A Mellow Brick Road...: Care and Share Invitation

We had another busy morning! After our normal routine of changing diapers, dressing, feeding, changing diapers again, playing, feeding, and yet again changing diapers, Mommy took you, Bodhi, along with Grandmoo to watch our neighbor boy, Matthew, hit baseballs off of a pitching machine for a fundraiser. He was given 50 pitches and Grandmoo pledged money per ball that Matthew hit. Jude, it was your nap time so you didn't get to go :( Bodhi, you first loved watching the boys hit the balls, this made Mommy happy because Mommy played ball! However, once we took you closer, it started to scare you. We stayed long enough to watch Matthew hit the first round of balls, and then we took you outside to play on the closed down putt putt course. You loved following all the paths, sticking sticks in the holes, and playing in the dirt! Afterwards, we dropped you off at home with Daddy, and Daddy reported that you were so tired you couldn't stand it. Bodhi, you didn't even take any milk, you just plain crashed. Jude, before your nap, you were up to two up-the-back poop diapers... Mommy, is just going to stop reporting on this occurrence because it's become such a regular occurrence ugggh! Also, this morning Mommy gave you, Jude, a taste of Bodhi's big people oatmeal. Jude, you gagged and made some of the funniest faces. The second and third bites went a little better, but you still weren't real sure about the new cereal. Your ear doesn't seem to be bothering you today, Jude, so Yay! :)

This afternoon, Bodhi, you slept for close to four hours! You haven't done that in a long time. Mommy misses the days you took four hour naps, you always woke up in such a good mood. As soon as Mommy heard you stirring in your crib, I went and got you up and ready, and packed you and your snacks (along with your brother) in the stroller and headed for Highland Park. One of Daddy's best friend's daughter, Caitlyn, (her Daddy is Lynn Rudolph or Uncle Rudy) recently had a precious baby boy, Hunter, and they planned on meeting us at the park. Caitlyn brought one of her friends, Candace, as well. Mommy got you, Bodhi, out of the stroller and was swinging you until they arrived. After Caitlyn, Candace, and Hunter arrived, we made a lap around the entire park. Mommy asked if they minded strolling you, Jude, around the park while Mommy took you, Bodhi, on some slides. Bodhi, you loved going down the slides with Mommy and you squealed the entire time. Mommy was worried about fitting on some of the slides, and with good reason. On the curly slide, a little boy was worried we were going to fall and he kept telling us not to fall and that the slide went super fast... he got Mommy worried hee/hee so when we started going down, Mommy started using her feet as a break... and well, we kept getting stuck and both of us were laughing hysterically. You have the cutest laugh Bodhi! Mommy learned today that she was too big for the turns on the curly slide hee/hee :) Once Caitlyn and Candace returned with an unhappy Jude and a stirring Hunter (Jude, you became upset when you could no longer hear your Mommy's voice) Mommy took a group picture and then headed back home. Jude you settled down, and Bodhi, you ate your snacks the entire way home. Once home, we took Mr. Murff and Mr. Arlo to the field. Mommy let everyone run free, and Mommy carried you, Jude. Mommy was anxious the entire time! If anyone had been walking through the field, we would have been in some major trouble. There was no way Mommy could grab Mr. Murff, Mr. Arlo, you Bodhi, all while holding, you, Jude. Luckily, no one surprised us! Jude, you loved this time in the field with Mommy carrying you! You were happy to be out of the stroller and to be watching your sister. Bodhi, you dare devil, you love the danger of being around Arlo while exploring on foot.

Mommy mentioned yesterday how your guys' blog is a hit amongst family and friends, well, Mommy discovered that this site also tracks "audience" or where people are located that view this blog. Mommy was amazed at the number of people outside of the U.S. that view your blog! For instance, there have been 665 "hits" or "views" this month within the United States, however, there have also been 19 views within Canada, 13 views within the United Kingdom, 5 views within Germany, 3 views within France, 3 views within Singapore, 2 views within Hungary, 2 views within Netherlands, 2 views within Puerto Rico, and 2 views within Russia. This amazes Mommy! Due to Daddy's police background and tendency to be overprotective, he sometimes tends to worry about us being so open in our blog, but he and I both value the benefit of learning about other people and their cultures. Mommy is passionate about learning about other cultures (particularly cultures very different from our own here in the U.S.). Mommy comes by this honest. Mommy's curiosity and passion for others comes from her Great Uncle Dan, and to an extent your Great Papaw. Great Papaw tends to get a little "weirded" out by some of the practices of specific regions hee/hee, but he still finds the sociological aspect of it all fascinating. Mommy would would love to know what a day in the life from any one of these individuals is like. I’m certain, much different from the world we know. Mommy and Daddy believe following a blog, similar to our own, would teach someone a lot about an individual’s culture and belief system. J Hopefully, the two of you will have the desire and means to travel, see and study the world, and learn first hand about other cultures. Mommy believes each of you to be very special and knows each of you will be social change agents for the better!

So, Foreign readers, if you will, please enlighten me and my children about your culture and share with us what a day in your life looks like. We have a sincere interest in learning about your culture and would greatly appreciate any feedback. We wish you and your family peace and love!