Elise's Goal in Life

Elise's new thing has been that she's trying to catch a squirrel to make a pet out of it. We have squirrels all over the place and our cat Huckleberry Finn is forever chasing them around. Elise must have thought that looked like a good idea because lately she's always scurrying around trees trying to catch one herself. She kind of hunches over and moves really slow and sneaky to get close to one, then when it runs, she chases it. She'll chase them around trees, and try to fake them out by running the other way around. It is really cute to watch. The scary thing is she gets really close to them sometimes. Must be the Pocahontas in her!

So I asked her the other day what she would do if she caught one. She said she'd put it in the cat carrier with acorns and water and keep it. And maybe catch one more so they could play together.

I hated to burst her bubble, but I've been a little worried about how close she is getting to them, so I told her that if she grabbed one it would probably bite her. She didn't seem to be put off my this at all and was in the yard today running around trees again. I wonder what the neighbors think?!

Seth's First Accident

Just the other day, Seth had his first accident in his new car. We should have known not to get him a red convertible. His driving is terrible and irresponsible. Of course, in Wisconsin, deer are always a hazard and even good drivers sometimes hit them. Thank goodness he has good insurance, and the deer wasn't harmed much.



Ok, just for your info, that is not a ceramic lawn ornament (I'd rather die than have something like that in my yard). This is a foam target for bow hunting practice (in the back yard).

More Baby Birthday Party

This is my favorite picture from the party. We wanted a group picture with party hats and we should have known the babies were not going to cooperate. Nora hadn't arrived in the row yet, and Seth and Josiah were bawling. Jacob and Drew kept trying to take each others' hats off. L-r: Seth, Jacob, Drew, Grant, Joseph, Josiah.

All the 1-year-olds enjoying their birthday cupcakes. Jacob got the award for most messy (he was hamming it up for the whole crowd of onlookers) and Seth got the award for most clean (he wouldn't touch his cupcake, even with the frosting removed, and commenced with sobbing). L-r: Seth, Drew, Josiah, Nora, Jacob, Joseph, Grant

Waiting for cupcakes took too much willpower for Drew, who was snitching animal crackers from Seth.

Nora, Jacob, Joseph, Grant

Seth and Drew look happy to be here! Happy Birthday!

Baby Birthday Party!

Trudy the retriever was a big hit at the baby birthday party. A bunch of Megan's friends in Book Club had babies turning one all around the same time. We had one big birthday bash for them all this afternoon. All seven babies (one-year-olds now!) brought their families and other book club friends came to help celebrate. Here Trudy is surrounded by (l-r) Jacob (and dad Mike), Drew, Joseph (and dad Travis) and Seth.

Seth and Josiah, two of the younger ones played so nicely together at the activity table. Signs of future friendship, we think!

Roxy had the brilliant idea to rent a bouncer for the older kids. It was wonderful. I didn't hear one "I'm bored" from anyone the entire time. L-r: Katy, Kate, JJ, Elise, Ethan

Thomas' dump truck was also a big hit. JJ kept hogging it, and had to be banned from it for a while so the girls could have a chance. Here Kate with big sister Hannah stop to pick up hitchhiker Allyson.

Seth and Jacob got right to playin' ball at the beginning of the party. They kept each other pretty busy for a while.

Seth's Family Birthday Party

Seth had his Pyatskowit family birthday party Sunday, April 26.
Seth with his Care Bear cake. This one is Make A Wish Bear, and Mom and Dad got him the stuffed animal for his birthday. It is a 1st birthday tradition in our family to get the bear and matching cake. Elise got Funshine Bear and JJ got Goodnight Bear. Seth did not eat any of his cake, which was no surprise after how he reacted to his earlier "birthday" cupcake.

Seth "opening" his presents. Tucker, JJ and Elise pretty much took care of it for him.

The Pyatskowit grandchildren. Hailey, Seth, Tucker, Kara, Madeline, Anna, Isaac, Elise, JJ, Griffin.

Seth really loves these blocks with their own bucket. Every day he dumps them out, then puts them (most of them anyway) back in.

Finally, a good picture of Mom and Seth!

Seth's First Haircut

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER


Jen, he loves the puzzle maze, as you can see!

April Ohio Weekend

Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Mercer with Seth

Grandpa and Grammie Mercer with JJ, Elise and Seth

Seth and his Grandpa enjoying the nice day!