I am not sure why I take so many photos of plants. I am sure it has something to do with the fact that they don't move.
In the past two weeks or so Kelly and I have changed our tune. Before we would proudly praise Clara and John for the things they would do by focusing on the outcome of what they did. We would say things like "You did a great job!" and "That looks so good." etc, etc... Now we say "You worked so hard." and "You do good work." Stressing the effort, time, and dilligence of their efforts rather than the result. I like that it is about working hard and not giving up. It has done good things. John has been working on puzzles ever since Clara got one for her birthday. He started with a 25 piece puzzle and mastered it, and now is mastering a 100 piece puzzle. I am impressed with his diligence and concentration. Yesterday was the first time he did every piece but two. One because it is lost and the other because i placed it. For a while we were doing it together about twice a day. I think it is interesting that he learns little sections at a time. first the faces then Buzzes feet and Woody's belt. He works so hard and I am so proud of him! And whats more, he is proud of himself and the work he did.
Halloween this year was a blast. We had a family in our ward that we have become friends with, the Greaves, come over. While Kelly and Paul held down the fort and frightened off potential T-P-ers, we went out and let the kids practice a form of hunter-gather lifestyle that is only practiced in candyland. We were unsure of the weather as it had rained earlier that day, but the weather held. John was so cute! He would say "trick or treat" so quickly and when asked what his costume was, he would proudly respond "PIDER!" without hesitation(he had changed from the monkey to the spider). There was one house that had a man in a mask that entranced Clara. She was frozen and would not move or break eye contact with the man as he acted ghoulish in the background. I was so happy to be there and that he was kind enough to remove his mask to show Clara it was a regular person. As we were walking around, I was amazed to see the batmobile drive by. With batman driving. I kid you not. I wish I had my camera with me. Someone had built a car to look exactly like the batmobile and was driving around in it. It was so cool. I wish Kelly had been out to see it. Finally we returned home for pumpkin pie. I was so happy to see the kids get just as excited to hand out candy as they were to be given it. All in all, a wonderful halloween despite the sugar hangover the kids had the following day!
I know that Kelly plays Daddy's Homecoming just so he can get kisses. It is impressive how well he plays with Clara and John climbing up him, literally hanging on him from around his neck, and "patting" him a little to hard on the cheek. But it is the cutest thing a mother could watch and Kelly doesn't look to unhappy about it either.
While Dad was shooting with Uncle Carl, we went on a mid-morning walk. Grandma and Grandpa took us along the irrigation canal. Clara waded and John had a wonderful time throwing rocks in the water. We love Idaho and always wish we could spend more time visiting.
John is two now. As gifts he got a truck, cars, airplanes, puzzle, guitar and an I-spy-quilt that he wrapped himself up in. We love having John around. I love hearing him sing songs and hearing him exclaim "I did it" when he does something of note. He sometimes hits and occasionally falls apart but that is because he is two.
