Pirate Vegetables {129}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Just a little girl sitting on a big chair, watching a movie about Pirate vegetables :)

You don't walk, but you can step up AND down on boxes, with a carrot to boot ;)

 

 

 Eye to eye...

I love you,

Mamma <3

Peace, Love, Fraggles {128}

Dear Miss Dinah,

You and baby James got along swimmingly again today in ballet. He is starting to smile and laugh, and it's a joy to see you two in your element -- being babies, being happy, and you climbing around on little chairs, him not moving much at all.

He was the Fraggle and you were the Dozer. You had papers to sort, pens to organize, chairs to climb, stuffed animals to tend to, and just generally keep busy :)

Shopped.

Drove home.

Napped.

Put food away.

Peace.

Love.

Flowers.

The blossoms are on the vine all the way down and EACH ONE will be a pumpkin! How is that for exponential growth? All that from one pumpkin seed? Unbelievable. 

Broccoli is peeking through...

Added a few squash and zucchini today.
Because, when the ground is producing good growth, it makes me want to plant more there. It doesn't seem fair to the empty spots, but they are empty for a reason. For instance, the parts of our yard that are quite plain is because the melons and carrots didn't make it. Although I'd like to fill up the space, I am weary of planting there because the spot has not proven to be worth investing in. Although, with the carrots, I expected this might happen. I think the seeds were old and broken, and right after I planted them, I'm pretty sure they got washed away by a heavy rain and winds.

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Mary Kay {127}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This morning we were up again at your new-found wake time (6:15) which is OK with me for now. We seem to get a good jump on the day when this is the case. Though, we both tend to crash pretty early!

Dana hosted a Mary Kay get-together at her home this morning. It was nice to meet Mika, the Mary Kay sales girl, who is new to town. She did a very thorough presentation, and we enjoyed pumpkin scones, conversation, and a very energetic 2-year-old.

Mika handing me a brush.

Erica and Davis

 Tonight we made mashed potatoes for dinner. You did manage to taste test the (raw) potatoes.
 

I love you,

Mamma <3

Mommy's Little Helper {126}

Dear Miss Dinah,

I am amazed by your progress and learning lately. Was it yesterday? Just yesterday that you went down that step by yourself?

Well today, "the step" is your little "hang out" spot.
Like young people like to hang out out the ice cream shop, you hang out at the step! =D
Just hanging off of it, lounging at the step!

And now that you've mastered the step, you've tried climbing off the couch, and even the bed, fairly successfully with a little help!

This afternoon you were Mommy's little helper: we got some cinnamon sun tea ready to set outside.

When it's good and ready tomorrow we will take it over to Dana's. Her friend is hosting a Mary Kay party.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Things That Go Click {125}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Daddy was on his computer and called from the other room this morning,
"Hey, what's going on? Oh! Haha! Will you turn off the mouse?"

You love pushing little buttons, and things that go click.

 Went to the Rec Park and saw some of our buddies. Didn't stay too long because it was getting pretty toasty out.

Long enough for both girls to love on you, and take you down the slide a few times :)

Zeza finds your stroller rather comfy...and a haven from the sun.

Katie and Z encroaching upon your space :)

This afternoon we drove over with Granny to see (great) Granny and Grandad at the Long Term Care and then deliver cookies to Ms. Linda who lives near there. Granny and Grandad enjoyed spending time with you. Grandad gave you a banana which you were very pleased with. You were not so pleased with the lanky little stuffed monkey that makes noises. His little screeches made you frown a little :(

Skills Update:

You pull up to stand, but are not excited about using someone's hands to do so! You prefer to use their legs or an inanimate object :)

You took one or two baby steps on Friday (I just forgot to mention this before). I don't think you really noticed that you did it. We were in the kitchen and you know your are not supposed to touch the trash can, so you were hovering over it, watching me shuck corn. You wanted the corn and as I moved back you took the tiniest little step forward to reach it. A step is a step! You go girl!

