The Sweet Stuff {136}

Dear Miss Dinah,

We went to the Rec Center today to check when the annex is available. Anyway, Eliana, the director's daughter was there. She's about a month younger than you. She'd just awaken from a nap in her pack-and-play. Distinctly a third child, she had napped in her mom's office, all the lights on, mom working at the desk, three employees hanging out and chatting, and a cartoon playing on the television. This mamma chuckled to herself as she has you in your little bedroom, lights out, and quiet :)

You two interacted sweetly for a few minutes, then we went home for our nap.

While you slept, Mamma watched Paula Deen's cooking show while exercising. This mamma really likes watching Paula. She has such a knack for making it fun in the kitchen. It's a such a good thing to have fun in the kitchen since we are in there so many hours of the day!!!

Somewhere along the way, I have determined that I really really really really like baking. Ok, truth be told, I learned this a long time ago. My childhood recipe box is almost all recipes for cookies and sweets with the exception of pizza and potato soup.

Well, you aren't eating much of the sweet stuff yet, but you are learning the process alongside Mamma. Here you are using the measuring cups and munching on grapes. We are considering developing some sort of velcro system which makes it safer for you to be on the counter... or something =D

I love you, 

Mamma <3

Not Afraid {135}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Today we went out of town to sign some papers at the bank. You slept the whole way there, and most of the time we were in town. Then we drove further away to meet with a few seed cleaning customers. And on the way back, we stopped by Daddy's Uncle's Auto Parts Store to say hello. He has a very mild-mannered, medium-sized dog named Mollie. I couldn't understand why you were a little scared at Mollie when she came close. You are not usually scared of animals, even quite large ones! We realized it was the spiky orange barbell looking toy she held in her mouth that was a little intimidating. Even so, you would work up the courage to approach her, then get a little scared...then work back up your courage and try all over again. It was fun to watch you overcome fear :)

Now that our closet is partially cleaned, there are books on the ground where there used to be trinkets for you to get into. You don't seem to mind, though and flip through the books. Today it was Mamma's sketchbook that you flipped through.

Tonight we went to Aqua Aerobics again. It felt even colder tonight, but you are so tough! You don't seem to mind to much. I lowered you down slowly, and you took a deep breath, but didn't whine or cry, just adjusted yourself to it. You were probably thinking, "wow, this is an interesting tingling sensation!" Once you get used to it, you just loooooooove splashing around (with Mamma holding you of course). We did what I like to call "fast swim" where I whoooooooooosh you through the water like a speeding bullet... it makes you giggle.

My second favorite part is when we get out of the water and I snuggle you all up in your towel to dry off. :)

I love you,

Mamma <3

He Leads Me {134}

Dear Miss Dinah,

You're my girl.
It's my privilege, honor, and my charge to look after you and keep you safe.

This is a high order. I'm so grateful that God promises to lead those who are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

You and Guinney swinging this morning...

Uncle Dan picked us some more blackberries, so we had enough to make this treat: mmm mmmmm. It turned out pretty tastily :P

Water aerobics started last night. Guinney is the instructor so she invites us to come and play around. We went tonight for a little while. The water was COLD in the main part of the pool so we stayed in the shallower pool. You enjoyed being swished around like a little tug-boat, and lifted high up in the air. It got chilly pretty quickly (as we start at 6 pm) so we wrapped up in towels and sat on the side watching Guinney and her crew aerobicizing to the Beatles.

Came home, took a nice warm bath and made soup for dinner... :) "Soup!?" Daddy and Eddie say... "It's 90 degrees out!" =D

I love you,

Mamma <3

Cherry Picking {133}

Dear Miss Dinah,

After lunch we went to play on the "bladder," a fun contraption that our friends had rigged up. It was like a giant waterbed! And that lizard toy was on top. Children were running around everywhere and you had a blast!

After nap time, Grampa and Granny picked us up, and we went to pick cherries out at a friend's farm. We picked and snacked and you thought they were pretty good. Some were a little sour but you didn't seem to mind. 

You are becoming so lively. Such a little personality, and always ready for fun! Always ready to laugh =D A new favorite game is Pat-a-cake, and you clap when we start singing it. You dance when music comes on. This afternoon I was dance/exercising in the living room. You were playing with CD's on the bookshelf, standing there, and when the music came on, you just started bouncing nonchalantly! Didn't even look up from what you were doing!

You are such a joy to be around.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Wet and Happy {132}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Guess what? We planted Marigolds...and they started growing! Our tiny little seeds sprouted and popped through the surface and before too long we'll relocate them back outside.

We walked over to visit Daddy who was working on his machine and it's looking better and better each day. He thinks he is a few weeks from having it ready for the season. 

Mr. Tolles came by to visit at the same time. He also cleans wheat seed during the summer, so he's always interested how Daddy's machine is coming along. 

Mamma and baby...

After your nap, we headed over some friends' house. Some of their cousins are in town staying with their grandparents as their parents are taking a long-delayed honeymoon in Hawaii :)

 It's a full house of children!
Actually, when it's this hot out...it's a full back-yard :)

With water. Lots and lots of water.

Including a lizard that fills up with water and sprays it back out everywhere...

You are very wet, and very content :)

I love you,

Mamma <3

Day at the Lake {131}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This morning we headed out early for the lake. We hung out at Mikey and the boys' campsite most of the morning while they tried to get the boat working better.

You are all ready for the sun big girl!

A perfect day to be out on the lake...

They never ended up getting Uncle Dan's boat to work great, so but we ran into friends of Daddy's who offered to take us out on their boat. 

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Faster! Go faster!

After we boated, we swam for a while at the beach. You floated on your back with your trusty life vest. You were quite a trooper as the water was a little bit COLD :) We dried off quickly in the sun, though, and Daddy helped to speed up the drying process by tossing you HIGH up in the air! He said it was easier to catch you in your big puffy jacket :)

You were tired and HAPPY after your long, fun day. 

I love you,

Mamma <3

Is it Windy in Here? {130}

Dear Miss Dinah,

I love you. Just wanted to tell you that straight off the bat today.

Shredding papers here with Mr. Jeremiah in the office. You were playing with a storage unit lock and key.

Despite the huge winds outside, you still find it amusing to stand in front of the fan inside. You are definitely a western Kansas girl.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I love you,

Mamma <3