Something to Say

"Cheese . . ."

"Huh?!"

"Up?!"

"Please?!"

Lawfulness

The reality is that there are a lot of opportunists in this world. Unfortunately one was able to hurt and badly affect very dear people to us, mostly Grandpa and Grandma. This criminal made many bad choices and took what did not belong to him. He disguised his exploitations and deceitful ways through seemingly good deeds and alleged care. But thankfully God has revealed consequences for the guy's dirty and selfish deeds. It is good to be able to rest knowing we have God's promise of justice to those who cry out to him. And it also helps to know this guy is behind bars.
Deuteronomy 16:20
Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.

When the situation was explained in simple terms to Vanessa, she replied:

"Oh . . . just like in Toy Story, when the bad guys are put in jail? And like Doofenshmirtz in the episode with Major Monogram and Carl. Carl was turned evil."

Celebrating Audrey!

We celebrated Cousin Audrey's birthday yesterday! We enjoyed a fun time at the Worthington Community Center pool. Last year we celebrated with her there and it proved to be a huge hit.

 

Audrey's little brother, Cousin William, turned 1 last April. We were sorry to miss his celebration.

Pinned

Contrary to popular belief, she has him pinned.

Butterfly Experience

Several weeks ago Vanessa had the opportunity to teach Zane and Mommy about metamorphosis using the exhibit at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Through ZooKids and other experiences she's learned about it.

Before entering the Butterfly Room she got a sneak peak and insisted there was a giant octopus in the middle of the room. We went in and discovered it was another piece of Chihuly art. She felt silly once we got up close: "Oh . . . I see. I was so silly for thinking that was an octopus." I replied that I totally got it and the piece of art can be anything she wants it to be. "Okay. Okay. Okay. I think it looks like an octopus. Sheesh."

This time Vanessa was especially fond of the butterflies with red on their wings, even though all of them seemed to be drawn to Vanessa. They flutter up to her and swarm her head. The experience reminded me that last May, during the last ZooKids session of the month, where they released butterflies in the new garden they created, using donated plants, a butterfly flew out of its cage and landed right on Vanessa's head. The butterfly chose her out of approximately 18 kids. The class was excited and the teacher shared the story with the parents before pick up, not mentioning who the particular child was until Vanessa was released to me. Vanessa was so tickled. It was also a day she donated a plant to the garden to always remind her of Cousin Celia when visiting and passing the ZooKids garden.

Zane also enjoyed practicing his understanding of butterflies using the magnet exhibit.

And what a cool Light Bright exhibit! Reminds me of a time when I was just a year older than Vanessa and I was playing with a disabled adult that my aunt cared for. Her name was Barb and she was a 50-year-old lady with the mental capacity of a 4-year-old. We were playing with her light bright when she acted out and screamed to my aunt that I was eating her Light Bright pegs, which was untrue. I remember being very confused at the time but my dad explained to me that I did nothing wrong and how to handle the situation. I never had my own Light Bright set but always wanted one, so I loved playing with Barb when she was interested.

Vanessa thinks this piece of Chihuly Art would look fantastic in our great room. I agreed and chuckled at the thought. :)

While waiting on some Very Hungry Caterpillar activities to begin, we continued to explore and were blessed in doing so. We watched a mother cardinal and a father cardinal feed their babies. The mother waited for the father to fly off and retrieve yummy goodies.

Vanessa's favorite room is the Himalayan Mountains Room, where a train and village is made up of characters from all the popular fairy tales. It was fun to look for and  find the characters.

Zane's favorite thing was anything with water.

And the Desert Room was fun for playing with friends.

After organized activities, the Hungry Caterpillar visited. Vanessa was so tickled. The Hungry Caterpillar played games with her and danced with her.

Zane freaked out. Vanessa tried to reassure him.

 

We figured out that Zane was fine as long as he didn't have to look at the very big creature. (It didn't help that he was exhausted and wanted a nap. He napped just moments later.)

 

This summer seems fuller of butterflies. We have a few favorite visitors in our backyard, which seem to be more than in past years. And for some reason it took Vanessa's Sunday School teachers presenting a lesson involving the meaning of names for her to really process the meaning of her name. Although we've talked about it many times, she returned home last Sunday and announced to me "Guess what Mom. My name means butterfly. See, my teachers gave me this page with it."

Stunted

The craziness of these two is stunted with water play. They relax and chill.

It lasts a short while before trying and showing off new stunts.

 

And we know the stunted grass is always thankful for our splashing and playing in the kiddie pool. 

It gets me thinking of how I am extremely thankful and at peace when I can focus my desire to gain a deeper knowledge of God and what He has in store for me, moving pass my stunted spirituality and felt needs.

