The Parrot and Her Pirates {282}

Dear Miss Dinah,

One thing that happens nearly every morning is Daddy swings you around in his arms and gently tosses you on the bed. You get a hearty giggle going, and a little glint in your eye hinting that you want to go again.

This morning, somebody else got a turn.

It sure made you giggle.

Pizwit actually had so much fun, she asked to do it again, too.

This afternoon while you were napping, Mamma and Daddy got outfitted in costumes.

And when you awoke, we were pirates!

and you were the sweetest little shoulder parrot there could be. We trained you to say "Raa! Raa!" and sort of flap your wings at the phrase, "Trick-or-treat!"

We had a great time visiting friends and neighbors, and of course, the many animals of the evening.

A porcelain pig.

And General.

Of course, General.

Big, strong pirate, and his little parrot buddy. This is one of my favorite pictures of the night.

I love you,

Mamma <3

New Heights {281}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Every time we come home you have gotten taller.

You can reach new, and exciting things.

And, if you can't reach them, your rapidly improving climbing skills make up for any lack of height.

Up the ladder Ginni was using to paint with.

I can reach two new drawers!

You tried on your costume you will be wearing tomorrow, and it's adorable. We've also being practicing the appropriate bird noises and wing flapping. We'll see how this goes :0)

Around the house, I love that you purpose to help me with tasks. Unfortunately there are a few that I'd rather not have help with yet. One of those is scooping the kitty litter. I appreciate your valiant effort though. Good thing it was bath night ;-)

We cut your bangs tonight. You've gotten very skilled at being still while I do this which I'm very thankful for. After I make a cut, you always try and brush your face off, I think because the hairs tickle your eyelashes as they fall.

Over the last few days you have developed a little cough. I managed to get you to take some garlic with a little coconut oil (you hardly cringed!) and later applied some eucalyptus oil to your chest and neck.

Sleep well.

I love you,

Mamma <3

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Driving and Roofing {280}

Dear Miss Dinah,

It was a long morning of packing two boat (car) loads full before setting sail (so to speak).

A few hours down the road we made it to where we parted ways with Daddy, but first we did made some returns and stopped to say hello to the roofers.

We walked into the store and Daddy said, "I think it's time for the car."
He was so right. Your face lit up as he wheeled it over. You immediately took hold of both steering wheels as Daddy, for a while, tried to accurately reflect your steering with his. Let's just say it was a wild ride.

Here we are at Great-Aunt Leslie's. Daddy is already up there on that roof, along with Grampa Marshall and Uncle Dan. 

You with Aunt Leslie taking in all the action.

 

Then only a few hundred miles to go. 

The sky breathtaking as always, looked like a bird!

Finally home...PIZWIT RELIEVED. And all is well. I had forgotten how whiny she can be :-)

I love you,

Mamma <3

Sorting Q-Tips and Celebrating {279}

Dear Miss Dinah,

It is a fantastic privilege to be a part of God's family and always be meeting new brothers and sisters from around the globe.

Today we met Ms. Michelle from Brazil.
Ms. Michelle went to college in the United States and then went back to her home country of Brazil to work with young adults in some of the poorest areas there. She has been used in great and mighty ways to show love to people there. She told us the story of one young man whom she'd asked if he ever had a puppy growing up. "Yes!" he replied. "He followed me every single day as I went to go search for food from the trash dump." She has worked in a home for young men there for many years now, hoping to see transition in their lives. She says that many of the boys who come into the home often end up staying there to work as well, as they desire to help others the way that they have been helped.

...

Evidence that you keep busy each morning...
You found some empty plastic containers yourself and started 'sorting' Q-Tips.

Today was Ms. Kristen's birthday, so we went out to celebrate after the church meeting. With a party of 30, you have to be willing to wait a bit :-)

Waiting patiently to be seated.

...with Miss Amsie and her brother (and patient jungle gym) Cade.

