Halloween...Landon and I dressed up as...pirates! A nod to my lovely niece, who taught me to love pirates...and Jack Sparrow...

I taught Landon to say "Arrrrr, matey!", and when asked "What are you going to be for Halloween?", he would sweetly answer, "Me and Momo are Arrrr matey!".

Yes, we were. Yes, we arrrr.....!

How fun is Fall? If you are 2 and 1/2 years old and have great grandparents that rake ALL the leaves from their backyard into a 2 1/2 foot tall pile...I guess it's pretty fun!
How brave is Landon? Well, he didn't even hesitate! His uncle Jeff lifted him to the top of the bricks and Landon looked at him as if to ask "Is it ok if I jump into this nice, neat pile of leaves?" ....and with a huge smile...he dove!

A pile of leaves....ok, a BIG pile of leaves...but really, isn't it the simple things? Thank goodness for grandkids who joyously remind us what it's all about...

The Birdhouse

This little birdhouse was a birthday present from my grandson, Elliot. Mike and I thought about where it would best be hung...so that it could be seen, but any nest-hunting birds might still find it attractive. Mike chose the perfect spot. Just off the deck in the Maple tree, lost in the leaves, yet still in view. As it turned out...a wren couple decided it was just right for them...and this Spring we were witness to the tireless parents feeding those large-mouthed little birds...their mouths were surely as big as their bodies! All we could see was one little bird with his mouth open wide, peeping loudly, sticking his head out of that hole as far as he dare, waiting for his parents to bring him some grub...and all of the sudden, his sibling, mouth also open wide, also peeping, (but louder!) would push his bird brother out of the way, lest his parents came back and he miss his share of the goods...it was a delight to behold for several weeks...and now they have grown up and flown away. We're hoping that they remember their tree-top condo next year... and we're hoping that someday, when Elliot is older, maybe with kids of his own, he can hang this birdhouse in a tree in his own backyard, and watch a small miracle of nature as a bird family is born...thank you Elliot, for such a wonderful gift!

Ahhh......summer!

Landon loves the water....he will ask me to do this with him..."Come on, MoMo"...he holds out his hand to me and kisses as if to call a pet...and of course, I answer, eagerly...so we run to the fence at the edge of the yard and turn to face the pool. He says (as best he can), ready, set, go! And we both run...he, as fast as his little legs will carry him, me just behind him so I can watch...as he plows full speed into the side of the pool and splashes face first...only to stand up and repeat the process immediately..."Come on, MoMo"...kiss, kiss...

Simon had perfect timing and took this excellent photo of his son at the moment of "pool contact", catching the obvious joy on Landon's face. Ah......summer. Surely, these are the best days of our lives!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Mike took me to my first Major League game about 10 years ago. Wrigley Field is one of the few great, old stadiums left...and probably has the most character since it is right in the middle of the neighborhood of Lakeview, better known as Wrigleyville...there is nothing quite like the atmosphere outside the stadium before a game! Needless to say, we are HUGE Cubs fans!

A good friend of Mike's, Martin P., won some Cubs tickets at a charity auction and events led him to give those tickets to Mike and I. That in itself is pretty cool because they are box seats...but the bonus is that Mike gets to throw out the first pitch! They will be playing the Mets August 29th at 3:10...I will be taking all the pictures and video I can...look for us in the 7th inning stretch!!!!!

Grand Haven Vacation

Have you ever experienced something and you wanted so badly to be able to share the feeling you had with the people you love?

Sitting on the beach in Grand Haven last week was one of those times. I am so grateful that I was able to raise Simon there...
GH is such a unique experience...a great place to visit, a wonderful place to live and raise your boy...
I have friends there who have become an important part of my life. They always will be...

Kansas is my home, where my family is, and I don't regret for a second being home. I simply need to be here...want to be here. It is where I belong. If I could scoop up everyone in my family (and my very good friends, too) I would take us all to whimsical Grand Haven...but of course, I can't.

So at the very least...I wish I could share the feeling with them.

Welcome to my experiment...

A good friend of mine suggested I blog....so here I am.

I am not sure what I am setting out to do with this...record some thoughts...share stories...maybe along the way something will provoke a response...or a laugh...if nothing else it will be a diary of sorts, of my life...for my family and friends...

welcome to my world....

Cheryl