Eva Mags: Fashion Designer

I was walking through the house the other day, when I heard.  "Excuse me,  would you like an outfit designed?"

I looked up to realize I had just walked into a fashion studio.  
"Why, yes, the laundry can wait.  I actually need several outfits designed."

Eva got all serious and got out her book of patterns and began presenting them to me.  

"Well I have this long, drawn out training coming up for school.  I need something comfortable but appropriate."

Next, she asked about color, and pattern.   Then, this girl brought out a ring of fabric swabs to choose from.    Incredible.

Soon she then produced the final product!

The studio

dress for wedding

outfit for training

Later, I liked her business so much, I went back and had her design outfits for the first day of school,  a wedding coming up, a boat trip, and an OAR concert.

She worked tirelessly.

In the trees, and above the mice

The grand finale of summer.

We have always tried to squeeze in a camping trip during the summer.

This year, we waited until last minute, but found a suitable campsite, outside Allegany State Park.  

Well.  I thought it was suitable. 


On the journey down, we stopped for lunch in Ellicottville.  It was a lovely, cool, sunny afternoon.  We had a lovely lunch.  Cervezas in the sun.  Well- not Dyleva, they had ice tea.

Then we headed up the hill. 


We took Dyleva to the Climbing Forest.

It was AMAZING.  My little spider monkeys climbed those trees like it was nothing!   

Seriously...It was a little embarassing on my part.

This clip of Eva needs a link because its long....but worth it!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6rHcD3309YjdDJwTVdRMklPVlE/view?usp=sharing

I was so proud of Dyleva.  They didn't even flinch.  I was a little freaked out with the letting go part.  They loved it!


What a wonderful afternoon!  Later we rode the Sky coaster!  Very cool car on rails through the wooded forest.


After the forest, we ventured  to our campsite. 

I usually go in with low expectations....c'mon it's camping!  I thought the site was fine....secluded, safe, warm....

Jeff thought it was subpar.

Dyleva had no problema with it.  They ran in and immediately began setting up their bedding. 

It was so cute.  First of all, I am a die hard tent camper.  However, we got a cabin was because it was dropping to 40 degrees during the night. 

Our cabin had 4 single beds, 2 above and 2 below.  Dyleva instantly ran into the bedroom below and began setting up their sleeping space. 

We settled in nicely.  The first day was a blast.  Throughout the night, we could hear critters running around underneath the floorboards.  Totally freaky in the middle of the night because it sounds as if they are right next to you on the floor. 

The next day....not as good.  Dyleva was on a high from climbing; which explains their excellent behavior and kindness the night before. 

We woke up slightly different.

We began a brisk hike, on one of the Allegany trails at the ambitious hour of 11:30.

The trail was amazing.  Not paved, totally natural- as in you had to climb over nature to continue the trail.  However, this did not sit well with me. 

I was hiking with a post-Achilles injury hiker, and two small children that did completely the opposite of whatever I asked. 

In the fish's mouth!

They were going to break their necks.  Or a leg or something.  So they climbed a few boulders, while I held my breath.  Ironically, I was the one that got hurt.  But I don't mind taking one for the team.

We finished in tact.  I would have liked to go further sans children.  That's all I can say.

After a lovely lunch in the sun and an exploration over slippery rocks (where Dylan fell in, naturally), we took out a paddle boat.  

We were quite content to guide Dyleva around the lake.  It was calm, peaceful, sunny....an absolutely gorgeous day.   But man they wanted to paddle.

I said no.  But then I thought about it, looked at Jeff and said, why not?  Let's take an hour off.

So picture it.  We were the parents basking in the sun while our ninos worked their keesters off to literally paddle us in a circle, for an hour and then fight about it.

"Dylan, I'm steering!  Don't touch it!"

"No Eva! You have to paddle faster."

The imaginary window was up.  I looked at Jeff.  "Did you hear something?"   

"Nope." he replied.

After tuning out their bickering, fighting the urge to throw them overboard, and meditating on the sun, we again took over and motored to shore.  By this time wind picked up, and it actually was work.

They were such a pain; I was so sick of listening to it, I made them do the dishes.  This is them peeking out the window (don't judge; we had running water.)

Doing the dishes!

Back at Chez Wagner and our glorious campsite we were preparing for night number two.   

We arrived at a neighbor with a guest doing a live concert.  He was really good!  He covered Van Morrison, John Melloncamp, Bad Company, etc.

And the dude played from 6 until 11!

Seriously!

And he was two campsites down, so we didn't even have to leave the site to listen to him!  

Other than my children's crankiness, (which may have been precipitated by a freezing cold cabin, peeing in the dark, and rodents underfoot), I enjoyed our weekend.

Good thing.  

D day is next week.

Eclipse Party

Having spent most of the month at the playa, away from lovely technology and devices, I could have possibly been the last person to know about the solar eclipse.

Eva really wanted glasses; and my procrastination really dampened her efforts.

Eventually we decided to play hookey from Mommy school today; go to the Science Museum---with ALL our patience and hope for the best.

Well.

It paid off.

