Ba ba bottle sheep

This was a day of 'firsts', as are many in his life. First time to tell me he was going to tinkle and then, to go in little green potty. He did seem so pleased!

Another first is that he started the dishwasher several times today. On tiptoe, and when it came on he flashed a big grin.

We were outside all morning; raking, swinging, listening to birds, planes, jackhammers, compressors and dogs. He is quite the on the scene reporter, and is so observant. He discovered the enormous ladder which is stored beneath the deck, and would peer through the lattice to study it. On the deck, he sat or stood at the art table and built with blocks and loaded and un-loaded the wagon.

And, though the new insect shirts arrived in the wrong size, he enjoyed greeting the mail man and helping to open his package. Best of all, of course, was that he fetched grasshopper and placed him atop the image on his shirt.

Love his emerging sense of humor. Thank you, thank you for sharing.

Baptism of Blakeley Elise and Woods Wesley Miller

Love the ground rules which greeted us as we approached the church. Most likely on display in advance of your tiny twosome.

It was a wonderful day and I am such a proud parent and grandmother. 

Art for Grammy and Papa Tank's arrival

Day with Woods

Woods was holding puppy, bear and football when he arrived and was in snuggle mode, so we did not head straight outside. He requested 'grasshopper movie', so we watched, accompanied by his insects. As each
type of bug made its appearance in the video he would search through the bucket and place it on the desk to 'see' the movie.

It was finally cool enough to play on the deck. Woods smushed finger paint around paper and played with a tub of water and a variety of sieves, funnels and cups. He ended up naked, standing in the tub. We repeatedly filled the bottle which Steve perforated with holes and Woods loved watching the water sprinkle into the tub and on his feet.

He loves to turn the dining room chandelier on-off, on-off, and prefers to leave it brightly aglow as he plays. He looked up at it, pointed and exclaimed, "Cicadas!" I presume the metal embellishments read as bugs on
tree limbs to him! The chandelier has been a favorite of both Blakeley and Woods; each in their own form of appreciation!

Sitting and playing with farm, Woods spent time creating a fence while he sat inside. Each fence piece had to be placed in the upright position, balanced and placed next to another. Fine motor skills got a good work out.


Woods discovered Steve's clothing drawers in our bath, and enjoyed opening and closing the baskets. He removed a number of Steve's athletic socks, and asked for Woods' socks. Logical.

Lunch was especially fun. He ate the last delicious, giant peach and enjoyed pushing his face in for bites and removing and replacing the seed in the hole.

Day with Woods

Today, it was easy to use words like 'over, under, above, below and through'. Woods tried to scale everything---the sectional (from the back!), the outside of the stair landing, the hearth. He easily climbed into Svan chair and enjoyed surveying himself in the mirror from his perch. He climbed into the space beneath the old wrought iron table in the living room. His companion, if you look at the photo closely, is a bronze dog
which belonged to his great, great grandmother Gambrell; it sat on the secretary desk top. And, bonus, he discovered the casting hole on its underside.

We went for a walk this morning and he enjoyed stomping on the manhole cover in the sidewalk, and collecting acorns with caps. He was rapt with attention watching a bee search for nectar from drooping flowers. Swing time was a hit, as always, and he was quite pleased that the sprinkler drenched us both. 'Again!' He has quit asking for the hammock, and I cannot wait until this heat breaks and it can be hung again.

Crazy as it sounds as it is over one hundred degrees in September, I tried his new tomato red / charcoal coat on him. The fit is great, and he seemed to like it with the hood up. I quickly removed it, and as we headed out the door to play he called out 'little bit, jacket'.

He asked for the train hats just before nap time, and we had an extra long journey down the tracks and through the dark hall and bath tunnels. Love how he pumps his arm as we chug along.

Fun, fun day.

Farm; uniquely adapted to suit Woods

Woods carried his bucket of insects with him today, enjoying a few new additions- dragonfly, praying mantis, baby grasshopper. The only animal he chose to place within the pens on the farm was the pink sow. Otherwise, he used it to corral his insects! And, several enjoyed rides in the cart behind the wagon, driven by 'Earl'.

Day with Blakeley

The first photo is of Blakeley and EVERY stuffed animal she could locate, inside the Marrakesh tent, and all ‘looking out the window’.

Her time at the art table was very focused as she gave great care to drawing her family. Love how she finds convenient perches for her feet as she creates. She spent a lot of time adding features to each tube family member, and the clothing selection process was fun to watch. My favorite has to be Brant; a tie and a trophy!

I was treated to a balance show on the kitchen floor. She used lots of skill and many muscles to keep only her bottom on the floor, and the rest of her in the air. She was so creative, spinning and moving into different positions.

The last cute photo is at her request. Finally, a close look at her uvula, way down her throat!

Our snack this afternoon was a new creation made with frozen bananas, peanut butter and nutella, in the smoothie maker. Sadly, the machine refused to work. Patient as long as she could be, Blakeley finally manned the controls and, of course, it came right on! I thanked her sincerely, as I had really built up the special concoction which was about to be a dismal failure.

Served herself water from the dispenser in the refrigerator door; Candy Land Bingo; played farm; swang outside in the heat; filled the birdbath, and fed the birds so GENEROUSLY with seed. Wonderful day!