The first visitor has arrived . . .

It's my step-son Conor. He had a two day bus ride, but arrived in good humor and ready for our traditional big Sunday waffle lunch. He said he was up to his eyeballs in Subway sandwiches during the trip. Conor is planning to stay awhile and we are happy about that.

Yes, I know he's a bit out of focus, but rather than have him pose again, I'll just post it as is. :-)

We had a little scare this week when one of our chicken girls was sick. We kept her isolated in a cage we made out of a plastic storage container topped with an inverted laundry basket for two days. She got better and now you can hardly even tell she was sick. It's the Rhode Island Red in this picture. Doesn't she look healthy?

You can come to my house for some free money

My mom went out to pick up the newspaper and told me I should go look at the driveway. Here is what I found:

I'm thinking next week it will be a rainbow . . . .

Sure enough, there is a bit o' gold in the pot:

(it's a nickel--5 cents--not a quarter--25 cents!) LOL, don't I have funny kids?

My Son's Gotcha Day

Dear L,

I think of you every year on Valentine's Day because February 14th is David's "Gotcha Day," or the day we brought him home from the hospital. I don't know if you knew that. I went to the hospital in the morning because they were giving me a crash course that day in infant and preemie care. I also gave him a bath, which he heartily did NOT appreciate! By mid-afternoon he was ready and he was packed into his version 1.0 infant seat. Those seats sure were basic in those days!

I had a little crib set up for him in the living room because that's where his oxygen was and it was a small place so he would have been close no matter where he was in the apartment. He was so little and cute! My friend came over that afternoon to see him. She came in, but because of germs, etc., I held him up to the front window for her little children to admire, just like you would in the hospital nursery window.

I was really excited to finally be a mother, thanks to your infinitely generous gift. He is a wonderful son and I'm so glad we connected with each other, L.

Katie


This response came a couple of days later:

Hi Katie,

This was the best story and made my day. Thank you for sharing it with me. What a precious image of the day you brought David home. David and I have an ongoing texting conversation and keeping in touch. I've enjoyed getting to know him. I hope you are doing well. Take care,L.

Sappy entry

Okay, I know all the other parents are going to say, "DUH K!" but here goes: kids grow up really fast. I didn't say "too" fast, but there is an element of that in there as well.

I've been going through the girls' things getting rid of toys, costumes, clothes, and shoes they don't use or have outgrown in one way or another. I can remember so easily when they did use those things and they were just right for them. There are still a very few toys and clothes left from the big kids and it's amazing to think that the little children who used them are now finishing high school or out on their own or married and parents themselves. I think it's especially noticeable to me because I have both my big kids and my little kids so while I am already a grandmother, I don't think of myself as being particularly old because my baby is only starting Kindergarten this year.

Something that I need to keep in mind also is that Kevin used to drive me crazy with his behavior, although he was always a very sweet and kind boy. Now that he is going to be a senior in high school, he is laid-back and a very sweet and kind boy. When the girls threaten to send me over the edge I need to remember how nicely Kevin is turning out and expect the same from the girls as well and remember time is flying. But ask me about the broken postal scale later, okay?