Odds of Sleep

Like father, like son is what often comes to mind when I think of Hendrix's sleeping habits. I've heard Grandma share many times how Adam always loved to have his back rubbed. Hendrix must be like Adam based on the imprint on Grandma's memory, cause although I'm sure many kids and Vanessa and Zane love back rubs, Hendrix is set apart from them. He often "demands" I rub his back or tummy or leg when he's trying to settle down to sleep. If he wakes in the night and comes to our bed, he'll insist I rub his back -- "Mom, rub my back, please."

Zane loves closeness when he sleeps. So he and Hendrix are often in the same bed together. I'm thankful they have each other.

Pretty sure my face reveals the exhasution I often feel during bedtime routines. 

Some nights require all of our stuffies, especially if Zane is not there.

And some nights we have just a little more energy to expend before resting our head on a pillow.

He's actually asleep, believe it or not. Before Vanessa got room darkening curtains for her room, she was sleeping with a facemask. Hendrix admired hers so much he begged her to make him one, so she did. He became very attached to it. She made it out of felt and it is actually big, so it covers his nose. Not sure how that is comfortable, but he loves it and has learned to adjust it so it's not as smothering. :-)

Hendrix went through a phase over the summer where he wore a tie to bed.

Some nights require a hat in bed. 

Who doesn't enjoy shadow puppets?!

And some nights require a little more work before calling it a night.

A Wild Life With Wildlife

 

Thank God He is in control of all the wild aspects of life. Perhaps God was using Hendrix to get that reminder to us when Hendrix set up the scene above back in March. Visits with and from wildlife help us to stop and realize that they don't seem to notice hysteria in society, they go about their day and consider good weather, shelter and access to food as all they need. We have had plenty of all, and we're extremely grateful for that. 

We've never had geese near our property. All the Spring rain must have made it extra inviting.

Conserving worm bait by tearing them in two. :-/

We'll never forget how this beautiful tree frog fell from the patio umbrella.

The birds loved for the kids to do the trampoline sprinkler -- they would come to bathe after the kids were done.

Hendrix likes to take bugs out of the house and put them back in their appropriate environment.

This baby bunny was so cute and fun to watch grow over the season.

Scarlet needed a help with peeling dead skin.

Lots of garter snakes this year. But as Uncle Leonard reminded us, we should be sure we know the difference since copperheads can look similar.

Skar came outside to play and it was funny trying to convince him to come back in.

How sweet and alarming that this fawn wanted to play with Zane, Hendrix and me.

The goats at the zoo loved all the extra attention they got once visitors were allowed back at the zoo.

We get some of the most beautiful finches. I watch them from the kitchen window.

Who can forget when we got a National Geographic moment in our front yard?!

Similar to years in past, we get a monarch who seems to be a regular. This one stayed around for a good couple of months, flying from her favorite spot in the back to our front porch frequently.

COVID Easter

It was a strange Easter but we made the best of it and enjoyed it no matter. G-Ma and G-Pa went the extra mile to make it special too. We started with a morning of kids needing to navigate an obstacle course to get to their baskets. Then G-Pa and G-Ma scurried to hide Easter eggs in our backyard without the kids knowing. We were also blessed with G-Ma's special Easter meal, before wrapping up the afternoon with one last Easter egg hunt. 

Music Therapy

 And although not as well documented through pics or videos, music is and always a huge release here, from jamming music on devices to playing a variety of instruments.

Artistic Releases

Art really is a great release. From chalk art to crochetting, we had a ton of fun with lots of mediums.

Zane's Piccaso style.

Vanessa crocheted stuffies for siblings and tons of friends. I'm certain she may have set a record for number of items crocheted by a 12-year-old in one summer. ;-)

Zane making his own theater movie box.

We could make a whole book  of Sirenhead pics.