Three Years Ago

Gas was $3.29 a gallon

And Julia Bernice Leonard was born

Then she was one
And at age two she gained a little sister

And now (as of 9-23) she is three. Love you lots baby girl...and yes no matter how old you get you will always be my baby girl.

My Momma Used To Say

It's just a little thing. In other words don't sweat the small stuff. Last weekend was one of 'little things' and I followed her advice to a T.

David and I took care of our Prior Lake girls while mom and dad went to a wedding in South Dakota. Because they left Friday morning we had to pick the girls up from school (daycare) and because they need to ride in car seats we needed to use Kelly's car, which they left home for us. HOWEVER in order to drive a car one needs to have the keys in their possession. The first 'little thing' was Kelly forgetting to leave us her keys. Of course when I called her she felt horrible but I told her that it was just a little thing, we would work it out.
We muscled the car seats out of the traverse and, after lots of tugging and pulling and a little cussing, we got them put in our truck. I tell ya, when our kids were small we didn't have car seats and this is the grandma who has trouble unfolding a stroller. Needless to say the car seats were a challenge but we got em.
Julia has always wanted to ride in Grandpa's big truck, last weekend was the opportunity. Isn't she just the cutest little lady......

Our plan was to pick the girls up, head to StPeter, pick up Julia's 'new grandma' Grandma Loi and go to an open house party (Shiloh's Hope). We drove through Old McDonalds (as Julia calls it) getting the girls' favorite-chicken nuggets and fries. I knew something wasn't quite right when Shelby didn't dig right in. In fact she pushed my hand away nugget and all. In no time flat another 'little thing' popped up, or out, or all over. Poor Shelby threw up all over herself, her car seat and her grandma. Now we were driving down 169 which was busy with after work traffic all traveling 65 and over. I said to David, "Pull over Shelby's throwing up". He says that he will in a second. I said "You gotta do it now I am afraid she is going to choke on her vomit". The poor thing was unable to get it out of her mouth totally because she was strapped nice and tightly in her car seat and of course I couldn't take her out given the traffic. Man what a spot to be in. David did get pulled over, ran to the side of the truck, opened the door and immediately got hit with a wipe full of...you guessed it! Thank goodness Kel packed a full pack of wipes in the 'to go' bag (sort of makes up for the forgotten keys...haha) cuz we used lots of those wipes. We would wipe and then toss em on the ground, no where else to put em. Well who appears but Officer Mark of the State Patrol. Nope we didn't know him but because I was telling Julia who he was I had to ask his name. He had stopped to see if we were OK and stayed for moral support (and to make sure we got all of the wipes picked up...just kidding). A very nice fella who gave both of the girls pencils, it actually brought a smile to poor little Shelby's face. We finally got her cleaned up and turned around to go home. Of course Julia was bummed that we weren't going to the party...hence another 'little thing'. However she handled it very well.
Even sick this little trooper is in good spirits.

We had both girl's monitors right next to my head in the bedroom (hearing problems dont ya know, especially after the hearing aids get taken out at bedtime). I think Shelby cried out every hour and of course I dashed into her room to make sure she was OK and each time she was still sleeping just not very well. Thank goodness Julia slept through the night. The second night Shelby was feeling better but Julia woke up sobbing so I ended up sleeping with her in her bed. Ahhh Grandma-hood:) Oh and did I mention that Julia broke her elbow? No not that weekend thank goodness but a week prior. She currently has a pink cast with purple glitter and a heart. The cast does not slow her down any. She refuses help with dressing and most everything else. I guess for her the cast is 'just a little thing'
We headed back home on Sunday only to find another 'little thing' when we got home. We had used Kelly's garage door opener so that we could lock the doors to their house when we left and still be able to get into the house through the garage. Well you guessed it...we took the garage door opener home with us! Yep all only 'little things' and everything worked out just fine. It was a great time with the girls and they were both so very good for us.

Once home David officially finished the exterior of our house and here she is, new siding and new windows. Oh wait David it's not totally done yet. Whatchya gonna do on those retaining walls?
Anyway, the house is looking nice we think.
After a few days at home back down to StP I came to take my friend Mary to the airport and here I am at her house with Yoni. David and our boys joined us today because tomorrow Julia turns 3 and her momma Kelly turns....well who knows but it's her birthday as well. Saturday is the party with pictures to follow I am sure.
Remember most things are just 'little things' and it all works out in the end.

The Great Minnesota Get Together

I left David at home to go to the MSF this year with my friend Mary. David was happy as a clam and this was the most fun I have ever had at the fair. Most just shook their heads when they heard that Mary and I were going together, we are both....well we stumble around a lot, neither one can hear the best, neither of us are very good with directions and on and on and on. But we waddled through the fair, ate a bit, sat a bit, saw a lot and had a great time. We chose the hottest day (94) to go but it really was OK (we don't move very fast my friend Mary and I) and there were absolutely no lines, not even at Martha's Cookies. We didn't spend as much time in the buildings that we would had liked but there is always next year.

We did spend a good amount of time in the horticulture building where, among many other things, they had these vibrant roses.


There were lots of prizes to sign up for, none of which we won as no one has called us.

