Further Adventures with Jientje.
On Wednesday we traveled ~50 miles south of Portland to Salem to meet Alida and her family. Jientje and Alida became online friends through NaBloPoMo last year and couldn't pass up this opportunity to meet in person since Jientje was so close by.
Luke and Isabela had made welcome signs and a Belgian flag for Jientje and hung them at the front door (I neglected to get a photo of them, darn.) She had a little gift for them and they couldn't have been more thrilled.
Alida fixed us a lovely lunch and we talked and talked like we were old friends.
Isabela, in a cat-like moment:
Luke, with his current passion, Legos.
We spent a couple hours exploring Salem and visiting some more back at Alida's lovely home.
And then, Thursday morning came all too soon and Jientje packed up to depart for Hawaii! It was another priceless moment in the living room, getting her suitcase closed, and a team effort with Laurie and Liza lending a hand - and a paw.
Aloha, dear friend!
I've been musing about how our lives have changed since the internet became such a big part of us -- how we can meet people from far away and also from within our own area through common interests of blogging, books, photography etc., and spend face to face time and enjoy each other's company so much. It truly is a different world now, and I feel quite lucky to have met so many wonderful people through this medium. May it spread peace and understanding throughout the world.
Ms P and Mr M enjoy some play time together. I swear it was not choreographed, even though it looks like it! Besides, how does one choreograph toddlers? Or herd cats?
It's been hellish hot here this week. Laurie makes popsicles out of fruit juice for the toddlers. Hangs the hose with a mist setting from the apple tree branch. Puts swim diapers on the children. Everyone is happy.
Working at the car wash (ohhh, yeah)
At the car wash, yeah (come on work, baby work it, say now)
At the car wash (ahh)
Working at the car wash, yeah
Well those cars never stop coming
(Work and work)
Keep those rags and machines humming
(Work and work)
My fingers to the bone
(Work and work)
Keep on and can't wait till it's time to go home
Yeah, I get bizarre ideas when I take my camera everywhere I go. I heard one of the car wash technicians say to his partner, "Hey, she's taking pictures!"
Hey, get your car washed today (hey)
Hey, get your car washed today
Hey, get your car washed today
I often have photos of babies and toddlers and toys here on my blog, and some of you may wonder who all these children are! Well, they are "borrowed babies." My partner Laurie does family child care here at our home 4 days a week, so there are often two, three, four or five wee ones around. I have the best of both worlds: I can spend as much or as little time with them as I want. They are forever teaching me about life, especially being in the moment!
This is the first week the weather has been grand enough for them to be outside for the majority of the day. They've been exploring grass, flowers, sand, water, bubbles -- pretty much whatever they come across.
Laurie and Ms. P enjoy a game:
M is enchanted by Abi's bubbles:
Collaborating on waterplay:
Ms. S does a foot rinse:
J. loves him some water!!!
Ms. P spent quite a long time trying to figure out how to get the water to stay on so she could put both hands under the hose. She finally settled for one at a time.
Future engineers? M and J stack cups:
Ms. S gets her sun hat just right:
Ms. P tries out many things with her mouth; here she explores grape leaves and stem:
About the photos
Unless otherwise noted, all photos on this blog were taken by me. If you want to use any of the images, please contact me first. Thanks!
Isabela, in a cat-like moment:
We spent a couple hours exploring Salem and visiting some more back at Alida's lovely home.
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