Sansala

The Green family sponsors three "little guys" from Compassion International and World Vision (one from the former, two from the latter). First, a shout-out to those organizations. Wow, they're amazing. If you have the means, consider getting a "little guy" for yourself. We just got a letter from Sansala, a little girl who we sponsor in Sri Lanka. We started supporting her when Riley was born, so when Riley gets to be old enough, they can write each other. I've received a couple letters from Sansala's dad, but this was our first from her. I started crying when I read what she said. Here's the contents of her letter:

Dear Heather,
With love writing you this letter to you. Thank you very much for your introductory letter. I got to [know] many things about you. Your likes. I know you love me a lot. I also love you. You love your husband and daughter, I also love them. Please do convey my regards to them. I am very sad to say that my mother is not alive. She ate poisonous fruit and left my father, my elder brother and me. Can I call you Heather mother if you like only? I am going to school. I love to study. I can also dance well. My preschool teachers Nisha and Geetha taught me to dance well. I love my teachers they are very kind. My village is very beautiful. Now this is the dry season. It is very difficult to tolerate the hot climate. I also love pets, there is a pet cat, and a pet dog at my house. I love to see your family photo. Please send me a photo. When I grow up, I will do a good job and will visit you. You can wait and see that I grow and come to visit you. I wish you and your family protection and prosperity! God bless you!

From ever-loving

Sansala daughter and family

I just want to hug this little girl. Hopefully, with God's help, someday I will.

lovely day

What a lovely and relaxing morning we've had so far!

Riley and I both got out of bed a little after 7:00 (though I was awake at 5:00. I just lay and read. Beautiful). Since Michael didn't have to be at work till 9, we spent some time with him, and I was even able to get myself looking somewhat presentable while Riley watched him make breakfast. After Mike left, Riley and I laughed and shouted with glee through almost the entire bath time. Everything was hilarious, from banging cups on the tub ledge to clapping the water, so it splashed out onto Mommy's legs. Oh, I love that little girl. Then we strapped Kona up and took a nice little stroll on an absolutely gorgeous day. We spent half our time going through the neighborhood and half our time on the Prairie Path. The Prairie Path is a luxury I had been avoiding while it was just me with the two girls. Last spring, when I attempted the walk, Kona was a disaster-- sniffing at people's nether-regions and leaping excitedly at bikers. This does not work when you also have a baby in a stroller and your dog is, undoubtedly, stronger than you. However, these past couple weeks, I decided to give Kona another chance, and it's paid off big time. She's mellowed out and adjusted to other passing gambolers. Besides the occassional distraction of a particularly interesting leaf or stick, she's perfectly well-behaved. I'm so grateful because I've realized, in our last few walks, what I've been missing. This morning, as we made our way along the path, it was so peaceful and soothing, I was tempted to curl up and take a nap right then and there. Plus, one of my favorite parts (near our house, at least) is a little "bridge" that is open on both sides, though large wild flowers try their hardest to block one's view. The smell is intoxicating. It's a little lilac-y, even though I don't think lilacs are present. However, I'm not a botanist or even a gardener, so I could be wrong. Either way, it's delicious. The whole event puts me in such good spirits. In fact, we've been making a couple trips to the Prairie Path each day, just because it's so absolutely wonderful.

Today, when we returned from our stroll, we played a little in the living room. Kona rushed after Cheerios that Riley dropped; Riley demonstrated her outstanding ability to push her cute little pink toy stroller. She's showing a great affinity for walking, even if it is still supported. In fact, she likes pushing things so much that when the stroller isn't available, she'll maneuver herself behind her high chair and start giving it a nice shove.

Riley now is waking up from her nap, singing to herself in her crib. The day is just getting better and better.

A Step Closer

I was going to compose this post yesterday morning, but now I'm very glad I waited. My original attempt was to answer the much-asked question: "Is Riley walking yet?" The answer, both yesterday and today, is no. However, we did get a tiny step closer yesterday afternoon.

We went to the Rosens' house for Breakfast at Wimbledon-- delicious breakfast burritos that Robb cooked up. We supplied the strawberries and cream. :) As we were sitting on the couch, watching Roger and Andy battle it out, Riley crawled up to Mike with two little, metal bowls in her hands. While leaning again Mike and the couch, Riley proudly banged the bowls together. Then, after a few moments, I noticed that she was no longer leaning but was, indeed, standing unsupported and drumming to her heart's content. "Michael!" I yelled. "Look at her! She's standing!"

I know... she's fifteen-months-old; this should not be a huge deal. But when your child has shown the ability but absolutely no desire to try some non-crawling movement, you take what you get. So, periodically yesterday, we played the "standing game." I held Riley's hands and said, "Ready? One... two... three!" Then I let go and cheered with GREAT enthusiasm as she stood on her own. When she's making an effort, she can hold it for 10-15 seconds or so. Oh, we're so proud!

Next step... a step!

