Marielle (2 years, 8 months)

Dear Marielle,

In the words of your dear cousin Ryan, you are now a "little girl, not a toddler". But it wasn't very long ago, though, that you were just my baby. And we often still refer to you and Genevieve as "the babies". (You know you'll always be my baby.) But alas, you remind me many times a day that you like to do things the "big girl" way. You sleep in a "big-girl bed", drink from a "big-girl cup", and sit on a "big-girl potty"now. And though I think that you relish your self-proclaimed big-girl status, you still very much enjoy being cuddled, sung to, and rocked. And, your unbridled affection for your mom brings me unparalled joy. I often feel unworthy of such passionate loyalty and single minded devotion, but you bestow it upon me freely all throughout the day. Thank you for loving your mom so much.

So how do you pass your days now? Well, in your opinion, it definitely needs to begin with a good breakfast....In fact, all your meals bring you much happiness and pleasure! When I come into your room to get you up in the morning, often the first thing out of your mouth is that you would like "oatmeal with applesauce and blueberries"; or if Daddy is home you know that a request for pancakes in in order. (Because no father can deny his daughter anything on a Saturday morning.)

After a hearty breakfast, you usually enjoy chasing Buck around the backyard for a good bit, hiding with him behind bushes, picking flowers, and finding rocks and sticks to give to him, and just some good-quality sky-gazing. You also enjoy throwing tea parties for your dolls, kittens, or really anyone who will participate. You love love, love helping Mom make "bread-dough", though you havent quite gotten it down yet that we cant eat it until its cooked.

I'm realizing lately just what a hard-worker you are. When you are put to a task, Marielle, you do it, and you do it well. Just last week you spilled a good bit of flour on the kitchen floor, and insisted upon cleaning it up yourself. Unfortunately, the rag you chose to use was dry, and so you cleaned and cleaned and cleaned up that flour for a good 10 minutes, but to no avail. When I suggested that we wet the rag, you would have none of that, but continued working happily and diligently (until I finally intervened with a wet rag).

You are a driven and passionate little girly, Marielle, and we wouldnt want you any other way. You bring life and excitement (and just a little drama) to our house, and we are amazed to see how God is at work already in your life, especially how you love to pray and read your Bible!

You are our heart!

Much love,

Mommy and Daddy

Dear Genevieve, (10 months old)

Dear Genevieve,

What a joyful, curious, and bright little girl you are! Your smiles light up the room, and you freely give them to anyone that you meet. In fact, you are even known to "make rounds" to all the other mom's laps during our weekly music class. Your laid-back and happy spirit endear you to all who you know.

You absolutely adore your big sister, Marielle, and will do just about anything to be near her. Following your big sis around is your activity of choice. Often times, you get dress-up hats put on you, puzzle-pieces handed to you, or pretend-food to eat. You enjoy all this immensely, and bring much joy to your sister who is beginning to learn that you are a fabulous play-mate.

Though you are a content little girl by nature, you are certainly also a mover-and-a-shaker right now. You are crawling, climbing, and cruising all day long, and getting closer and closer to walking each day. We often marvel that you are way too small to be walking anytime soon. So please slow down, Genevieve; humor us, and let us enjoy your sweet babyhood just a little longer.

You are also quite a communicative little girl for your age. Your favorite things to say are "bye-bye" and "Buck"(or as it is more accurately pronounced "Buckkkkkk"), and you are quite proficient at signing "All done" and "More" during meal-times. You also love showing us that you are "SO BIG" by throwing your arms up way high with a huge grin on your face.

It is a delight to be around you, baby Genevieve, and you have won our hearts, and continue to melt us with your smile and gentle spirit day after day.

With all our love,

Mom, Dad and Marielle

Philip's Bees

Philip started keeping bees this summer out at our friend Eli and Dawn's farm.

It has provided for our little family much learning, entertainment and (a little) labor since then. We find bees to be very fascinating around here. . . .They have special dances to communicate with one another, for instance.

Philip also took a small class of homeschoolers (i.e. nieces and nephews) to teach about the wonders of bees and honey. He also read very passionately from Virgil, of course.

Philip built these hives himself (with the help of a friend). We are very proud of our very own gentleman-farmer.

A Day in the Life at 108 Earhart

Genevieve when she first learned how to crawl at 7-1/2 months.

Marielle playing dress-up