Recent Happenings

Seems my computer again is dead and this may likely be due to Cranky the Crane, a Thomas toy. Seriously, watch out for magnets that may approach your hard drive. I never saw Cranky make a connection with my hard drive but Luci was playing with it across from me the very day my computer bit the dust. Praying for a miracle, though D may be praying he gets to pass s on to me and get a new snazzier one.

Luci--always the princess, seems developmentally she is looking from real affirmation from the people important to her. I still don't wear much make-up or fancy clothes (and glitter/sparkle really appeals to Lu) but it is just crazy to me as I realize that Luci in some ways adores me for my grown-up princessness. This is evidenced in how she squeezed me so much last night at the dinner table adoringly going on with loving comments. She also seems to like to stroke my hair and when allowed into the "What should I wear" conversation she always votes for my dress-like blue shirt with gold trim.

Jesse--so full of laughter that guy is, which made half-term (one-week holiday from school) last week fabulous. We did not get sick of the kids at all, Darren was flexible with his work, and it was a fabulous time. We hung out with our IC friends and their kids, Zoe and Peter, and Jesse developed potentially a new crush. Well, let's just say he had a great time with Zoe romping on the amazing Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park. It has all these seperate, sort of mystical little play areas all connected and thanks to the older Hayes girls, Savannah and Alexandra, the adults were able to chat for a long while pretty uninterupted. Jesse, as of last week was learning to not point with his middle finger (which really reminds me of my Dad for some reason....hmmm) and instructing Luci on his new knowledge. Jesse has also made an effort to follow Jesus in a more articulate, substantial way, and this is exciting. We felt his attitude was better last week and he was able to consciously connect it sometimes to God making his heart better. The teeny-tiny, yet important, milestones of faith and youth. Both children though began swimming lessons yesterday at a pool nearby. They had been much requested yet this did not spur either of them to overcome their fears or shynesses to get in the pool. To J's credit, all the kids were totally swimming in the class he was supposed to be in, which was Beginners for his age group. He cannot swim, yet the teachers hesitated to put him the easier class just because of his age. However, my hope is that next time the teachers and children will cooperate and that Jesse and Luci will be in the same class, which is just really about being comfortable in the water.

me--I love my outdoor life here. The air is humid, and even if it is not particularly warm, I can smell the growth of plants/flowers, and hear the birds singing--I love it. I love having the rythym of the farm every Monday--it is so helpful for me to be around the farm animals every week. I was thinking yesterday about how they are all so sweet. And this may sound sappy but they really are despite the signs saying "Animals my bite" and how far removed from farm animals we are that we tend to thing they are wild. I love that the sheep and pigs, and all of them are so simple and easy to be with. Peanut was being butted in the head by a little lamb and did not like it very much. It was funny to see Francesco yelling at the lamb to stop (he never did) instead of the usual situation of me yelling at Pea to stop chasing the goats.

Darren--he is enjoying blogging again and seems to enjoy Facebook. I peer over his shoulder and think, "I will do that someday". I'm sure there is much more to share about D but can't think of it just yet and will hand his computer back to him. But I can say that he LOVES biking around and we are extremely excited to be heading to San Francisco with no kids on Monday. And that is preceded by some time with our friend Jennifer who will take care of our kids while we are away.