Car Wash

Grayson loves helping Dad wash his car. Cole just loves playing with the bubbles. Either way, it looks like a good way to spend and afternoon.

California Kids

The beach in March? This is one of the many reasons I love living in California.

How can you not have fun in the world's biggest sand box?

Even at the ripe, old age of 11,
Emily and her friend Ally have not lost their love of playing in the sand.

Welcome Spring

How does the Hemmelgarn Clan welcome the first day of Spring?
We celebrate by playing with water of course!

Track Practice

Emily decided to join the school track team this year. Recently she attended a track practice with all the participants from all the schools in the school district. Emily is in a hot pink t-shirt on the far right.

Sandbox

Hemmelgarn Park is proud to announce the opening of our new sandbox.

Emily dove straight in and turned herself into a mermaid.

Then she helped Grayson turn himself into a merman.

Emily took it up a notch and decided to bury her whole body. I look forward to finding out what they will dream up next.

Dino Roar

Our little bundle of personality is learning some pretend play from his brother and sister. I especially love the dinosaur roar. Ok, it is more like a dinosaur squeak, but it is cute all the same.

Apple Tree

Lots of creatures come to our apple tree for a snack, but I have never seen a creature quite like this . She was flitting about from branch to branch.

She was a cheeky little thing, but seemed to be friendly enough.

I did become a bit alarmed when she beat on her chest and let out a yell.
Then, as quickly as she appeared, she flew off in a fit of giggles.

Leprechauns

Borrowing from Emily's idea from years ago, Grayson decided to build a Leprechaun house. He carefully constructed and painted a little house and placed a special picture inside for his new friends.

A few days later, Grayson found a little note and a yummy treat left by the leprechauns.
After several exchanges of notes and treats, Grayson is determined to meet a real leprechaun. He devises a plan to dress up like a leprechaun and fool his new friends into coming out. He looks pretty friendly to me.

First Dentist Visit

Time for Grayson's first official visit to the dentist.
Grayson was cool as a cucumber as he sat in the chair.

He sat quietly as the dentist stuck fingers and tools in his mouth.
His only complaint was that the flouride was yucky. I have to agree with him on that.

He was pronounced clean and cavity free and given a new toothbrush for all his trouble.

Wild Ride

It was a moment from a magazine, with two boys in matching sweaters, (thank you Nana and Grandpa) feeding the ducks at the park.

Then Grayson saw the bikes for rent. Before we knew it, the boys were in the back of a tandem bike, bumping along with crash helmets. It was the most entertaining workout I have had, but in the end we agreed that next time we would bring Daddy along to help pedal.

Lollipop

Poor Cole. His first taste of a lollipop and he is too tired to finish it

Emily

It is such an incredible time in Emily's life now. At 11, she is becoming a beautiful young woman with an incredible mind, but she is still our vulnerable little girl.
We love and treasure both sides of her.