“Friends”

When I was young, my brother and sister and I had lots of Friends.  You might call them stuffed animals in your house, but that seemed like such a horrible term to use for our dear companions.  My sister was rarely out of the company of her hippos (Hippo and George, in case you were wondering) and my brother loved/mangled a few of his own, but I will spare his pride and not reveal their nature. (Cough, sputter…ET!)

I had several of my own, including some that were given to me when I was very young.  There was a turtle named Speedy who was made of felt and finally disintegrated in the wash (and was kept alive in memory by Speedy 2, made of sturdier stuff).  There was Blinky the elephant who had closed felt eyes and a trunk with satiny material on the inside.  There was Swampy the alligator who came with me on a government field trip my senior year in high school and caused quite a ruckus when he decided to go to the hotel laundromat along with the sheets, causing panicky phone calls to Housekeeping.

One year my brother and sister and I gave a Friend to our Dad.  That was Hobbes (a tiger, of course).  Hobbes decided to accompany me to college and has stayed with me ever since, although I’ve sensed a transfer in attention towards Ellie. (I’m okay with that.  Really. I am.)

I’ve loved seeing the same appreciation for Friends in my children, and I’m delighting in another aspect of the special love children can have for their soft companions.  Often, I’ll find that one of the children has decided that one of their friends needs to spend some time with or near me.  Katie often stages her 3 bestest friends on and around the spinning wheel or the knitting, and one of them has been spending the night with me for the past week or so.  Andy’s Monkley usually follows me around throughout the day and returns to his own bed at night.  Jonathan’s Tigger almost always makes an appearance when I’ve got a migraine.  Ellie will bring her Friends with her for a snuggle, and sometimes I’ll wake up to discover that one of her friends trekked over to my bed during one of Ellie’s early morning bathroom trips.  Sean was accompanied on his latest business trip by one of Ellie’s and one of Katie’s Friends.

It’s very sweet.

Bath? Naaawww….

Gotta love hot Kansas Summers…sun, heat, and multiple showers a day.

Start ‘em Young!

 

I’m a bit behind on posting!

A while ago, Katie (my social butterfly) decided she wanted to have some girls over for a younger version of our church’s monthly Ladies’ Craft Night. Katie made cupcakes and lemonade for refreshments (because what group of females can craft without snacks?) and enjoyed getting everything “just so”. 

Two of the girls decided they wanted to learn to knit…it’s always exciting for me to infect someone else with the knitting disease.

I think they had a good time.  Katie’s already wondering when the next one will be.

Fly on the Wall: Birthday Girl

Overheard this morning at breakfast…

Dad: Ellie!  You’re going to be 5 soon!

Ellie: I know what you can give me for a present!

Dad: Yes?

Ellie: ALL the presents in the world!

(universal laughter)

Ellie: You can give me a heynormous gigantic dinosaur.  A real one.  And I will be the boss of it.

Introducing Tessa

Tessa is a 5 month old Lab puppy (some sort of mix, with her white blazes). She was adopted from the pound at 2 months old, and then her owner couldn’t keep her in her home anymore without paying an extra $300/mo rent.  Tessa joined our family July 4th.

Tessa spends her days outside and sleeps in a crate in the girls’ room at night.

Ellie is especially fond of her, as is Daisy, our almost 2-year-old lab.  They’ve become fast friends.

I took this picture through the screen door before getting the other pictures.  It’s a rare thing to see them both laying down when there’s a person out there to pet them.  Ellie must be a 4 year old version of the Dog Whisperer.

P.S. Apparently, the boys are good pray-ers.

There is nothing like an impending thunderstorm…

There is nothing like an impending thunderstorm on a game day to inspire fervent prayer from young men.

Wedding pictures

One of our dear friends got married recently, and our children were invited to be ringbearers and flower girls (and Sean officiated).  It was a wonderful day and we were all very happy to witness and participate in it!

Here are some pictures of the JAKE from the day (documenting the first time real ties have graced the necks of the boys!):

Fly on the Wall: grammar & syntax

On our way to the rehearsal dinner last weekend…

Ellie: Dad, why are we going into this heynormous hotel?

Dad: Because we’re going to have dinner here.

Ellie:  But why are we going to eat in this heynormous hotel?

At lunch this week…

Ellie: May I have some fruit?

Mom: Sure thing, babe.  What kind of fruit do you want?

Ellie: Applecots.  I LOVE Applecots!

During a snuggle…

Mom: Ellie, what do you think of Tessa? [new puppy...more on this later!]

Ellie: I’m WILD that she is sleeping in my room!!!

Mom: You’re wild, huh?

Ellie: Yes!  VEEEEEERY HAPPY!!!!

(seriously, who needs prepositions?)

Especially for Papa

Ellie wanted me to take some pictures this morning with her new favorite playmate…her Papa’s tiger, Hobbes.

Dad, Hobbes says he’s in good hands.  The tuna is abundant and the smoochies are plentiful.