Golden Days

These days are golden, with sun lit vibrance in the leaves. We've been outside often, busy with applesauce canning, crunching in boots and splashing in puddles.  We've been biking on trails, gathering wood, making some gingerbread. We've pulled inside as the days get darker, to dance in princess dresses and practice piano duets, wearing sweaters and hats and vests, sitting by the fire, drinking our tea. But still, in spite of the rain, we get outside as often as possible, gathering leaves for window sun catchers and leaf rubbings. Papa had an organ concert on a Dieffenbach Organ and the days have felt full to overflowing as Momma finishes her thesis. Life shifts and a page turns in the story of our lives as we trust in His unchanging grace.

Celebrating

In the blink of an eye, this girl is three. Just like that!!  We celebrated for 2 weeks, with tea parties, a big birthday day party, doughnuts, a yellow cake and dinners with our most beloved friends. We were exhausted.  But oh, we're so thankful for little, no big, Emmie B, what else could we do.  We also celebrated Nana's 91st birthday with lunch together and a walk around her property to visit the swans. October has so many birthdays we celebrated Oma and Grammy and cousins and MomMom! Wow. What a month!  

Seventeen Months

Dear Lena,

Little One, you are seventeen months.  You are growing like a weed and you are 21 pounds now, finally getting a wee little bit of chub! :) You are so in love with big sister, 'Aime' as you call her, though she can also be your greatest enemy.  Lena Sue, you are starting to talk so much. It seems there is not a word you don't know. You love to say 'hi titty',  'need biper', 'night night', 'shut the door', 'say bye bye', 'read a boop'.  You still have a remarkable temper and we're working on listening and obeying.  You are beginning to show interest in books, but mostly do not yet want to play by yourself.  You eat like a horse and can put away enough food for 3 people in one meal. Right now you love sausage and grapes best.  You seem to need a lot of sleep but like your sister, you fight it and end up grumpy.  You love Papa so much and run to the door when you hear his car in the driveway.  You suck two fingers and hold your ear when you are tired. You are our sweetheart and we can't believe you are now a toddler who is trying to keep up with Emmeline.