Happy Birthday! Ms. Kristen in the middle on the left, with the chocolate cake :)

I love you,

Mamma <3

Game Day {278}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Today was game day and we had some special friends in town to go and see.

Game day means the town is BUSY, especially since the team is doing so well this year. So we parked the car and walked...

 

and walked...

 

and walked...

 

and...

 

 walked :)

 

But it was worth it. It was a great day, only slightly chilly, but your mittens came off immediately to accommodate cracker eating with Ms. Victoria. The tailgate was "Octoberfest" themed, and so you were spoiled with delicious German food like sausage and potatoes. 

 

 

You got to visit with Miss Fiona for a few minutes.

 

She is about 6 months and also showed up to the party hungry. She was ready to eat, but we made her pose for this picture first ;)

Poor, sweet little Fiona!

 

We didn't stay for the game this year, but we heard it was another big win!
No, we went home and napped and then went to do some shopping at the craft store. We picked up a few more items for our costumes next week and had a good 'ol time romping around the store. You have become quite the cute and clever trickster. You love to give that big cheesy grin, and run away from Daddy...and then run to Daddy.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Everyone's in the Kitchen {277}

Dear Miss Dinah,

We had the pleasure of spending the morning in the company of 3 sweet young ladies.

Ms. Michelle loves to hold you and is quick following you around as you "investigate" the apartment.

 

Ms. Kristen enjoyed teaching you the keyboard. She also, very generously, shared her snack with you.

 

Ms. Noelle (not pictured) was trying her hand at our sourdough bread recipe. Hope it turns out and she loves it as much as we do!

After lunch and a nap, we headed to the college shopping district. There was a 'Homecoming' parade today as well as all the shops being open to children who could come through and get goodies.

The parking space we found happened to be close to the ice cream shop so we visited again -- 2 days in a row! How special!

Daddy and you sharing a small banana ice cream.

The owners of the ice cream shop were sitting outside of the shop handing out goodies.

 This was a very special day in the kitchen. Since we are tearing out the floor, we have not allowed you to walk out in this room at all, which means that you have had to be in a separate room while I've cooked. Well today, I decided you were responsible enough to stand on the chair and be near as we prepared the meal.

You did very well, little darling.

We managed to get all our veggies chopped, and fish prepared. Everything wrapped in parchment and ready for the oven. 

A garnish...don't mind if I do, Mamma!

I think this lime is a little sour...

I love you,

Mamma <3

The Pointing Princess {276}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Somehow Daddy's headphones got broken this morning, and I do not know how it happened. I don't know if you accidentally got a hold of them, but I suspected that might have been the case. Well, Daddy, jokingly said that it must have been me because...

He said in a teasing voice, "My princess couldn't do anything wrong!" and then he gave you a little point. You, in turn, gave him a double point, and the cheesiest grin, like you had this understanding between this two of you.

It was too much. We were all bursting with laughter.

The princess on her royal throne...

The princess helping Mommy with the royal duties. Daddy was in the closet and we were helping fix the water heater by gathering tools and mopping up water.

You and Daddy went to lunch while I went to an impromptu dentist appointment to make sure my tooth was ok. I had another delightful surprise as a came out of my appointment. You and Daddy were there waiting for me! We went to get a milkshake, because that seemed like the best thing to do after a dentist appointment ;)

I love you,

Mamma

Pals {275}

Dear Miss Dinah,

There are precious few things in life which offer the inestimable rewards of friendship.

 

When we arrived for lunch, Miss Amsie was waiting on the porch with a huge smile. The moment we stepped out of the car, you spotted her too, and offered a little wave.

 

And when it was finally time to go, you kindly offered each other kisses and bid farewell ;)

Later at the Discovery Center, a llama and sheep seemed to have found their way as an unlikely, but happy couple.

And finally, my best friend is back home after a long day of work and a long drive. And he will be so pleased to see you in the morning.

I love you,

Mamma <3