The Colder, The Better!

We returned last night from spending a marvelous week with Daddy's Mouse's family. We spent Tuesday through Friday out at the lake, and then Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon at a wedding. Some highlights of the week are as follows:

*Pictured is Miss Mouse exploring the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. She loved, loved, loved being in the water. Unfortunately, Mommy Mouse didn't think to bring a swimming diaper, so the regular diaper got super-sogged. She didn't mind, though. She didn't mind the cold, either! We played for several minutes in the water, splashing around with Miss Mouse wading deeper and deeper into the pool. She got up to her armpits before I decided she was getting too cold for her own good. She enjoyed finding smooth rocks on the bottom of the pool and reaching down to get them, even if that meant getting her face wet! What a little Mermaid! Getting out of the water was extremely unpopular, and even after we walked the 600 feet (note: through the woods - it's not like she could look back and actually see the water) back to the van, the poor Mouse pointed and told us she wanted to "go" back to the water.

*First pontoon ride with Mommy and Daddy Mouse and Hubert. The Mouse had had a rough night, so she was solemn for the ride. However, she enjoyed her lifejacket which pictures Mickey Mouse and Pluto.

*"Balls" were very popular. Thank goodness her "cousin", er, "aunt", um, well, Grandma and Grandpa's dog, has lots of them for Miss Mouse to play with. Echoing through the house all week was the little Miss Mouse yelling "ball", "ball".

*Grandpa and Grandma's dog, Maggie, was renamed. Miss Mouse was quite positive that she should be named "Bert", like our very own "Bert" (Hubert). Grandma and Mommy Mouse repeatedly explained that, yes, Maggie looks like, but is not Bert. She would shake her head emphatically, point at Maggie, and say "Bert". Grandma and I lost that battle this week.

*Debute in her princess dress! Auntie Steph found Miss Mouse a princess dress which was debuted this weekend at Miss Mouse's first-cousin-once-removed's wedding. Daddy Mouse performed the ceremony which was held under a gorgeous tent at a golf course. I will put up pictures of that later. Miss Mouse, though she came down with a cold, enjoyed walking around on the plush grass (it seriously felt like cool, green carpet), sniffing all the different varieties of flowers. She colored through the ceremony (what a great idea to have goodie bags for the kids - something different than the regular, old 'toy bag' I always pack), only getting a little bit on her princess dress and the white tablecloth. For dinner, Miss Mouse forewent the prime rib, delicious chicken, mashed potatoes, roasted baby potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls, and instead feasted on butter. Yes, that's right, plain, pure butter. Grandma was in charge of slathering it on, and Miss Mouse licked it right off the dinner roll, consuming none of the roll. That's talent. Daddy Mouse looked at her and said "I wish I could eat like that". I seconded it but elaborated that I wish I could eat like that and look like her!

We had a wonderful week playing with this set of grandparents at the lake and then at the wedding. It was great to have Auntie Steph join us for the wedding weekend. It was fun, also, for Miss Mouse to get to spend some time with her Great Grandma Dorothy and Great Grandpa Milt as well as her little second cousins and great aunts and uncles on that side of the family. It is always a good time when that family all gets together. Lots of laughter inevitably ensues.

We'll be off again Wednesday to go up to the farm to spend some time with the other set of grandparents. How much fun can a Mouse take in two weeks??!?!! We shall find out!

A "Fair" Saturday

I'll try to catch up a bit on our week. Last Saturday was our "Fair" day. Miss Mouse and I spent the morning at the fair looking at the bunny rabbit barn. She was enthusiastic and spent most her time in there telling everyone who would listen how pretty the rabbits were. I'm not sure anyone but me understood, but that's what she was attempting to convey. One of the judges brought her a tiny little rabbit to pet. She thought that was awesome. From the rabbit barn, we ventured to the livestock area. There we were just in time to see the hogs being shown. I'm not sure she had ever actually heard a pig say "oink". She thought it was a funny sound. Her Mommy Mouse was impressed by the fact that when the 4-H/FFA kids tapped their pigs with their little sticks, the pigs actually responded, unlike where Mommy Mouse grew up and saw pig shows.....back home it was pretty much a free-for-all with pigs running every which direction followed by frantic 4-Hers sweating in their dark jeans and white shirts. The kids showing the pigs that day had obviously worked very hard with them.

