A week with Nana

It's been a fun week with Nana around. With her here to baby-sit Caleb, Luke and I got to go swimming one day. (He did finally agree to take off the helmet before getting in, but he walked half a mile with me to the pool with the helmet on.)

Meanwhile, Nana was giving Caleb lessons on feeding himself. This is what he looked like after attempting to imitate how Pops eats.

Waiting for Daddy

We've been hanging out with Nana the past few days and anxiously awaiting Chris' return from Germany. We've all missed him a lot, but especially Luke who says that "the scarecrow from Finland doesn't appear in his curtain at night when Daddy is around." What an imagination this kid has!!

Caleb's first finger food

Caleb goes for his first bite of non-pureed food....a well-done piece of brocolli that almost got pureed on the way to his mouth.

He likes it, he likes it! Luke clapped and was very proud of his little brother eating "big boy food."

The student and the teacher

Luke: "Here you go, Caleb. This is how it's done."

Caleb: "That's nice, but I think I'd just rather chew on it."

Luke: "Hmmm....let me find the next piece to fit on it."

Luke: "No chewing! You will do this and you will have fun!"

A visit to Harlaxton to see Mollie

Mollie and her husband, Brian, are in town this week at a college called Harlaxton which is 2+ hours northeast of us. I was hoping Caleb would be well enough after the chicken pox to head up to see her. After a few smiles like this, I was convinced we could go.....

It was really great to see an old friend. We ate lunch (after Mollie was brave enough to ride in the car with me driving on the wrong side of the road), then we hung out in the flat the college provided for them and Luke discovered all the hidden toys and puzzles in their place.

Then we went up to the main building and Luke was enamored with the lions. It is a gorgeous place with incredible twisting staircases, elaborately decorated ceilings, and beautiful grounds all around it...

Here is the view from the front.

Chicken pox and painting

So, our little baby has chicken pox. Here he is soaking in the tub.

Meanwhile, Luke has been a real trooper being stuck inside. We have done all sorts of baking, painting, and we've gone on long walks with Caleb tucked up in the stroller.

You can't get upset with this little guy, though. He's just too darn cute!

Bouncing with Tigger

A friend passed along this Tigger jumpy seat to us and Caleb loves it. The only problem with it is that it won't hold a 40+ pound toddler at the same time.

Their new hats

Reverse psychology actually does work. Luke gets heat rashes if exposed to too much sun, so he really needs to wear a hat these days. But, he's really into dressing himself and has refused a hat......until we set off to buy Caleb a "cool new hat." Instantly, Luke had to have one and now he will not take it off. It's amazing. If I'd known these tactics worked so well, I might've had the second baby sooner! :)

The highlight from the birthday parties

I always thought the cake, ice cream, and time with friends were the best part of a birthday party. But, for a 7 month old and a 3 year old, there is no doubt......the party blowers are the best part. This is true not just during the party but for a least the following week also.

Many thanks to Aunt Sandy for starting off the party blowing fun.....
They giggled and played with these for a good 30 minutes.....AMAZING!!

Out in Port Meadow

In an attempt to get Luke, Ella, and Carter close enough to all fit in a photo, we said, "Boys, put your hand gently on Ella's shoulder." I thought this was a pretty smart idea because both boys actually acquiesced, but I didn't think about Ella not wanting anything to do with these two. (Smart girl!!) She managed to wiggle away from what started out as gentle and ended as desperate grabbing. This was from a one-hour stint on Port Meadow----as long as our snacks lasted us. Port Meadow is a preserved flood plain in central Oxford. It's amazing to see cows grazing so close to the busy city centre.

Chris is 31

So here are the boys.......This was taken at Chris' 31st birthday breakfast. I live with 3 handsome boys, eh?

We went to see the movie The Painted Veil to celebrate (many thanks to good friends who baby-sat for us!!). It is an excellent movie based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham and I highly recommend it.

The beginning..........

This marks the beginning of my blog. I have low expectations that this will be nothing more than a venue to share photos with friends and family far away.....