You went down the step!! We have one step in our home, from the living room into the kitchen. Daddy and I have been working with you for 4 or 5 days to turn around backwards and get down it. Up till now you would crawl to it and stop at the edge, wanting someone to help you down. Or, you teeter close to the edge, deciding if you can go face first. (You still seem to consider this). But, as Daddy and I were watching but *not paying too much attention*:) you turned your little body around backwards and put down one leg and then the next. We cheered loudly for you!!

4 generation photo

I love you,

Mamma <3

Home Sweet... {124}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This was our sweet little home...

Less than one...

year ago...

I love you,

Mamma <3

The Birds and Bees -- I Mean, Dogs {123}

 Dear Miss Dinah,
There are two types of animals that never fail to be out establishing their presence early each Spring/Summer morning.


1. The dogs
2. The birds


(Cats don't count because they are so constant and prevalent that they go without saying)


The dogs:
They have obviously roused from their slumber and have then re-piled themselves in the yard somewhere. They are laying down comfortably, most with chins to the ground. Eyebrows may raise as you pass them by, but not much reaction beyond that from these hairy lumps. They are friendly as can be and will be more than happy to roll over for a tummy rub, but mostly remain content to watch the day pass by.
The little yippers (as I call the smaller version of dog) or yippy dogs, give off a much bigger show. But, that's what it is mostly, a show. They make a huge racket as you go by, but then lose interest quickly...


The birds:
I don't even know when they sleep or when they wake because no matter how early I wake, they are almost always up earlier. They start the morning out singing their sweet songs, jumping and flittering around. No lethargy from these little squeakers. They move about quickly and intentionally toward their destination and then the next, and the next. A quick and tasty breakfast, then nest building. Some are gliding in circles with other birds, honing in on a prize that they will collect when the moment is optimal. Focused, determined, yet still light-hearted...



~



It's been said that I take a lot of stroller pictures...
It might be true.

Early morning while I watered the garden...

Late morning strolling to Granny and Grampa's for lunch...

I love you,

Mamma <3

All Around the House {122}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This afternoon we strolled to Granny and Grampa's. We stopped by and visited with Ms. Charly on the way...

Playing in your toy drawer. It's funny: the toys go out, and you go in :)

 

Two beautiful girls spending quality time together.

And this is me taking a picture of you and your granny looking at the last photo I just sent to her. (Woah...figure that one out!)

Magnets are so much fun...
It's funny how you have your favorite little spots all around the house anywhere you go.

 

A cute picture I found on the fridge...does this handsome young man look familiar? =D

We came home around 5:00. Took a bath, nursed, and you went to bed pretty early again tonight. Well actually Daddy got you back up when he got home because you weren't quite asleep. Despite being extremely tired (both your naps were cut a little short today), you walked around the yard with him for a bit.

Knock knock knock on the kitchen door...

You went to bed and I cooked some of our lettuce for dinner: hybrid greens (under) and chard (top). I had to look carefully, and wash out all the bugs (and take a few inch-worms back outside!!!) but I guess that's the price for garden-fresh produce =D

While on Daddy's phone, I found this one that he must have snapped today: love it!!

I love you,

Mamma <3

How Mammas Do Dance Class! {121}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Yesterday we went to dance class and Dana came with us. You two went to the park and library across the street for a little while, then came back. Dana went to run a few errands and you explored the studio, discovering some new things as it has been a few weeks since we have been there. Even Baby James seems like a new creature. He is not yet 5 months, but is nearly the same height and weight as you! I've heard that boys can be bigger. You loved playing with him, and were so nice to pick up his toys and place them in his swing for him to play with.

You at the mirror being a giddy girl, James being a chilled out boy

Sneaking up...

Gathering his toys

The hand-off

Little buddies

So, this is how mammas do dance class...

When any fun interaction starts to happen between the kiddos, we stop everything and whip out our phones to snap photos...

In between exercises we stopped to adjust James' position hoping he may become comfy enough to nap.

Or, we stop to giggle at his funny face-down lounging position and silly noises.

During exercises we chat about teething and feeding.

When Dinah just doesn't want to stay put any longer, and James is too fussy to swing, we preform the final combination -- a beautiful waltz, with babies in our arms! It might not have been technical perfection, but it was a different sort of perfection.

I love you,

Mamma <3