Isabel Turns 1 Year Old

Today was Isabel's birthday. We still had to party alittle even though we celebrated in Kansas earlier in the month. She opened some small presents and we had cupcakes and ice cream.

A Cousin Visit

Catia along with Phil and Zandra, Marco, Sandra and Vanessa came to visit us Saturday evening for supper and swimming. After we had a wonderful meal of coconut rice, bistec (thinly sliced beef) with onions and red bell peppers and salty potatoes, we went to the pool. The cousins were so happy to be together. We had coffee and cake later while Phil and Vanessa "discussed" politics.

Haircuts and Immunizations

On Saturday we took advantage of some services offered through the St. Vincent dePaul thrift store. They were having a "back to school bash" with free haircuts and immunizations, along with some other services, for any child. Isabel got a shot and Clara and Ollie got haircuts. Oliver was a bit apprehensive, but the promise of a sucker after the cut helped him through.

Isabel's Talents

Ergo Baby

We got our new Ergo Baby today. I was so excited to try it out I put Isabel in it right away. She complained for a few minutes and then promptly fell asleep. Yes, I did put the sleeping hood on her after this picture was taken. Isabel is wearing the Baby Legs we got free with our order.

A Great Find

I love thrift stores for the diamonds in the rough like this console we discovered. It is difficult to get Damian to hunt through a thrift store but if I spot something worth looking at he is right there by my side. This console is stamped 1955 on the back. It is walnut and walnut veneer with tambour doors. It was missing one of the brass knobs and was quite dirty. We bought some replacement hardware and Damian sanded and sprayed laquer to touch up the finish. He also waxed and buffed it to help the doors slide more easily and give it a nice shine. We can fit all of our "hardware" and "software" inside the console which makes for a rather tidy look. The acquisition of this console precipitated a need to venture off to Ikea (yah, we love Ikea!). And of course we had to rearrange our entire living room around this one piece of furniture; yet, quite serendipitously, the space feels more natural now. Clara described it this morning as "roomier."

Potty Party

This evening we celebrated Oliver's freedom from diapers with a potty party. We had noise makers and cupcakes with blue frosting and blue sprinkles. He insisted on having blue birthday candles as well.

Oliver received some small gifts of frogs, balls and a horse.

Then we all got a little goofy.

Back to School

Clara began first grade today at Rockbrook Elementary. Her teacher is Miss Quindara. She was so excited this morning she hugged me when I woke her up and was singing when she was getting dressed. (Check out the outfit Aunt Zandra!) She requested macaroni and cheese with carrot sticks, apple slices and a brownie for lunch. She was very excited to ride the bus home.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

(photo by Clara Mae Rowe)

Yesterday we went to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The experience was nearly a disaster as Ollie was stung by a wasp several times after only about 15 minutes of being at the gardens. Of course it was also lunch time, it was hot, and Oliver was tired. He cried hysterically so we decided to leave just to get him in the air conditioned van. He fell asleep quickly and we ended up eating Taco Bell in the van (instead of the yummy looking sandwiches the garden cafe was serving). We decided to go back to the Botanical Gardens and try again. Damian, Clara and Isabel went back in while Marla stayed in the van until Ollie woke up. Luckily the people there were very understanding and we didn't have to pay for parking and admittance a second time.

Damian examining the hand carved children's bench.

Oliver in a puddle. Poor Isabel is always in the stroller. There is a Texas pioneer village to educate children (and their parents). Clara and Ollie had a great time going in and out of the structures like this sod house. Trying to pump water. Thank goodness for the toad fountains at the end of our day when we were hot and sweaty.

Fort Worth Zoo

We visited the Fort Worth Zoo today. There were two baby giraffes the kids enjoyed watching. The weather was mild and patchy rain. Wednesdays are half price admissions. Damian had finished his final undergrad test this morning. It was a good day to go to the zoo. Clara commented about the hair on this Asian elephant. We are used to seeing African elephants. Oliver was constantly asking to see the crocodile. We finally found one. We ate Dippin' Dots which tasted really good after walking around for a long time. This zoo has nice vegetation and water features, especially in and around the primate building.

Froggy

Sometimes I just want to stare at my children

the way Froggy stares at Frogilina.

This is from the book Froggy's First Kiss.

Froggy makes me laugh every time I read it.

canvas bags

This is one of my (Marla's) fabric designs that I am applying to canvas bags. Mostly this is still in the experimental stage of the project.

Texans

Today Damian and Marla officially became Texans(on paper). After vehicle inspections (and repairs), vehicle registration, and gathering and requesting all known forms of identification, we finally applied for Texas driver's licenses. The children, though at times were loud and disruptive, really did quite well during this one and one-half hour process, especially considering we had already spent that much time enrolling Clara at Rockbrook Elementary earlier in the morning.

Oliver is Growing Up

Not only have the girls celebrated milestones in August, but Oliver has as well. This past week we worked hard on potty training. It is going quite well. We are all very proud of Ollie. He has also been staying in his bed all night for the majority of nights. He is growing up. Today I found myself thinking about preschool even though he isn't quite old enough for this yet. What a tender, smart, and funny boy he is!

We Love Weekends

Clara had fun trying on silly sunglasses

in a boutique in Ardmore, OK.

Some of our farmers market purchases.

We went for tomatoes and

came home with much more...

...which we used to make some fabulous

pizza for supper.

Wagon Wheel

Summer Highlights

Moving to Texas Playing with cousins in Kansas Uncle Carl's Camp (Clara) VBS(Clara) Family reunion with the Gingerich family Swimming (Clara has learned to swim and is getting quite good) Joe and Anna and boys visiting us in Texas Sedgwick County and Dallas Zoos Knowing another Sawatzky baby is on the way Celebrating TEN years of marriage Celebrating Clara's 6th birthday and Isabel's 1st birthday Attending Peace Mennonite in Dallas First words-No, Hi, This (Isabel) Successful potty training moments(Oliver) Making a compost bin on the balcony(Marla) Good grades in Organic Chem and Physics(Damian)