sprinklybaby shop update!!

Here is a little sneak peek into what I've been up to! I'm almost ready to open up shop! So excited!! Here are some of my favorites!

"look what I taught myself!!"

...and again...and again...and again...

strawberries! (and somersaults!)

I'm sure the photos seem a bit excessive in this post, but Adelie was so cute this morning, and I had to capture a couple pictures so I can remember this moment. I usually cut up her strawberries nicely, but today I decided to give them to her whole. It was pretty funny watching her sort her strawberries & pick off the stems. She is a smart girl. She loves to discover new things, and she loves figuring out how things work. I love it! It makes life a little trickier - just because she can now open up lots of things she couldn't before & once she gets her mind set on something, she does not give up until she does whatever it is she started. I'm always impressed with the things she picks up on...she's pretty silly.  Very observant little girl.

Speaking of silly...she discovered a new "trick" about a week ago. I was feeding Kennedi on the couch and was very surprised (SHOCKED!) when I saw Adelie standing on the coffee table (which is behind our living room chair). She had a very, very, very silly smile  (the "I-know-I'm-not-supposed-to-be-up-here-mommy-but-wait-till-you-see-my-new-fancy-trick" kind of smile). In about 1.4 seconds flat, Adelie stood up on the table & FLIPPED over the chair into the pillows...a complete somersault!!! It was HILARIOUS!!!!!! I died laughing. It was like she figured out she could climb up on the table (which she hadn't done previously), and in those few seconds, she decided she'd stand up tall on the table & flip right over the chair....honestly SO FUNNY!!!! I started laughing really hard, which only encouraged the behavior. For the next few minutes, she raced around the chair...climbed up on the coffee table...flipped over the chair...repeat. repeat. repeat. Finally I grabbed the camera & tried to capture it. It was difficult to get a good video & watch her at the same time. I was a little worried she'd flip right over onto the floor. I need to get a better video. It's really funny how excited she gets...and how quickly she does it. She gets on the table & pauses until I catch her eye..and then she goes for it! It's like she wants to make sure I see her daredevil skills. So funny. That girl cracks me up!!!!! She is so funny!

marshmallow

In honor of Kennedi's 1-month celebration, we spent most of the day outside in the sunshine. Today was even nicer than yesterday. Its been my favorite summer day yet!!! Adelie & I spent part of the day trying to save my flowers. I am happy to report, they are looking good! They just needed a little love & some pruning...and maybe a little (or a lot) of water. She was a good little helper (sort of!). She was pretty cute with the watering can. Nate thinks I'm awful at taking care of plants, but I'm determined to prove him wrong. Nate set up the "tent" for the girls, so little Kennedi could daydream in comfort! We played our first bocce game of the summer. We played to 12. I was up 6-2 and Nate went on a 10-1 run, and beat me 12-7!!!! I thought I had it. Maybe next time. We have a good yard for bocce. Again, Adelie showed off her helper-skills. She loved chasing after the bocce balls. Fun, fun.  

We are now sitting on the patio. It is a beautiful night. The smoky-joe is lit up and Nate is about to make us a wonderful dinner. Adelie is a wild woman tonight. Lots of sun for this little one!! She is snacking on a marshmallow right now...correction...what I meant to say is she has an entire marshmallow in her mouth right now & marshmallow drool running down her chin. *note: we do not normally keep marshmallows in the house...but we're planning on s'mores soon. Yikes! Fun night at the Cartwright home!!

summer days in excelsior!

Today has been one of the nicest summer days yet. Blue skies, lots of sun, and mid 80's. We left the house today not sure where we were headed, but knew we were spending the day outside. We ended up in Excelsior (of course!). Excelsior is just such a fun little spot. I love it there. We had a nice lunch at Maynard's on the wharf - sitting right by the lake! So fun. They had live music & the place was packed. We had a nice lunch & Adelie finally got to see some"ducks" (actually, they were geese...but no one told her differently). She was having fun pointing at them saying "duh, duh, duh" (her version of "duck"). Then we walked to Adele's for a little custard treat. My fave! While there, Adelie discovered a birdbath to splash her hands in...not the cleanest place to splash around, but she was having fun. I don't think it was super dirty - but we still cleaned her up nicely afterwords...still kinda funny though. I love Excelsior in the summertime. 

It's still beautiful out. I think we're having dinner on the deck tonight. Was hoping for a bonfire & s'mores, but we may call it an early night tonight. We were up all night last night with the girls (Adelie is teething!!)...so the bonfire may have to wait till tomorrow night.

a little walk to the ice cream shop!

month 1.

Tomorrow is Kennedi's one month birthday! This past month has been full of wonderful moments. If you're wondering why we haven't posted more photos of Kennedi, it's because she sleeps all the time!!!!! She's been a little more awake this past week, so hopefully that means she will start to be awake more often! Her hair has been changing all month. It was so dark & full when she was born...and it's slowly lightening up. She's lost a lot of it already too. So, we'll see what it ends up looking like. She's a sweet little girl. I love her so much. I can't wait to see her little personality develop. Adelie has been an incredible big sister! She gives Kennedi kisses and loves snuggling up to her. I love my girls!

THE DUCK

"time for tea", says Adelie!

We started out the morning playing with Adelie's ice cream sundae stackers...(which she loves!!).

 

But then she discovered her tea set (which was still in the package since she's a little young for it still)...

 

After carrying the box all around the house & following me with this sweet little pout (and pointing to the box!!)...

I gave in & opened it up for her...and I'm so glad I did!!!!!

I love that little girl so much!!!!! oh! and this will be her next honeybake toy: ice-lollies!!!

  fun! fun! fun!

KC

Just a couple photos I had on my phone from when Kennedi was a day/two old. It's amazing how quickly babies grow in such a short amount of time. I love how tender and sweet she is.

summer runs!!

There's not much that makes me feel more alive than a good run. I've been so excited to get running again. Yesterday I decided it had been long enough since I had laced up my running shoes. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since I had Kennedi and my body has felt great so I figured I'd give it a shot. I only ran about 2 miles, but it felt fantastic. Tonight, I ran the same run...and I felt just as good! There's something so wonderful about a good run. It's especially fun when I can take one of my best pals along for the ride. She loves it, and it makes me so happy to see her smiling along the way. She loves the fresh air, and it makes her laugh to see me huffing & puffing along!

We live in a very small town. There's not much here...at all. But, we love our home, and we love the life we have here. We are so happy. One of my favorite parts of living here is that we live a half block away from a fantastic, brand new, paved trail. The trail extends 25 miles...all the way along Lake Minnetonka into Wayzata. I can't wait till we get our bike trailer and can take the girlies biking into Wayzata (ok...a little ambitious for me...but we'll make it there someday!). For now, it's been great getting out running on the trail. It's so peaceful and beautiful. We're lucky to have it so close. It's so nice to hop on a nicely paved trail. I really am loving these summer night runs. So great. Can't wait to do another race in the future. I'm not a fast runner, or even a good runner...but I love it...love it. love it. love it.

Sisters?

Adelie & Kennedi...I love my sweet little girls!