Our summer STAYcation

This has been the best week ever! Mark's trip to Acapulco got canceled, and so we made it a family STAYcation. Lorelei started Vacation Bible School at COR in the mornings, and we filled up the rest of the week with family fun: Coco Key Water Resort, the LTF pool, the bungee trampolines and carousel at the mall, T-Rex, dance class, the bouncer, the park... mostly, we just spent time together. A LOT of time. We even found a four-leaf clover, to top it all off.

Beatrice Beanstalk

Illustration (c) 2009 Wendy Connelly

May I tempt you with a nibble on a pumpkin seed?

Should you be so bold as to accept, a coach from the Pumpkin DisPatch will arrive shortly at your door, sent to taxi you to the great kingdom of Figglement alongside twelve-year-old Beatrice Beanstalk. But before you take a bite, beware: The Grimm Witch is rumored to have risen again in Figglement, seeking to snuff out the souls of children to reclaim her dark powers. Among the beanstalk-staked cabins, butterscotch bog, and gingerbread lodge of M. T. Kettle's Camp for Coeds, children are being snatched away by the Grimm Witch's Reaper... and nobody knows who will fall victim next.

After eight years of imagining this world into being and setting it to the page, I have finally put it out into the Universe. Wish it luck!

-Wendy

Gryffin the Birthday Buccaneer

Gryffin John celebrated his first birthday party tonight with his toddler & older sibling friends--Will & Nicholas, Jonah & Noah, Robert & Grace, Jonny & Sammy, Abby & Hannah, Luke & Savannah, Piper, Rushil--and family--Meaghan, Todd & Jennie, Great Grammy, Grammy & BPop, Lorelei, Mommy, & Daddy--at the LifeTime Fitness pool. I still can't believe how quickly a year has flown by. He is such a joy; our Mr. Gryff. Your little curls, your sparkling eyes, your fierce smile... I love everything about you. Your snogging kisses, your sweet little voice and giggle, your cool, studly swagger. Mommy, Daddy, and Lorelei LOVE LOVE LOVE you, Gryffindor!!! XOXO

Family photo shoot--Spring 2009

Lorelei treated our family to a garden tea party in honor of Gryffy's one year birthday. Our friend and photographer, Julie Anderson, captured it with her magic, and I've put together a slideshow of the images. You can see more stills at http://www.julieanderson-photography.com/.

Gryffin's Dedication

Today, on Mother's Day, our little boy was dedicated to God. He wasn't very happy about it. He cried throughout most of the ceremony, in fact, except for when his finger was wedged in his mouth. But it didn't matter, really, because it was our promise, as parents, to raise him up to love God and to hear about the love of Jesus.

Our friend, Nick, praying for Gryffin and our family.

He's so sleepy he can barely keep his eyes open.

Walking with swagger

Gryffin's friend, Nolan, let him borrow his walking sticks. Here's the little tyke now, trotting around with swagger. And check out those two front teeth on our boy.

Girls' Day Out & Mr. Stinky Feet

Today was Girls' Day Out for Lorelei and Mommy. We started out our day at Wonderscope with a few friends, and Lorelei got to dance and play back-up instruments for Mr. Stinky Feet. After playing in the water works, going grocery shopping (in a pretend grocery store), visiting outer space, and playing golf (sort of), we went to Schlotzsky's for Lorelei's favorite veggie pizza and a Cinnabon. Then it was a day of shopping for some posh accessories for tomorrow's family pictures, including feathers for L's hair, a frumpy white boa, and shocking orange nail polish for tonight's Mommy & Me manicures and pedicures. But the best part of my day was when Lorelei gave me an Eskimo kiss and said, "Oh, I just love spending time with you, Mama!"

Lorelei hugging her friend, Jameson.

Wheeeeeeeeee!!!

Lorelei joined Mr. Stinky Feet's band.

Lorelei with Mr. Stinky Feet and Jeffrey (green striped shirt) from Music With Mar.

Lorelei at the Waterworks

Porter, Lorelei, and Piper