Happy Birthday, Beautiful

...which is also the title of an Innocence Mission song that we love. Hence:

Happy Birthday

When you wake up sun will shine.
We will not go under any cloud.
Let balloons go up in town,
ring out every bell.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
all the birds of this day
sing a song, sing a song.

Dream of trains carrying you
through the state parks with the cherry flowers.
When you wake up it will be
the beginning of the world.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
in the fields of this day
hear a song, hear a song.

Oh, undeserved sweetness and light,
stay by my side.
We will go out in the morning now,
a crown of maple leaves, a crown of flowers
circling your sweet head.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
in the streets of this day
play a song, play a song.

here's a little sample of the song--I can feel myself floating up off the ground whenever I play this album.
http://www.theinnocencemission.com/walked_lyrics.htm

O turns one today, sweet love. We're so joyful over our little auburn cherub. Yesterday she started to say "ma-meee." I can't get enough of it. She says "da-dee" and for Natalie she says "Na-YEE!" In fact, she calls for Natalie a lot. I love to hear the girls playing together.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3

OLIVIA VS. CUPCAKE

The opponents meet...each with dignity...
Cupcake tries to distract his rival, shedding tricky sprinkles...
Olivia is undaunted in her task. She sees the vision, she has resolve. She remembers her objective.
Cupcake is lifted in one single motion! "Palmed like a basketball!!"
CUPCAKE DEFEATED IN UNDER TWO MINUTES!! Olivia deposits the sugar contents into her own sweetness reserve. Milk is quickly brought in to refresh our hero.

A Day at the Museum

A week or two ago it was a million degrees outside, so we sought the comfort of the air conditioned Museum of Natural History. There were so many things to see!!
This was one of the best of all--a life size dinosaur! He left his footprints all over this room--they were about three feet across!

Natalie Doodalie

Natalie models her new car seat. No, no--I know, you thought they were cup holders, but they're not. They are the latest in safety, and Graco, in their brilliance have designed new foot cups. They are terribly comfortable, as you can see. All the kids have them now.
Natalie next to a powerful achievement in mega bloks--with a little guidance from Daddy. We cannot remember what the impressive structure was, but, then there is a new one every day just about. She learned the word "symmetry" the other day while working on one of these with John. Neat to hear your 3 year old say "symmetrical." Let's see if she asks for it for breakfast.
Sick day. Nat had a fever--this was a couple of weeks ago. She conked out watching TV. Poor little mouse; aren't they pitiful when they're sick? I remember being sick when I was little. It would hit me like a brick wall. Little people get fevers at the drop of a hat--and fevers just feel awful. Anyway, she's on the mend now.

John Takes all the Good Pics

Like this one--what a shot. I don't think I'm patient enough anymore. Plus, I'm usually herding the children, so that's a disadvantage. I just fire away and hope for the best.


Natalie is reading "Pancakes, Pancakes" by Eric Carle. She "reads" it about 3 times a day. Well, she can recite most of it to you by heart. So if you'd like a performance, just ask. And if you need something to do, you can by all means read it to her. We thought it only fitting to include this in the blog, since this is a familiar scene in the home. Natalie reading "Pancakes" is like brushing your teeth. It happens all the time.

Daddy's Girl

Hammock Time

Could Olivia be any sweeter? What a cuddly girl! She loves to cuddle with Mommy and Daddy. She's started saying "mm-mmm" when you give her hugs now--makes us want to get out our checkbook...( :



The low humidity has afforded some great moments for the hammock. We love our sweet spot when the shade is just right.