Grandma and Bapa

Happy Birthday to Grandma, Happy Birthday to Grandma, Happy Birthday to Grandma, 

Happy Birthday to You!

We celebrated Judy's birthday last weekend with a homemade chocolate cake (her favorite) and presents.  It was a treat to be together and so helpful as Steve was away skiing in Colorado.  

Grandma took Olivia to gymnastics and Bapa took Braden.  They helped with grocery shopping and meal co-op.  They helped with nap time and bed time and everything in between.  

Braden and Olivia love their grandma ... that goes without saying ... but there is just something about their Bapa that has captivated them.  He walks in the door and they are tugging at his pant leg to play, to tell them stories and to snuggle.  I think the feeling is mutual as I know Darrell comes down any chance he can get to see them.  

It's not the big events that the three of them delight in or that makes their time together special.  It's the little ones.  They love to walk outside and look at nature.  They find small bugs, talk about plants or look into the sky.  They love to snuggle inside and talk about life.  It's absolutely magical to sit and listen to them.  He can hold a discussion with them about absolutely anything.  I've heard them talking about where meat comes from, how to catch fish, the baby mammoth that is going to be in the Chicago museum this summer, and other topics I wouldn't even begin to think would interest them.  It does though - they are captivated by his stories, by his attention and his love.

Thank you Darrell and Judy for all of your help but most of all for your love for our kids.  They are lucky, lucky, lucky!