Bean Anderson: 09/01/2006

Kennedy has been helping Susan put on make-up and likes the powder brush. Her hair is not only getting longer but more red I think.

We went to the house of Matt and Lauren for a gathering on Friday night. Matt is one of Susan's co-workers and he let Kennedy play with George, a stuffed animal from Matt's childhood.

We went to the grand opening of a spa today. Their back patio had big rocks. Of course Kennedy went right to them. She's such a rock hound.

Earlier we were at our Music Together class. Here's Kennedy having fun with one of the new songs.

I got this sweet shot of Susan and Kennedy. The dress is a recent gift from Mimi.

There’s so much to update you all on – and it seems that we’ve had so little time… First, big milestones: Potty Training is now officially underway. Kennedy will transition to the Two’s class at her school in about 3 weeks at which point she will be offered the chance to go potty several times a day.

In preparation of that plan, both the teachers at school and Sheryl and I at home have been talking to Kennedy about potties, etc. So last night in her bath, Kennedy stood up (a no-no) and I realized that she was actually going to the bathroom (insert yuck face here). So I asked her if that was what she was doing and if she wanted to sit on the potty and she did. She did try to go on her potty and lo and behold had just a couple of drops to deposit.

First thing this morning I asked her if she wanted to sit on her potty and she did and – can you believe it – actually produced a small amount. Never thought we’d be so proud of bodily functions – and, of course, we try not to overdo the praise for Kennedy’s sake. We’ll keep you posted.

Last weekend my mission was to get Kennedy new shoes (she's just now fitting into size 5) and we scored these cool red rainboots. Despite the fact there was no cloud in sight, Kennedy insisted on wearing them and taking them to bed when she had her nap. Too funny.

On Tuesday, Sheryl and I went to the Seattle production of ‘Wicked’ and believe us, it was wicked good. The show was a blast and we enjoyed a date in Seattle. Kennedy stayed with Grandpa (Grandma was at work) while we were gone and – according to her teachers – asked about Grandpa the whole next day.

It’s been amazing to watch her start to understand who people are and recognize when she wonders where they are!

The kitchen is nearing completion; aside from electical, we are now down to cosmetics such as hanging doors, installing handles, painting, etc. Good stuff!

Our Memphis Tennessee friends Martina and Dan visited for the weekend. It was great to see them. They are expecting their first child and due in early December.

On Saturday we went to the Organic baby festival. Kennedy scored this back-pack.

She really had fun with Dan and Martina. Here she is cozying up with Dan.

Sunday we went to Martha and Wes's house for a Libraries Yes! party. They had hops growing in their yard.

Kennedy had fun getting everyone to smell the hops she picked. Here's Laural smelling the hops.

Mimi bought this cute Osh Kosh dress for Kennedy which she wore today for pictures at her school. Unfortunately they didn't get to her and she was bumped to tomorrow's schedule.

In hindsight, camping this last weekend was really fun. Despite the sogginess of Friday night, we had a really relaxing time on Saturday and Sunday. It’s amazing how much time it takes just to prepare food, eat, clean up, prepare more food, maintain the fire, etc. I was able to get a few of my Sudoku puzzles done (my latest obsession) and Sheryl had several rounds of horseshoes to dominate. Kennedy was excited because she got to (gasp!) eat cookies each day!

Kennedy had an absolute blast. Since the grounds were all ours, she was able to run all around and still stay in sight of one of many adults. She especially liked riding in her wagon. We’ll do it again next year, but this time at a quieter location.

We took a late season camping trip this past weekend to Eagle Creek Recreational Area. Admittedly, it wasn't the best weekend for camping but we reserved our site early in the summer. It rained proverbial cats and dogs on Friday evening through early Saturday morning. Fortunately there was a pavilion in which we could retreat / escape the rain. Kennedy sure had fun. This photo (with Lucky the dog climbing in to the Grandparents trailor in the background) pretty much sums up her weekend--laugh laugh laugh play play play!

Here are Susan and Grandpa Anderson (Joe) enjoying the campfire.

Kennedy and the dogs had fun running around in the pavilion. According to the caretaker this pavilion is a product of the WPA (Works Project Administration).

