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!
Dear Peep, It is terrific that spring is bring us opportunities to hang out more with friends. Daddy is pretty much back to himself and building energy by eating better, taking the weekends easy, taking vitamins and working a slightly modified work schedule. We haven't gone much outside of town yet but hopefully soon we can get over to Grandma LaJean's (who has been through her own ups and downs with a hip replacement and blood clot scares) and GG's. Bahboo and Grandma P will be back from their two week trip to Florida soon and will be anxious to gobble you up for a little while too. So for now we are enjoying the gentle ease into normality again by starting up our usual schedule of friend hang outs last week. We meet Mike, Megan and Devo at the park to play and fly your kite. It was a lot of fun and you boys did a great job playing together. I know you had been missing your buddy so you were happy. You got a little aggressive at times trying to wrrrrrrrrastle with an unsuspecting Devo, but you were pooped in the end and that is all parents of a 3 year old could wish.
Thursday we had Abe come over and you were a sensational friend. You did everything you could to take care of him and keep him happy. Daddy and I were really proud of you! Gentle, loving and thoughtful you will make a great big brother!
Sunday we had the Sisk-Williams crew over to roast some hot dogs at our fire pit. (I can't find the pictures!) We had a nice visit and you enjoyed having kids to build a fire with. It was great getting back into things this week and reconnecting with our friends. I love seeing you grow in your interactions too. More fun times ahead! Love, Mama
Dear Peep, Summer 2011 Road Trip! After a little bit of planning we were on the road to St. Louis, Missouri! Mike, Megan and Devo were meeting us in the heart of the wonderful St. Louis Zoo! July has shaped up to be one hot mother of a month so with a little spray fan to keep us cool, tons of snacks and a lot of enthusiasm we met up at the carousel. The zoo has done an excellent job of making sure most areas are very wheelchair accessible. Daddy joined us on the carousel and you found your elephant and Devo a wild ass, just be glad that isn't what you're called!!! You really enjoyed yourself next to your blond buddy. You both had to flatten a penny and then off we were to ride the train. Daddy sat in front of us and Devo, Mike and Megan behind us until Devo needed some "more Henry." I loved how you kept your hand firmly on my right leg, much like last September when we rode the water taxi in Chicago. What could be better! An orangutan hiding under a blanket, squirting passersby in the outdoor water fountains, talking about the giraffes, eating some "Frog Spit," getting close with a snake, coolin' off with the penguins, brushing goats, and sitting in a hippo's mouth. We covered that zoo top to bottom! (Feel free to look at all of the photos from our adventure in the slide show below.)
Unfortunately the beasts were smarter than the people and many were staying cool indoors. It didn't matter. You had a blast. We really enjoyed watching you little fellas with the goats. You were both so gentle and thought it was funny when the goats kept walking under Daddy's legs and especially when the large one bit the map out of my back pocket and took off! Devo was a little goat whisperer. He would make his goat sound and all the goats would check in with a ehhhhhhhehehehe. The last time we went to St. Louis Daddy and I had such a wonderful time together, but we were dreaming of you. That's right, we talked about you as we walked through the zoo one day with us enjoying the animals and the sights. I wrote about our last trip here http://www.lisaandsteven.com/ Look in the what's new section. Dreams do come true.
Dear Peep! This 4th of July weekend celebration was one to remember.
We started out at Bahboo's and Grandma P's where all of Mommy's lady cousins, Uncle David and Aunt Lea, Aunt Clarice, and baby Jack were there along with JD, Kolsen and Jonny, You had a great time running around and playing but weren't ready to go swimming just yet. After the rest of the crew went out to Ogilville to Uncle David and Aunt Lea's (with Aunt Clarice next door) to prepare for fireworks we waited for our buddies Mike, Megan and Devo to make it to Columbus. With Devo excited to swim, you got in by his side. Bahboo pulled Devo and his parents by tractor across the pool in a tube.
Such fun but you weren't willing to give it a try this time. You happily played in the hot tub for quite a while with Devo. Before we left Bahboo gave the little dudes a short tractor ride. Our tummies started yellin', "EAT!" So we left Bahboo and Grandma P at home to rest, they'd been watching Jonny (5) for a week while Uncle Gary visited Aunt Michele and were beat!
We made it down 25th Street and pulled into our spot at Becker's Root Beer Stand. This isn't a first for you but for the Emmetts it was. I turned around to get food to you and Jonny in the back and you both were O-U-T after a long day of running and playing! They were excited about the little rootbeer mugs, as were you and cousin Jonny. You love to giggle at the exuberant belches the root beer produces. After eating we continued out to Ogilville for an evening of family and fireworks.
I should mention like many families that combination can cause for an "exciting" fireworks show. I should have known when Wendy and Nash went to buy the fireworks and she had the 6ft long package set across the cart, swung around a corner and knocked out an entire display of red wine at Sam's Club that it was going to be one of those kind of nights.
