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
Dear Peepsthelonius, Just as the leaves made a huge drop from their branches Mama Brook invited us over for a crunchy afternoon of play outside. An ethereal glow beamed golden and warm. Gold light, amber leaves, and soft halos around the babies' hair; the day was perfect. The kind of light us mommy's dream of because it is kind to our features and skin. We first met indoors where Brook was fixing up some English muffin pizzas and butternut squash. It was so good! Mama hasn't a clue how to make butternut squash but I was in love with it and we did start making the English muffin pizzas at home with mini pepperonis. After eating you, Lil, Sylvie, Etienne, Brook, Heather and myself went outside. So, of course I brought along my camera, which I had a big nightmare about it breaking last night, and we made our way to visit the little chicks. I thought you'd be really excited about the chicks but you wanted even more to explore their new camper, however, days later you would see little chicks in books or on TV and state, "Lily's chickens!" The twins crawled their way through the carpet of leaves and much like you did last year Etienne loved shoving them into his mouth. Heck, this year, you still did it but more for comedic effect than the love of the taste and texture. Lily showed you her fence, pumpkins and faucet. Sylvie tried to wrangle out of her hooded sweater and cracked herself up when she fell backwards. We all ended up sitting out on the lawn playing for several hours. It was a beautiful day. It was wonderful to share friendship and to watch your friendships grow. As we were leaving we found you and Lily by the cars and you were both missing a single shoe with your sock all stretched out off of your foot. I wondered what was in the air that day. I know you slept a long while after we made it back home. I hope that the spring time brings many more of such outings. Mama loves those mamas and babies so much, we've all been on this adventure together the last couple of years, it is only right that we are able to find time to share it.
