Walking in Flip Flops

Walking in flip flops is hard work especially when you're not so coordinated. But Violet has seemed to master the task.

It never ceases to amaze me what this kids will think of doing next.

The Artist at Work

Violet spent a day creating artwork from fingerpaints.

 

She doesn't look too happy while she creating but at dinner last night she was going through Melissa's phone and showed me her artwork.

She also loves to go outside and draw pictures on the sidewalk and driveway with chalk. I'm not sure yet whether or not she has that artistic gene that seems to run in our family. She still eats the crayons that so many restaurants want to give kids while they wait for their meal to be served.

Violet Discovers the Garden Hose

Melissa sent me this video of Violet playing with the garden hose.

She said someone needed to water the grass. I told her it looked like someone needed to cut the grass.

Thursday Night Dinner with Violet Minus Melissa

Thursday night dinner with Dad was a little exciting this week. Melissa had a meeting and couldn't come but Jamie came and brought Violet. During dinner we did our regular ask Violet - "where's Michael", "where's Grandpa", "where's Grandma", "where's Ashley" - and Violet points everyone out. Cute, huh? Then Dad says "where's Momma"? All eyes shot to Violet hoping she wouldn't realize Melissa wasn't there. We dodged a bullet there. I don't think Violet was paying attention.

It's not easy entertaining a 17 month old in a restaurant. But Longhorn Steakhouse has a waiting bench in their lobby offering Teddy Graham snacks for kids. That killed about 5 minutes.

Finishing Touches on the Taylor House

Melissa and Jamie moved into their new house on a temporary occupancy notice. That means they haven't closed yet - that's another story way too long to explain but I think they were anxious to get out of the basement.

Slowly but surely everything is getting completed. The front door and garage doors have been stained and the shutters installed. I just love their landscaping. I'm jealous of the Japanese maple. I'd show pictures of the inside of the home but let's just say it will be quite awhile before everything is put together.

Violet Goes to the Missouri State Fair

Living in Sedalia means going to the state fair each year. At least that's what we did for the 13 years that we lived there. Although the thought of corn dogs and funnel cakes is tempting, since I moved back to Kansas City in 2001 I haven't been back.  I believe that once you see a butter cow, you've seen them all.

But Melissa and Jamie are getting Violet started in craving that yearly visit. The Taylors took a break from the chaos of moving and spent the day at the fair.

Violet is still a little young to ride the rides so Melissa settled for a picture in the MoDOT truck.

I'm sure it won't be long before Violet starts begging to go to the fair. Maybe I'll break my 13 year abstinence and take her next year. The call of fair sticky buns is getting extremely loud!

Their Own Backyard

Jamie had a beautiful fence installed at their new house so Lola and Khloe would be able to run around without being on a leash.

They had a fenced in yard at their old house and since they've been living with me Lola and Khloe have either been on a leash or allowed to run in my yard under adult supervision. That is until Lola decides to either face off with a skunk or run into the water filled ditch.

But Lola's having a little trouble adjusting to her new yard. She can't quite figure out the fence. I think she's just slowly planning her escape.