Getting over her bout with strep.

Getting over her bout with strep.
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

Me, Maysie, Piper, Elisa, then Matilde. This was the order that we got diagnosed with Strep throat. I just finished my 10 day course of antibiotics, and feel like I still have it. Off to the doctor tomorrow to see! What fun! At least my little Maysie is back to her wonderful self. I sure missed her giggles.

Going to say good bye to Poppy

Going to say good bye
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

This past weekend we all traveled to Torrington, CT for the Memorial Service for my Grampa. We had a small service at the cemetery with family and a close friend of the family and then the next day we had the Memorial Service at the Methodist Church. The church was really special as my mother and father had been married there 40 years before. My Grampa had walked my mom down the aisle 40 years before and we were back there to honor what a wonderful father, husband, grampa, great-grampa, and dear friend he was. Piper was a bit young to know what was happening, however several times over the weekend, she asked me "Where Poppy go?" He sure wil be missed.

Such sweet ladies

Piper gets the giggles
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

I spent my 33rd (yikes) birthday with my family in Nashville. My niece turned 3 and I am lucky enough to share my birthday with her. My parents were there for the grand event, a Wiggles themed party at a lovely park. This tradition of going to Nashville on my birthday began on Abigail's first birthday when we flew down to surprise my sister. We have gone down each year since. We dress the girls alike and take tons of pictures every year. Now, poor Luke, the first boy will have to play along in our traditions.......wonder how he will look in pink!

brave bird lady

feeding birdies
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

I am not a bird person. I actually dislike most birds after an incident many years back when a loony bird bit my scalp. Oh, and I hold grudges, which is why I still don't like them. Enough about me.... Piper loves birds and at our recent trip to the Nashville Zoo, her and Brian fed some birds. She had such a blast! I hope she never asks for a bird....or a snake..or a lizard........a goat would be ok though!

the moments

Our $17.00 hay ride! :)
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

It imakes me so sad to think that some day my little Piper won't want to sit on my lap or cuddle with me. She is such a sweet little lady. I remind myself a lot that these moments aren't going to be around forever. I look at pictures of Piper when she was the same age as Maysie and I can hardly believe that she is already so grown up. Ok, she is only 2, but it feels like I close my eyes for a minute and she was talking. I love the little moments that I have with her.....how each morning the first thing she says when I see her is "Where's Maysie?", how she likes to let the teachers at daycare know that "she is MY MOMMY", and when I tell her that her Nana is my mommy, she says, "My Nana"......Her new favorite thing is to walk with Brian up to the beach each evening. I usually send them with some bread to feed the birds. Brian tells me that Piper usually eats most of the bread, which is odd since she won't eat it at home. She likes to wash her feet in the shower at the beach and brings me home little shells and such. This morning when I dropped her off at daycare she told me "I walk myself Mommy". She then put both hands in the pockets of her jeans and swaggered her way into school. My litlle lady is growing up!

Hanging out in a very special chair

Hanging out in a very special chair
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

The girls and I spent Labor Day weekend at the Vineyard with my mom. It was nice to be at my grandparents cottage, but it was very sad knowing that Poppy will no longer be with us physically out there. The weather was perfect and we were able to enjoy some of our favorite things.....coconut flavored coffee and apple fritters from the Back Door Bakery, beautiful gifts from the Sanctuary, and pumpkin cheesecake ice cream from Ben and Bill's. Brian couldn't come for this trip as he had some work to do and he had to babysit the dogs! We will be back next year and will plan a special service for my Grampa. He will be missed.

Piper and friends

MMMMMM ice cream and sprinkles!
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

This past weekend we had about 4 other couples over for a BBQ. They all have young children (all girls too!), so it was nice for Piper to be able to be a little host. The weather was perfect and there were 6.5 little ones to keep us all very busy! Piper is learning to share a little better, boy it sure is hard sometimes.....
Maysie slept most of the time, her favorite part of the day was when Brian held her for her nap, poor daddy!
The summer is almost gone. We have a couple trips coming up, our next one to Nashville to meet baby Luke and celebrate Abigail's 3rd birthday! And Halloween! We are on the look out for costumes!

Trust

carefree
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

The girls daycare closed several weeks ago, and a couple days later I received a very disturbing e-mail. One of the teachers in Piper's class was accused of putting tape over some of the childrens mouths. My heart sank. Just a week prior, Piper took a piece of tape and put it over her mouth. We thought nothing of it, until the e-mail. I am so disgusted and outraged. Another mother and I met with the director who reported the allegations to the agency that governs daycare centers. I spoke with the teacher who made the claims, and she confirmed that she indeed saw the teacher do this. It breaks my heart that we never would have thought this could happen under our noses. She said the teacher didn't do this to Piper, but that Piper was there when she did it to other children. I sure hope I never see her again. I am so grateful that my girls are healthy and happy, but this is a wake up call that you can't predict what others are capable of. UG! Enough of that.