From the pigs, we moved to the sheep area where Miss Mouse visited with several lambs. "Very pleased" would be the label for the expression on her face as she "baaed" to the sheep, and they "baaed" back.

After wearing out our welcome with the sheep (most of them tired of "talking" and went back to "resting"), we spent some time at a horse show. Miss Mouse was quiet and respectful around the horses, but she offered big smiles whenever one was near.

It was quite a successful morning at the fair - cool, but sunny, with a strong breeze and few people. We decided to forego the fair food for the morning and head home instead for napping. I think I spent the whole time we were there with a huge goofy grin on my face. I couldn't seem to wipe it off from the time we walked up to the gates to get into the fairgrounds. There was just something about finally being the adult, paying for admission, and taking my very own little one into "THE FAIR". It was sort of magical.

Later that evening, after waiting out one thunderstorm at home, we returned to the fair. This time we made stops at the carnival for Miss Mouse to observe the carousel as well as some other children's rides. I was impressed by the bredth of children's rides they had available; someday she and I will have lots of fun riding them (while Daddy Mouse watches and turns pale). That evening we also shared some cheese curds (my first in 5 years - she enjoyed 3 of them) and an orange (I felt the need to support the 4-H booth, but I didn't relish the idea of cherry pie all over the stroller....so we went for the fruit option which turned out to be messy enough). Before we made it through the commercial building, we overhead talk of a terrible storm heading our direction. I turned the regular stroller into an impromptu jogging stroller, and we joined the surge of bodies headed for the gate. "We must get home to Hubert" was my mantra for the impromptu stroller run.

There could still possibly be carnage from our mission to get to our vehicle and get out of there. I think some small children and large men were run over as we made our mad dash. Actually, we had thankfully found a parking spot close to the gate, so we were able to beat the storm home and get ourselves and Hubert into the basement just as the sirens were blowing. It was scary stuff. I have seen several wall clouds approach me before, and several have ended up having significant rotation in them. This storm looked similar to others I have experienced; the difference this time was that I had not only my own life to look out for, but my baby's, as well.

I've been trying an experiment to save gas money - driving slower and accelerating significantly slower. It irritates the heck out of the people behind me, but it was really increasing my gas mileage. However, I think I blew all the savings as we were driving home that night. I sped most of the way home, breaking the speed limit by 10-15 miles an hour in some places. I wasn't too worried, though, after I met two cops and didn't get chastised. Ugh. I do not relish speeding or wasting gas, but as I said, I was on a mission to protect myself, my dog, and, most importantly, Miss Mouse!

It turned out to not be as much of a storm as it could have been when it hit town, but we were thankful to have gotten home in time to hole up in the basement anyway.

It was definitely an exciting end to a magical day. Miss Mouse and I both missed Daddy Mouse (he was away leading a men's retreat for the weekend), but I think we made a good pair at the art museum, the children's festival, and the fair. I think we're pretty compatible!

We May Have an Introvert...

Yesterday's excitement was at "kid's fair". It was supposed to be at a park, but because of the chance of thunderstorms and terrible wind, it was held indoors at the Civic Center. We went up about 2 o'clock (yesterday's napping was crazy after a really rough night) and stayed for 80 minutes (I know the "80" number because it was 10 minutes short of our allotted parking time of 90 minutes). Miss Mouse's favorite event seemed to be the puppet show. I have to say that the puppet shows Ambrose Lutheran's Junior Choir put on put that puppet show yesterday to shame, but Miss Mouse didn't know that. And there was a rabbit puppet. (By the way, Auntie Laura, "Miss Monkey" also made an appearance; however, she appears to be in the witness protection program because she didn't look very much like herself.) Miss Mouse liked the music a lot, so we went back for a second show at 3. The rest of the kids' fair was a bit frightening. It was like a sea of children rolling through the Civic Center. Most of the activities were for children older than the Mouse, but there were several she would have enjoyed if the people watching the booths would have given her the chance. I think they just assumed she wouldn't want to do them, and I guess I just wasn't pushy enough to shove her up to the front of the booths and force ourselves onto the crafts. Oh well. She'll enjoy it even more next year.

