So, it was a lovely week at the cottage. I haven’t been up there (it’s actually down, but what do I know?) during the weekdays since i was a teenager. I forgot how peaceful and hypnotic it can be, even with two small children. So much sitting and listening to the breeze… and Lewis fuss… and then the breeze again…

FULL SCREEN SLIDESHOW

Art was immediately interested in walking down to the water and playing in the sand. He didn’t waste any time. We did all the traditional cottage things – ate bacon, bratwursts and hot dogs (not all at one time!), had sweet corn (however, Wisconsin corn isn’t ready yet so it was from Georgia), sat in the hammock, went for walks, drove into Wautoma for groceries… and diapers…, got mosquito bites, had a fire and roasted and burned marshmellows, went swimming (well, Ben and Art did. Our beach was in bad shape and unswimmable so I stayed back at the cottage with Lew and Ben and Art canoed accross the lake to the trailer camp beach), and we went to Ray’s closeouts and bought some cheap crap.

We also went to the town library and when we walked in the librarian said, “A juggler is going to do a show in a few minutes right upstairs!” It almost seemed like a joke, it was so perfect! We took Art on bike rides and even saw cows on a farm. Ben and Art went back to ask to see them closer. The woman showed them the baby cows, chickens and horses. Back at the cottage Art did bowling balls with plastic cups, walked in the tall grass by the water, did a lot of marble toy, some occasional paper cutting and stamping, and lots of ball throwing with whoever would go with him.

Aunt Emily and Uncle Mike arrived with their friends, Julie and Zander, Thursday night and we all had a great time. Lew got some serious holding in with everyone but Mike (he claims he makes babies cry) and Art had four playmates to choose from for whiffle ball and walking the “train tracks” (boards on the beach) or whatever else. Fireworks were great. Since Art doesn’t like loud noises we didn’t keep him up for them and bot he and Lew slept straight through them. Oh, and Lewis slept a five hour chunk!

Alright, alright. It was lovely and now it’s done. Ben’s in California at a workshop so I’m a single mom and so far, day two, the kids have treated me very well. Hope all you out there are doing well, too. Love, Jess

This is Lew’s view from his changing table. He loves getting his diaper changed cause he can admire the collage of fun stickers his Mama made for him. He actually looks at them, then smiles. Over and over (according the Jessica, who happens to change most of his diapers…).

Curly Q’s

Ice cream (after eating Jessica’s delicious cilantro-salmon burgers).

Nora and Nance were unstoppable and created this wonderful monster of a marble roll.

from Uncle Josh:
I picked up art today and brought him over to my house and tried out the new pool. Real nice. Heated too! (heated with pots of stove-warmed water). We then baked cookies and ate cookies while enjoying the new hammock.
He took a nice nap here on the bed downstairs, and I played a silent game on the computor. after an hour he made some sounds, and slowly woke up. The first thing he did was looked and saw me, giggled, and said “I love you!” hahaha!!! how touching!!! awesome! he is such a charmer!!!!
-J

can you find Tula?

oat-a-meal
funder
popsticle
bass

We were riding our bike to Bubby's house this morning. Art was in the carriage thing that attaches to the back of the bike. After we stopped to get a cup of coffee I sat up to drink the thing while pedaling (no hands). Art immediately said, "Put your hands down so we don't fall, Papa!" I was shocked and happy he was so alert and safety conscious.

Today Josh and Art and I went canoeing on Minnehaha Creek. Josh and I have a done it a few times, but it was Art’s first time and he had great great fun.

As soon as he saw the canoe he said, “Want to get in that boat!” He was enthralled for the entire 45-minute journey.

going under a bridge.