Apa and Blaise

Apa and Blaise enjoyed their time together. Here they are one morning looking for bunnies in the backyard and listening for cardinals.

Kate is (was) 7 months!

Kate turned 7 months while we were in the US. She began scooting around about a week before and was gaining independence daily. She is a happy baby and quite giggly. She has added another dimension to our lives. We love having her cheeky self around!

Bookworm

I can't remember a time when I didn't love books and I really hope that carries over to my children. We have worked hard (though you can hardly call it "work") to install a love for books in Blaise. What a wonderful way to have new adventures and learn about far away places as well as places in your own backyard. Grandma Rose is introducing him to an Elmo record (plastic disc?) book which he loved singing along with (or listening to Grandma sing!). It's one of those "little things."

Blaise's First US Birthday Party and Avery turns 8!

Blaise attended his first US Birthday Party this summer when my cousin, Avery, turned 8! She had a great campsite party strategically located next to a playground. Blaise had a great time playing with his cousins and learning some new customs.

This is a juice box, Blaise.

This is how you put the straw in,

take a sip,

see if you like it,

and enjoy!

I think it is safe to say that he liked his first juice box experience.

Kate had a fun time hanging at the campsite, too - as long as she was being fed!

The next custom we needed to work on was NOT blowing out the birthday girl's candles. Not an easy task, Blaise was pretty eager to get some cake on his plate.

YUMMY!

The birthday girl!

Xander's sweet smile!

The big kids enjoyed cake, too.

Blaise had a fun time playing inside their camper.

My sweet baby's face

Four generations...

The Little Things

We did a lot of fun things while visiting "In-wu-ya" (Blaise speak for Indiana), like seeing Elmo Live, visiting Shedd Aquarium, and "camping" in Brown County among other things. But, one some of the best things we did were the little things  Like introducing Blaise to sidewalk chalk and watching him draw pictures with Gma and Apa of trees, sharks and octopuses. He really really really enjoyed these moments - see for yourself!

Thanks for all the "little things!"