All About Animals (not really)

There has been an animal theme in our lives as of late.  I have to say, experiencing animals through the eyes of children is heart-warming and refreshing. The innocence and awe that they display when interacting with God's creatures is contagious.  It doesn't hurt sharing these moments with people you adore.

We participated in a walk at the Cincinnati Zoo to raise money for Children's Hospital. This was a win-win scenario :  identifying the hospital's "International Adoption Services" as the place for our donations to go, and getting to experience the Zoo in the process!  All the while having perfect weather!

Next, our pet for the week.   Brian found him hanging out in our back yard:

After deciding that we had to keep him for a few days, we went to Google to see how to best care for him.  We learned lots:  he was a Box Turtle, and indeed a male, since he had red eyes.  We found out he liked to eat moths, grasshoppers, vegetables etc...  Do you see the cherry tomatoes in the pool?  the last from our garden for the year?  I don't think we knew what we were doing--- they were never touched. 

Lucy named him "Colorful." 

More on Colorful in a moment.

A break from our animals and onto Lucy's first birthday party as  a Kindergartener.  Rachel was the birthday girl.

The party was at one of those bounce house party places.   Needless to say, lots of fun was had.  This was Lucy's fave of all the activities.

So, is it just me, or is Colorful not looking quite so colorful after a few days?  

Like I said, I don't think we knew what we were doing.  I am not sure he was supposed to be in water all that time. 

Lucy loved having him around.  She would rush home from school to check on him.  She would find moths at the park and bring them home to feed him.   It was all very cute.

Needless to say, letting him go made for one very sad little five year old.

We decided to take him to our neighbor's back yard, where there is a creek.  We thought he might be safer over there...

Bye, Bye Colorful!

Next, let me introduce Max the Monkey.  Any mom of a young one probably knows all about the different class animals that come home throughout the school year.   Where you get to document all your adventures with him in the class book, that also comes home?  

Max was with us for a week.

And then, he had to go back.  Lucy cried for 3 days straight after Max's departure. 

Who came up with this idea anyway? 

And finally, a real treat.  This time our adventures took us to the Newport Aquarium.  But it wasn't the place as much as the people who made this outing extra special.

Lucy and her China sisters.   Together again. As I tell Lucy, she knew these girls before she knew us.  They may have slept in the same crib together.   They for sure were in the same orphanage together.  They spent their first months of life together.

It had been over a year since these girls had seen each other. 

Within five minutes of seeing each other, this is how they were interacting.....

The day was perfect.  

The girls were so happy. 

Lucy and another turtle (in the background).

 They had so much fun together...  All.  Day.  Long.

Freeze Tag.

Friends hanging out. Chit chatting.

 

All the parents were "awhhhing" this moment.....

They share a unique and special bond. 

We will do our best, Lucy, to always nurture and honor these oh-so-special relationships.

And that concludes our adventures with animals this month.   

But really, it was so much more than that. 

Our first fire of the fall season.  

We are blessed.

Beauty Everywhere

This little girl?  Getting dressed up like Belle

 from Beauty and the Beast?

Beautiful.

A daddy treasuring a dance with his daughter?

To Beauty and the Beast?

Beautiful.

Mommy-Daughter date night?

Where I get to take my little girl to see Beauty and the Beast?

Beautiful.

A little girl, painting her nails in her rain boots,

before going out to help with yard work?

Priceless.  

And...

Beautiful.

Ahhhh, yes, those roses you see in the foreground?

These?

Beautiful. 

A sister who sends me flowers,

 for no reason at all, 

other than to spread some sunshine 

on a random Friday morning?    

Thoughtful.  Unforgettable. 

 And...

 

Beautiful.   

(Thank you, Lisa.  You are the BEST!)

Sunshine illuminating my precious daughter's sweet face?  

Beautiful.

Thank you God, for the beauty that surrounds me.  

Thank you for all those who bring such beauty to my life.  

It is not overlooked or taken for granted.  

Help me to always appreciate those 

who bring this beauty to my life.

Changes

They are subtle, but they are there.  Those little changes that happen when the time they spend with you is a little less, and the time they spend with their peers is a little more.   I am sure most parents experience this when their children start school.

She is carrying on longer conversations.  She is more expressive in her likes and dislikes.  She is more curious about everything.  She is more pensive about other kids and their differences.  She is more self directed.  She is more independent. She is more responsive to redirection.  
 

Oh, and there is this:  she has a new “boyfriend” every other day.  (Brian has already pleaded with her on this one.)  Today it is Pascal. 

But all in all, Brian and I cannot complain.  She is adjusting well, and so are we.  We are grateful she likes her teachers, and she is making friends.  We are enjoying the changes we see.   All is well.

And visits from friends and family always make life a little bit sweeter......

I used to work with Patton...

He is a treasured friend.

And Lucy loves him so.

And short but sweet visits with Lindsay Lou are always welcomed.....

"No no........I can put it on all by myself."  (read: Little Ms. Independence)

Ten minutes later, and we are off!

How much do these girls love each other?

It is immeasurable.