The weather has been lousy and rainy a lot lately. Today was finally a beautiful day except for a brief thundershower in the middle of the afternoon (which made for a good nap time for me!).
This evening we loaded up the bikes and headed to the park. There is a nice 1.5 mile trail that goes all the way around a lake. We did two laps.
Later we headed over the playground to let Ellie stretch her legs too.
While I was walking around watching the girls I noticed a hispanic family speaking interchangeably between Spanish and English, then a grandmother speaking Russian to her grandaughter on the swing. Then there was an African father playing with his two little boys. We suspected they were Ethiopian but are not familiar with Amharic to be sure. As I was leaving, I saw an Asian expectant mother chasing her pre-schooler.
I snickered to myself when I overhead a grandmother on a park bench comment on how quiet and peaceful the park was tonight in spite of how many children were there playing.
Hannah and Ellie learned the expression today: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
We headed out for a hike this afternoon. When we left home it was a beautiful, clear day. By the time we drove out to the trail and parked there were clouds way off on the horizon. About 20 minutes into the hike, thunder was rumbling in the distance.
Soon, we were getting sprinkled on, then rained on and ultimately hailed on. I kept saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Hannah muttered to her Dad, “Yeah, lemonade is cold too.”
We stayed with it – covering up as best we could. The girls pretended to be outlaw Native Americans who were resistant to being forced onto a reservation (guess what we are studying in school?!?)
We hunkered under a huge ponderosa pine during the worse of the downfall and enjoyed a snack.
We continued on the trail and the rain turned to a drizzle and stopped. Finally the sun emerged and shone as we made the last 1/2 mile back to the parking lot.
At one point we were picking our way over a muddy trail with a huge mud puddle. Ellie was the last one on the trail. Ryan and I got to the other side rather dry. I said, “hey, lets see if Ellie goes for the dry side or right through the middle.”
Right as we turned, she stepped straight into the mud puddle. She had her hood up obscuring most of her face, but I could see the huge smile underneath.
The girls have been bringing up Treasure a lot lately. Hannah says maybe Jesus is letting us know that the referral will come soon.
Today we were at the grocery store and Ellie was talking about how it will be a good idea to bring toys for Treasure to keep busy with while we grocery shop. Smiling at her comment, I couldn’t help but wonder who else will also enjoy playing with those toys on a boring grocery trip.
Hannah, not in a jaded way, but using the informative tone of an older sister, said, “You know, Ellie, Treasure will get a lot of attention and celebrating when he comes home.” She was remembering the fuss made over Ellie’s referral and homecoming.
I told her that much fuss was made over her arrival and too bad little ones can’t remember the anticipation. After all, every new child should be celebrated.
“Yeah,” she sighed.
Then we headed over and got some produce. She loves to pretend that she is the mom with the grocery list and I am a child “helping” her in the store.
I enjoy these two to no end.
“Actually, Hannah just interrupted me when I was trying to apologize.”
Ellie is 3 and a 1/2. I couldn’t believe that she used 3 big words in one sentence. Also, apologizing is a good thing – especially since she caused the squabble!
My girls are sleeping peacefully (hopefully) in a tent in Peaceful Valley, CO tonight with Daddy and Papa. It’s a bit cold but they are bundled up and fortified with warm sleeping bags, blankets and a nice campfire.
Ryan and Dad went out yesterday with Hannah (who spent the whole day fishing, climbing around on rocks, and of course, riding her bike) and I took Ellie out this afternoon – we thought she would do better with just a one night stay.
Tonight is Ellie’s first night ever to camp in a tent and she was enamored with the whole thing…She even used the “rocky mountain bathroom” as I have termed them with no problem.
Daddy is really happy to have his girls enjoy the great outdoors with him.
(Again, no bugs…amazing!)
I have worn glasses since 4th grade and started with contact lenses in 6th grade. Quick calculation, I have been in glasses/contacts for 25 years.
The opthalmologist told me the other day I was 20/800 without correction, but that by all appearances my eyes were correctable to 20/20.
I was sort of ambivalent about LASIK…the financial commitment, the procedure itself – I mean, really, a laser to the eye??!?! And, hey, I’ve had glasses/contacts so long…
Ryan said, “now or never.” I took a deep breath – and a valium – and followed the instructions and the procedure was over in a “Flash”.
After a minimal amount of dryness and discomfort and a lot of eye drops, I can now see 20/20…
Swimming with my kids will now be great!
When I stumble awake in the middle of the night with Treasure I won’t be fumbling around for my glasses.
When I wake up in the morning I can see the alarm clock!
I won’t be sticking my finger in my eye a couple of times a day to get those contacts in and out.
The dry, arid climate out here in Denver was pretty uncomfortable on my contacts.
We’ve had a pretty big backlog of pictures that we just haven’t uploaded in a while. The picture of our family below is a link to a replay of much of our time since we’ve moved to Denver. Enjoy!
http://picasaweb.google.com/gina.hale/May22009#
My parents are in town visiting us for a couple of weeks. Some of my Mom’s cousins are in Denver for a family wedding this weekend. We invited her cousin’s family over for dinner tonight. When they arrived and got settled, I asked if anyone would like something to drink and I then served the drinks.
We chatted and the kids played on the floor for awhile. Eventually, Ellie disappeared into the kitchen and fixed a sippy-cup (including the lid) of iced water for the three-year old who was visiting.
I’m not sure who was more proud – Ellie because she could do get the drink herself or her Mama because of E’s graciousness.
