Good Conversation {427}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Your Aunt Leslie called this morning, and you had a very engaging conversation with her. I mean, you were talking up a STORM. I think it must have been so much fun to have someone on the other end of your conversation. You kept saying, "Ha-Low!" and a very distinct "Ah-La-You!" (I love you!) You were in charge, and taking the conversation very seriously.

 

You made a little project during your children's church meeting today which involved these little foam letter. When you got home you found your (well-love, duct taped) book and stuck the foam letters on top of the letters on the book. What a good idea!

 

Here you are reading to Daddy. You kept wanting to bring more and more books to put off bedtime.

You were so tired, but didn't want to admit it. You had just spent a few good hours out with Daddy, playing at the park and then a trip to Menard's to do some shopping.

I love you,

Mamma <3

A Day Out {426}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This morning we embarked on a little trip soon after we awoke. We drove about an hour south to visit some friends. We spent a wonderful morning chatting, outside mostly as it was a gorgeous morning. They live in the country and you were free to run around the yard exploring, which you LOVED. You got pretty dirty, but you enjoyed every moment.

We stopped for lunch at a local diner and then drove around the lake before heading home. We were so exhausted we all took naps this afternoon and then got ready to attend a show at a nearby church called, "The Living Last Supper." It was a play about Jesus' final Passover with His 12 apostles and the events that followed. Here you are playing with us in the pews, but soon you would go back to the child care and enjoy time playing with the children. We stayed afterwards for the delicious supper.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Shiny Things (eggs & motorcycle) {425}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This morning I got out a couple of new toys that Grandpa had sent home with us - a cute little chick basket and some plastic eggs. Of course you toted this around the entire day. I remembered to get out the toys because a pretty little Spring card from Sisi came in the mail today:

We talked to your other Grandma, Ginni on the phone a little bit and she asked us to send some new pictures of you. While it's hard to get photos on demand, it's good we have about a million stockpiled and ready to send :)

Mr. John came over this afternoon on his motorcycle and let you sit on it. What a treat! Here you are leisurely finishing your granola bar whilst sitting atop the 'hog.'

Lookin good, babe! 

At one point you did manage to reach up to the handle (only one side) and do the rock forward and back motion, like, "make this thing go!" You were definitely awestruck watching him drive away :)

Later we went to tour the apartment we may be living in next year. We thought it was a done deal, but the owners may have to live there while doing construction on the own place! So, we are trusting God with His plans for us in the fall, and His provision for where we will be staying.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Shades of Summer {424}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Daddy got some great shots of you in these shades - which you wear so well these days, except for the fact that they are upside down. Soon it will be warm enough and bright enough out to practice wearing these outside - maybe ones more your size? :)

 

Later we watch part of the 2013 American Cup (gymnastics). You were very keen to point out, "Fip!" (flip) and "Sucker-salt!" (another name for flip in this case).

After naps we went to the vet to get kitty's stitches from her surgery out. Kitty did very well considering there was quite a little dog fight in the lobby before she went in the room. But once we were in, it only took a few seconds, and you were very interested to watch. 

I love you,

Mamma <3

Painting with Daddy {423}

Dear Miss Dinah,

There is this thing you like to do. You like to crawl into boxes. And more often than not I will discovery that there is also a kitty in the box. Please have mercy on that sweet kitty.

We did clean this area up later, becoming a little out of control.

Here we are getting ready to make gingerbread cookies this afternoon.

And learning colors with monkey.

You get so excited when we turn the page to the next color -- you squeal.

Oh Daddy found a way to get you to start drinking milk! He poured a little of his breakfast milk in, which was a little sweet from cereal - and you drank it right up.

You were up from your nap a little early, and I wasn't finished rolling out cookies, so you got to go help Daddy paint (after you helped yourself to some cookie dough). You actually didn't get any paint on you ... but he wasn't taking any chances :)

Beautiful day for a walk and exploring rocks.

And grass!

Late night with our group meeting tonight, but you always enjoy playing with the children. And, you finally got to enjoy a cookie too :)

I love you,

Mamma <3