Isn't Pixieland Fun?

Rides, Ducks, Picnic Lunch, and Aunty Becky! So much fun! Aurelia finally got up the courage to ride the froggy ride (up and down, up and down) and now it's her favorite! Ezra (of course) loves the "DARK TUNNEL!" and the "choo choo train" and I love the smiles on their faces.

Granddaddy Rabbit

"Grandy" for short. When I was growing up I was always and only my daddy's hunny bunny. In fact, I still am. Only my daddy can call me his hunny bunny. Because I am his hunny bunny, he must be - logic tells us - my dad rabbit. So when I had kids it only made sense to keep the hare in there. And because "granddaddy" is kind of a southern name for "grandpa" and because my daddy holds on to his southern roots (his family being from Kentucky, ya'll) and because HIS granddaddy was, well, Granddaddy, he wanted to be Granddaddy too. Thus, Granddaddy Rabbit. And -- he finally gets to capitalize it. I really love my dad. I'm so glad he came by and had supper with us this week and played with the kids. He's heading off to big and little Sturgis' soon so we hope he rides safe!

Oliver Benjamin Ward

Oliver: Loving nature, affectionate

Benjamin: Son of my right hand, Wonderful Boy

Oliver, I haven't had much time with you yet, it's only been three months, but already I can tell that you are a wonderful, affectionate boy. Sweet, patient, loving. You just love to sit and watch your brother and sister, you smile so big when anyone comes by to say hello and you patiently wait for us to come to your aid when you are hungry or sleepy or bored. You have just started to laugh sometimes when we play "peek-a-boo!" You cry when Ezra's crying -- with him, it seems. I just love you so much! Love, Mommy

The haze in my brain

oh, wait - it's not the haze in my brain -- it's the haze in the air!! With all these fires we have been stuck in the house most of the week -- I just don't think Oliver should be exposed to all the soot and grime . . so we've been working on Ezra's potty training -- sort of just taking it day by day, letting him get the feel for the way his body works . . . I won't give you the details but he really likes his "CARS underwears." We also moved him to his "big boy bed" in Reia's room and found out that he has a consistant wake time of 2AM which falls (nicely) right between my bed time (which is too late) and Oliver's early morning feeding of 4AM - so I'm feeling even more sleep deprived than normal (and my children are feeling it too . . .pray for them). Despite that (forced smile here) we have been productive this week. Aurelia's been working on sewing a blanket for her baby doll:

and has acutally gotten pretty good at sewing nice little stitches if I draw a line for her to follow. I take out all the crooked ones - just like "Ma" in the Little House on the Prairie books.I'vebeen working on a quilt too -- for Oliver -- from the fabric I had in my box. I just have to put the top and bottom together and edge it and he'll be all set.

My "victory garden" is starting to produce. My radishes are quite spicy!

Another good way to kill time indoors is to jump in the jumpy house -- my $.99 ebay find (plus shipping and handling).

Ezra's been using new words like "am" which is pretty exciting in the world of language. He said to me today "I am awake now" -- where as he used to say "I awake now" and some kids say "I is awake" . . .so that's kind of cool. It just makes him sound more grown upthough *sigh* . . .Oliver's been smiling a lot more this week -- he's at a nice hefty 17 pounds now -- WOW! and wearing his six month clothes already! (for those of us who are counting, he turns three months on Tuesday). Sadly -- the only photos I thought to take of him this last week or so have been when he's sleeping.He's pretty cute!!

So that's life around here. Over and out!

Swimming Good Times

I just wanted to post some photos of the fun we had at Rudy and Kris' "Every Second Friday" party. Every Second Friday they generously open their house and pool and let people come by as they please to swim and visit. They bbq in the evening and everyone else brings sides. We always have a great time. This time Ezra fell in the deep end when his chair was too close to the pool and tipped. He was only worried about losing his hat : ) Oliver slept through most of the evening (4PM - 9PM) and Aurelia swam and played with her friend Teaghan.

Here's my handsome hubby : )

Week of What?

I don't have photos today - I can't get them onto my PC from the memory card and my camera is with a friend who borrowed it to commemorate the "Survivor's Walk" on Saturday at the Relay for Life of a good friend's mom who has bone cancer. "Grandma" Shelley is looking really well - lots of smiles - and is getting around really well for somone who should be in a lot of pain. Her cancer is growing and she'll be starting another round of chemo soon, but she was feeling up to walking and that needed to be photographed.

I know a lot of people have been "touched" by cancer and I'm sure you do too - so, please say a prayer today for Jason's cousin Melissa's one year old daughter, Mackenzie, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. It looks like she's going to have to have surgery flanked by chemo treatments. Please pray for her family and for that sweet baby girl as they walk this terrible walk.

Love the people you have while you have them and make each day sweeter. Get to know Jesus and find joy in His love -- if you don't know Him, comment to me and I'll get back to you - I'd love to introduce you to Him -- and for family and friends who do know Him - make sure the people you love know Him too!!

I plan to post photos later on this week so check back then!

Have a good one!

For Uncle Mikey - Happy Father's Day!

Aurelia found the curtain rod while we were painting and felt that it looked like Maleficent's staff (from Sleeping Beauty) -- hence, the monologue.