Urban legends

There's an urban legend that everyone eats a teaspoon, a pound, two bushels, or some other specific amount of dirt of the course of their lives. The amount varies depending on who you ask, but the idea remains the same.

Ella has been making sure that she gets her fair share of dirt.

Not a lot to say today... Ella had her first birthday, which will warrant its own post soon. It was a fun, fun party. But it's late, and I have a busy day tomorrow, so I'm going to stick to pictures.

First a new favorite picture of Ella, from a trip to the Children's Museum yesterday. Doesn't she look like a big girl?

I love it for that reason, but it also is like, wait a minute - where did my BABY go?? She's walking like crazy, and at just 12 months is already SUCH a toddler.

And this picture of Maisie is from a trip to the park today:

That, to me, is just pure joy.

Tiny Trouble's big sister is home for the summer

Ella can walk everywhere now. This means, in her mind, that she has license to examine and dismantle everything, and will start screaming at the top of her lungs if her investigation is interfered with. She can climb all the of the low-lying furniture without much difficulty, but still gets down half the time by falling off face first. But god forbid you should try to prevent her from climbing up again...she has baby rage issues. Also, forget trying to take away her bottle, even when it's completely empty. She will GET you.

Maisie is trying to find her schedule now that she's home for the summer. We're getting our rhythm, but with plenty of drama along the way. Here's some fun from earlier this week.

Playground at the zoo

A few weeks ago we went to the Minnesota Zoo and discovered a new (to us) playground, just off the Grizzly Coast.

Maisie loved everything about it. She even enjoyed this giant horrible mosquito thing.


Ella, on the other hand, gave it her best "what you talkin bout, Willis?" face.


We've had other adventures recently, notably two trips to Iowa to visit the many Dieter cousins! However, we forgot to take pictures while we were there. So as soon as I steal a bunch of pictures from Clare's and Shauna's blogs, I'll post them here. :)