Growing Girls

Today was Emma's 6 month checkup, and Grace had her 3 year checkup on the 7th, so I thought that I would do one blog for two growing girls.

Grace is 38.5 inches and weighed 34 pounds- both are the 80th percentile. You know how they say that even kids who grow super fast at first will eventually slow down, and stop growing so quickly? Yeah, so not the case with Grace. We are still waiting for her to stop growing out of clothes every few months or so, or at least make it through a season in the same size.
Emma was 26.25 inches tall and weighed 16 pounds 13 ounces, both in about the 70th percentile. Her curve dropped a bit, but the 70th is still great. Her head remains steady at the 35th percentile- it is longer than it is wide, we think:)
Great Growing Girls!!!!!!

( the picture of Grace is with our new puppy Daisy. Daisy is a maltichon with an upper respiratory infection, hence the goopy eyes. The picture was from two weeks ago, and Daisy is healthy now, thank goodness!)

Five About Fall

I thought that I would take a moment to mention my five favorite things about fall time in Northern Minnesota. Fall is the best season here:) but also one of the shortest:(

1. The colors! With so many maple trees, the colors of fall are all around us. Every fall I almost convince myself to paint each wall in our house a different fall color. I have instead decided that I will use these colors as accents in my home. Accents. That is all. I do not have 1 orange, 1 gold, 1 brown, and 1 red wall in my living room.

2. The smells. I love how fall smells, so fresh and sweet. Also a little like leaf rot, but it is the great outdoors. If I want to smell fake fall smells, I will burn a candle in the house.

3. Halloween. I love to go trick-or-treating with the kids. So much fun to watch their eyes sparkle with excitement. The sparkle could be due to the freezing weather that we seem to have each Halloween, but I like to think it is the excitement. I love planning costumes to include room for winter clothes. Last Halloween we spent almost $100 on winter clothing just so the kids could go trick or treating! (of course, winter clothing is always an investment in this part of the country, and the warm clothes had to last until May last year)

4. Pumpkins. I love pumpkins, the way they look, they way they smell, even their beautiful orange color. Love Them! Pumpkin bars are a favorite fall treat. And carving pumpkins right before Halloween? Totally gets us the excited for Halloween!

5. Being outdoors. I forgot about this one until yesterday, when Ben and I, and later Grace, went exploring the vast wilderness around my parent's house. The above mentioned smell was incredible, as was the sound of leaves crunching under our feet. This is probably my new favorite thing about fall, as we had such a great time exploring (with no bugs!!). This brought back many memories of playing in the woods each fall when I was little. We then had pork chops and wild rice for dinner, along with squash and Apple Betty. The perfect fall meal!

I love fall, even though it brings with it the promise of a long, cold winter.

First Friends

Today was a first in the history of Ben- a playdate with a friend from school. It went very well, both boys had a great time- they have been so excited about this and I am glad that it lived up to their expectations! Peyton was sad to go home, but I think both boys (and Josh) were exhausted by the end of the day. They played outside, went to the firehall and the park, walked all over Buhl, and played all around the house. Did you know just how much energy two little boys can have? Oh My Goodness!

We are so glad that they were able to do this, as last year Ben wanted nothing to do with other children. Unless they would just sit there and listen to him talk about motors and such. This year- a friend over? And they actually played together?! What a difference a year makes! We are so proud of him!

What is the next step in this whole new world? Ben going to Peyton's house, of course. Peyton's dad wants Ben to go to their house next. We'll see:)

Good Job Ben! We are so proud of you!!!

Farewell, Faithful Friend

Today is a sad day in the McDowell home. Our dog, Buddy, passed away early this morning. Buddy was almost fifteen, and lived a long, happy life. Despite his age, his passing was a shock. Tuesday afternoon Grace and I played fetch with Bud for a long time, and he was running and chasing the ball. Last night, he could not even stand up. We are grateful for how quick he went, and that it was not a decision that we had to make.



Buddy was a good dog, loving and faithful to the end. Josh has had Buddy since he was only six months old, and Buddy loved him. He was also a great dog for Ben and Grace as they got older, playing with them and barking if they left the yard. Buddy had a great love for fetch, and was always at your feet with a ball, waiting to play.



We had to break the news to Ben and Grace this morning, and it brought tears to our eyes. Grace was okay, she accepted that he was in heaven, and of course does not understand that he will not be back. Ben cried big tears for his dog, got mad, and then moved on as only a child can.



We will miss our faithful friend.

Can we talk?

I need to speak with you about something quite serious. I am not pointing fingers, not trying to accuse. I would just like to know who on earth told my sweet, beautiful little girl that turning three is synonymous with being terribly, horribly naughty. I cannot think of another word but naughty.

