Doe a Deer

Kya found the 'Photobooth' application on my computer and had lots of fun recording herself singing The Sound of Music song "DoReMi."
Enjoy the music!

almost two

I've had so much fun with Kya the last few days. Her temper seems to have settled down ... possibly due to her rapidly expanding vocabulary.


Kya loves her 'baby Rose' more every day.


Another Kya fashion statement. Sweater. ONLY a sweater.
This was my sister Caitlyn's sweater made by our Grandma Katy. The sweater is beautiful and so soft. It will be perfect for Kya in a year or so ... for now it is more of a sweater dress that Kya seems to think is the new fashion look this season. I think it's incredibly special that we have so many beautiful family heirlooms to see, cuddle, and wear every day. Thank you to our moms, grandmas and great grandmas for your beautiful creations.


Fun game!
vintage Chinese Checkers + old buttons = hours of fun for Kya




Yummy snack this week - Hawaiian Popcorn from Aunt Caitlyn


Popcorn with seasoned seaweed and rice crackers.
Believe it or not, it is quite yummy. Kya would have gobbled the entire bowl if I hadn't cut her off.

11 days until Kya's birthday!

cheese

Kya has entered the 'dress-up stage' with great force.
In just under 2.5 seconds she manages to get to my closet, pull together a few wild accessories, then run out to find me.
Upon finding me, she says "cheese mama, cheese mama."
So, um ... apparently I take a few photos of her?
Funny as it is, I can't recall that I've ever said "say cheese" to get her to smile.

Kya's fashion advice for March 18, 2012:
don't be afraid to mix-and-match causal and chic


Yes, she put the hat and scarf on all by herself.

St. Patrick's Day 2012

Happy day o'green!
Kya had a fun day enjoying the sunshine.

I swear, this little girl moves faster every day.

go.


go.


go.


zoom!


'who, me?'
(after I told her she left the bootie package on the porch)

After inspecting every rock in the yard, Kya got a long wagon ride to the mailbox (to mail booties) and the down (and over) the train tracks. We just couldn't get enough of the warm sunshine.


Then I had a great idea: the lake!
We changed into 'beach clothes' and headed out to Harmon Lake.

Each time I visit Harmon Lake I wonder why we don't come here more. It's way cool that this great park is just 'across the street' from our house. Today I saw that there are two new (and very neat) shelters being built.


I have a feeling we'll be hanging out here a lot this summer.
There was lots of rock (tiny pebble/sand) tossing into water happening. and lots of giggling.
oh how I love this little girl.


We had the whole beach to ourselves!
Then we headed back home for lunch and nap time.
It was a perfect day (except for the tantrum she threw at church).

. . .

Who do you think is taller:

Kya or flower?

12 inches shorter

Ta da!
My new 'do.
(celebrating with a Corona at the Toasted Frog)

I planned to cut/donate eight inches of my hair.
When it was all said and done, my donated ponytail was over 12 inches long.
I honestly didn't know my hair was that long.

The North Dakota St. Baldrick's Foundation Event was amazing. well-coordinated. emotional. way cool.

If you'd like to donate to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, here is a link to my fundraising page: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/ehager

Play Date 3.15.12

Today my good play date friend Kimberly and I took our little gals to Morton County Ag Day in Mandan, ND. The purpose of Ag Day is to teach that food comes from farms, not the grocery store.

We had a blast!
The girls had lots of fun meeting, feeding, petting, and talking to the animals (cows, horses, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, ducks, chicks, goats, sheep, etc). We arrived at 2:30 pm, which was the perfect time to beat the crowds.


Kya feel in love with this little white chicken.


She would touch/poke it and then giggle. and giggle. and giggle.


Thankfully, the chicken didn't seem to mind.


We fed sheep (they had sheep shearing demonstrations earlier in the day).


Maddie is such an animal lover!


Then Kya b-lined Back to the chicken.


more petting and more giggling.
(check out Kya's 'i heart beef' sticker - too funny!)


Oh look - a calf!
Kya and Maddie got to climb in the pen and pet the baby cow.


moo.


After Ag Day we headed to the nearest park to take full advantage of the beautiful sunny day.


I think these two gals will like this photo when they are 16.

the one that likes to vacuum

It seems like just yesterday that Kya was terrified of the vacuum. Well, in the blink of an eye, she became happily obsessed with the machine.

At the slight mention of "vacuum time later today" or "oh look, there is Bison Booties fuzz the floor," Kya quickly gets to work.

She has all the moves down ... moving the rugs, pushing the chairs out of the way, the 'one step forward one step back' vacuum dance moves. Kya specifically likes the hose attachment on her play vacuum - she makes sure to get it in all the corners and under the couch.

Two of Kya's new words are "due-ree" (dirty) and "fuzz" (faux sherpa from Bison Booties).
All she needs is working vacuum and I'll be out of a job!

When I vacuum the floors (for real), I put Kya in the Ergo baby carrier on my back. This not only keeps her content snuggling with me, but it also keeps her from pulling the plug (she thinks this is hilarious). It has turned into a fun chore and I'm pretty lucky to have such a cute helper.

3/4/12 Edited to add:
I forgot that I snapped a photo of Kya and I 'piggyback' vacuuming last week.
Here we are in all our housekeeping glamor ...

Now the UPS man can find us

Last week I was scolded by the 'new' UPS man because we didn't have a house number posted on our house. I was a little baffled because before his scolding, I was never told that it was a problem. I guess the 'old' UPS guy, the UPS lady, the FedEx guy, and the mailman all find or house without much trouble because we are one of two on the entire street. 50/50 chance is pretty good, right?

Anyway, I was motivated by this angry UPS guy ... and our beautiful 70°F day.

We now have house numbers!



After washing the boulder, I stenciled and painted the numbers on the rock with high quality artist-grade acrylic paint (black). My 'college art major' box of paint and art supplies always seem to save the day!

Please vote for Bison Booties!
UPDATE: Bison Booties are moving up the charts very fast but we need an extra bit of 'umph' to reach "hot" status.

My Bison Booties business is a contender in the StartupNation.com 'Moms in Business' competition. The top 200 vote-getting businesses will be juried by StartupNation for top prizes which include priceless national publicity. Now, for a favor ... I kindly ask that you please vote for Bison Booties. It just takes a click (no registration needed). You can vote once per day from now until mid-April. 

VOTE: http://www.startupnation.com/leading-moms-in-business/contestant/11657/index.php

Thanks so much!