My Faith and Joy… and Boys!

We were thrilled that our mid-West friends Jay and Phebe were able to swing by our house today on their way to visit family on the East Coast.  Becky and Susie were especially happy that they came with their three-year-old daughter and eight-month old son, giving the girls both a big playmate to adore and a little baby to kiss. 

Becky: “I adore you, Kyana.”

Liam: “I got lots of kisses today from lots of little girls.” 

We spent a wonderful afternoon on the water, and everyone had a great time, including…

…The little girls – Becky followed Kyana around like a shadow…

…The little boy – Jim loved bonding with his “little buddy”…

…And the big boy – Jay got the urge to jump off a nearly 60-foot high bridge, so he did…

And don’t worry – I’m not afraid that the girls will be copying Jay’s ways any time soon.  While Jay was scaling the rock face to get up to the bridge, I could hear Susie softly saying, “No no.  No no.”  I’m so glad they’re chickens!  

One of my favorite parts of observing the girls’ development is watching their increasing interaction with each other.  Up until recently, I would have said that they don’t really play with each other.  They would play alongside each other (I think the term is “parallel play”), but not with each other.  However, now I am starting to notice one brushing her sister’s hair (despite her protests) or handing her a book to read (once she’s already done with it) or making sure her cup is in the right place (any guesses as to which child insists on having everything in the possession of its rightful owner?). 

This evening as they were enthusiastically enjoying their new water table from Grammie, I caught on video a humorous interaction between the girls.  Becky had discovered that if she pleaded enough, she could convince Susie to come over and help her stand up from a kneeling position.  And of course, it quickly became a game and Becky kneeled down again and again and again, and Susie dutifully helped her up again and again and again.  It’s a good thing Susie was there to offer her assistance, because my patience would have run out after the first or second time.  I suppose there’s some sort of meaningful lesson in there somewhere…your sister will always be there to help you get onto your feet…never weary of doing good to those in need…make sure to wear dark pants in case of grass stains when kneeling…in any case, I’m glad they were there for each other.  And I’m glad I was there with the camera! 

To my two-year-old Rebecca,

I love your appetite for life – for books (the larger the better), for outdoor exploration, for puppy dogs, for waffles and bananas and Fig Newtons, for big kids, for boating and hiking, for holding my hand, for making your sister laugh, for listening to music.  You are my little narrator, telling me everything you’re thinking and everything I’m doing.  You test my patience with your strong will, but I admire your strength and determination and independence.  Every day, I am more and more impressed with your intelligence (you absorb new words like a sponge), your sensitivity (you become very distressed when your sister is upset, soberly informing me “Sue cry.  Sue cry”), and your cleanliness (you love nothing more than making sure that everything is in its place, including the rocks in the yard).

Happy Birthday to my little punkin.  I’m so blessed to have you in my life.

Love,

Mommy

My Elmo-dified kitchen.

The girls thought the balloons were very exciting.

They loved watching the big kids in the pool – especially when the boys did cannonballs.

It was great to have the pool so people could cool off from the ninety-degree (at least) temperatures.

The pool also offered a convenient gathering place for us non-swimmers to enjoy the view of other people goofing off in the water.

A little background to the above picture where Susie is pointing to her right hand: I had been holding Susie near the pool when I was stung by a wasp.  I yelped and bit my lip, and quickly handed off Susie to my mother-in-law.  A few minutes later, we noticed a welt on Susie’s hand where evidently she had also been stung, but she never made a sound.  She’s a whole lot braver than her mom!    

Becky was very excited that her friends let her eat as many cheese puffs as she wanted.  I think her expression in this picture reflects her fear that I was going to put an end to the puffs consumption (I didn’t – it was her birthday, after all!)

Becky was so enamored with the party scene that she even let multiple people hold her, which was cause for a celebration (and photo documentation) in my book! 

Alli was so glad she could reconnect with Connecticut friends that she only sees once a year.

We were very thankful that so many of our dear friends drove a distance to enjoy the day with us.

Becky is displaying great self-control by refraining from diving into the cupcakes until I got my camera in place and gave the go-ahead.  Maura was nearby as my back-up in case her inner strength wavered.  Susie kept carrying her party hat around upside down and saying “cake cup, cake cup.” 

Susie with a mouthful of Elmo’s nose.

This picture of Landon typifies the joy of summer: swimming, grilling, and sweets.  Life is good! 

Speaking of sweets, here we are enjoying plenty of them (and now I finally know how Becky ended up with frosting on her back). 

It didn’t take much detective work to figure out how she ended up with a chocolate mustache.

Here are two of the world’s best party planners.  Thanks, Maria and Alli, for all your prep work!

Susie thought her new hat went perfectly with her half-naked birthday suit, as did plenty of kisses for her new Madeline. 

Becky was entranced by a singing birthday card.

Susie insisted on feeding a donut to Alli and cookie monster at the same time.

And lastly, here is Becky’s expression of sheer birthday bliss.  And most likely an overabundance of sugar.  All’s well that ends well. 

Cheers!  Here’s to a perfect summer evening!

Which of course involves copious amounts of ice cream.

Susie says, “Bottoms up!”