Watch Out for Fork Lift {447}

Dear Miss Dinah,

You are 22 months old. That means in 2 months you will be 2. How's that for number play?

A little trick we taught you to say when we ask: "How old is Dinah?"
You say "ONE!!!"
And "How old WILL she be?"
You say "TWO!!!"

We'll have to work on making the transition in a few months :)

ONE thing's for sure, you are ONE COOL GIRL!

This morning Aunt Lydia (your great aunt actually) and her son Caleb (your first cousin once removed, we figured out) were in town. They are staying with Ginni and Grampa for a couple of days, so us girls went to visit, and Caleb went with the guys to set up a new security system.

Before lunch, we took a quick trip to the Long Term Care to visit Great Granny and Great Grandad. Here you are playing with a neon green rubber ducky. Grandad had also saved you a banana which you devoured. He is so great at saving those bananas, even when we haven't been to visit for weeks!

Later we went to visit Daddy and Caleb as they were finishing up their project. 

See Daddy crawling up in the corner there? He was setting up a camera.

You got the pleasure of sitting on the fork lift. I accidentally told you it was a "skid loader" at first, and you got pretty good at saying that!

So happy to be in the driver's seat.

And then you actually got to drive!!!

Installing the last camera.

 Here I took a picture of the screen showing where this last camera was aimed. Can you see us down there in the corner? I'm standing in front of the stroller!

Spent more time with the family tonight, because we will be taking off again tomorrow. After dinner at Ginni and Grampa's, we went to Aunt Kit / Uncle Mac's for game night. You and I retired early, and the guys stayed to play late into the night.

I love you,

Mamma <3

How To Eat a Strawberry {446}

Dear Miss Dinah,

"This counts as sitting down in my hair chair, right?"

Playing with a stick you found in Uncle Nick's yard this afternoon. Not sure what it was, but you thought it was a good idea to tote it around :)  We tried to spend a good deal of time outside today, including playing at the park for an hour. It was 70 degrees and beautiful! 

Daddy went to see a movie this afternoon with Grampa, Mr. Mario, and cousin Dylan. After, he picked up some yummy treats. While these were soaking in the sink, you climbed up and your little step stool (kitty litter box) and helped yourself. You seem to like just sampling the ends of each ... hmmm :)

We ordered  a lot of  new books from ebay the last time we were here, so it has been fun to have a new selection to read from when we've been here. Of course, you like reading the same books over and over again, so we have to sneakily get you acclimated to new ones :)

I love you,

Mamma <3

New Buttons {445}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Little Miss Piggy and Gonzo going for a wild ride yesterday.
This truck makes LOTS of fun noise when you push it. In fact, you are circling the kitchen with it right now.

And trying out the old bike at our house.

This morning. Making yourself some breakfast : grapes. 

Fascinated with the buttons on the massage chair.
It's always nice to find new buttons to push :)

A few crackers for lunch.

More biking.

Pizwit rolls around in the dirt and gets dirty, and happy.

I love you,

Mamma <3

High Chair-ing Again {444}

Dear Miss Dinah,

We don't have internet at our house here, so I write these letters at Ginni's and Grampa's when we are over. ( I think I spell those names different every time! )  Yesterday you hopped into your high chair to eat breakfast. I'm so glad you still enjoy sitting in your high chair after all this time away.

You've had a wonderful time visiting with Ginni and Grampa. Yesterday morning Grampa shared part of his muffin with you and then shared some popcorn. So, of course you had a great time together :)

Yesterday Daddy helped Grampa with some internet / router things, and today they went to tear down a building, a project they started many months ago.

We are spending the morning with Ginni, then we'll go make some food for a friend who just had a baby.

This morning, sitting in the ball container. Perfect fit :)

2nd breakfast with Daddy.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Long, Satisfying Day {443}

Dear Miss Dinah,

What is it that you and your sweet daddy are looking at?

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Your sweet little brother or sister!
We went to 'see' the baby yesterday morning on our way to our 'other home.'

Healthy heartbeat and everything seemed to be looking good. Still very little, only about the size of a small mango!

We stayed and chatted, ate lunch and played for a while. Before we were back on our way. A nice little respite.

After we dropped kitty of at home (she had been cooped up in the car all day!) we went to visit Guinni and Grampa. So good to see them! You had lots of smiles to share :)

Later a friend, Ms. Dana invited us to dinner. A VERY nice break after driving all day.

We sat and talked with friends a couple hours and you fed Ms. Dana chips on a spoon. How lovely :)

Perhaps due to the new surroundings, you were up MANY times during the night, trying to play and explore. Hopefully you will be more used to our 'new' old place tonight :)

I love you,

Mamma <3

First Blooms {442}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This morning after World Friendship we went to Ian and Amsie's to play and eat lunch. When it was time to say goodbye. You so sweetly hugged your friend Amsie, then took her blanket and took a few steps backs as if to instigate a little game. You started a little giggle, and sure enough Amsie came after you. Then you ran off into the other room howling with laughter, putting the blanket over your head, being chased by your buddies. Finally you were caught. And finally, finally, we made it out the door :)

Helping Mamma fold laundry this afternoon.

Making your sock pile.

I showed you how to make the 'sock balls' today, where we roll two socks up together :)  You were intrigued, but also enjoyed UNrolling them.

And then you took a little break...

Oh, here is the first tulip which was nearly blooming in our yard. You decided to pick it yesterday, right up by the top, so we just stuck it in some water, and it's done beautifully today! The daffodil was picked at the top too, from Mr. Victor's garden.

Tonight: packing to go back 'home' a few days.

I love you,

Mamma <3