Roller Skating Trainer

Turns out that a baby in a stroller makes a perfect roller skating ‘trainer’ for my budding roller skater.

Barbershop Joy

A friend from church offered to buy our family tickets to go see a Barbershop Chorus (that he sings with) and a Barbershop Quartet perform today. Mike is in a conference all weekend, so he couldn’t go. You couldn’t have paid me $50 to take Lil’ A to a concert at this age and Sweet N really wanted to go but I didn’t take her.

I decided to make a Mommy Date out of it.

Boy, did I do the right thing. My boy and I had so very much fun!

This was the gig in town…

First up was the America The Beautiful Chorus.

The first half was the Chorus singing patriotic songs. I literally could hardly wipe the grin off my face. I grew up listening to Barbershop and going to Singing Buckeye Barbershop concerts and it feels like my childhood. It feels like home! The sound, the songs, the movements and the joy the men have in singing.

It just makes me grin. What can I say? And it makes me cry too… some of the less light-hearted songs are so heartfelt, poignant and moving.

Whew! It was a great first half.

And after a short intermission Storm Front was up.

My crappy phone pictures don’t do these groups justice. This group won the International Championship in 2010. They are a big deal and we got to see why. Beyond the eye-catching lime green suits!

H and I were fifth row, dead center. We had a great view and their comedy slap-stick style was right up a six-year-old boy’s alley. H giggled and belly laughed the whole time! Sometimes the whole place was quiet and he was still laughing. SO, I of course, couldn’t stop giggling either! The shtick was very clever and funny, but sitting next to a giggling boy who thinks it all is just hysterical is just too much! I had tears from laughing so much most of the way through the second half.

Afterwards I offered to take him to shake the quartet’s hands and say hello. He eagerly agreed. We thanked each one and told them how much we enjoyed the show.

My heart nearly burst today sharing one of my childhood memories with my boy.

He’s a most wonderful companion. I’m a blessed woman.

Big Feeds Little

My boy has never been so helpful. He loves to help with all kinds of things. He’s cheerful, a greath thinker, a hard worker and he’s such a joy. Of course there are times when these things are always true, but generally I can say those things about him!

He helps with quite a few things around the house AND with the baby!

One recent morning I was crunched for time and I asked him to please feed the baby (and then he may or may not have been paid a dime for his efforts, I can’t remember!).

But he does great!

And he loves it too. And he loves HER. And SHE loves HIM!

It’s the best.

Grammi and Poppi

Grammi and Poppi were here for a visit a couple weeks ago.

It’s always good times…

Big builder, little builder.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to French braid like Grammi…

Cool paper folding crafts brought from Taiwan!

Little busy bee and pretty Mama:

And lots of projects…

… that make matching tool belts and white work shirts necessary!

We love you!

Baby Loves Nooks

Lil’ A likes to find little nooks and slide right in.

Two in particular… the first being between the dollhouse and the bookcase.

Just her size.

And between the bookcases in the living room.

And this day the kiddos were making forts and using couch cushions for all kinds of shenanigans. Girlie liked the little spot that that made on the couch without the cushion and she spent hours sitting in there ‘reading’ and playing. I think she liked it cause she could climb in and out by herself.

She’s the best. And I love her little stages!

Zerberts

Just the best.

Favorite Spot, Just Her Size

Lil’ A has a favorite spot.

And I have a favorite place to take her picture.

Hence, this post.

There. Now I won’t ever forget her cuteness climbing up into that seat (or standing on top!) of that table at this age.

Mission accomplished.