Grace has destroyed my dreams of outgrowing the terrible twos- you know the stage, unable to communicate their wants and needs leads to tantrums, etc.- and turning into the sweet little girl who plays quietly, loves to help, and says "yes, mommy" often. Oh My Goodness. Yeah, right!
Communication is not an issue (please, please be quiet- just 10 minutes- please!!!!), now it is independence. "I will do it myself, and if you help me I will throw myself on the ground and scream until I (make myself?) vomit." Grace believes that asking for permission is a thing of the past- why ask for something that I want/need/don't care about (just want to defy my mom?). You can find her coming out of the kitchen at any given time with any given thing she desires. We lock the fridge.

I was so excited about the advance in reasoning skills that we have noticed of late, but the excitement has dimmed due to the now common use of said skills to attempt to convince everyone besides mom that mom said it is just fine- she can have candy before bed, etc. Mommy said it was fine.

Do you think that I am kidding- that three is not that challenging, that two is the ultimate in naughty? Let me help you to understand. ( Remember that these all happened before noon today)
Just this very morning Grace hit her older brother in the head because he was snuggling with mom (due to a lovely sickness), and he is a boy and mom is a girl. Boys can no longer be with the girls- they have to be with boys. This is the way it is, and I guess we should expect violence if this rule is not adhered to.

After being told that she cannot watch her ballerina movie, Grace decided that I was just wrong and put the movie in by herself 3 times before I finally took it away and hid it on top of the refrigerator. This led to a full body fling tantrum of about 10 minutes. After the tantrum ended Grace simply smiled and said (sweetly) "I think I will just wait until after quiet time to watch this movie". You may think that this is not a big thing- until I tell you that this was my idea before the tantrum. You see, if I suggest something, even if it is a perfectly acceptable idea, Grace must throw a tantrum and then reintroduce the idea as her own.

At lunch Grace turned to me and said, "You know, mom, when I am happy I am happy, and when I am mad I am mad" and then continued on with lunch. I think this will be our motto for the next year.

I am not asking for help, not looking for advice (there is none to give, I assure you). I just want to know who told Grace that this is the way to be three. And I would like to ask that person to take it back. Please, please, pretty please with sugar on my knees.

6 months

How did this happen? How is Emma already six months old? I feel so sad, but happy at the same time. I love my children and I loved them as babies, but the baby stage- not my favorite. At least not the tiny baby stage. I love the six month and up crowd- the developing of so many fun skills, like sitting and crawling (mobility is bittersweet, I admit), even walking. I am excited that Emma is approaching these new milestones. However, she is likely our last child, and therefore my baby. It makes me sad that I will not have a tiny baby again, that I will not hear that newborn cry (as Emma's cries are a bit louder and more grown up now). Then I think that my babies can have the babies, and I can send them home at the end of the day. And then I am JUST FINE! But still, a bit sad.

What can I tell you about Emma that you don't already know? She still thinks that her big brother and sister are the best people in the world- they get bigger smiles than Josh and I do:)
She is still so sweet and loving, loves to snuggle and cuddle. Starting to sit on her own is the newest challenge for Emma, and she has done so for a few seconds now, until a different toy catches her eye and then PLOP! Talking is so much fun, and peek-a-boo rocks! She likes to play this while nursing (not quite so fun!!). Books are a favorite toy, turning pages and eating corners.

Turning over has been causing some sleep issues, cribs just are not wide enough for a double roll. Fortunately, mommy is always awake, so Emma can just cry and mom will make it all better. Who needs sleep? Totally overrated, I assure you! Except I cannot remember much about sleep so I may be downplaying the luxury of it to make myself feel better. Hmm.
These past 6 months have gone so quickly that I sometimes forget just how big Emma is- but she reminds us. She may be laid back, but she is no pushover. Just try her! I dare you!

We love you Emma Margaret! Happy 6 months!!

The Pumpkin Patch

For Grace's birhtday today we decided to take the kids to the pumpkin patch. They have been waiting to pick out their pumpkins for the year, and this was way better than going to the grocery store. The place we went to is pretty fun, with animals, mazes, and a huge slide. Of course, this being the great north, the weather was not great and poor Emma did not have as much fun as her brother and sister. The two big kids had a great time with the animals and big slide.