I was a bit horrified at the behavior of parents and children. Many were extraordinarily rude. We nearly were run over by strollers several times (Miss Mouse held my hand and walked with me); at the petting zoo where they had the most docile miniature horse, baby donkey, calf, and fawns, there were children yelling at the animals and reaching in to hit them. With their mothers standing right by talking to other mothers!!! I nearly yelled at them myself and then figured the animals could bite them if they wanted. We left the petting zoo quickly. I was also mildly disturbed by the "children's" karoake that was happening in one of the rooms. I realize it makes me old, very old, but there is just something disturbing to hear songs about "give me one more kiss" coming out of a 9-year-old's mouth. Doesn't anyone sing songs from Disney movies anymore? Broadway shows like Annie (yes, I realize some of the Broadway shows could out do today's pop music for lyrics - some of my favorite could, in fact!)? As I was on my soapbox last night to a friend, I realized I must be old, but I do really want my someday-9-year-old to sing sweet songs and not songs about kissing and jewelry and getting more and more money.

I figured that after such a very crowded "people afternoon" Miss Mouse would either be wired until 1 a.m. (if she were an extrovert) and unable to sleep at all, or she would poop out quickly and sleep really well. She didn't go to sleep until 11, but that could have been the fact she napped from 4-5:30. And, tah-dah, she slept all night until 9:15 now. I think it is possible Daddy Mouse and I may have ourselves a little introvert after our own hearts!!!

First Trip to an Art Museum

Miss Mouse had her first trip to an art museum downtown today. I have been wanting to see a big sculpture exhibit there, and today was the "get in free" day (for me - she's always free at this age). She and I enjoyed it so much that we might go back if it is still here on the next "get in free" day! Maybe we'll even go someday when I have to pay! Miss Mouse was interested in the sculptures, especially when we got to the third floor gallery which had the larger sculptures (I'm talking bigger than me, or Daddy Mouse for that matter!). On the second floor there were paintings. One was a painting of a cat, so Miss Mouse of course let out a loud "MEOW". Good thing we were the only ones in the exhibit, though I don't have much patience for people who would have been offended by a little child meowing! Well, anyway, she discovered that when she made a loud noise, it echoed. By the time we made it to the third floor, she was saying "mom, mom, mom" and "uh, uh, uh" in different tones, experimenting with how they sounded. I thought it was pretty funny, and the staff person who was following us around (under the guise of "just being there in case you have any questions") smiled and commented how good Miss Mouse for her age to be at an exhibit like that. The staff person was actually probably following us for security purposes. I'm fairly sure they don't let anyone be in the exhibit halls long without a staff person around with this exhibit. How one could just wander on out with a large sculpture, I'm not sure, but I can appreciate the need for added security.

All in all, it was a wonderful experience for both of us, and I am glad to know that my little Mouse is appreciative of the arts....not that I would know how to sculpt anything, but Daddy Mouse and I can appreciate it (he could probably figure out how to do it, too) and am glad the Mouse can appreciate art as well! :)

Midweek Update

Tuesday afternoon Miss Mouse accompanied me to vote. She even got her own sticker. Wednesday (yesterday) was rainy and windy all day, so other than a trip to the grocery store in the morning, we were stuck inside most of the day. Miss Mouse enjoyed her crayons. In two separate settings she colored for about 15 minutes (each time). All was well until she decided that wax would possibly be a good teething material....needless to say we had to find other distractions after that.

She had one solid night of sleep on Tuesday after going to the chiropractor that day. I guess she was really "out of wack" from all the falls she's been taking (shall we call them "learning stumbles"?). Last night was back to the period of two hours spent awake. We rocked and rocked and watched the dawn creep in under the windowshade together until she finally fell back asleep at 6:15. I'm fairly sure I dozed off a couple times before she did! She had another appointment today just to follow up, so hopefully now she'll be feeling lots better. Unfortunately, I'm sort of afraid the little eye teeth are causing some of this insomnia, and it could be a long while before they pop in. We're very blessed to have a gal that is an awesome little sleeper when she feels fine, so we are looking forward to the day when she is 'teething free', at least for a period of time, again.

We have big plans for the next few days (Miss Mouse and I), so look back for more posting sometime during the weekend.

One Eventful Day!

