Going Out with a Bang!

Claire and I had a wonderful last week of summer! We enjoyed just being with each other and lots of simple things. Matt and I took Claire to the Iowa State Fair on Tuesday evening. It wasn't officially open yet, but Matt knew that all the FFA and 4H kids would be there with their livestock. We thought it would be fun to go and show Claire all the animals. Otherwise, if we waited until the last weekend of the fair to go like we usually do, many of the animals would already be gone. We saw sheep, horses, and cows. Claire would point to each and show us the sign for 'dog,' so I guess she hasn't quite differentiated between dogs and any other four legged mammal at this point in her understanding. :) As we were walking through the sheep barn, we stopped at one of the pens to become acquainted with a particularly friendly sheep. He (or she) greeted us at the gate and I knelt down so that Claire could get a closer look. This friendly ewe really must have scared her, because she shuddered and started crying. If we kept a distance, she was fine and really studied the animals. Later, we went to the new air-conditioned horse arena and watched the horses and cowgirls and cowboys (Western style) maneuver through the barrels. Claire really liked this and kept pointing to each horse as it made its way around the arena. :) After the show, we went back to the horse barn and past the horse stalls. Again, Claire didn't want anything to do with being up close to the horse. Annabelle pet the horses and had lots of fun with them (by this time we'd met up with Schwartzs), but Claire was apprehensive about being near them. I guess she'll watch and enjoy from afar! (And for the record, she LOVES dogs and being very close to them and petting them...so she clearly recognizes a difference in these other mammals.)

Although it's very hard being away from my little girl this first week back (the first day back at 11:00 I thought to myself 'Ok, I'm ready to go pick up Claire now!), I am one of the lucky few who gets summers off! If I have to be away from Claire to work outside the home, I can't think of another job I'd rather do! Here are some pictures of our last week together at home. (Well Matt's at home, so actually they're evening pictures, but oh well!)

Driving with Daddy - "Always be sure to keep your feet up!"

"I need Daddy's help. On my own I can only drive backwards...and get stuck in corners!"

"You heard, huh? Yep, I've got engine problems. Just taking a quick peek under the hood now."

"This is going to require some more detailed diagnostic testing. I need a closer look. I may even have to take the old FP Green Machine to Uncle John for mechanic work. After all, Mama did buy it at a garage sale."