Missing Daddy

Part of us left today. Tomorrow Shann is starting his new job in Durham. We are thrilled, but we are still here. This morning, the kids and I left for church when Shann left for North Carolina, and we took turns crying all the way to church. I felt OK, I thought, but I'm not one to let anyone cry alone! I looked into the rear view mirror at one point and saw tears streaming down Alyssa's face. Caden's lip was trembling. He told me a chunk of his heart was missing. And I thought - my goodness! Its only a few weeks! I can't imagine what a wreck we'd be if Shann was going to Afghanistan or something! This morning the kids made pictures for him before he left. Here is Alyssa's...
And Caden's. He drew a picture of himself, he said, so Shann wouldn't forget what he looks like.

We love you and miss you Daddy!

"The Daddydo list"

A project for Dad that Caden left on the workbench downstairs. He was good enough to draw the motorcycle as it should look as a helpful guide.

Deep Thoughts

things we saw at the zoo today

Yes, we've been here many times. But maps are fun. And this was the last day we'll come to this zoo! Splurged a little.

things we've pretended over the last week...

Alyssa: "I'm a little kitten and you don't see me except on Wednesdays."

Caden: "I'm a mole hanging upside down. You don't have to own me if you don't want to. Oh, I mean, I'm a possum"

Alyssa: "I'm a kitty in the pound"

Alyssa: "I'm a kitty who likes warm places."

Alyssa: "I'm a baby goat."

Caden: "I'm a fox."

Alyssa: "I'm a lost girl working for pennies"

Alyssa: "I'm an orphan who came to your door and you invite me to be your daughter"

Both: Prairie dogs. Hedgehogs. Kittens. Tigers. Puppies born with the same fur. Then after freeing themselves, they serenaded me with an original song entitled We're Two Lovable Furballs.

Stomp Rocket....who knew?

Such a fun toy that I'd never heard of until Aunt Lynne sent this for Caden's birthday!

Birthday food

I've been quite remiss in posting lately! I got all these pics off my camera today an realized I'm behind. For Caden's birthday dinner, he picked goldenrod eggs. I made half the sauce blue and half purple. Here is our giraffe cake, that I was quite glad he picked because you only use a 9x9! He's quite small, but very cute.