Birthday Celebration Part I

 We reserved celebrating Alina's birthday for the day we had with grandparents, but still managed to find cake, presents and fun on her actual day. A friend invited us to her daughter's birthday party, knowing that Alina and her Kenzie shared birthdays. David was completely enamored with Chuck E Cheese. After we arrived home, I filled in a few blank spots on what appropriate manners are at a party. It's always nice to leave the games and arcade long enough to sing Happy Birthday, watch them open presents, eat cake, and spend some time with the birthday girl. David was so taken by all the games that he didn't leave the fun to join the party. Next time I think he'll be more aware. He likes to do what is thoughtful for his friends, he just didn't understand some of those manners before this experience.

Happy Birthday to these two sweet birthday girls! Kenzie turned 3, Alina turned 1. Charmaine (the mother) was very thoughtful to make sure Alina was included on the cake, and she had a present ready for our little girl as well. Alina wouldn't have minded either way, but Charmaine is thoughtful like that.

State Fair 2014

 The end of August took us back up to the fair grounds for the State Fair. The weather cooperated with us, and the clouds that had been raining all week on the fair dried up for the afternoon we showed up.

First stop: The Kenai Racing Pigs.

David said hi to the pigs after the show.

 Next stop: The petting zoo.

 A little bit of feed went a long way for these kids.

Sam went inside the gate with the kids, while I stayed outside with the strollers and bags. Half way through, Alina joined me on the perch.

But not before she was eye to eye with the kid goat.

Next stop: The garden vegetables

Next stop: The livestock

 Last stop: A ride. David and Daddy went on the ferris wheel, and delighted in seeing all around the fair grounds. Oh, it's fun to take this boy to new heights, especially on a wheel machine that he talks nonstop explaining how everything must be working.

We avoided the fair food, other than a bag of kettle corn. We left the fair and went straight to Taco Bell, which I found to be very comical. We realized it was 8 pm, and we wanted to fill our kids' bellies before the 40 minute drive home. Next time I'll make sure we get some fair food for the road.

We found a few new acts that we like, too.

Redhead Express is a group of red headed sisters from Palmer, AK that are trying to make it big in bluegrass style music. They are good, if you get the chance make sure you check them out. I got back from the fair to find an email from my cousin Adam Spiel. He was in town doing business (web marketing) with the Red Head Express. While the group was in their home state, they chose some key locations to shoot music video. We missed seeing Adam at the fair (but must have only been a few feet away from him at their performance!), so we were glad that he took the time to come to Anchorage for Sunday dinner the weekend he was in town.

We also happened upon this fantastic show, the Jabari Acrobats:

True to David form, he planted himself front and center. He enjoyed every minute, and didn't miss a single thing.

Spoons

August 10 

It didn't take Alina long to figure out that she wanted to start using a spoon like everyone else.

A little messy to learn, but this girl is getting the hang of it, no problem.

The Duo

August 9

I never grow tired of seeing Alina, who can barely stand while holding onto something, play the piano while keeping herself up.

It delights both of us.

It never takes long for her big brother to join the keyboarding fun. As long as there's room for everyone, the duo is happy playing together.

Water

August 6

 Like any modern mother, I offered Alina sippy cups. She couldn't get the hang of them, no matter what type I gave her. So finally I thought, "Well Grandma Ray didn't give her kids sippy cups. She just taught them to use regular cups." I handed Alina a regular cup, and she's never looked back. She loves drinking out of a big girl cup. She loves drinking water. It made her a soggy mess to clean up for a while, but it also helped to wash off the mess that came with her learning to self-feed with a spoon.

You can't see it, but in this picture she is just looking at the water and giggling. She was so pleased with herself to be able to get the water to her mouth that she would get distracted with her feeling of satisfaction, and just giggle with the cup up to her mouth.

Brotherly Help

August 3

I was gathering the last things for a trip to the park, and Alina grew impatient waiting in her stroller for me. Big brother to the rescue! I had to capture this moment because it was the first time I saw David sense Alina's need and try to meet it without any ideas or nudgings from me. He strolled her around our driveway, and she was content to wait (until she saw me and began crying again . . . but this did the trick for  a few minutes anyway).

Reeee-wind

Unfortunately, my laptop took a spill that caused it to break into 2 parts 10 weeks ago.

Fortunately, I was able to order a new laptop for a good deal through David's school.

Unfortunately that left my paperwork in the hands of a bureaucracy instead of a business interested in their customer service rating. Which caused my computer to be "on order" for 8 weeks.

Fortunately, I was able to cancel that order and search for a new computer during the holiday deals.

Unfortunately, this proved to be more difficult than I imagined . . . it's challenging for me to look at 2 computers and see anything different other than the price tag.

Fortunately, I was able to order a computer online that seemed promising.

Unfortunately, it took another week to ship to Alaska.

Fortunately, we have finally replaced our laptop, and I am back online in full gear.

Which means I have posts and pictures and stories to share.

If anyone still checks this, that is.

We'll begin again back in August, when the skies were sunny and the days were long . . . .