Last Day With Daddy For A While {473}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Even though Daddy had a lot of work to do today, he wanted to take time off this afternoon to spend with his girls, as we are leaving tomorrow.

So we took a nice long walk to the park.

You are hard to catch with the camera as you run around the park so fast. You can just see your little leg and elbow at the left side of this shot.

Digging for treasure.

More quality time at home, flipping, followed by airplane.

And Daddy got a few of us reading Apple Farmer Annie. With all the buddies you set up just right, to read along with us.

We love Daddy and will miss him so much, but hope that he gets all his work done here quickly and easily, and we will be very ready to have him back in 2 weeks.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Breakfast For Buddies {472}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Oh goodness.

Taking care of your buddies is becoming your part time job. I can't say I don't enjoy it. In fact, I love it. Here's the gang eating breakfast, and of course, monkey in his chair that you so sweetly go and try to drag in for him.

 Church meeting this morning. Last one for us until the fall! We had a good morning and prayed for a group leaving for Whales tomorrow morning!

Slowly gathering the last of the things we are taking with us home for the summer.

And sliding of course. Today it was Sean's (the puppy's) turn to go down in a basket.

Thoroughly immersed in this first-person view of riding a horse. The horse is going 44 mph -- that is FAST!

I love you,

Mamma <3

Friends & Farmers' Market {471}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This morning you found some old bows that you thought were nice, so Daddy volunteered to help you put them in...

Not bad :)

 After Daddy left to go out of town (just a quick day trip to take care of some business) we strolled to the Farmers' Market. When we got there, it was empty! No people, no booths, nothing. It has been so long since we'd been, I didn't realize that it had changed locations. We looked up the new location and found it. It was a few blocks further down the road, so we kept going. We checked out all the vendors and ended up purchases some delicious cuties. You ate about three of them before we left the Market, so I decided to go back and get another basket :)

And of course, we could make it all the way home without stopping by the park for a few slide and swing runs.

Today we had an old friend stop by for lunch. It was great to catch up and for her to meet you :)  She is engaged to be married, but her fiance is from another country so they have to work out all of his visa stuff before it can happen. We are so excited for them and pray they can be together quickly.

Doing dished (or water play) this afternoon. Your shirt was completely soaked after this.

Gathering every buddy after nap time. 

 

Thirsty buddies.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Happy Birthday, Daddy! {470}

Dear Miss Dinah,

We awoke early this morning (as usual), but today, we had something up our sleeve. You and I left the house in a hurry to try and get our goodies and get back before Daddy started working. We made it to the store and back and quickly plated our fruit and pastries.

You and I enjoyed the breakfast too, of course.

Daddy said you tried to take a bite of each and every piece of fruit.

Our pastry plate minus a few.

Trying to take a few pictures of your fancy hair-do, but wow, are you ever a toddler on the go! Near impossible to get an un-blurred shot.

We found more golf balls as we've been cleaning things, more fun for you to organize!

Drawing: an new favorite hobby.

We're working to keep pen on paper only. Right now it finds its way to your arms, legs, and face :)

Recently you have picked up the charming habit of bringing Daddy or I our respective phones when they ring or beep with a message. It's a very helpful habit :)

Today, Daddy made a slide for you out of closet door.

The perfect way to spend an afternoon.

 

More sliding videos :)  You got going really fast by the end, I'm not sure I was able to capture all your speed in the last video.

Also, you helped make carrot cake cupcakes this afternoon (Daddy's favorite) and we all got to enjoy them this evening.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Sweet Times with Granpda {469}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Grandpa Tom came to visit this morning and stayed all day. He wanted to come and see the progress that we have made on this house, and to help Daddy install some shelves, and of course, spend some time with us before we leave for the summer.

After your nap, Daddy and Grandpa were installing the shelves, and you decided to get a little creative with one shelf they had left resting on the stairs.

 After the installation was through, we had an ice cream break. Daddy made strawberry-pecan yesterday - yum! You sweet talked Grandpa into sharing.

We walked to the park so everyone could share in your swinging, sliding fun :)

Love these guys.

Tonight we went to dinner at a local brewing company. We shared delicious food and joyful fellowship. Grandpa finally drove home after reading a few bed-time stories.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Backyard Clean Up & BBQ {468}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Long busy day, with a very rewarding ending.

Packed up and moved a lot of boxes out today and then did some shopping for the BBQ. A bunch of friends came over throughout the afternoon to help with yard clean up, and then around 6 we started cooking and grilling. Paramee and her husband, Diloom were able to stop by earlier, he had to go proctor a test at 6. It was bittersweet as we had to say goodbye to our friend :(

Ladies helping Mamma get food ready in the kitchen!

Guys eating their burgers, hot dogs, and sloppy joes.

Jonah, Matt, and Rob.

Two trucks full of debris, part of a successful afternoon's work.

Matt the grill-master!

After dinner we sat and talked, mostly about the upcoming weeks. We are going to go and have a camp for children who live in a mobile home area. (Well, we aren't. We will actually be gone, but it sounds like it will be a great thing!)

You had fun visiting for a while, then retreated with your dinner to watch Veggie Tales, take a bath, and hit the hay :)

I love you,

Mamma <3