rainy morning, soft and warm

 Last night it was storming at bedtime.  I really wanted to sleep, but could hear Elin pacing around, upset.  It wouldn't kill me to go to the family room and  hang out with her until the storms passed.  There was no wind, but the thunder was, well pretty thunderous and the lightening was impressive.

She got up on the couch, and leaned on me, ears flattened back, licking her lips nervously.  After about half an hour, the storms were in the distance and she fell asleep, so I sneaked back to bed.

This morning was balmy and soft, still raining a little, just lush with a warm breeze.  I drove with the windows open, hiss of tires on the pavement, smell of fresh rain.

We ran errands and bought deli food for supper, and had a sleepover besides. 

Morning comes early, so time for bed.

In a couple hours it'll be October.   So much love, MOM aka Grandma

last weekend of september

 We dragged her along and also her brother who was less than thrilled to be there.

But it was a quiet weekend.  Jay decorated for Halloween.

I took these while I was painting the picnic shelter.   There was a cold breeze off the lake, but it felt wonderful, and the sky was so blue.

 Our neighbor, Laura, showed up while I was painting and talked for a little while. Then she found a brush and started painting along with me too.  It was the nicest hour imaginable, painting and laughing together.

 These things light up and project on to the front of the cabin, and the pumpkin onto the side of the shower house.

We went shopping in Rice Lake Saturday afternoon and had supper at Applebees, came home and watched The Post, slept late and came home early because Sunday was raining.

September, I'm going to miss you.

Love, Val

little surprise

Carnations with navy ribbons--the high school's colors and a sweet note from Jule.

So much love, MOM

happy first birthday

Look how much you've grown!

 It's been a long year, with twists and turns.

But here you are--thriving and sitting up now, and almost crawling, enjoying your sisters and your family.

It's going to be so much to see where the next year takes you!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart, Love, Grandma and Grandpa and Everybody

step up for down syndrome

This was an event at Como Park associated with Como Zoo.   It was a great day, perfect weather, so much fun.

 There were bounce house and a band, booths, farm animals, face painting, story characters, a walk around the lake for those who wanted to do that.

 It was actually pretty lovely.  I don't know anyone else with Down Syndrome, don't even have any friends or relatives to refer to in this past year.  Heidi and Joe have found support at Children's Hospital and online.  Heidi nominated her employer this summer to participate in a charity event that raised so much money for Jack's Basket, a non-profit that supports families welcoming babies with Down Syndrome and that has been very rewarding.

This day the park was full of families and people, every age and race and all enjoying this party in the park on a soft fall day.

One last picture of a couple funny cousins.

Onward.  Nothing but love, Val

oh my goodness, his leg

 He went to the doctor three times before they sorted it out.  The first was urgent care who told him he had too many vague symptoms and to go away.

Fever? Rash? Ever heard of that?  They told him to come back tomorrow.

Nah. I'll go to my own doctor. 

He did, and was given prednisone, which can't hurt either, thought it might be an allergy to weeds.

Well, the next day it was worse again and I made him go back, and they decided it is cellulitis and gave him antibiotics.

Fever's gone. It's still swollen as crazy, but the redness is going away.

Good LOR-ed.

What on earth?  We have no idea.

Be healthy, right?  Love, Val

soccer squirrels

 It was damp in the morning, fogged up the lens.

 Alicia is from a soccer family, but I'm not all that familiar with this sport. It's been fun watching and listening.

 Starting to see edges of fall around us now.

 The siblings keep entertained on the sidelines.

 This is our intrepid goalie who feels very responsible.  It seems like this position is a lot like being an outfielder in baseball.  Nothing happens most of the time, but when something does, all the sudden you have to be perfect.  In a second,  you can't mess up. He takes it very seriously.

 There were storms moving in and out, unsettled weather all day, led to some major squirrelyness.  It's always been that way.

What a beautiful night.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa