Mischief

We have been on a trip for several days and were unable to update the site. I will have some new pictures tomorrow--be prepared for incredible cuteness!
In the meantime, look at Lil Bit and two of her cousins. Nothing like a little cotton candy to bring out the impishness in kids. (and Lil Bit looks like she is wired from eating all of that sugar!)

Archery

A good friend recently gave Chris a recurve bow as a "birthday and Christmas gift covering a few years." Chris was thrilled and has been shooting it every night, at least a round or two.



And I have rediscovered the joy of archery (I took a class in college and loved it then, too). But seriously--that bow is as tall as me! I think maybe I should look into one more my size.
Kind of like Lil Bit did in the following photograph. She and Mama (Chris's mom) made this bow out of baling twine and a perfect shaped stick!
Just look at this grouping she got while hunting from her bike! What a difference a good bow makes.

Spring On the Farm

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I love the smell of the earth warming up and the sounds the birds make as they flutter about picking up all the horse and dog hair that I have been grooming out (the birds on our farm are going to have the most luxurious nests in the state). And I love the flowers.
One of the best parts of moving to a new home is discovering a new garden. Over the fall and winter we could see that there were bushes, but I had no idea there were SO many azaleas. Neither did I expect all the Daffodils that came up, or the Peony that started growing right smack dab in the middle of the backyard. There is a pink dogwood, a white dogwood, and a few other flowering trees that should show up this summer. Enjoy the photos of Spring on our farm. (you can click on them to see a larger version)

Tent Caterpillars and Other Signs of Spring

Tent caterpillars cause an inner conflict with me (bet you never heard anyone say that before!). I collected them every Spring as a child, keeping them in metal coffee cans with holes poked in the plastic lid. I would carefully place twigs with leaves and grass and various bits of vegetation so they would be comfortable and healthy. Some even made cocoons. But then they would invariably fall prey to my lack of attention--usually being left outside during a thunderstorm and the coffee can would fill with water. I would grieve for a few minutes and then wander off to find more victims caterpillars. I could spend hours collecting caterpillars.

But this childhood delight is countered by adult practicality. I don't want them eating all the leaves off my fruit trees (or any tree, for that matter)! And they spit (anyone who walks under a tree full of them knows this). And they leave sticky stuff on my car. (Not to mention the serious problems they caused in the horse breeding industry.) Really, they aren't pleasant creatures in mass quantity. And thus the inner turmoil.

But all of this gets put aside when Lil Bit finds a caterpillar and is caught up in the amazement and joy I, too, experienced once. And then we are off on an adventure together, finding caterpillars and letting them crawl up our arms--their sticky little feet tickling as they wiggle along our skin. For a little while, Lil Bit takes me with her and I leave the adult world behind, just enjoying the wonder of the world around me.

An Exercise in Futility

We recent had a torrential downpour recently here. The fields, yard and roads had more water than I have seen since we moved in. Lil Bit was bored being stuck in the house and had recently been given some bubbles. This was the conversation we had . . .
Lil Bit: mommy--I wanna go play outside and blow bubbles.
Me: it is pouring out there!
Lil Bit: but . . . I will put on my rainboots.
Me: those only cover your feet. no, you can't go outside.
Lil Bit: but . . . I will wear my coat!
Me: no, you can't go outside.
Lil Bit: but . . . I want to blow bubbles! can I blow bubbles inside?
Me: what do you think?
Lil Bit: no.
Me: right. but, I think we can compromise. you can blow bubbles on the porch.
Lil Bit: . . . (she was already on the back porch)

So, she stood on the porch and blew bubbles out into the rain. most didn't make it past the rain dripping off the eaves. but she enjoyed it because children know how to enjoy the simple purposeless things.

Birthday Cake

This weekend we met family at a nearby historical district to celebrate Adeline's birthday. It was the perfect size party for Addie and she had a blast with her grandparents, cousin, and aunt and uncle! Of course she loved the wrapping paper gifts, but the cake was her favorite!




PS this was the birthday cake prior to it being demolished. It was a lemonade cake (I even made the icing from scratch--something I am rather proud of). Lil Bit did the decorating with the help of our friend "Miss" Robin (we have our kids call all adults by at least Mr or Miss ____ to help them learn respect)

Silly Sock Day

This was the day Lil Bit has been looking forward to for weeks! Her class at school had "Silly Sock Day." And nothing appeals to Lil Bit more than mandatory silliness. So we prepared by getting mismatched knee-socks. The outfit was completed by a pink shirt with rhinestones (which we just bought but appears to be too small already due to a recent growth spurt) and a jean skirt (which was a bit short, also due to the aforementioned growth spurt).
Lil Bit was excited to show off her great style, complete with her latest favorite photo pose (not sure why she loves that pose, but she does).



coming soon . . . . Bitty Bit's birthday party photos!

Learning Experiences

Mom took a risk and let Adeline have the bowl of applesauce and a spoon. I sensed impending disaster, but still allowed her to have this "learning moment." I don't know how much you can see in the video, but she is coated in applesauce. All in all, though, she did pretty well--getting several spoonfuls into her mouth all on her own. The video is my attempt to get it on camera, you can see how successful that way (but still cute). (sorry it is a bit longer than normal--about a minute and a half--but I kept thinking she would do it. took me a while to give up!)

Happy Birthday Adeline

Adeline celebrates her birthday this week. And that is something that makes moms go all sappy and want to reminisce. And I am inviting you to join me on this journey back.

Her name means "noble" and it fits her perfectly. Addie is not one for over-exuberance, prefering to assess a situation or person before responding with much emotion. She is perceptive and contemplative, but incredibly sweet and loving. She knows what she wants, and uses her charms to convince those around her to come to her aid. (Unless there is food involved, at which point she just screams, "maaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh" which we think might be "more" but it is hard to tell because the shriek usually pierces our eardrums and damages our hearing for a while.)

Adeline started voicing her opinion immediately upon entering the world. I remember hearing her voice and asking Chris, "what does she look like--does she look like Morgan?" (c-sections limit the view mom gets of baby at first) And he said, "not at all!" There was a definite resemblance as newborns, it turns out, but for the most part Chris was absolutely correct--our girls are completely different.


Adeline spent her first hour bonding with her daddy, who then brought her into mommy. Next, it was time for Addie to meet her big sister. I can't say she was exactly thrilled at first--just look at this scowl! (apparently it is my fate to post terrible pictures of myself--but really, who looks good 2 hours after giving birth?)


But Morgan adored her baby sister and they would soon become fast friends.

One of our greatest joys has been to see the bond the girls have formed over the last year. Morgan was the first--and for a while the only--one who could get Addie laughing. Once Adeline started crawling, and then walking, she began to follow Morgan around devotedly. What Morgan does, Addie wants to do. This both delights and frustrates the older sister.

That love that is unique to sisters is evident in our girls. We pray that as they grow, so does their bond and their understanding of the great gift they have in each other.


For the first few weeks, Adeline was entirely a mama's girl, but now she is completely a daddy's girl. From the time Chris walks in the door, she only wants him and will literally push me away if I try to take her from him. After baths, Addie has started picking up a book and carrying it over to Daddy so he can read her one, just like he reads to Morgan before bed (she will even put the book back when they are all done!). The three of them squashed into that rocking chair together is a precious sight.


I love this age. I love every age. Watching Adeline start to become the little girl who will one day be an incredible woman, I feel deeply blessed to be a part of her life.
We extend our hearfelt gratitude to all our friends and family who have also poured out love onto both our girls.

PS--a special thank you to my cousin Thomas who took that great photo of Adeline at the top of the post. More than any other photo taken, it captures her big, soulful brown eyes.

I Am Either the Worst or the Best Parent Ever

Today Adeline dropped off her older sister at school and then took mom to run some errands. She had a grand plan to bust out her first word this day and was just waiting for the right moment. So, first she had a souffle at Panera. Nope, she is not French (despite her name), and will not use a French word as her first word. Then, Target--again, a French owned store, so no talking there. After that, it was grocery shopping. As we wandered through the aisles, one in particular caught Addie's imagination. The unique lights and rows of shiny objects attracted her and Adeline started babbling and pointing. Mom said, "lights?" "bottles?" And there it was--the perfect moment to say something. "Bah-uhl Bah-uhl" (bottle bottle) Right there in the wine aisle. I am not sure whether to be very proud or very ashamed.

I think I will just chuckle and enjoy all of these funny little moments.

Guineas

Because we so desperately need more animals, we decided that Guinea Fowl should be added to our menagerie. Really, they have a lot of good points going for them. They are great alarm systems--no one will ever be able to sneak onto our property unannounced. And Guineas eat ticks and wasps and yellow jackets and spiders and all sorts of other annoying insects. When, during my research prior to purchase, we ran across a site that said guineas "look like a bunch of AWOL army helmets as they run across the yard" we were sold. I mean, how hysterical is that?

Adeline and I picked up the guineas today. We have 6 of them, and they are safely in their (incredibly engineered) coop at the back of the yard. After a month or so, once they have established that this is home, we will let them out to rid the property of bugs.














can you see Lottie in the right corner, barking at the poor guineas? she is highly irritated by them and is attempting in vain to try to get them to do what she says. (the other dogs don't seem bothered by them at all)














and here is a closer shot. There is a light speckled, a dark speckled, and 4 that are purplish (although you can't tell in the photos).

If you have any naming ideas, please post them in the comments section. If we choose your name, you will have the great honor of knowing there is a guinea somewhere in the world that you named. And that is something you can't put a pricetag on.

now I have to run rescue the guineas from Lottie's torment.

Gardening

This weekend we worked on various projects around the farm. Adeline loved helping mom weed!















"hey, mamamama, what are you doing?" (can I--mom--just apologize now for how horridly bright those shoes are. but, I got a great deal and they are just for around the farm. seriously, I didn't really want to post any of these photos as none of them are flattering of me--but they captured such a typical Bitty Bit moment, I shoved my pride aside)



















Can I help?




















hey daddy! look, I'm helping!














oh! I see another one














eww!! I got dirty! (this from the child who has attempted to eat dirt, sticks, rocks and who knows what else)


and now for a brief look back at how Lil Bit looked after helping in the yard (right around 2 years old). don't you love the grass clippings in her hair!

Giggles

This is sure to put a bright spot in a day!

The Dancing Craze Is Contagious!

I am sure you remember Lil Bit's incredible dancing skills and that you will be thrilled to know that Bitty Bit is picking up some of those same moves. We were only able to get a few seconds recorded, but I hope you will enjoy it!

Lil Bit's Photography

One of Morgans favorite things to do is to take pictures--and it is a rare priviledge since that involves using our digital camera! Today Mom let her take some pictures outside and this is what she came back with.

Mowing the Yard

This is how we mowed the yard today. Ming was thrilled (so was Lil Bit, who got to lead him around)!

Farm Girls

Our Bits love their animals. Here are just a few moments we captured.

Adeline and "Pi"














Morgan and "Charlie" (aka the cat that lets Morgan haul him anywhere)


















Morgan and "Ming" (can you see how confident she is and how he just loves her?)

Not Ready for Makeup

Morgan asked if she could try a little of my lipstick. Since we were just going to be home the rest of the day, I told her she could. Plus, she has always done very well with lipgloss or chapstick type stuff in the past. Not so much today.

Dressing Up

Our girls interact well together. Morgan is so good at entertaining Adeline, and Adeline loves imitating her big sister. One of the best sounds in the world is sisters laughing together! (although I am not sure whether a certain local diner feels the same way about Meghann and her two sisters when they are together!)
The girls play dress up a lot. Meghann helps Morgan out by putting a tutu or something simple on Adeline. Or maybe she is helping Addie out by doing this, as it prevents Morgan from attempting to dress her.
I love the look on Addie's face as she looks at her "sissy".

Dancing Craze

(or maybe just Crazy Dancing)
nothing like a four year old's lack of self-consciousness to put a smile on your face. Morgan was dancing on our front porch and I was able to catch some of it on camera. Thank you Aunt Sue and Uncle Tom for the radio--she LOVES it! And I loved watching her.
(sorry for the camera wobbles, I was holding Addie and she was trying to grab the camera)

Reminiscing . . . Babies and Art

Our two bits are very different in so many ways. Looks--Morgan looks like Daddy, Adeline looks like Mommy. Personality--Morgan has been an extrovert from Day 1 while Adeline is more serious and introverted. Even their eating habits and favorite toys are vastly different (toys that Morgan loved at this age, Addie couldn't care less about while toys that Morgan was indifferent to are Addie's favorites).

And yet, there are some characteristics they share. Observe and then compare to the previous entry involving Adeline and art.

Expert Opinion

Having purchased a farm with an almost 100 year old house, there are always numerous projects going on. Especially for Chris. Meghann's job is mostly to come up with all the "really fun" things we can do! (Kidding--she actually helps out a lot on the farm stuff.) Luckily, Chris is very capable around the house and seldom needs outside advice. But every now and then he really does need some extra help, as in the case of the leaky sink. (That sounds like a bad murder mystery: "The Case of the Leaky Sink" :: insert some bad Clue joke here about Colonel Mustard and the wrench in the kitchen :: )

Anyway, here is some photographic evidence that sometimes even Chris could use an extra hand.






























and here are some of Morgan helping Daddy create our garden when she was two.