Birthday Week

 It is hard to believe we now have a two year old and a one year old! What a full and wonderful week we had. Birthday celebrations began on the 19th with a favorite dinner: scrambled egg, sausage and strawberries, then a trip to Freddy Hill Farm to visit the animals.  We made strawberry jam two days later and then got busy with Lena's birthday party!  We had such a fun time with over 50 people. It was a chilly day, but beautiful! The birthday girl seemed to have a good time. The next day we took a trip to Peace Valley Park where Emmie learned to skip rocks. On Memorial Day we traveled 1.5 hours to Seven Tubs State Park for Lena's first hike.  The girls had such fun splashing in the water.  Hiking with two littles is certainly different but it is wonderful to share God's creation with them, doing something we've always loved. On the way home we stopped at Beltzville State Park for some lake swimming.  This week feels like catch up week!  How thankful we are for our girlies.

One!

Dearest Lena Sue,

You are One!! Happy Birthday wee girlie. It is remarkable to us that you've been here so long and yet we cannot imagine our world without you.  Its been quite the year baby girl. You are really something else! But how we love you.  

You are still our tiny lady, weighing in at 17 pounds 11 ounces. That's the 5% so we're still in 9 month clothing. But you're tall like your sister and have tiny feet- still only in size 2 if that.  Your hair and eyes continue to amaze us. Are they blue eyes with brown/green? Or brown with blue? They are beautiful. Your hair is sort of brown and sort of blond. But some people say you have red tints!  Grow some more and then we'll know.  

You are one of the most hopeful people we know, looking expectantly, lovingly at a situation. You are very verbal and you are so smart. Your words include: this, more, "aye aye", night night, ball, cat, kitty cat, woof, swish, baa baa,  more, Emmie, Papa, Momma, Dada, thank you, please, alright, love love, God, Granddad, bird, cup.  You speed crawl but don't stand on your own or walk yet.  You are in Physical Therapy once a week and you are so determined to get past your hip issue.  You climb steps, open doors and fearlessly plunge off chairs and beds.  When you are frustrated you clench your fists and scream. You throw your food off your tray right now and you know it is naughty. 

Your favorite foods are sausage, corn on the cob, scrambled egg, yogurt, applesauce, spelt pancakes, watermelon and oranges. Lena, you eat SO much.  You surpass Emmie every single meal and often eat more than Momma or Papa. You need to eat often and are showing signs of feeding yourself.

You are starting to dance and love music. You especially love hearing flutes and brass instruments.  You like to put things in cups and take them out. You are discovering books and love love love water and bath time.  You don't like being left alone or having quiet time by yourself like Emmie does. You are very social. You are getting more and more cuddly though your sleep is still not so great. You seem to need to sleep but just won't/can't stay asleep.  

You are very detail oriented. You put your fingers in straws and point out every one of Momma's freckles. You tilt your head to listen to the washing machine's ending song and you know exactly when Emmie wakes up. You don't miss a trick.  

Dearest girl, God has blessed us in sending you!  Happy Birthday Lena! May He bless you and keep you in His abundant care. 

Love, Momma and Papa 

Out of Doors

We've been living out doors and here are photos to document Spring 2015. Last week was so warm that we found swim suits and played in water for days on end.  Emmeline is especially captivated by flowers this year and many have found their way into tiny vases on our window sills. Lena loves the feel of grass and to slide down the slide. We're frequenting all the parks nearby and loving every minute of this springtime weather! Around 5:00 when dinner is on the stove and we're awaiting Papa's triumphant return we find ourselves on the porch, rocking or riding, car watching and resting.