Kian's Birthday - #2

Farrah, Oscar, and Connor

 Saturday we went over to our to celebrate Kian's 2nd birthday.  It was a slew of kids and parents!  So much fun and running and noise, and oh my goodness there are new toys to shove over and there's a dog and a trampoline and stairs!!!

These are just a few shots that were taken once I remembered I had my camera with.  Happy birthday Kian!

Oscar, Audrey, and Meryl

Farrah, Oscar, Connor

Dan, John, Oscar, Farrah, and Connor

Farrah, being adorable

Harper

John's legs and Kian, the birthday boy!

Static fun

Me?  Really?  When did Dan steal the camera?!

Baby wearing baby

 Harper is around a few babies.  She helps rock them, and covers them up, and is very gentle with them.  Here at the house we hug her dolls and get them ready for nap time, but this was the first time Harper wanted to wear her doll.  She's a pirate, if you are wondering about the eye patch.   We've named her Peggy.

*wink* *wink*

I skyped with my dad last week and he introduced winking to Harper's lexicon.  We've been working on it, and this is what we've got.  It happens in the first 10 seconds or so, so don't blink or you might miss it!

Harp in February

Here are some Harp pictures you may not have seen.  They are from the last few weeks and cover 3 cities and 2 states.  Its been quite the February, as I've said before. 

Going for Grandma M

February was a trying month.  It is the shortest of the year, but so much was packed into its 4 weeks, I would have thought it got an extension this year. 

On Feb 17th, we got word that my grandmother had passed away.  She had been living with dementia and Alzheimer's for the past four years, and in recent months had been moved into a care facility.  We knew her time was short.

She was born in 1919.  The amount of change she has seen in our country and in the world is incredible.  The changes in her own family make one pause as well; she had 5 children, 16 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

I remember her in the kitchen and in the garden, but before I knew her, she was a pilot and had soloed in a time when it was a rare feat for women to do so.  She was brave and creative, and I have great memories of her cooking.

I have not been to many funerals.  In fact this was my first time being in a cemetery for a service.  My uncle Randy shared some wonderful memories, others spoke, including myself and my oldest brother Josh, about things we remembered fondly.  I am so glad I went with Harper, and I'm glad to have been a part of a wonderful service that was surprisingly uplifting.  Grandma had faith that we could all do what ever we wanted to do.  She was encouraging, not in a flippant way, but with a real and pragmatic assurance that if we put the work in, it would come to be.

It is an odd feeling to see your mother's mother being laid to rest.  Now that I am a mother, grandma's influence and importance holds greater meaning to me.  My mom's conversations on the phone, the just-because-calls, and the lets-stop-in-and-see visits are more than just conversations and things to do.

I am learning about mourning, and loss.  I am learning about life and motherhood.  I am learning about relationships and the varying roles family can play in the best and worst ways.

Just a few photos from the trip: 

Mom and Josh

My mom and her older sister, Carol (we all call her Sis!)

Uncle Butch and Auntie Sis

Mom and Josh

I had to share this one, Harper took it! 

Harp at Dad's

Guitar as gauge for height :)

Harp with Dad on the swing, THAT HE MADE HIMSELF!

Jumping demonstration

Jumping practice

Rosy nose, post walk

Moms and kids

Marty, Mom and Harp.  Kids bring so much color to the world.

Valentine's craft

 It is long past valentine's day, but February has been a trying month.  I decided to try introducing paint to Harper by way of a home made stamp.  (Stamp idea was via Ciara, via Pinterest).  It is a toilet paper roll that is squeezed and taped into the shape of a heart.  It is chunky enough that Harp can grab it easily, and control it (sort of). 

I think they turned out pretty well!

 The first time, I had her in her high chair, but it turned into a huge mess pretty quickly (not shown!) 

 I especially like the hand prints and smudges. 

 I cut the one sheet in to smaller sections for cards - which seemed way easier than having her paint on individual cards.  I used a marker to outline some of the shapes to emphasize their shape and BAM!  We have valentine's day cards!

 Round two was taped to the table.  It went much smoother.  Harp was standing on a chair and had more leverage to press down. 

 The last, but first craft we did was make a heart garland that hung in our "mailbox" window, or the window we look out to watch the mailman deliver our fan mail. 

I would assemble, and Harper would hold the stapler. 

It was great fun.