Buddy Movie Day/ Leaves Are Decidely More Fun

Dear Henny, 
As previously mentioned we had bitty buddies over to have a playdate and movie afternoon.  We had a great time.  We went to the dollar store to get some supplies.  We found some cool deep popcorn buckets, juice, and a balloon.  We prepared for our guests by making movie tickets for Nemo to be featured in our basement home theater.  We made some play money and set up your cash register at the bottom of the stairs so Keegan and the twinks could buy a PBJ sandwich, juice, grapes, and popcorn.  As our guests arrived we met out back and played in the large pile of the most perfect crinkly and dry leaves ever I created in the early morning.  Heather brought some colored bubbles and that was fun too...until you and Etienne poured them out and they got all over, but messy is fun too.
As movie time approached you handed out the money and tickets.  It didn't go as smoothly as planned but it didn't matter the kids enjoyed buying the tickets.  The movie started and they were excited about little Nemo and his fish buddies until Nemo touched that dang boat!  Sylvie had enough in her sweet little heart when she thought Nemo would never see his daddy again.  

The rest of us watched a bit more and decided to switch to Toy Story so perhaps Sylvie would rejoin us.  Well that lasted a little while and you all decided the popcorn was eaten and you wanted to play outside again.  So we did.  It was lovely watching zombie babies scooting through the leaves after me, getting leaves dumped on my head, see you all play in our back yard.  

You all put so much gusto into those leaves and leaved out my big pile so I pulled the blower back out and stacked 'em back up for you to kick, throw and spin them out again.  I love the fall!  

I love our little and big friends.  Each week I look forward to what we will get into next.  (Oh and Hazel?  She alternated between watching and sleeping in the sun.  Henry and I did sit you in your Bumbo in the leaves later and your eyes got really big and we gently put the leaves around you. )
Love, Mama    

Lots of Lift

Dear Zellie,
Your hair is in control...perhaps a little out of control.  So fluffy and so soft and so freaking stuck straight up in the air!  A few days after a good washing it starts to lay down a little, and when I say a little I mean you still bear a striking resemblance to Kate Gosselins 2000's look, slick in the front primping rooster in the back.  I love it really.  Just look how sweet you are.  I am sure this won't be my first hair drama in your life. 

 Love, Mama

Buddy Round Up!

Dear Henny (and sleeping Hazel), 
You both may not know it yet but you've been getting to grow up with the most amazing kids and adults around you.  Henry, in the same time period as your adoption three other families adopted too (and later 4 when Nissy and Jim adopted their daughter).  It has been a giant blessing in our lives to have these families a part of ours (as well as Doug and Peter who's journey to parenthood took different paths and concluded with a decision to not to become parents.)  Without these ladies Mommy would be much more wack-a-doo.  We can all now say we've met at least once a month for the last several years and more accurately in recent years it has been at least once a week. You do not tolerate long stretches with out your buddies.  Soon you will all be on a preschool schedule of Tuesday and Thursday and I see Wednesday becoming our regular play date.  Last week we met up at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis.  We all have passes so when the power went out and we had to leave early we didn't sweat that we basically watched you guys load and unload fake rocks in the Egyptian for an hour and a half while we chit chatted.  This week we met up at the park and for lunch.  

Keegan and Etienne dancing

A great time running in the field, throwing rocks and playing on the playground makes for a sleepy Peep at bedtime.  I love seeing how much you all care for each other.  

You had to bring granola bars for everyone

Zombie babies

Even if you scare Keegan by playing too rough or Sylvie bonks you in the head with a stick or Etienne sits up at the lunch table with a ring on his forehead from leaning on his straw or Lily runs away from you to play with her new girlfriends she made on the playground you're all still buds.  

Next week we plan on having movie afternoon at our house complete with popcorn and juice.  We can't wait!
Love, Mama

Freeman Farms 2012

Dear Hensrellie and Hayzellie, 
Sunday was another beautiful day outdoors!  We met our friends Mike, Megan and Devo for a great brunch at the Cozy Table.  I can't get enough of their strawberry crepes!  After brunch we met out at Freeman Farms.  They have animals you can feed, but they were OUT OF FEED!  For the love of gawd they know that tons of toddlers are headed their way to feed the donkey and goats and you can't leave a toddler empty handed, yet nobody made a run for feed in the morning?... and so you jumped off of a fallen tree limb instead.  

You two are the cutest buddies, Ole' Henry and Devo.  When you feel off backward Devo came rushing with the adults to check on you.  He offered all sorts of ways to try and cheer up his buddy.  You recovered and jumped a few more times and ran through the pumpkin patch together.  It was beautiful weather and a great way to spend a Sunday. 

Hazel you slept the adventure away besides sqwaking when I tried to sit you next to a pumpkin.  Hazel, I did make you wear your pumpkin hat and set you amongst them for a couple of shots.  You looked like quite the little produce.  I'll take it! 

We love getting to spend family days together.  Henny you have really been missing Daddy during the day, so days like this are special.  Here's to many more!

Love, Mama

Fall at the Farm

Dear Kiddos, 
We took a sluggish drive over to Columbus today to visit all of your grandparents in one place and time.  There was a lot of traffic due to the leaf gazers gathering in Nashville, but we made it!  You were pretty excited about this Henry, everyone in one place.  At first you were a little unsure of who to pay attention to but you managed to find time with each of your eager grandparents in between Hazel being passed around, she didn't even try to wake up in the midst of all of that dotting.  We took a walk in the woods with Grandma P and Bahboo.  It was beautiful weather and you took advantage of all of your exploring techniques; over, under, through, around trees and recruiting Bahboo to help you carry sticks, crack walnuts and roll around a woolie worm (one totally black and long haired and another black with a brown band on his head).

Grandpa Tim gave you a ride on the big John Deere. Trish took you on a walk and fed ya good.

Grandma LaJean found you some cool light up shoes.

What little dude and dudette could ask for a better day.

 

 Love you two and love our families and that we can all get together.

Love, Mama