Who's This Big Girl? {461}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This morning, after you came back from playing with Daddy at Mr. Tom's, I don't know, something about you just seemed older ...

I think I had pictured you a little younger for some strange reason, and then when I saw you again, you just seemed so mature, so communicative, so understanding ...

I had a little work to do, so I asked you to please read a book to your puppies, and you did. Also, you place the puppies, and the horsey, underneath the covers while you read to them.

Later on, a big girl at the park.

Navigating the wobbly bridge.

Down the home stretch,

with part of a plant for a souvenir.

Amsie and Ian's tonight. When you and Amsie hug and kiss goodbye, it gets me. It really is just too sweet.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Singing in the Bed {460}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This morning after World Friendship, we went to a lunch party at a friend's. There were just four young children there including you, and many older women! The backyard was a treasure trove of fun. There was a small waterfall, greenhouse, bushes and flowers, a small swing set, and a sand box. You four were having so much fun running around, like little adventurers, and thankfully it was all within view of the porch :)

A nice rest this afternoon, followed by a few errands. When we returned, Daddy wanted to take you strolling. I think he need a break from working inside all day, and it was beautiful weather. You two were gone a long time, went all the way down to a shopping district, visited Dick's sporting goods (looked at fishing poles, he said) then Petco (your favorite -- all the animals and the child-sized carts!) then the grocery store. You finally came back, happily worn out, and definitely ready for dinner. After a few pieces of bread, you did have a little room left for a few veggies and a tiny sliver of meat :)

Tonight we heard noises coming from your bed. You were singing in a high-pitched voice. At first I thought you were singing into a fan because it sounded like your voice was vibrating. You must have just been doing it with your mouth somehow because you were in bed, no fan. Anyway, you were sing "Baby" or as you say, "Baaaay-kooo-baaaay, baaay-kooo-baaay, baaay-kooo-baaay" over and over. I took a video, but somehow it got cut off :(  Maybe you will sing it again :)

I love you,

Mamma <3

Kitty Takes A Bath {459}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Today was a long day, especially with something seeming to bother you a lot of the day -- teething? bug bites? growing? There seemed to be something, and I wished we could have gotten to the bottom of it, but by the very end of the evening you seemed to finally be cheering up a little.

First thing in the morning: horsey and puppy are on the edge of the couch (with I think doubles as a horse itself).

Many errands to be run today including getting supplies for a pot roast and getting some shampoo for kitty. Daddy spent the day busy working on the kitchen inside and the yard outside, getting ready for a massive clean up project next week.

Tonight we gave Pizwit a flea bath tonight since she has been outside so much lately and loves to play and roll in the dirt. She was a little nervous, but did really, really well, all things considered.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Bread Day {458}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Nice relaxing day after a busy weekend.

This evening you helped me bake bread.

One

bite

at

a

time!

After dinner, we watched part of Sleeping Beauty. This was your comfy "pod" chair that you made. You were particularly interested in the birds in the show. You became very excited at their appearance, saying "Birrrrd!"

Oh, and a bread video.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Visiting with Grandparents & A Farm Party {457}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Yesterday we drove to see Grandpa Tom and Sisi, and do a few other fun things. You spent lost of time with Grandma Sisi yesterday while Auntie KK and Mamma had some good sister time.

It looked like you two had a great time together. Lots of train tracks, the animal tile matching game, and some great new books (which were actually very old books that used to be Mamma's and your aunties :)

Trying to get an old cat riled up.

Not quite as spry or agreeable as your Pizwit.

Oh well, there are always friends to be made...

 

Grandpa Tom walking us back to Sisi's house.

This morning we went to a farm party get-together at Ms. Victoria's. It was supposed to be held at a local children's farm, but it turned out to be much too cold and rainy for that, so the party was moved indoors.

There were 16 kids ages 4 and under there, and everyone seemed to have a great time. Here you are coloring on the paper on the window, Mr. Finley and a friend are eating their lunch.

Three more little ones...

Besides being tired, you were quite sad to leave behind the ducky-shaped cookies. After the party, we packed up and headed home. You slept hard the entire way. I wouldn't have minded doing that myself! A short trip, but we will be back again this coming weekend!

I love you,

Mamma <3

123 {456}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Today seemed very busy, and maybe that is why I found that we took no photos!

From the get-go, you and Daddy left the house early to spend some time helping a friend fix his mower. Then we all went shopping to get some mower parts, and then to the grocery store for lunch and dinner. It was cool and rainy outside so you had fallen asleep by the time we got the the store. We made lunch and did lots of laundry and chores, getting ready for a short trip.

A late afternoon nap (for both of us!) and then more laundry and making dinner. You helped me cook a little, and then sat with Daddy, and he did some counting with you. You seem to know what 'two' of something is, but that's as high as it goes, so Daddy played around with you, counting to three.

During bath time I started singing an old nursery rhyme. Since I don't really know them that well, or sing them that much, I just make up my own words. Tonight I started singing, "Baa baa black sheep have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full ... One for the little boy who lives down the lane ... one for Mamma ... and one for ... " I was trying to think of something that rhymed with lane when you chimed in "Dadda!" So I sang it again, and each time you chimed in, "Dadda!"

Lots of hugging today - and this is something I love about you. You've taken to hugging a lot more. Though, many times, you do so with great force. You press your mouth against my cheeks or press my mouth against your nose, so we are smashed together, and you think that it is the funniest thing. It is pretty funny.

Before bed, we found a library book we had not read yet, so that was a fun surprise. You liked it alright, but you always like it after the 2nd, 3rd, etc. time. I guess we all like things we are familiar with. Like old friends :)

I love you,

Mamma <3

This Is How We Play {455}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This is how we play:

Vinegar bottle (I have no idea why this is fun, but you lugged it into the bathroom - it is HEAVY by the way!).
Hanger (you like putting this over that hot/cold water hook ups.
The plastic egg - you like doing the same.

Just a sampling of your high-tech toys :)

Puppy dog swings this morning.

You are tickled that you've found a way to make him stay up there.

 You have started calling dogs, "frogs."

Feeding Puppy dog and Horsie lunch. A can of tuna (which you would have liked for me to open), a carrot, and some water. And they wear their bibs.

I love you,

Mamma <3