Lovin' the Parade

I've never been a parade person. They usually affect me with this strange feeling of strangling claustrophobia and, of course, a good dose of boredom. After today, I think the reason for that is that I never have done a parade quite the right way. In order to enjoy a parade, I learned, you must bring your adorable doll of a child AND-- very important-- good friends. With these additions, I guess I'd have to say I've been converted to one of the parade-types. I actually don't quite remember the floats and paraders all that much, quite honestly, but I do remember the laughs and fellowship. And that matters more. Much more.

Since I have very minimal details on actual parade events, here are some adorable pictures of Riley, Robbie, the totally decked out wagon (nice job, Ashley!), and the events of the day.

Robbie and Riley, picking stars and stuffing faces, respectively


Robbie and Ashley

Riley and Daddy

Riley was allowed to indulge in cheese popcorn; therefore, 4th of July is now her favorite holiday.

Oh my goodness... These two are HILARIOUS together!

Someday, oh someday, I'll learn to walk on my own.

Eyes to the Skies

Sadly, we didn't watch the skies all that much when we went to Lisle's "Eyes to the Skies" festival last night. Apparently, there was "weather" headed our way, which put a wrench in the hot air balloon event. We did get to see a couple balloons blown up, but none left the ground. Bummer. Here are the two token balloons we were able to view...


The evening was most definitely not a bust, though. We had an absolute BLAST, meandering the very... uh... cultural festival. Among the "crafts" we viewed (from a safe distance)-- incense, hippie-style dresses, even a booth with about a thousand different outfits for those goose lawn ornaments.

Yet again, Riley got to see some fantastic farm animals, up close and personal. This time, we got pictures!

Riley hangs out with, quite possibly, one of the fattest bunnies in the world.


Mom tries to keep Riley from ripping the ears off one of the fattest bunnies in the world.

Having an 80-lb. lab = fearless baby

Believe it or not, the petting zoo wasn't even the best part of the evening. That award goes to the hanging-out-with-the-Livingstons part. Gosh, we love this family. Riley and Robbie are so freakin' adorable together, and-- as is obvious to all who know them-- Rob and Ashley are kind, funny and just plain wonderful. Plus, the newest addition to their family, Ellie, is the cutest little peanut and, I have to add, one of the best sleepers on the planet. I mean, wow. Here's a sampling of our fun...

"Seriously, Mom? More pictures?"


Riley loves her Daddy so much... and rightfully so.


Two GREAT dads and their cute kiddos


Sweet little Ellie, sleeper extraordinaire

barking at the llamas

Riley has grown to be quite the experienced barker. She barks at Kona, and, as she stares out our front screen door, she beckons other dogs who happen to be strolling through our neighborhood. The only glitch in her expertise is that she also barks at every other animal on the face of this earth. Thus, when we made our way to Cosley Zoo yesterday, the pigs, the llamas, and even the ducks were greeted with her "Woof woof woof!" I do feel that I should add, though, that we've been working on the elephant noise (complete with trunk hand gesture), so when Cosley adds a 'phant to their farm animal collection-- well, watch out!

The Cosley animals, however, weren't our favorite creatures of the day yesterday. Early in the evening, we headed down to Naperville to meander around Ribfest. Would you believe it? In their family area, they had a free petting zoo! There were little tiny pigs, goats galore, and baby cow and even two little llamas (And aren't llamas supposed to be mean? That's what I had heard.). Riley was in seventh heaven. Kona's 80-lb. mass has obviously helped her adjust to mammals of all sizes because she was more than excited when the goats, thinking she had food, came up and nibbled at her little fingers. The cutest moment, in my opinion, was when she reached out her tiny index finger to stroke one of the little baby pigs. Ah... so cute. The least cutest moment-- leaving. She wasn't pleased. But really, when your 15-month-old refuses to walk, especially when she can be crawling with friendly (if not somewhat stinky) animals, you can only watch out for poop for so long. Even though the kid who was on poop duty was doing his job well, it's hard to keep up with a few dozen extremely well-fed animals.

All that said, I'm kind of hoping Lisle's "Eyes to the Skies" has a petting zoo. Fingers crossed!

Riley and her favorite toy, Kona

bath time gets even better

Riley and I have had the same bath time routine since she was able to crawl. I strip her down in her room, place her on the floor, and allow her to crawl after me while I go to the tub to get the water warming up. She then hoists herself up, holding onto the side of the tub, and attempts to splash the water coming from the faucet. Yesterday, however, was a first in bath time. We went through the normal strip-crawl-and-hoist routine, but I'm guessing it's the running water that did it because as Riley reached out to splash the small waterfall from the faucet, she duplicated it with one of her own. I almost wet myself, laughing about it, but I figured that-- at that point-- there was enough liquid on the floor. I picked her up, dropped her in the tub, turned off the water, pulled the plug, washed her legs, let the water drain, then re-plugged the tub, let in the fresh water, and off we went. It was actually pretty nice; at least I was reasonably certain that we had a pee-free bath. :)