We camped out for two hours, reading, fidget spinning, snacking, until FINALLY they passed out the glasses.

We went into the musuem.  Eva was really into the food display.  Dyl wanted to check out the new space exhibit.













Then....at  2:38....we went outside for maximum viewing.  It was cool.  A little too hyped, but cool.  

We had a picnic lunch on the museum lawn, and then returned home. 

It was an ordeal.

But we had all our patience, and my kids were really well behaved.....Until we got home.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf0rJoVWkNM

Riding out the storm

Our second week at the playa we shared with family. 










painting rocks



It was a beautiful, tranquil week.....until the end.

All week it was sunny and warm and calm.



But on Thursday, the lake was like glass. 

Waiting for the storm.
 

One couldn't see where the lake ended and the sky began.


But the boys were packing stuff up.

Folding up the umbrellas and chairs.

Battening down the hatches.

The girls and I loooked at each other; we rolled our eyes.



The storm was coming!  Maybe a tornado!


Wait!! Is that a gust of wind?  NO false alarm.


Our protectors were preparing everything for the big weather about to roll through.

Oh wait...was that a raindrop?  Nothing. 

Meanwhile, the niños continued to play as normal. 

Dinner came and passed, still no storm.

I think it began to sprinkle a bit after dinner. 

What a wonderful, non-dramatic, pleasant week at the beach!
 


Dylanisms VI

One day, Dyleva and I were sitting at the table opening the mail.  Bills, junk, and a thank you card.

"Mama, what's piss?"  Dylan asks.

I take a breath.  "Dyl, it is a word that is not nice that describes tinkles."

"No, Mommy!" Eva speaks up.  "He means 'P.S.' on the thank you card."

Oops!

*****
We were at the beach, getting ready for the fire.  It was chilly out so we came in an changed.  I put on my ripped, trademark jeans.

Dylan comes out, takes one look at me and says, "Mommy, why are you wearing your cowboy pants?"

******

Dylan was telling me about a girl at daycare that was crying all day.  I told him she might have special needs, and that he should be kind to her.  "You know Dyl, she might just need a friend.  I know it is annoying to listen to her but you should still be kind."

He thought about it for a minute, and then said, "Well, I live with annoying."  

****************************

"Mama, when you are asleep, I mean really asleep, and I come in, I snuggle up the middle of the bed like a potato bug."


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
We have been having some problems with Marley.  I commented one day, that if he doesn't get his act together, that I would send him to the sausage factory.


Well Dylan, all matter of fact, responds: "No you are not.  Because Mimi is family.  And we don't send family to the sausage factory."


((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
It's dinner.  We are all around listening to Eva tell some story about her day.
Dylan interrupts.  We quickly shush him and ask to wait until she is finished.

Well Eva has a little of her Daddy in her.  She likes to talk.  When she finally finishes, I ask Dylan. 
"What did you want to say?"

Very nonchalantly, he responds. "I forgot."

()()()()()()()()(

Dylan burped the other day at dinner.

We look at him, waiting for an 'excuse me.'

He looks up, and says, "Yeah, that happens here and there."

Our Adventures at the Fair

We love the fair!

Every year, we try to do different things, try to eat something new.

We began by looking at some animals, checking out the tractors, and watching the Native American dance.

Next, we went to watch the aeriel performers.  Mind you, I can not get Dylan to stop doing flips at home....

They were amazing!  But at the end....I had to look away.  Dyleva was laughing at me.  I physically could not look at it.  My heart stopped.....I couldn't watch!!!

Then we ate.


Dessert first.

We tried deep fried gummy bears.  Eh.

Then Dyleva rode bulls.  Seriously.  That was fun!

Dyleva had remembered the trampolines from years before, so we went to find them.  Unfortunately, Dyl got hurt when trying to do a flip.  Poor baby.

Next, we went to pig races!


At the end, Eva gets in line to hold the pig.

Little did I know it would cost $10. (Scrapping change out of my purse at this point....)


We finished with butterflies.  The graceful butterflies landed on my niños because they are soooo sweet.

Roller Coaster Drama

We were fortunate enough to have a beautiful night at Darien Lake with our cousins.  

Oh those stinky roller coasters!  
Dylan is desperate to ride them, but lacking 1/2 inch, and Eva wants nothing to do with them.  

However, once she is convinced to ride them, Dylan gets all bent out of shape!

Other than that...we had a lovely time!  The kids rode the rides all night, and then we stayed for the laser light show...which was spectacular.  

Mis hijos bonitos

As much as they drive me crazy, I have to pause and realize how incredibly beautiful and wonderful my niños are. 

Eva.  So bright and spirited.  And argumentative....but some would say that is a strong quality.  She is fierce in her passion about getting her own way.  And is growing way too fast beyond my eyes.  Yet still an innocent, precious, little girl.

Dylan.  He makes me laugh.  The way he expresses himself lately, just cracks me up.  He is so introverted, but once he opens up- watch out.  He is curious about everything, and reasoning with the world.

I am the luckiest mother.

Ready to go!

Back to school shopping

Tailgaiting at the Bills Game