Today has been one eventful day! It started out as a day that I hoped would end quickly. I was up with Miss Mouse until 3 a.m. - teething, I think? We've had several tough nights now in a row. Yesterday we missed a wedding we had hoped to go to because I was too tired to drive the five hour round trip alone with the Mouse. Needless to say, by 3 this morning, I was exhausted. Miss Mouse and I sent Daddy Mouse to the basement around 1 a.m. because he needed some rest for preaching today. Miss Mouse and I "slept in" until 8:47 a.m. (yes, I really do remember the time precisely like that - I guess it's because I've been looking at the clock to time feedings, naps, sleepings, bathtimes, etc. for the past 16 months!).

We had a wonderful jogging stroller ride this morning (with no wind, can you imagine?!) and then made it to church just as it was starting. Unfortunately, that is where the day went a little awry. I was holding Miss Mouse's hand and started walking toward the back of the vehicle to get the stroller out for her to sit in during the outdoor service. Well, her feet didn't move when I did, so she ended up smacking her knees on the pavement. Yep, we had our first scraped knee, and you would have thought I was the one bleeding. I felt like I should have been. She didn't even cry. It's bright red tonight. She "played" with her bruise, patting it and talking to it, during her bath, and I just about cried again.

After that came a disastrous lunch in which she threw everything I attempted to feed her either at me or on the ground. Off to the nap.....which lasted about an hour.

Thankfully for my sanity, Great Auntie Linda N. had called and informed me of the "music in the park day" at the park near our home. So, after another attempt at a snack, Miss Mouse and I packed up the jogging stroller and headed out for some music!

It was wonderful! The turning point of the day for sure! We caught two pieces by a choral group and then took a break to play on the playground equipment. Thankfully it was only about a 20 minute break because with the shrieking and mass chaos of multiple, multiple-child families crawling all over the equipment, both Miss Mouse and I were a bit overwhelmed. We do well when we have the park to ourselves or share it with just a few other families.

I think, if she could speak more fluent English, she would say that her favorite part of the afternoon was when the symphony played. When they began warming up, she sat in her stroller, sipping her milk and snacking on some peach puffs. Everytime they would stop playing (they were just warming up, so they'd play a few measures and stop), she would say in a loud, emphatic voice: "More!" Then she would look at me, nod emphatically, and say "More!" again. I try repeatedly to explain the concept of "whisper", but we are just not there yet. Not that anyone minded. It was a wonderful gathering with families sprawled out on blankets everywhere, older people parked on the bleachers, and everyone just out for a good time. We saw two women that we know from church and a family friend of ours. That always helps me to feel a little more "at home" here (seeing familiar faces who actually also find me to be familiar). We also saw our neighbor playing trombone in the symphony. Miss Mouse really crained her neck to see when I told her that Ken was playing! We were only able to stay for a few songs, but she had a marvelous time and will certainly be going to the next symphonic opportunity we find!

We capped off the night with dinner at the home of the senior pastor of the church where Daddy Mouse works. It has been a long, long time since we have had a chance to sit down with their family and visit, so this was a wonderful treat. We missed visiting with their daughter, but there son was there. We spent many evenings at their house when I was in college and dating Daddy Mouse (they graciously put him up many, many nights when he came to visit me from seminary and then from his first call if he didn't want to drive back and forth too late at night), so it is always fun to catch up with them rather than just saying "hello" in passing. What a fun way to end our day!

As always, I am holding out a perhaps-deluded-hope that tonight will bring more rest and rest of a better quality than last night for all of us. However, I also hope for more afternoons like this one!

We miss you, Hope.

Our only "family" picture.

Miss Mouse sniffing Hope's tree.

We made our new yearly pilgrimage to Enderlin today to visit Hope's grave. We brought a pinwheel for it, a little pink one. It was a rainy, cloudy day today, same as three years ago. We're so thankful that we had such a caring community around us when we lost our first little baby girl. Even now when we are gone, they continue to care for her memory (and, because of that, for us); when we arrived today we found her grave decorated with a bouquet of pink carnations. It means so much that she is remembered; one of my most serious fears is that she will be forgotten. Seeing the decorations there assures me that she has not been. I think Hope would have liked Miss Mouse. I think she would have loved her. We did, and we do.