We hiked around a bit. Here's Grandma Anderson (Renee) at the salmon fish hatchery site.

We were able to get the horse shoe set up for some games on Saturday. Check out this great throwing form from Aunt Peggy!

Sheryl and I celebrated our 4th anniversary last week and to celebrate, I gave Sheryl a new fancy-schmancy digital camera. It's a Nikon D50 which is ranked as one of the better cameras by the technology editor from the NY Times - David Pogue. I'd been wanting to get Sheryl one of these better cameras for a while now and when I saw Pogue's entry on this camera it was a done deal.

Photos below are courtesy of this new camera. First we have a few shots of the kitchen remodel as of this week. These are our new concrete countertops waiting to be polished and installed.

These are the cabinets as they are in the process of being installed. We've been working a lot on assembling these and hanging doors, installing shelves, etc. Just a few more to go!

Finally, here's the new range hood - isn't this cool? Behind that you can see the completed paralam beams. Nice!

Below Kennedy is enjoying her new wagon after a fun round of coloring - thus the blue marker all over her face.

Empty boxes are magnates for toddlers and a cats--here are Kennedy and Elle having some fun with a box that contained a table and chair set we picked up from Ikea.

After Susan put it together she took Kennedy for a "horse" ride around the room. Kennedy laughed and laughed. You can see the table and chair set in the background.

On Saturday morning we had breakfast with C.K. who recently did the end of the summer shaving of the head thing.

When we were coming back from his house we happened on a garage sale and scored this red flyer tricycle for Kennedy.

We did a bit of driving between Kansas and Oklahoma. Kennedy liked looking at the map.

Mimi let Kennedy water her flowers and anything else she wanted to water. Kennedy had great fun doing this activity!

She especially liked watering Papa's feet. Ha ha.

We spent a lot of time outdoors at Mimi and Papa Clark's home. Here's Mimi showing Kennedy how to do a somersault.

Stacey is making excellent grades in graduate school. Yay Stacey! We're really proud of her. She spent a fair amount of time studying on our recent trip but took lots of breaks to play with Kennedy. She taught Kennedy how to dance with pointed fingers.

Here's a photo Kennedy took of herself with the camera. Sweet.

Almost all of us made it to the Brandenburg family reunion. We were missing Patty and her family and Robin. Here's Debbie with Kennedy at the puzzle table.

Kennedy always has fun with cousin Heather.

There were lots of games including horse shoes. Here's cousin Jason throwing the shoes.

They grow some good watermelon in Oklahoma. We couldn't resist taking this picture of Kennedy with all of the melons.

And here's the Brandenburg Sanford clan photo.

Kennedy got to see four of her grandparents on this last trip to Kansas and Oklahoma. She sure enjoyed her Papa Clark. They spent a lot of time outside riding tractors and generally having fun.

Today she's been saying "Mimi, Papa" over and over and over. It's too cute. This is Mimi Clark giving Kennedy a ride in her cart.

This is her Mema Sanford with her twin Sharon in the background.

And here's Kennedy at the puzzle table with her Papa Sanford.

We've been on vacation in Kansas and Oklahoma visiting family. Both Sheryl's Aunt and my Mom live in that part of the country and you throw in a big family reunion (Sheryl's side) and you get a massive 2-for-1 family vacation.

Our first trek into town for some errands included lunch at Arby's - which is now one of my top places to eat (whole wheat wraps and fruit for the kiddo). Kennedy handles her roast beef sandwich with ease.

Back at my parents' farm Kennedy had a great time on Friday with Cousin Jonas; he showed Kennedy how to ride in style in his Gator.

My folks have been tireless in the improvements to their farm. The latest project involved leveling and drainage near the driveway. Kennedy was thrilled to find a huge rock pile just for her - and enjoyed toting the rocks around in her pocket.

Sister Stacey was in for the visit as well and she and Kennedy had a great time reconnecting.

Later in the week we went to visit family as they arrived at Sheryl's Uncle Pat's farm. Sheryl's sister, Gayle, was quick to steal Kennedy from the rest of us, ha ha. They had a great time exploring the farm.