While the big guns were being set up Megan and Mama lit the sparklers for the kids to play with. You all loved swinging them around, with the assistance of my hand on yours because your excitement made your arm fly around haplessly.
JD and Matt came to make their annoncement that the light show was ready to commence. We took our seats and JD proceeded to promise a display of, "Shawk an' Awe! Shawk an' Awe!" few moments later the first couple of fountains blast into the sky and my heart starts to beat faster as it feels rather close...for such big plumes of sparks! Then about the third thrust clearly something went wrong as a rocket launches straight to the left hitting a back hoe nearby with a bing_and a sparky loud explosion, and another shoots next door in front of Aunt Claricee's kitchen window. HOLY COW! I couldn't stop laughing, you begged for your blankets from the van, Jonny came to cuddle on my lap and Daddy backed up. Kyra was shoutin' how she felt like she was dreaming, Mike thought he was witnessing battle and we all were stuck to our chairs not knowing where the next would land. In the midst of the chaos you and Devo were screaming repeatedly, "Shawk an' awe!" Luckily on the first set nobody was hurt and it turns out even Sam's Club fireworks can put off a might percussive blast that can knock the whole rocket unit to its side. After some adjustments, the rest entertained us without a hitch and was one of the best displays ever! We really enjoyed laughing with family and friends but our little dudes were getting sleepy. We watched Kolsen show off his Michael Jackson-esque moves, applauded loudly and headed back to the van. What a lot of laughs.
We are so fortunate to have such a great family. Too bad everyone couldn't make it, but there are more fireworks out there and more 4th of July's. It made it all the more fun experiencing it with our Peep. "Shawk an' awe!" Love, Mama
Dear Peepsie, If ever there was an event made for you it was Touch a Truck. For a buck all afternoon you can walk around a parking lot and touch, ride, inspect, push on and climb on all different varieties of vehicles. Cement mixers, city bus, school bus, garbage truck, bookmobile, helicopter, pipe declogger truck, ambulance, fire truck, bucket truck and many others. We met Megan and Devo there to romp around the vehicles together. You loved it and it wore you out. You and Devo loved sitting in the bus and the ambulance the most. We enjoyed seeing your reactions. By the time we made it to the fire truck you laid on the ground in front of it ready for a nap. We went home and you passed out for several hours and on waking you couldn't stop talking about it. The next day you woke up to ask to return to Touch a Truck. I can't wait until the next one! I really appreciate inexpensive summer fun!
Dear Peep, You've gotten several round ups with your good buddy Devo. It is cool that at least now you try to stay near each other. A couple of weeks ago we went to a little school fair at Harmony. Devo's Daddy, Mike, was playing with his band and there were games, food and fun to be had. You and Devo were excited to see each other. You sat close to each other to eat your snow cones, all your own doing.
The next week we met up at the Saturday Farmer's Market. You were both already into raising a grumpus that day but found some happiness weaving in and out of the large chair sculpture, playing hide and seek. After you all started tramplin' your size 6.5s into the plants and swingin' your mits out to a hot grill both mama's and papa's decided to head on home. You little dudes are giving us the run around already. Oh teen years please be gentle and kind!
Dear Birfday Peep, 2 years old!!! This year we had a super duper birthday party duo with your buddy Devo. Mike and Megan had arranged for us to rent a bouncy house and the Harmony gym so we could have lots of running space with little hassle for the little dude and dudettes at your party. We kept our list this year to mostly friends and mostly kids under five due to the bouncy house and kids runnin' around but it was a blast! Mama stayed up till 2 creating Yo Gabba Gabba cupcakes with icing and fondant. Mike made the Muno cupcakes with a marshmallow eye. Daddy stayed up makin' a mix on his I pod. It was fun to have all of your little friends there. Lily was a jumpin' queen and Devo ruled the house. You liked to get in and lay on your back smiling as others got you to pop into the air. We sang happy birthday for each of you. Then you spent the rest of the time taking turns with Devo riding and pushing each other on his cart with the handle. Every so often you'd nicely switch off with someone else too. No fighting! Except for one time you pushed Devo to the side to give Abilene a ride. Not very cool Henry! Great turn taking over all for little dudes though. I felt really proud of you.
Today on your actual birthday we are making stroganoff and having a little cake. This morning when I got you up you told me, "I am two!" I asked you what you wanted for your birthday and you said, "I want breadsticks, a milkshake, and oatmeal." That was easy enough to deliver. Daddy and I talked about your birthday at the hospital when you were born and we texted Jo Jo a message with a video of you jumping off of the couch. She sent us a video with her singing happy birthday to you. This made you very happy. I must mention that you are tuff as nails at 2. Before we could stop you, one of your candles was put out with your fingers! We love you with all of our hearts Peep squeak-a-doo. I'm so happy that I have a boy that is two! I wouldn't change any part of it.
Dear Hensrellie and Hayzellie, 
