hat." We are getting ready to go the pool at the resort where we stayed. A fabulous time was had by all and we would enjoy returning there. More as soon as we can download the pictures!

Oh, I am Aunt Jodi

A couple of weekends ago I pulled Maren's hair back into one pony...she looked at herself in the mirror and said "Oh, I am Aunt Jodi." Her memory boggles our minds. I had not been talking about John's sister at all, and she just came up with that thought on her own.

Here is Maren as "Aunt Jodi" and Aunt Jodi as Aunt Jodi :).