Friendly Neighborhood Helper

Rosie was cast as a mail carrier in her Kindergarten "Friendly Neighborhood Helpers" play. She was the cutest mail carrier you've ever seen. 

If she really was delivering the mail in your neighborhood, it would be the highlight of your day. 

Butterflies

Rosie and Sadie watched the life cycle of a butterfly this spring- it was so fun. They watched their little friends go from caterpillars to chrysalises to beautiful Painted Lady butterflies! Releasing them was amazing. Rosie whispered words of encouragement to them as she unzipped their enclosure and let them out. 

"You can do this," she'd say.

"Fly away! You're ready! Come on- fly"

"

I stood by and snapped pictures.... and teared at Rosie's tenderness.... and prayed hard that a bird didn't fly by and chomp the sweet little butterflies out of midair. 

Fun with Allison

When Allison comes to town we pretend we're on vacation. There's pedicures and beach days and movie nights. We eat out and we stay up late. We enjoy every minute with our favorite little lady. 

Author's note: Cringing a bit posting a pic of me in my bathing suit but paddling with Al, Ron, Jon and Brieann was just to fun NOT to post... 

Love you, Papa Welch

"I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now. The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes looked a little like this.
Come further up, come further in!"

          - C.S Lewis, The Last Battle

Harold Ralph Welch

February 21, 1919 - March 6, 2013

We love you forever!

Cousins

Oh what fun to have Lucy and Henry come for the weekend while Simon and Erin were away.

Never. a. dull. moment.

Seattle 2013

Ron was up in the Northwest on a work trip and the girls and I snuck away for the weekend to join him. We love this grey city. It was a very quick trip, but just the break that we have been craving. 

Ralphy goes to Mimi and Papa's

We try to foster a spirit of generosity in the Eckert house. We don't always succeed and we each have our stingy moments, but we give it our best effort. Last week, after a visit from Papa and Mimi, Rosie thought it would be a good idea to send them with some parting gifts. She chose a version of Peter Pan from her shelf that she thought Mimi might like to read before going to bed each night. 

For Papa, Rosie gave Ally, a favorite stuffed bunny. 

I have to mention that it's technically Sadie's bunny.... does giving away your sister's toys make the spirit of generosity a moot idea?

Anyway, the bunny has been nothing but trouble. First off, she he declared that her his name was not Ally, but Ralphy. Imagine being misunderstood for so long!

Mimi and Papa have documented the behavior and have been consulting Rosie daily on a plan of action. 

 Hi Rosie,  We are still having quite a problem with Ralphie. (She still doesn't want to be called Aly.) Sure wish you were here! Maybe she would listen to you!   Love! Papa

Hi Rosie, We caught Ralphie getting into Mimi's Valentines candy this morning. We have him in a little time out now. Taking your idea of tough love. We may need your help with him soon. Love! Mimi and Papa

Dear Rosie, We came home from sailing and look where we found Ralphy. We are not sure what to do. Any ideas Rosie?   -Papa

Dear Rosie,

Look what Papa and I found this morning!  That Ralphie is a rascal.  What do you do with a naughty bunny?

- Mimi