Seven Quick Takes: Babies, Beaches, and Bandages

{1}

So I’m finally getting around to posting about our August vacation, part of which was spent visiting extended family in Canada. We were all excited to meet the two new cousins. Here’s some photos of the kids with sweet little E:

As you can see, they all adored her. And yes, that is an extra hand – my sister’s – in the upper left photo. 😀

{2}

Mr. E celebrated his 9th birthday during our visit:

{3}

And the following day we continued the celebration with a trip to Canada’s Wonderland. My dad and sister joined us, and my mom looked after little R at home. I knew Mr. D was pretty fearless, but the others were quite adventurous in their ride choices as well. I only went on one ride (besides the swans, which doesn’t count) and it was more than enough for me! I mostly hung out with little L, watching him go on the kiddie rides and giving in to his pleas to get half his face painted a Hulk-like green. 😉

{4}

We made our annual pilgrimage to Balsam Lake for swimming and sand fun, and of course, stopping for ice cream at our favorite spot.

{5}

We were able to attend my sweet niece’s 3rd birthday party – all nine cousins were there! We also got to see inside my brother-in-law’s beehive, which is at my parents’ place – those of us who were brave enough to get close, that is. 😉 The bees were very docile after he smoked them, and I was able to get quite a few photos.

{6}

Last year around Labor Day little R fractured his wrist. This year, L pulled off a rather more dramatic injury. Last Tuesday, for some unfathomable reason, he put his finger under the swing set post while Miss A was swinging and it basically removed the top of his middle finger, including a bit of the bone. Needless to say it was a mess, and I just put a towel over it and got him to the hospital, which is less than five minutes from here. He was very brave through all the emergency room procedures and came home with a rather awkward bandage – they bandaged the injured finger to the adjacent one to keep it immobile. Thankfully the nurse at the orthopedist the next day was able to put on a less bulky bandage and splint, and now he just has a bandage. But it’s going to take weeks to fully heal, and he’ll have a pretty bad scar.

{7}

Last Friday we were all able to see the Picasso exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art. I’m not exactly a Picasso fan, but he is famous, and there were a few of his more “classical” works I loved. And the Picasso-inspired magnet boards and costumes were fun for everyone.