"...only where children gather is there any real chance of fun." ~Mignon McLaughlin

This quote is so true! Kaleena has been dressing herself lately and truly having so much fun! I must admit I am a little bit embarassed to be seen with her, especially when she looks like the picture below, but its not a battle I want to fight...letting her wear what she wants to is much easier that forcing her to look "cute!" We went for a walk the other morning and she insisted on wearing her "dress" pajamas, pants underneath, duck slippers(that were Emi's and way too small), a coat, sunglasses and headband...her hair was crazy! We had many concerned looks as we passed by people's houses! I wanted to say, "I do bathe my children...and I do buy them nice clothes!" But instead, Kelly and I just laughed.

But, I love them both...regardless of how silly they are!

Swan Island Dahlia Festival

On Labor Day, mom and I decided to visit the Dahlia Festival in Canby, OR. Both of us love Dahlia's and have attempted to add them to our garden...with little success! We were both amazed and awe struck by the beautiful gardens that seemed endless. We learned a lot about how to raise them and how to keep them fresh for weeks in a vase! I loved it...as did the girls.

These purple dahlia's(whose name I don't recall) were about the size of Kaleena's head! absolutely amazing!


It was very difficult to get both of the children to look at the camera simultaneously...they were too captivated by the flowers! And yes, I had to keep a close eye on them because Emi was trying to pick them with every opportunity she had! Kaleena was busy "digging" and running through the fields!
The orange ones were my favorite! This particular style was one I had in my wedding...always brings back good memories.
At the end of our trip, mom and I came home with two beautiful bouquets of Dahlia's...a good memory of our wonderful Labor Day trip to the "barn flowers" as Kaleena puts it!!!