Teaching Cousins

Daddy and Mommy have been convinced that Vanessa will need to learn to swim like we did -- by watching others and determining when ready. She's heard us say over and over again to watch others around her. A couple of weeks ago she and Cousin Tucker played in the hot tub with Grandma. (Hot tub was more like warm pool.) Vanessa watched Tucker put his head under water and became determined to do it too. Tucker encouraged her and told her and demonstrated how he does it. She listened and watched and practiced. At one point she held her head under for 8 seconds. She was so incredibly tickled with Tucker for teaching her and with herself for doing it.

(There are two kids under water -- Tucker and Vanessa. We have some video but I need to get if off the camera and have yet to do so.) 

Zane has been learning from Cousin Rachel how to do cartwheels. His execution is sweet and hilarious. At times he is in a split position. He's also very proud of himself. 

Happy Birthday, Zach!

Morning, Noon and Night

(Literally -- last picture taken around 11:30PM.)

Zane has entered full-fledged tantrum mode. He could be a contender for Best Dramatic Actor of 2012. He understands no and protests it with confidence. He throws his body down, kicks his legs, and pounds his fists. He figured out to drop slowly so as not to bang his head. He'll punch walls and cabinets, and is working on directing it at pillows, couches and similar soft things.  Sometimes, when he is really tired, he forgets he is in the middle of a performance. Other times, when left to safely release his fit of rage, he stops abruptly and moves calmly to something else. He may not think so (and at night, neither do I) but his little bits and fits of rage are even rather cute.

Cheers

To Daddy being home!

Fingerplaying

I'm all the time feeling like I'm shortchanging Zane with videos on the blog. Here's Zane doing some of his favorite playing just a few weeks ago . . . he's beginning to cooperate now . . . so happy!

An Overnighter

It is funny to me to think about the before of such an event -- the excitement, the grandiose ideas of all the games to be played, all the movies to be watched, all the music to be written, all the pampering to take place, and certainly all the treats and "buffet" of foods to be eaten. :)

No matter if all expectations were met, it was a great and an enjoyable night to have cousins over.

Happy Birthday Seth!!

Until

 

"Every farewell makes the next hello closer." ~Unknown

Happy Birthday, Aunt Sally!

In 2010, and in Vanessa's mind, the Ohio State University Medical Center became known as Aunt Sally's Hospital." (Yes, just like fireworks are always for Aunt Sally's B-Day.) Oh Daddy has an office there too, but really it was Aunt Sally's place. At the end of 2011, Aunt Sally retired. It was a puzzling idea, much in the same way as "how can Aunt Sally be flying more than one helicopter at one time?"

At the beginning of 2012, the Ohio State University Medical Center became known as the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, or just the Wexner Medical Center. Even with retirement, the center's name change, demolitions and constructions, we will always have memories with Aunt Sally sneaking the hallways and tunnels to run races. Fond memories will also include her special treats and thoughtfulness and visits in the lunchroom. And certainly sweet touches from her dear friends like Miss Peggy made lasting impressions too. The Ohio State University Medical Center really was hers, so it seems. Just like July 4th is too. Happy Birthday, Aunt Sally!

 

(Looking to see if anyone is coming.)

 

(Checking the security mirrors for clearance.)

(Making another run for it, only Aunt Sally is in the lead this time. This time.)

(Enjoying the lunchroom view . . . and candy . . .)

We love Aunt Sally's pride and spirit.

(Taken from outside Cramblett Hall with Aunt Sally in the window of the lunchroom on the 2nd floor.)

Sounds of Expression

Zane is beginning to leave behind a really funny and enjoyable stage of expression. Some expressions have more emphasis than others.  Read some of his most frequently used expressions below while enjoying his interesting way for expressing his love for Baby Doll.

"Uh-oh!" (He says the "oh" with perfectly rounded lips and lots of emphasis!)

"Ahhhh . . ." (He says as he gives hugs and pats baby's back.)

 

While saying goodbyes and waving hand from lips to the blessed receiver: "Mmmmwah!" (And yes, it is at least that many Ms.)

He often said "Uh-uh" as a reply of no and of course with a strong swaying of his head from side to side. And with the opposite he says "Uh-hu" with a strong nod up and down.

He speaks "Huh?" when asking again and "Hmm . . ." in response to things he ends up walking away from. 

He does tricks and says "Ta-da!"  

He says "Ah . . ." after big swigs and "Yum!" after delicious bites.

He squeals "Weeee . . .!" as he enjoys motion. He shouts "Yay!" for excitement and celebrations.

He lifts and carries and follows it with a "Phew!" or "Whew!" or with a large grumble or growl. Sometimes he speaks for another laborer.

His transition from this stage is overlapping with the me-me-me stage, which seems to be trailing off too, or isn't as frequent as a couple of weeks ago. It's exciting to watch use of his gestures and modulation of his voice. He's quite entertaining.