Dear Henn-e-bear and Hazy Lu,
I am soooo happy that we were able to get in a camping weekend as autumn began to changer her leaves and cool the air. We had the best weekend. Henry, you were such a big help full of electric energy getting things ready to go and setting up once we got there. You were all about business. You even stuck through a long effort getting our fire going. Of course it didn't hurt that we allowed you to light the wooden match...more excitement than you could almost handle. Hazel, you hiked around the woods intently looking for the right stick to bring back to match Henry's big arm fulls. It was precious.
Setting up the tent sent you guys into a tizzy but blowing up the air mattresses and putting all of the cozy blankets on the bed. We were worried the mattresses were going to pop the way the two of you were jumping back and forth, up and down and you went parent deaf...the two of you in cahoots, giggled and jumped and daddy and I sternly requested putting a stop to it.
Our first bump...even so...I get it...air mattresses, camping, tent... With the fire going, our stomachs grumbling, we needed to make some dinner before the time came for Camps BINGO! We had some time after our chips, hot dogs and yogurt so we let you ride your bike down to the playground while Hazel ran after you.
The slide at the playground was boarder-line dangerously fast and the two of you couldn't get enough flying off the end and landing on your butts. We laughed our heads off. Soon, it was time for Camps Bingo with free popcorn and candy bag treats for prizes, Henry won 5 times! Hazel, you were busy flirting with a sweet dog a couple had with them. We returned to our campsite and I think you were both TIRED.
We hung out by the fire a bit. Hazel in her blue chair, Henny laid out on a serape. We told a couple of stories and you were dozing so we got cozy jammies on and put you and Hazel to bed. Of course, Hazel had to have a Kipper on Daddy's phone in order to fall asleep. The morning was lovely. Henry was in a lil nest in the deflating mattress and Hazel was a smiling sweet snuggle pea. We woke up and got our fire going, each of you gathering stick and playing kind of the stump. We went back to the playground while Daddy rested by the fire. When we returned we made an awesome breakfast on the fire, eggs and bacon! On moving the cooking grate over we found a little snake!
So cool and fun and you kept him in a cup until we left and you turned it over to the gate keeper. She assured you that he would be returned to an appropriate home and she was very pleased that you took such good care of him. You beamed from the back seat and we were relieved it wouldn't be coming home with us and Hazel could stop trying to drink it. A very successful and memorable camping trip. I can't wait to go again. I think with routine it will be less discombobulating with overwhelming excitement to you two and some of the bumps will smooth out.
Henry, your help was awesome! You were a perfect stick getter and we would not have had the great fire without your hard and constant work. Hazel, is so flexible and easy going you make it easy to travel and hang out. Love you both snuggly campers. I can't wait until next time.
Love, Mama
Dear Peep and Peach,
We've been making the most out of the gift of warm fall days. Anticipating the brrrrrrr of winter edging in we created an activity jar to keep us from being big sluggish bears in hibernation. We came up with a great jar of activities. You were very excited to contribute ideas and put it together. We have yet to need to pull out any sticks yet but am excited about the apparent randomness of it...by apparent I mean I actually color coded different types of activities and dad and I have the ability to veto the first stick pulled. I know! It is kind of cheating but at the very least we have a rain, snow, cold plan. You have been a big help with the deluge of leaves. You help me gather up the leaves with the leaf sweeper and dump them at the street. You get very discouraged after cleaning up for an hour or more to find 100 more leaves on the deck. I think we are closing in on the end and perhaps only 2 more clean ups to go. Bahboo and Grandma P bought a swing we installed in one of our large pin oaks and a new ninja turtle bike. You are in love with both and Hazzie loves taking a wagon ride next to you on her bike.
Just don't ask her to sit in the leaves with you. Baby lady, you like picking them up one by one on the deck but sitting in a pile sends you in to screaming ugly cry. She is also quite content sitting on my lap in the swing, the ropes are so long it gives you a real feeling of flying and gliding through the air. I get lots of requests to push you in the air as high as I can so you can yell out, "EXHILARATING!"
Of course we take walks on campus to enjoy the leaves and students milling about. Our last journey we explored Jordan Hall, the biology building's green house and specimens displayed about the halls. You loved this and were full of questions and observations for weeks after. We spent an hour and a half exploring the creek one afternoon.
I loved watching you two playing in the power wheels car together. Henry, you are a crazy driver! Hazel loved it giggling like crazy. She does a good job of making it clear when she was done!
We've also enjoyed having some fires to clean up the sticks and of course to have marshmallows, a favorite of you both! I have to say I do love the hibernating evenings when we curl up on the couch with a fun book or movie together.
In these moments I try to remember as I take the 10,099th frame with my camera to pause, breathe, and capture all of it. I have this block, my camera isn't a full frame, that's fine...but as a photographer this means one thing, and as a mom it means another. I can't capture the smell of your little warm bodies, the heart flip when baby lady takes two steps on her own away from the stool to crane her little head back and pucker her lips for a kiss, to hear the giggles from my strong boy thinkin' he can beat me wrestling. My piles of Henrys and Hazels grow as you jump quickly from one phase of childhood to the next; as next year won't be like this, and the next after it will bring different happiness and challenges. I want to keep it all in my pocket to pull out in a week, in a year, in a decade, when Daddy and I are old and hoping you'll pay us a visit...to keep me warm, to keep me connected, to keep me in this moment and the next at the same time. I love how the colder months make me feel.
Love, Mama
Dear Peepso,
The last two weeks there have been visits to Suckstown and Happyburg in Babyville. Just after returning from a wonderful three day family trip to St. Louis, Missouri during August 2-5 many things started happening rapidly (posts to come). We went to an appointment with WW and things were looking like baby girl could come early. We were all worried and spent a long day at the doctor's for monitoring and a trip to the hospital for monitoring of semi-regular contractions, some effacement, 2cm dilated and a steroid shot that left WW's bum less than happy. With relief, things stayed put and by the following Thursday there were no further changes. We had our match meeting that went awesome. Then, we got word that Steve's grandma Hazel, GG, was getting weaker and the decision was being made to call in hospice. We spend the week with her and said goodbye on that Friday. About the same time Daddy's Aunt Kelli, age 44, was loosing her battle with cancer in California. A super tough two weeks in our family. Luckily after we returned home from GG's we had a wonderful evening with Aunt Krispie and Aunt Currie. We got some hot dogs and no dogs and marshmallows, lit a fire in the fire pit and had a great time together around the fire talking about the tests and sadnesses of the previous week.
I love these women. You do too. Glad they live so close. We are fortunate for that.
Love, Mama