Ben and Grace with some big white geese:
Some very sunny sunflowers on a cold and gloomy day:
The pumpkin patch also had a 5 acre corn maze. One half was Obama's face, and the other half was McCain. We went on the Obama-Biden side simply because there were other people in the McCain side- it was not political, I assure you. If it were a political message, we would have just gone home. And voted for a pumpkin.
We had a great time, and after picking out 3 pumpkins for carving and one for baking a pie(help me!!!), we left to go out for Grace's birhtday dinner. And where do you think we went (hint: Grace got to choose)? McDonald's, of course. Yum, yum. She had a cheeseburger and chocolate milk. But also got a toy- the most exciting part. Never mind that she has a million new toys at home, we had to eat her birthday dinner at McDonalds's for the toy! Ah, three year olds!

Happy Birthday to Grace

Today is Grace's 3rd birthday. I cannot believe that it has been three years- it seems like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. I was looking at her baby pictures earlier today, and took a little trip down memory lane.

3 years ago- Grace was just born, and so tiny. She had super dark hair and skin, and my dad told everyone she looked like a little eskimo baby. As a baby, Grace was pretty mellow, and very cuddly. She was happy when she was happy, and she was mad when she was mad. There was nothing that you could do during the mad times- in fact, she would get so upset her face would turn blue before she could actually cry. Gracie grew fast, and did everything right on time. Food was a favorite, as well as playing with toys with her brother. She was a joy and a blessing to our entire family.

2 years ago- Grace was 1 year old, and such a sweet emerging toddler. Just starting to walk, and getting into everything and anything. Grace had no fear as she started to walk and climb on things. We used to have to put the kitchen chairs on the table just to keep her off of the table. Talking was another new thing this year, and it was such fun to watch her learn to talk and express herself. This was a joyful year with Grace, watching all of these things begin to emerge.

One year ago- This is Grace at her 2nd birthday party. This past year has been challenging and amazing, often in the same minute. Grace developed an intense need for independence, but at the same time started to be so loving and nurturing. Grace loved to take care of everyone and everything, including her new baby sister, who she spent the first half of the year waiting for, and the second half loving and caring for. Ben's needs and wants often come before her own, and her concern for him is unwavering. However, Grace is also a tough little girl who loves to wrestle and fight. There are so many sides of Grace- she is all girl and a little tomboy rolled into one. One second she could be lovingly caring for Emma, and in the next she can turn around and body slam her brother. She loves pink and princesses, and dirt and trucks. Dresses and jeans with holes are often worn in the same day, and she loves to have long hair, but doesn't want it fixed or styled. Grace is so full of love and life, but will fight you to the end to get her way.

Today-Our sweet, loving 3-year-old. I look forward to what this year will bring, all of the joy and challenges that come with being three. We love our sweet girl so much, and are so grateful that she has been a part of our family for the past 3 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birthday Girl

Yesterday was Grace's 3rd Birthday Party. Her actual birthday is on Monday, so look for a 3-year post then. This is all about the PARTY!!!
Grace has wanted a Dora birthday for months, and since I make their birthday cakes, I have been thinking about this cake for some time. I decided to do a Dora adventure, like on the show. The cake ended up having three parts, and they had to go through the first two to reach their destination. On the show, they would have used Map to show them, but my Map was unsuccessful, so we did without. However, to get to the final destination they had to go through Lollipop Forest, over Jellybean River, and to Cupcake Mountain, where the party is, of course! This was a fun cake to make, and Grace loved it! And isn't that what counts, that the birthday girl gets her wish?!


The birhtday girl blowing out the candles-
And eating the oh-so-nummy chocolate cake. Lots of frosting, almond bark trees with sprinkles, lollipops and jelly beans. Oh, myI had to add the princess pic- a princess is not a princess without her jewels, right?
Grace had a great party, with lots of family to help her celebrate. There were Grandmas and Grandpas, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles, and even a cousin or two. So much fun, celebrating 3!

Family Tree

I am finally finished with my family tree, and I love it! It looks great on the wall, and intend to have it someday surrounded by pictures of the people on the tree( the ones still able to be photographed, of course).
It is hard to see the colors, because neither picture came out great, because of the glass and lighting issues, but you get the idea. The colors are light and dark brown, and a light green. I love colors together, and it is fun to see all of the names, and to be reminded of all of the family that we have.

A Little Trip

A few weeks ago, we went on a little trip to Minneapolis to visit my brother Nathan and his new wife Alli. It was a super fun time and a beautiful weekend. On Friday night, we just hung out, went to dinner, and drove past some amazing homes. Saturday we went to an apple orchard in Stillwater. So much fun! We picked apples, drank glasses full of fresh cider, and found some goodies to take home.

Nate, Alli and the kids in front of an apple tree:

Running through an apple orchard- gotta love fall time!
Nate and Alli have a beautiful apartment with lots of space to play, with real ducks in the courtyard. Ben and Grace now think that apartments are way better than hotels, and would really like to move to Minneapolis and live in an apartment. REAL DUCKS! IN THE YARD!!