A man of many hats

Daniel loves hats. Well, actually he loves anything he can put on his head, which includes hats, helmets, bowls, gift bags, laundry baskets, etc. In fact, he loves my brother's motorcycle helmet so much that he whines when I take it off him. The thing is enormous and must be heavy on his little neck and shoulders. I finally found a bicycle helmet that he would wear in place of the motorcycle helmet. Too funny! Here are some of the photos of Daniel with his many "hats."

Awww....

Newest hobby

I love to crochet! It is so satisfying and makes me feel very... domestic! Brian bought me a crochet book and supplies for Mother's Day, so I have been using spare moments here and there to learn the stitches and make some projects. Here are my first creations... a couple flowers and a jewelery roll. I have no idea why anyone would need a jewelery roll, but I made one nonetheless. My next project is an envelope purse, which I already started and then completely unraveled. Hohum. Perhaps someday, I will work up to making something I (or someone else) will actually use! Watch out, family members! I see crocheted Christmas gifts in your future. :)

If you are thinking, "Is that ALL she has made in two months?" then please remember that spare moments are awfully hard to come by around here. :)

Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is pretty big business in our little hometown. Brian, Daniel, and I took in many of the local events. We went to the tractor show, transportation show, and dog show, all of which Daniel thoroughly enjoyed. We watched the parade and the fireworks, and Daniel even took his first pony ride. On Sunday, we went to the truck and tractor pull. Oh, and I even entered the cookie contest, and amazingly enough I got first place! Brian saw the cookie recipe on Everyday Food and thought it would be a winner. Anywho, here are some photos of our weekend!

Watching the parade

Grandma Linda and Daniel

His first pony ride!

Daniel was perhaps the only child at the tractor pull whose mom forced him to wear ear muffs.

The men

Watching the tractor pull

Book reviews

Over the past few months, I have read several books that I find very commendable. I want to share a little about them.

The Mitford books by Jan Karon
I am seriously addicted to this series of books. I am currently reading the third of the nine novels, and each seems better than the last. Jan Karon is absolutely hilarious, has amazing characterizations, and can take ordinary people and situations and make them extraordinarily interesting. These are wholesome books that center on an Episcopalian priest, his family, his congregation, and his dog. Scripture is sprinkled throughout the novels, so you even feel fed spiritually after reading them. I highly recommend this series!

Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna
If you are striving to raise Godly children, I think this book would be of interest to you. George Barna has conducted thousands of surveys and interviews with spiritual champions and their parents. He has identified many common denominators in what these parents did that led their children to be God-followers. It encouraged and challenged me in this journey of parenting.

Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Kid Pleasing Recipes & Tips by Theresa Kingma
I love cookbooks. Sometimes I cuddle up in bed with a cookbook, and just have myself a good old time reading recipes and dreaming of culinary creations. Anywho, this cookbook has been such a great find for us. As many of you know, Daniel is allergic to milk, eggs, and nuts. We are praying like crazy that he will outgrow these allergies, but in the mean time, my cooking has had to drasitcally change. I have made about a dozen recipes from this cookbook, and we have particularly enjoyed the bake goods. It is difficult to make muffins, breads, cookies, etc. without milk or eggs, but somehow Theresa Kingma has created recipes that are just as delicious as the dairy/egg loaded stuff. I recommend this book to families who also struggle with food allergies.

Reading is my form of escapism. Unfortunately, it sometimes keeps me away from those humdrum tasks that need doing. For example, the house has not been that clean since I picked up the latest Mitford book...

Summer

Summer is not exactly my favorite time of year. In fact, it is my least favorite season. Yesterday, as we drove in the car, I was complaining to Brian about the heat and the sweat and the mosquitoes and a host of other things I dislike about summer. Brian was nodding in agreement, because he too likes the fall best. But then I decided to change my train of thought. I told Brian we should take turns naming things we like about summer. Here are some of the things we came up with...and you know, summer doesn't seem so bad now.

Watermelon
Fourth of July
Fireflies
Fried okra
Garage saling
Homemade ice cream
Daniel in swimming trunks
Hammocks
Locusts singing at night
Fresh tomatoes
Fireworks
Cannas blooming
Sweet corn
Smell of fresh cut grass
Barbecues
Fried fish and wilted lettuce
Thunderstorms
Fall is the next season!

Brian said this last one shouldn't count, but I think it certainly should. What do you like about summer?

Father's Day Weekend

This past Saturday we visited Brian's dad. It rained on us the entire way there, but the skies cleared shortly after we arrived, leaving us a perfect afternoon to go to the zoo! It did open up and pour on us once at the zoo, but otherwise the weather was great. Here are some photos of our day.

At the petting zoo, we decided to feed the goats. They started getting pushy as soon as Brian walked toward the food machine.

They got REALLY pushy once we had the food in hand. Daniel was a little intimidated by them, and I wasn't too thrilled about them jumping up on us!

Daniel and his Grandpa Roger

Daniel was very interested in all the children we saw.
He wanted to play!

Daniel decided to give daddy an impromptu kiss in the herpetarium!
He is a very kissy boy these days. :)

On Sunday we celebrated Father's Day at my parent's house. My grandparents, parents, and brother were all in attendance. We had an awesome meal (thanks, Mom) and played cards afterward. We gave my dad a bag of dum-dum suckers, which both Dad and Daniel love. Daniel managed to eat two suckers before mommy said no more!

Showing his sucker to the camera.

Pointing at the sucker bag because he wants another one...now!

My grandma and grandpa

Brian and his little man