Miss M's Birthday

Can you guess how old she is now??

(and FYI, that's red marker on her fingers, not blood)

Mommy can't believe how the time has flown by. Three is definitely a cross-over age. Of course each year - each week! - there are marked changes in development. But this is a big milestone, when a child really moves from "baby" to "big kid". Just think about all that toy packaging: "Small parts. Not for children under 3." Well, bring it on now, man, cuz this one is officially over the bridge.

Her birthday fell on a Sunday, and we happened to be minus one child in our household because Aleaha spent extra time with the fam in EO. And it was really hot. And we were super bizzy. So we downsized the b-day cake routine -- Mommy added some sprinkles and white frosting writing to a storebought cake. It looked a bit scary. More like Halloween-drippy-writing. But was tasty.

We have video of the singing and candle-blowing, but there was also a lot of spitting involved, and then some interesting parental voice-over to accompany that. That part is not going on the internet!

On Monday she got to have a repeat b-day celebration at school, complete with candles. Very special!

And the requisite shot of sugar for all kiddos.... oh boy!

Miri and her classmates as the sugar was being doled out. Surely they were stuck to the ceiling and walls apres-cupcake.

It's bittersweet. My baby is growing up. I still need lots of neck-snuggles. I want to smell the baby's skin again. And rock her. And sing to her. I don't care if it spoils her. She will always be my baby. My last.

*sigh*

A Week in the Land of Sun and Dust

We were able to spend some time with family, and this long post is a collection of shots from a couple of cameras. What a great time!

Before we left, Aleaha helped keep Jake happy while the horseshoer was working on Arby. Had to make sure we were ready for the trip!

While there, we celebrated several birthdays. One day, Aunt Jodi arranged for a cake for Aleaha and Miri. 

We took up all three horses, so there was lots and lots of riding.

In addition to the super-duper pens Grandpa built for the horses, we also made a nice pasture for them in the meadow. This made for very happy horses!

Spiffy was dog tired. He is really aging, and after some nervousness about him being around GrammaBon's cats, we agreed to give him the freedom he craved. He proved to finally be a good dog....now that he's just about all used up.

Miri had lots of opportunities to help cook and make messes for GrammaBon. Here she is patting on the coating for pork chops.

A rogue turkey made a visit one morning.

There were lots of opportunities to run and play and just "be with the cousins." (What I love about this shot: kids running, jeans drying on the line, horses in the background, birdhouses and feeders everywhere.)

We also celebrated Sylvie's birthday -- Mmmmm. more cake!!

Quick shot of two fast-moving kiddos.

Photo ops.

Mom's favorite view....between a horse's ears, looking at that big red Jake-butt, with Daddy in the saddle, and a mountain road outstretched ahead.

Miles and miles of quiet.

Grandpa and Daddy made darling name signs from horse shoes for the girls' bunkbed. Grandpa also made a wonderful peeled-pole ladder for Aleaha to reach the top bunk. It was perfect! 

Daddy got in several nights of fishing - woohoo, fresh trout for breakfast!!

Moon rise over the pond.

Poker Ride

Mommy and Daddy were able to enjoy the annual Joker's Wild Poker ride sponsored by the Willamette Valley chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails. (Miri wants to know who was getting "Poked" - ha!) The weather was not so cooperative -- it was a very muddy trail, so we took the short cut-offs where we could. It was our first ride since last fall, so we wanted to take things easy on the boys, too. And WOW, were they good boys! Jake took great care of Daddy, and Arby was the best he's ever been. What a great day, despite the weather.

Special thanks to our professional child care provider for the day, Haley. She made the day extra fun for Aleaha and Miri back at home.

Waiting at the first stop to pick our cards. There were quite a few horses lined up, so we hung back a bit. Makes for a nice break for the horses.  

Note the muddy trail and the duster on my Marlboro Man (minus cigs, of course).

Back at the trailer. "Yup, we cheated death once again." (Something we only say after arriving back safely!)

Miri had a great day, and she was thoroughly tuckered out! She fell asleep on the couch before bedtime.

Aleaha's artwork: "This is a rider on a horse." Um, of course it is, honey.

Zoo

It was time for us to brave the people and traffic (and in this case, a little rain) to make our annual pilgrimage to the zoo.

Checking out the aquatic life.

Miri sees a hippo,

and so does Aleaha. (Wow, thrilling, eh?)

Aleaha: "Wow, Mom, who made this painting??"

Mom: "The people of the zoo, honey."

Our children, trying hard to see the lions we swore were out there.

Aforementioned lions.

More lazy zoo cats. (At least they were near the observation areas.)

She loves to climb rocks.

And if #1 can do it, you better believe #2 is gonna try also.

Children appeared, and mongeese skedaddled!

Aleaha helps Miri up.

Smiling

Prouder here, cuz she got up on this one herself.

Making like a squirrel.

Miri is like this every night after dinner. For about 20 minutes. It's awful!

Miri: "I wanna give the bear statue a bear hug!"

They agreed to give somewhat nice smiles, but only if...

...they could then be wild animals.

Such is life!