Big Helper

Annika is fascinated by the process of loading and unloading the dishwasher. She thinks the idea of pulling items out of the silverware basket is about the best thing ever. Unfortunately, there are occasionally items (bowls, pans, etc.) in the dishwasher that block her path to the silverware. Her M.O. for discarding unwanted items is to simply fling them over her shoulder; she has attempted to apply this method to the dishwasher items, which makes Mommy move VERY quickly to rescue items from her grasp before they're flung across the kitchen. Annika has also figured out that she can climb up on the dishwasher's door when it is open. Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough with the camera to capture her in that pose. Oh well...







Annika was sent home on Thursday with a low-grade fever and cold symptoms. She slept basically from 5 PM until 6:40 AM (with a minor waking period at 1 AM). Fortunately, the cold seems to be subsiding and we're down to a runny nose that occasionally needs to be wiped ... nothing like the faucet it was a few days ago. Thank goodness! As if we really needed proof that she's our kid, she has proven without a doubt that she is definitely our offspring ... sick = sleep! She also tried (and loved) the Starbuck's pumpkin scones; we always knew she was brilliant!


My best friend (Kate) asked me to make a cake for her co-worker's wedding reception (part 2). The bride (Liz) wanted light purple frosting with green scroll work. I added a few touches of my own. (I hope she liked it!) Here's a picture of the final results.

Bottle Bay - Heaven on Earth

We were incredibly lucky to have spent a few days with the Frisch family at their cabin on Bottle Bay. As always, we had a fantastic time lounging around and enjoying the lake. The weather was incredibly cooperative, which was a huge plus. Annika sprouted her two top front teeth while we were at the cabin ... on the same day (July 2nd), no less!


Eric and our nephew Robert purchased a gigantic box of fireworks that lit up the night sky in a way that would make most pyromaniacs proud. There were lots of pretty colors and they even teamed up with the neighbors to do a spectacular finale. They're trying not to take it personally that Annika fell asleep during their show.

Annika had lots of fun playing in her "little lake" - aka, a blow-up pool on the dock that was filled with lake water.


Here's Annika sporting her hand-me-down hat from cousin Robert. (We won't tell her that the M's are the worst team in baseball... we'll just let her enjoy looking cute!)


Annika decided these chairs were fun to gnaw on ... that is, until we discovered her with paint chips in her mouth. We then decided that Cheerios were a much better snack!