Grandma's 60th Birthday

Dear Leah and Logan,

We had such a busy weekend! Gigi, Aunt Karen, and Cousin Courtney all flew down for Grandma's 60th birthday. Then Aunt DeeDee, Uncle Mike Olding, Aunt Patti, and Cousin Kathryn drove down from Cincinatti and Lansing to join us on Saturday.  You two did so good getting knowing everyone and playing with everyone. It was a real joy to see my Aunts playing with each of you in the right way- on the ground playing Ring-Around-the-Rosie and steam-roller. I grew up playing the same games with them.

We all went to Olive Garden...Uncle Mike, Uncle Justin, Uncle Caleb, and Aunt Daniela joined us too. I can't say that you 2 really liked the appetizers, but you did munch on the unlimited breadsticks, and Logan, you ate about 100 grapes. Dinner was great, but afterward, half the group went to Julia's Bakery, so we had triple the desserts to go with birthday cake. But that didn't stop you from making a complete mess of Grandma's cake.

So always remember that you have lots of family in Michigan and other places that love you to pieces. I hope I'm able to pass down the value of family...and that family should always come first...and to always make time for family events...so you can just enjoy each other's company.

Your Grandma is now 60! I hope she lives to be 100 so I can watch you play with her and Grandpa for many years to come. They both adore you so much!

You two are loved!

Love,
Daddy
10/22/14

The Screech of a Boy

Dear Leah and Logan,

It dawned on me today that Logan has perfected the art of the 2 y/o boy screech. Wow. It is loud to a point it hurts your ears. Logan, your scream is your natural instinct for 'fight of flight' and it usually comes 2 or 3 at at time. Whenever you're in a situation that is displeasing...such as getting sprayed with the hose, a kid taking a toy away, or anytime else you feel threatened...you simply scream. And it's a scream that can be heard around the world. For sake of our ears, I hope it's just a phase that will end when you're 3, but for now, we'll all just cover our ears.

My boss Tony gave us a cd full of Disney and Pixar movies, so you guys have been having some long movie sections lately. Wreck-it Ralph and Little Mermaid seem to be your favorites, but there is also Toy Story 1-3 on there. I'm a big fan of Wreck-it Ralph, though, because it has several references to 80's video games :)

I love watching how you take interest in all the characters and use them to boost your own vocabulary. Leah, you hit me with a new 'big' word every week...but my favorite might be when you called grandma a genius.

Gi-Gi and Aunt Karen will be here next week!

I love you two!

Love, Daddy
10/12/14