Holla' for homemade challah bread!

This past week just flew by with Quinn's daily swim lessons. This week is the same thing and then she's done. I think we're going to have to get some sort of swim pass for the Fall/Winter because she seems to really enjoy it and that could be a good way to get out of the house when the weather is ugly. 

There were no other children signed up for her age group so she got bumped to the 18-36 month olds. Luckily, the lessons are just about playing and singing songs so skills don't matter. Although, her loud singing skills are pretty advanced :)

 

Here are a few more photos from camping. 

And here's a video of Quinn playing in the water. She starts swim lessons today. If she enjoys the pool like she enjoyed the lake, we are in for a treat.

There's a sign near our house that says,

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

I have a scene in my mind from an ordinary little day that I hope to keep always. July evening sunlight filtering into our overgrown dandelion-filled back lawn. Shinobi is prancing through the grass chasing bugs, and being chased by a 9 month old superhero flying through the air with the assistance of her daddy. She is giggling, he is providing the sound effects. Precious little moment.

We went camping this past weekend. We met up with five other families that we were friends with in the bay area at Lake Siskiyou Friday through Sunday. It was so great to see everyone and catch up. Every child in the group has grown up so much since we moved 8 months ago. They're walking and talking big kids now! Hopefully we can make a tradition of this.

Quinn did pretty well for her first time camping. She slept in a PeaPod we borrowed from a friend. We're definitely going to have to get one of those, it folded to about the size of a frisbee!

It was her first time in water other than the bath and she loved it! Like giggled and squealed non-stop loved it. We twirled, motorboated, dunked, and splashed with her and she just laughed and flapped her arms for more. We were amazed how much fun she had in the water both days. I guess she takes after her mom :) 

We managed to pack everything we needed, except for the camera! We got some photos and videos on our phones, but we'll have to mooch some better ones off our friends and share them later.

You know it's been a successful day at the zoo when you look like this afterward.

Conked out in the carseat, then transferred to the couch. Quinn and I went to the zoo on Friday with some friends who have memberships. She thoroughly enjoyed the train ride and I think her favorite animals were the lorikeets. They're so bright and colorful and loud that they kept her attention a long time. 

This weekend we played some frisbee golf, ultimate frisbee, ate lots of tacos, ran some errands, and Jonathan's sister visited. I also finished painting doors and trim. Our house had various colors of white, off-white, and cream scattered all around and it was bugging me. So, now everything is the same nice crisp white. It was my goal to get that done before Quinn becomes more mobile. All that's left on my pre-mobile list now is the fireplace, master bedroom walls, and Quinn's bookshelf.

I'm relieved to report that Quinn's two top teeth are popping through her gums now. She seems relieved too. And she's fascinated with clicking them together. She also started drinking water from her very own straw cup this weekend without our assistance. It's so cute to watch, she seems very proud of herself. She has her 9 month checkup on Wednesday.

Picks of the Week 7.7.12

How Would You Like to Wear Your Joy? - Desiring God

Happy Birthday! July 2, 1776 - Stand to Reason

Teach Children the Bible Is Not About Them - Desiring God

How to Treat Bug Bites Naturally - Keeper of the Home

We had a nice little Fourth of July. Some friends and new neighbors came over for dinner. Luckily, Quinnie's hand-me-down patriotic attire fit perfectly just in time for the big day :)

I finished her 6-9 month highlight video. It can be seen here, it's 20 minutes as usual.

Where did this nine month old come from?

She's a spirited, fun little lady. Quick to laugh, cry, sing, pout, snuggle, and flap her arms with excitement. She always has me shaking my head wondering what she'll come up with next. She's been reaching out more lately and does something that I think is her version of a hug. She loves going to the park to watch older children play, she laughs and talks to them. The other day she tried to give a two year old girl handfuls of grass. She's pretty much given up her binkie, she just started losing interest in it the past couple weeks. She'll still use it for naps or falling asleep sometimes, but mostly prefers her panda stuffed animal I bought for her back when I was pregnant.

One of my nicknames for Quinnie (Jonathan and I have given her tons) is Hoo Bug. Since she was very young she has cried in a way that we call the "hoo cry". Her bottom lip turns down and she makes a pouty hoo sound. We've been wanting to capture it and her grandpa finally did.

It's pretty endearing actually, it makes one want to cry and smile at the same time.