Stacked

In downtown Hilliard there is a relatively new memorial called the First Responders Park. Currently it is the largest memorial in the country that honors first emergency responders who gave their lives during the 9-11 attacks. Fixed in the park are huge i-beams from the World Trade Center plaza. We walk to the park often because of Vanessa's requests to do so. She asks to ride her bike there often too. We've been going there since it was established. Zane also loves it there.

Before Zane arrived, Vanessa coined the area "the stack of men." There's an incredible sculpture that depicts all examples of emergency responders. It is made of metal and the responders are connected and they swirl upward, so they appear to be stacked. The park is also made up of fountains to splash and steps and ledges to climb. We're taking a break from visiting there for now because of the flowers and gifts left there from visitors over the weekend.

When we do visit, the kids smile and laugh. Vanessa has asked many times why there's a stack of men at the park -- "What does it mean?" I simply tell her that it's to say thank you to those who help when people are hurt or in trouble. It was hard to watch the events of 9-11 unfold with my sixth graders -- How can I tell them everything is okay when I don't know? I don't look forward to sharing and explaining the events of 9-11 to my children. Those events made me question the idea of bringing children into the world -- such darkness and ugliness of which I want to shield and protect them. But then I remember that in the end darkness WILL NOT prevail.

During our first visits I asked myself: Is it okay to show such happiness in a park that evokes feelings of deep sorrow? I keep coming back to the idea that it should be expected -- why else do the emergency responders and military do what they do? To strive for our freedom, peace, happiness and light is at the core of their being, right? And I want to focus on showing joy and appreciation for the Light that rules and will win.  In reality the world is full of dark stuff. So it must be important and good to try to project light even in the darkest of times. And I've prayed for my children to be lights in this world. So why would I try to hinder that?

Conclusion: The stack of men can help to remind us that the odds are stacked against the darkness.

Pick Your Own

"Here Zane. Try it."

"Okay. Now give it back gently." Zane grunted loudly and yelled when Vanessa took back the apple. She looked to me to know how aggressive she could be in getting it back. :) Thank you for sharing, Vanessa.

Another year of family and friends coming and going. Cousin Tucker and his mama picked from an orchard across the road from ours. Perfect timing! We met at the Lynd's barn after we filled our bags. Tucker was ready to show us all the cool gourds he discovered. The kids examined them in a big red chair . . . to humor me with pictures. :)

Zane: What about me? How do I get up there?

As we were leaving, so we thought, we discovered pulled pork BBQ at a stand in the parking lot. Tuck and Vanessa enjoyed hot dogs. :)

Lynd's keeps getting better with Honeycrisp. The crowd was huge again, but the patterns of swarms of people were much different than last year. Makes me think we're all thinking the same!

Vanessa remembered her picking technique and picked almost an entire bag all on her own. They were all perfectly picked.

9:15

Zane(y) Dangerously

The name's Dangerously. Zane(y) Dangerously.

This started happening a couple of weeks ago -- Zane pushes this push-along car up to where he wants something or to climb. As I continued to watch him on this day, so as to catch him if he begins to fall, he ended up on his tippy toes, and at one point with one foot in the air, to reach something on the white-lined shelf. He very carefully got down by himself. (Fortunately Vanessa was asleep during this. He seems more daring when she's not on top of him. :) Yesterday he got on the car (again all by himself) and rode it to the coffee table (about a foot ;-) to climb up and sit on the table. He's climbing in and out of storage stools and onto couches. Pulling down and ripping the face off of childproof fans. He likes to grab and throw and tear. :) I find it all very enjoyable to watch (just not when I'm trying to sleep) -- and great exercise. :)

Buckeye Fever

Vanessa woke up on September 3rd extra excited. She ran down to tear off her last link to show the wait till her first Buckeye game was over: "Now there are none! Uncle Andy is taking me to football today!" Uncle Andy, Aunt Jenni and Cousins Celia and Tucker b-day gifted Vanessa a suppressant that would work. . . 

First there was the "football party." Yep, these big blues are always welcome on Buckeye turf:

Grandpa, Vanessa and Cousin Tucker ran plays they thought the Buckeyes should try. We advised Vanessa that it can be difficult to catch a pass using her method. Tucker had the right idea.

Zane demonstrated great exercises for developing an awesome throwing arm.

And it never hurts to get pointers from a referee.

All were sure to hydrate. Megan too.

Many treats were prescribed. We LOVE fave reds Starburst! "Aunt Sally, here's your bag!"

Maybe an even trade for Vanessa's very own Buckeye Bear?  (Her Aunt Jenni went to her first game at 4. She took with her a very special bear.)  Buckeye Bear provided some perfect relief . . .

. . . and fit perfectly on her back . . .

But there were two things that gleaned more happiness: a white shirt and a ride on Uncle Andy to the game. How awesome is that?!

Entering Buckeye Stadium and hearing the roars of the fans and the vibe of the band broke Vanessa's fever, for now . . .  

Exodus

It is amazing to me that it's time we're leaving infancy.  :-x

Not saying the little guy can part water . . . :)