Six Months

Six months ago this little guy came into the world!  He was not quite happy with this world, at first, but has been doing lots of growing and learning since.  He currently is growing teeth, adding a few more hairs to his head, a bit more length and of course, more pounds!  Check out what he learned this month:

*How to bring his toes to his mouth.
*How to roll from back to front.
*How to bang toys together.
*How to sit, with a little bit of assistance.

Baby "K's" six month appointment brought 4 more shots - including influenza - and growth stats check.  Baby "K" only gained one pound since his four month appointment.  He now weighs 18 pounds and 4 ounces.  He gained a bit in length and his head circumference increased a bit.  He is now in the 50 percentile in all three categories.  He was in the 90 percentile.  We head back to the doctor in October for another weight check and a second influenza vaccination.  We look forward to more growing and learning in the months to come!

Flour Power

One of my great chef friends has been elbow-deep in baking adventures the past several weeks.  You see, the Kansas State Fair is practically in her back yard, and she was set to bake some winning entries.  Her younger sis was also in on the action - and while this was not kitchen stadium, that baking battles ensued!

I admire my good friend BH, because she can bake bread that simply melts in your mouth - and I am not a bread person!  I am totally a fan of her cornbread muffins, even though they did not place, and her dinner rolls looked perfect!  She even entered some baking challenges during the week, which, as you can see from this photo - requires lots of flour options.  So, congratulations BH, and thanks for the fantastic recipes!

Good Morning Grandma!

Grandma and Grandpa S. came for a visit recently, and we were quite excited to see them!  It had been almost two months since the last visit, and Baby "K" has changed a bit.  He has certainly grown, and has added a few new tricks to his repertoire.   Oh, and certainly a few more babble words to his vocabulary =).

Baby "K" and Grandma were chillin' in the kitchen, shortly after Baby "K" woke up.  He was in an outstanding mood, and was looking forward to picking out his outfit for the day.  We headed out to breakfast, and bid the grandparents farewell.  All this socializing wore out Baby "K," of which, he took a three hour nap after we returned home!

Toe-tally Tasty

One of the latest Baby "K" tricks is to touch his toes!  Yes folks, he likes to touch his toes with his tongue - and it does involve a little bit of flexibility.  I tried it, and I can do it.  I just am not certain why one would want to do this trick?  Nonetheless, it is a daily favorite!

We are still awaiting the arrival of the first tooth.  It is quite close to popping out.  I can feel the little tooth ridgey bumps on the bottom right of his jaw.  I am predicting another week, and then it will likely be visible!  He is still enjoying cereal several times a day, and I have been purchasing some veggies for the next step of baby dining.  Delicious!

Once Upon a Pie

Have you ever tried driving with a vanful of about 40 baked items, woodworking projects, flowers - in water, - photographs, hanging clothing, rocks and other multiple items?  This was my 14th year of making the State Fair quest, and well, one of my "passengers" simply did not stay put!

I did really well – until I hit the I-70 & I-135 interchange.  That darn cloverleaf, totally upset my contents!  I even took it at 15 miles per hour.  Suddenly, I heard a plastic crinkle sound of something moving.  I looked over my shoulder and discovered that the cherry pie, had slide down beside the sliding door – on its side.

I pulled off along the side of I-135 and discovered that I would have to open the sliding door to retrieve the pie.  As I did, cherries and filling started dripping onto the highway shoulder.  Some nice lady stopped to see if she could help.  Do you think she had a spare pie on her?  Nope, not a one.  I, of course, had no paper towels or cloth of any sort to wipe up the mess.

I drove on - as I was on a mission to make it to the fair!  I did take the pie in to a judge, and begged for understanding.  She was quite understanding, as she has driven pies many miles too!  The pie did get a blue, but I am convinced that it could have gotten a purple.  I really wish that I would have had a fork.  At least I could have told him how delicious it was!

A Sign or Two

I truly have the best husband in the world!  You see, some co-workers (friends in youth development adventures =) and I have been working hard on a new campaign for the Kansas 4-H youth development program - about nine months - and we are about ready to reveal the work!

Mr. Fixit is helping us get the sign materials ready for the upcoming Kansas State Fair.  We simply have only a week, well not even a week, less than a week to get all the materials ready.  So, Mr. Fixit went to town and purchased some OSB board, hinges, screws and braces.  These signs are not going to go anywhere!  They are going to love hanging out on the State Fair Grounds for a couple of weeks.  Stay tuned for the final result!

Moon Marble Company

About several weeks ago, I headed with a group of kids to the Moon Marble Company.  Talk about a fun field trip!  The kids were taught how to play marbles, watched a demonstration on how to make marbles and picked out their very own set of marbles to take home.  The set even included one shooter!

The Moon Marble Company location really is a diamond in the rough.  The building is made of cinder blocks, and sports a drab gray exterior paint.  But, check out the inside, and that is where the treasure is!  Of course, there are marbles galore -- since that is the namesake, after all, but there is so much more.  The shop features nostalgic toys, and toys that maybe have been forgotten by many.  Toys that simply do not require batteries - only imagination!

The photo features some of our crew selecting their own set of marbles to take home.  The marble selection reminded me of a bulk candy store -- bins, and bins of marble choices everywhere!  Tons of color options, smooth, textured, sparkled, shiny, and mirrored.  Wow, what a fun place!  Check out more at www.moonmarble.com and well, head back to childhood for a bit =)