Birthday girl...

-author Laurie

Some one turned eight today!

She had three cakes...

Lots of presents...

I hope you have a blessed year.  Happy birthday from your Mimi. And Pawpaw, too!

Surgery, and stuff...

"I shall make the most of all that comes; and the least of all that goes." -Sara Teasdale

He sat in front of me in Geometry class.  In fact, he sat close to me in most of my high school classes.  His name is John Henry, and he is now my dermatologist.  Today I went to see Dr. Henry to get the prescribed margins cut around my melanoma.  They call it surgery, which I think is weird since I think of surgery as something that needs to be done in a hospital under anesthesia.   It is surgery, just done in the office, and with local anesthesia.

In High School, John was a brainy-act, so I felt quite comfortable letting him cut on me, and trusting him with the outcome.  During the procedure, we talked about some of our classmates, wondering where some are, and lamenting over those whose lives were cut short.  

All I felt during the procedure was little bits of pressure every now and then.  I wonder if cutting skin is like cutting a piece of pie or cake.  I imagine he has cut out a perfect rectangle in my back, and I think of geometry.  He always knew the geometry theorems, and I trust he is the same today in his profession.  He knows his stuff.  At one point, he had to cauterize some blood vessels that were bleeding.  It was sure strange smelling the burning flesh.  My flesh, and it did not smell as pleasant as a pie or cake baking.  Pretty soon, I could tell he was sewing me up, and I assured him I would be more careful about the stitches.  I got subs to take my aerobic and water classes while I am healing, so there would be little danger in pulling out these five stitches.  Tonight, I can tell something has been done to my back.  There is a dull pain where I was cut on, and I have to be careful not to sit completely back against a chair.  

Before my procedure, I went for a walk.  My wonderful cat was taking in the morning rays perched up on the brick fence post.  She looked so regal.  My neighbors call her the cat that has the "saddle" on her back because her calico colors look like a saddle.  I had never thought of that before.  Interesting description.

Maggie enjoying the morning.  

I like the morning light as it shines through nature.  I did stop to take a picture of a lovely weed.  Well, the flower looks lovely.  The stem has stickers on it, so this is not one of those wild flowers you pick to take home.  In fact, I always hated picking this week out my yard, or garden.  Thankfully this was not in my yard.  Kind of looks like a star, don't you think?  I am, also, thankful for iPhone cameras.  They take very nice pictures.

Bubble photo shoot...

"Let your words be few, and your exposures be many." 
-anonymous

I saw this on Pinterest and wanted to do a photo shoot with the twins that would be similar...

Source: angelasollingphotography.com  Pinterest

Is that not the cutest idea.  I decided I would try to replicate this photo shoot.  Believe me, it was no easy task with our unpredictable weather, and boys.  On the day that it was nice and warm out, the boys crashed at 6:30.  Finally, we were down to our last day.  It would have to be now or never... and it was cold outside--66 degrees.  I asked Warren and Luke to help me set up this shoot by making sure there was heat, and warm water in the tub.  They set up our outdoor propane heater by our photo spot, and they ran a hose from the hot water heater to fill that tub.  What geniuses I have: father and son.   I would have been carrying pots of warm water out to the tub.   I scouted out potential photo spots.  The light and background had to be just right.

In spot #1, there was an ugly tree and fence in the background, #2 had too much greenery in front of the tub, # 3 still an ugly background, #4 was our spot.  We liked the rustic fence to go along with the tub.

I bought a bubble machine to pump out the bubbles.  I had to test it to make sure it worked and the bubble would photograph nicely.

My cat was wandering around, and was very interested in what we were doing.  We used her as our test subject.  We shot bubbles at her, and were so happy that our little operation was going to work.  She did not know what was going on, but she did not show any fear of the bubbles.

Luke filled the tub with nice warm water, and made bubblebath from Aveeno Baby wash.  We did not want soap that stung the eyes.  All we had to do was add the boys.

Then we turned on the bubble machine.  They did not know what to think at first, but soon liked their bubbles, and water.  And began to play.

Very happy boys...and lots of bubbles.

Fun, and more fun... I think at this point they are still unsure.

Hmmm.  I am not sure about these looks.  

They are starting to relax some.

Now they are really beginning to enjoy their surroundings.  We had trouble keeping them in the tub.

Tate

Tate again...

Sawyer

Tate relaxing, and Sawyer with his goatee...

So much fun...

That's all for the bubbles.  All clean and ready for bed.

Visit...part 2...Cousins...

"A cousin is a ready-made friend for life." -author unknown

Sawyer and Tate's temporary room while they were visiting was none other than their father's old room.  Maybe that is why they slept so well in there, they were enjoying a piece of their Daddy's history.  Thanks to family and friends, we had all the things the twins needed: car seats, strollers, beds, blankets, and toys.  All of which added to their comfort, safety, and fun.

They loved looking out the window, and they bonded with these blankets right away.  Sawyer had his "Raffey" too.   And his two fingers.  Are these not the cutest babies?

The pegs were the favorite toy of the twins.  We had trouble keeping track of the pegs.  One morning Luke found one down the leg of one of their pajamas that had been washed and dried.  

It was not long before their cousins came to visit.  This was double fun for them, since the twins were showered with attention and affection from Erynn and Reid.

Sawyer and his cousins...

On to outside...

Tate cut his knee crawling in the grass.  Reid got him an Angry bird band-aid. 

 Tate and Sawyer were not too keen on the prickly grass.  They both kept one leg in the air...

Sawyer...noticed the raised foot...

Dancing with Erynn...

Now it is Tate's turn...but he seems distracted...

Reid and Sawyer

There is nothing that is more fun that having your older cousins play and entertain you...

Fun with family...it just doesn't get any better!  Stay tuned; there is more to come!