It's lonely around here!

See how lonely the townhouses look? Kirsten, Rowan and Dilly left for India on Monday. It took them 30 hours to get to Ahmedabad, India. Their luggage didn't arrive with them, but hopefully they have it by now. Kirsten was so impressed by how helpful everyone was, especially Indians on the last legs of the trip. Total strangers would come up and help her carry stuff or help with the kids. She called us when after they arrived and the kids laughing and playing very happily and noisily in the background with Rob, their Dad.

These are the trunkies that Kirsten got for rollable carry on's for the kids. They've been having trunky monkey roller derby's around the house in Phoenix for the past month to get in shape. They propel these things full speed around the living room, kitchen, hallway circle with Rowan going full speed around the curves while yelling for their audience to cheer them on.

We were up in Flagstaff and we made a house from the window seat to the chairs. Here they are coming our the windows. "Close the doors, their coming in the windows, close the windows their coming in the doors" Words from a song that my Mom would sing about we rough and tumble kids when I was growing up.

Gymnastics! We miss you three!

Would you like to come over for tea?

The kids were helping me in the garden and every exposed body part was covered with dirt. Solution, pop them into the outside sink. Mom says that she would do the same thing with us when we were little. We had a laundry sink just inside the back door. It also worked great for removing all that Phoenix dirt. Look at those cute little Dilly toes!
This is afternoon tea. We get together about once a week for traditional Aussie/English tea. Notice the beautiful flowers. Kirsten's anniversary gift from Rob.

Oktoberfest

Rowan in a dirndl and Dilly in lederhosen at Oktoberfest. These were Kirsten's when she was little, brought straight from Germany by her Grandma and Grandpa (who bought the dirndl all by himself). Everybody called them little Hansel and Gretel and oohed and aahed over them. One couple came up and asked if the outfits are "vintage". Kirsten got a puzzled look and said, "well I never thought about it like that, but I guess they are."


There was a Alpin Horn blowing contest. Rowan and Dilly very patiently waited in line with all the older kids. Some of the kids could blow it, some couldn't. Rowan was the first little kid. She got up to the horn, blew and out came the loudest honking sound you can imagine. Everybody clapped and were surprised that such a little body could create such a loud noise. Afterwards she said, "the man just told me to put my lips on it and blow!" It was the definate highlight of the party for all of us!

Below, Rowan celebrating her successful horn blowing!


More celebration dancesAnd the dynamic duo walks off into the sunset!

Merlin, friend, protector, huggable giant

Rowan and Dilly have a kittycat Duncan who is living with Grandma and Grandpa in Oregon. They really miss Duncan, so it is great that Merlin greeted them with open cat paws so to speak. He welcomes full body huggs, in your face kisses, can't get enough of you ear pullings and tight neck squeezes. Merlin loves them back with full force cat nuzzles, patience and thunderous purring.

Never knew that Merlin loves Cinderella so much! They are both engrossed in the magical tale.
Merlin the guardian and protector! He was really trying to lie down next to Dilly, but couldn't fit all 17+ pounds on the same section of the couch. On to other things. Dilly is saying more and more words and is even putting 2 words together fairly often. We were talking to Star on the phone, he said , "Star" and "Stella Guns" (which is Stars roller derby name). He learns from Rowan who tends to talk or sing nonstop all day. He usually repeats right after her. The weather has turned beautiful. It is actually fall in Phoenix. We can leave our windows open. It cools down at night and there is a mild chill in the air in the morning. We are loving it.

Day Do, Grace and Hugs

When we say grace before dinner, we all hold hands. I usually say who wants to say grace? Rowan says, "Thank you God for all our blessings" which is a grace she made up herself after listening to Jules or I say grace. One day when I said, "who wants to say grace?" this little Dilly hand shoots up into the air. We all look at him with surprise, he bows his head and says, "Day Do" (thank you in Dilly talk). No one told him what to say. Most nights at dinner that little hand shoots into the air and Dilly says thank you. God has to be smiling and just as touched as we are whenever Dilly or Rowan say grace.
This was taken before Little Grandma and I went to the symphony, so Dilly has my dress shoes on. He loves to put on any shoes that are bigger than his feet because he can get them on by himself. Rowan is still dressed in her Goodwill costume and Tu-tu, giving her little brother a hug.
And a kiss.
Rowan in Nana's heels, putting together a puzzle. She loves to take all 3 puzzles apart at the same time, mix up the pieces and then put them together again. Kirsten does the crossword puzzle each day. Rowan comes up to her and says, "Are you keeping your brain sharp?" One day Kirsten said to her, "you are one sharp cookie." Rowan looks up at her Mom and says, " Mommy, cookies are not sharp. "
Rowan sharing her 3 paper doll "babies" with Dilly. They are all dressed up watching a movie together. The big thing the past 2 days is that Rowan has decided to be potty trained. She woke up yesterday, dressed herself for the day in lacy "dog" undies and her favorite outfit. She has only had one accident each day. She is doing great and so proud of her slim lines and frilly undies. Way to go Rowan

Super Pilot

Rowan says, “I have an ID my Dad gave me to clip on my shirt, because I’m Super Pilot.” This is Rowan flying through the air, tipping one wing. When Rowan says or does something that surprises us, we say, "Rowan, were did you learn that?" Rowan always says, "My Daddy taught me."
Dilly and Rowan in the "Big Boy Bed" He has graduated to sleeping with Rowan, except nap time when it is back into the crib. We went in last night to check on them. They had switched places, Dilly was sideways on the bed with his feet hanging off the edge, Rowan was like a wiggle worm.
Good night kiss in the Big Boy Bed.
Little Grandma, I and Rowan went to Goodwill yesterday on 50% off Saturday. We got these great dress up costumes for them. Dilly is some kind of dracula sponge Bob square pants. He wouldn't take this off for over 2 hours. This is Phoenix in early October. Our temperatures have dropped to the high 90's. We are in heaven, no 3 digit temperatures. However, it was still a little hot for this winter sleeper, but Dilly loves it. Rowan choose a pink tu-tu with a Chinese top. Very fetching don't ya think. Papa was asking Dilly to say “tray” (which he said yesterday). Dilly just looks at him with his serious expression. I said, “its too much like a performance. Dilly doesn’t always perform.” Rowan says, “Well I do!”
Little Grandma says, Grapes have been so good this year, I wonder where they came from? Rowan looks up at her, and says, “They come from the store!” With the look on her face as if to say, " Little Grandma I am shocked that you don’t know that!"

Walking boxes

We have had miraculous walking boxes at our house lately. They are the funniest things and very entertaining for all.


This was the day Papa babysat us. We were watching a movie and Dilly pooped. I told Papa that Dilly needed to be changed. Papa wasn't too thrilled about the prospect, but some things you never forget. I was watching Cinderella, my favorite movie. Papa took Dilly into the bedroom to change him. Papa yelled asking me to come into the bedroom and tell him where Dilly's diapers were. I told him that I couldn't stop watching Cinderalla. I told him Dilly's diapers are on the highest shelf. He found them all by himself!!
Tomato soup is one of our favorite lunch foods. This is Dilly really enjoying his tomato soup.