There was all kind of garden art. Not the kind of garden art that Mary and I usually look for (we like the kind that has rust and you plop IN your garden). This art was made using items that are grown in a garden


The apples were interesting
Hummmmm
I liked their miniatures that were displayed in oval frames
Colorful and delicate
And the seed art is amazing. I had not been in this building before and have never seen the seed art. Whatever an artist chooses to make they make entirely out of seeds. Pretty talented people but what a whole lotta boring work!
Anyway there was Willy
And a hat and shoes
And a political theme taking a jab at Bachman and Pawlenty
And Lucille Ball-isn't this amazing!
And the very best of all. This is the one that drew all of the people. Cameras were out and folks were laughing. Me thinks most of these artists are good ole democrats!
In yet another building was this 'statue' made entirely out of address labels...again amazing,
There were all art forms displayed and the above won grand champion. This one didn't even get a ribbon although I think one was deserved. There is too much refection in my photo but this is not a photograph of a gal. This was done in pencil. I had to get up close before I realized that it was not a photo but a sketch!
I had orders from Michelle, "Do not let my mother buy anything dorky" I don't know if this qualifies as dorky (does it Bugsy)? but she caved in and bought a magical animal hair picker upper (for lack of better words). But hey for very little money she got one on a long handle, one on a shorter handle and an itty bitty one to put in her purse....RLMAO. In fact as I am typing this I am laughing again...sorry Bugsy. Hey Mary have you used it yet?
And yes Martha's cookies-our last stop for the day
Along with a cheesy picture of Mary and I having our milk and cookies before hitting the road.
A very nice day spent with a great friend.

Since I stayed at the Leonard Hotel I had the pleasure of taking Julia to her first gymnastics class.
Yep she looks like a little gymnast doesnt she.

August

Is almost over and September is right around the corner and I have not made an entry all month. It's been busy around here. David is putting in new windows and new siding and I have been in my sewing room working on birthday and Christmas gifts, in the garden weeding and deadheading and enjoying time with friends and our MN grandkids.

My gardening friend Mary and Yoni spent a few days with us. Her and I spent some time in my garden...after we bought even more flowers from a little old lady who has let her garden get way out of hand. It's pretty amazing that she knows where everything in that overgrown beauty is...sort of like David and his garage I guess.

We found a place to pick raspberries one morning.

The bushes were loaded with berries so much so that the owner was sick of 'working with them' which is why she allowed us to pick our own. Both Mary and I decided that they can charge whatever they want for raspberries because they really are a pain in the a-- to pick. Me thinks that will not be on the agenda during her visit next year.

But blueberry picking certainly will be. Again we stumbled on a new place to pick. Our last year's spot was not yet open for picking so we called a few others and settled on one. The patch is small they said. Not that small we said and look at those berries! The branches were loaded, so much so that they look like delphiniums on the stems. These people take great care of their bushes, pruning and weeding etc etc. It pays off as you can see. We were only two of 5 pickers and it was nice. At about 11am one of the owners brought us a glass of water (by this time only Mary and I were left picking) and at noon as we were going up to pay they invited us for lunch. Seriously....they invited us for lunch! They had already eaten but made us up blts with tomatoes that she grew in her garden. All four of us sat in the garage and yapped about stuff. It was a nice morning.
And then there was the flea market at the fair grounds. We found this restaurant booth that was in perfect shape. The guy also had to coolest kitchen sink and cupboard. Nice to look at thank goodness we have no where to put any of it :)
These folks make dog leashes as you watch. I purchased a dual leash and love it. Mary got a single one for Yoni. Nice people.
My dad has been looking for an electric cart and I thought of him when we saw this.
After a daily dog walk, lots of plant shopping, berry picking and gardening Mary and Yoni headed home until next year.

I spent a week in Prior Lake. I intended on spending a long weekend only but the kids and their daddy came down with hand foot and mouth so of course I offered to go early :)
Shelby was actually feeling good and probably over her soreness. It amazes me how different two kids can be. This was Julia's and she never was very interested in it. I don't know if she really ever ran it on her own...but her sister...she gets right on and at only a year old knows how to push that button and make it go!
Is she not adorable and she loves her ice cream..or perhaps its the mess that she loves. Yeah I'm bettin on the mess...
While Julia and Mom did arts and crafts

Grandma took pictures
Of her MN girls

Even though Julia stayed home because of the sores in her mouth, she was feeling good enough to be bored and sick and tired of being home. Momma suggested we go to Cleary Lake Park. This was Julia's first time here and it was a load of fun


She even found a new friend to 'swim' with.And then there was a sleepover. Julia invited Macie, her best friend from Nicollet over for a sleepover. She was so excited to see her and when Macie got there it was obvious that Macie was just as excited to see Julia.
Two friends enjoying each other's company

And as the big girls played in their big girl pool
Shelby and I played in the little girl pool.
Playing with daddy
And sitting on the porch waiting for Macie's mom and dad to come
Good bye hugs. It was a fun time but two three year olds and a one year old makes for three very tired adults :)
Saturday Mary came up to Prior Lake so the two of us, and Julia, could go to the Prior Lake farmers market. And as you can see, it's a dangerous place for Mary and I given they have beautiful plants for sale and cheap as can be!
I resisted, Mary not so much. Bugsy, I think she got away with only three new ones this time.

I was happy to see the face painting lady as was Julia. This is what being grandma is all about.
I did get a few days off from my daycare duties and spent some time at Mary's. She has butterflies galore in her garden and I couldn't resist
Very nice don't you think?
This guy was not easy to get but we were patient
And my other 'time off' was spent at Chrissy's who had a Norwex, Sofia Lia (I think...beats me all I know it is jewelry) and a Scentsy get together. Below is Rachel who is a Norwex consultant. I love the products! And Rachel just happens to be engaged to a good friend of Lenny's.

Chrissy has some friends that like wine so being the good hostess that she is she had wine available for them...IF she/they can get the bottle open

How many people does it take to open a wine bottle anyway?

Only one if you have the right tool for pete sakes
So I am now home again and I miss my girls in Prior Lake so much that I am going to have to find an excuse to go back down for a few days....anyone wanna go to the state fair with me?