A little crazy

Grandma and Grandpa Gray and Auntie Annette and "Auntie Roger" (as Hads called him) left on Friday.  We had such a great time with them and are so grateful that they made the long trips to visit and spend time with us.  We very much look forward to seeing them again at Christmas and wish that our visits weren't so few and far between.

This week the kids started their summer Peapods class at the Arboretum.  They learned all about dandelions and how dirt made our lunch.  It's fun hearing the stories of all of their adventures.

Miles continues to be a serious, inquisitive kid.  His questions are often intense and complicated and now that he's a bigger boy I'm feeling some pressure to answer his inquiries thoughtfully to give him correct information.  Some of his questions are out of my league though already!  His latest wonderings are about things that we all wonder - "what is God?  Who is Jesus?  How do you die?  When you die do you fall asleep?  How do you get to Heaven?" Seriously.  This kid is deep.

Hads is giving us a run for our money lately.  I'm not sure if she's just a spirited two-year old or if she's an old spirit frustrated by being trapped in a toddler body.  She has a mind of her own and no amount of reasoning, bribery, threats or break times will sway her when she wants something.  What she often wants are things that are inappropriate for her age - like to use a knife at dinner.  She even announced several times this weekend "I want to be a grownup."  When she storms and tantrums when things don't go her way I have to take many deep breaths and remind myself of her fun, cute times - because truthfully it's not always very fun or easy to handle her extreme moods or desires.

One of the Gray family's pastimes - an intense dice/board game affectionately titled "Balls"

Happy birthday Auntie!

Hads and I scored this cool sunhat at a garage sale Saturday morning.  My little movie star - relaxing and looking good!

This kid seriously loves his bike.  Our neighbor commented today that it seems like he is always wearing his helmet - yep, that's so he can easily jump on and ride at any moment.

I love that our view is all green and peaceful.

This morning the kids insisted on watching cartoons from inside a couch fort.

So proud.  That picture is Miles' first drawing of something that actually looks like a person.  He said that it's a drawing of Mickey Mouse sticking his tongue out.  I'm so proud of this kid!