Cookie and Papa Here!

Cookie and Papa came to visit for a few days. We had a great time with them. We played outside, did a little fun shopping, went to a petting zoo, had a picnic lunch, and just had fun at the house. Kiran had a blast, and Ellery got some good snuggle time!

We took some family photos a couple of times, but we have plenty of candid shots, too. I will try to get those linked to the photo section tomorrow.

Guess who Kiran's favorite animal was at the zoo!

Happy Birthday, Lois!

Our precious friend and neighbor, Lois, had her 80th birthday today. Unfortunately, she is spending it in the hospital. Lois and Kiran have a very special relationship. Lois calls Kiran her "little buddy." Kiran has really missed Lois, and we look at her porch every day waiting for her to come home so we can go over and visit. Kiran gave me a long-distance hug and kiss to send to Lois when I went up to see her in the hospital this evening. We weren't able to celebrate with her today but wanted to somehow recognize this special day. We ask that if you read this you lift up a prayer for her. She is a beautiful person who brings joy to so many people. We "wuv" you, Lois!

At Last - A Treasure Found!

We have been looking for a drum for Kiran and finally found one the other night. He was so excited! It is wonderful to share the gift of music with our family.

Fun Fall Playtime at the Pumpkin Patch!

Our MOPS group went to a pumpkin patch last week. We had a blast! Kiran especially enjoyed the hayride because he got to sit up at the front right behind the tractor!

2 Little Monkeys!

Kiran is starting to enjoy sharing toys with Ellery and asking to hold her more. The other morning they had on their monkey pjs from Cookie and Papa and were "hanging out" as Kiran would say, in Kiran's bed. Then, Kiran decided to read a book to her. It is so much fun seeing them have fun together!

Daddy's Home!

Ellery has been really getting excited when she hears Daddy's voice lately. The other day she was in her carseat by the door when Daddy came home from work. He said, "Hey, Ellie Belly!" and she turned and looked up at him and was thrilled to see him.

Happy Fall and Halloween Preview

Kiran got a special UPS package yesterday that had his Halloween costume from Ma inside. He was super excited and has wanted to wear it as much as possible! As soon as he put the coat on yesterday, he started singing, "When I grow up I know what I want to be, a firefighter, that's me" from his Barney DVD. Then today when he put it on he sang, "Hurry, hurry put your coat on, hurry hurry put your boots on, . . ." also from Barney. How much fun! Oh by the way, his good buddy down the street will be a dalmatian (not planned). Thanks, Ma for helping make a little boy very happy!

One Hand, Two Hands Drumming on a Drum . . .

I think we have a future musician on our hands. Not just any kind of musician - let's just say he would fit right in at "The School of Rock." We mentioned before that Kiran likes drumming, but just saying that doesn't get close to explaining his musical sounds. First of all, he will drum on anything that makes a good drumming sound. He can get pretty creative. After the drumming gets going good, he sometimes switches to playing electric guitar on whatever is in his hands at the moment. How do I know it's electric? Well, the "singing" and lyrics are a dead giveaway. He is screaming at the top of his lungs words that I don't understand. Finally, if these aren't enough to convince you, maybe the head banging to the beat will do it. Do we listen to music like this? Occasionally, Daddy will get it cranked up pretty loud. But, not enough to get my son hooked like this. He's a natural!

Also, this instinctual "drumming" thing must cross over into all areas - not just music. Kiran's favorite tool? The Hammer. His trusty red hammer goes with him everywhere these days including up and down the stairs about 20 times a day. We are having a blast with our little guy! . . . Dum ditty dum ditty dum dum dum!

A Few "Old Sayings" Come to Mind . . .

For a few nights in a row now, Ellery has been waking up wide-eyed. It's like she is ready to run a marathon! I don't know if we've mentioned this before, but we have noticed since she was in Children's that she seems really alert and strong. Lots of other people have commented on this especially when they find out her age. Overall, she is an observer, a people-watcher and fairly quiet, content to sit back and take everything in, it seems. But, when she wants to say something, it's usually something big. Well, she is really getting lots of spunk now and in a moment when she is ready, she really tells us a lot. When I've tried to change her diaper in the night lately, she is so active and loud that it usually wakes Jeff up. She is oohing and ahhing and laughing. She is kicking her legs so hard that it sounds like a herd of elephants. The other night, 4 phrases came to my mind, "kicks like a mule" (lovingly stated first by a nurse at Children's), "talks up a storm," "happy as a lark," and a "live wire!"

The other really funny thing lately is dinner time! Ellery has been gazing at our food now for a few weeks. I don't know if she wants our food or if watching us eat reminds her that she would like some milk. Either way, when she started dragging our plates and bowls over to herself a couple of weeks ago, we decided that she was definitely hinting at something. She is so much fun and so sweet !

Ahhhhhh . . . . heaven on earth!

Not everyone knows this about me, but I love to rock! Not rock n' roll but actually sit in a rocker and rock. I've loved it since I was a baby apparently, and when I got to be about 2 or 3 years old, I would rock myself to sleep singing (usually "Amazing Grace"). Well, since I left home at 18, I really haven't had a device for rocking. For two years in college, Sarah had a rocker recliner and I always enjoyed a few minutes each day relaxing there. But, overall, I've been deprived of rocking for many years now. Well, last year for my birthday I got a 2-seater rocker for our deck, and that has been incredible for just enjoying our backyard. It has been a nice escape for me a few times. But, I couldn't ever quite get over the need for an indoor rocker. The glider we bought when Kiran was born is great, but let me assure you from a true rocker's standpoint that gliding is NOT rocking! Well, I've been wanting to go to an annual antique festival that happens in the town next door to us for several years. It seems that every year something has been happening during that time. I chose not to go to the whole event again yesterday, but I did get a quick peek at it for a few moments. And, in that time, I found what my heart has been longing for - the perfect rocking chair! It even matches my living room furniture! I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw it. It was like it was there waiting just for me. I can't stop talking about it every time I walk into the living room. And, I haven't sat anywhere else since I bought it. I got a great deal on it, too, by the way. When I sat down in it at home, I could feel the tension in my body melt away, and for a moment felt a little heaven on earth!