This low-key child

Monday, September 23:  Just being in the same room with this little child is delightful. He explores. He DOES get into everything imaginable ... but he's sweet about it at least!

 Aidan is a die-hard train enthusiast. He plays and plays with these trains. We make a new layout every single week. He insists that every single "frack" be used in the process. He is a little doll.

 Aidan is a very low-key individual. It really doesn't take much to entertain him at all. He plays independently, touching bases with me ever so often ... nothing demanding or unreasonable. He is easy to be with!

 Aidan loves Matey-Bird. Our dear Matey is an illusive little creature. I'm sincerely hoping he warms up to all of us eventually. Emma gets much farther with him than I do--but she is stubbornly persistent!

 Aidan did a little bit of water painting for awhile on the same table where Matey was hanging out.

 Aidan also played with Wolly Willy for awhile and cracked himself up in the process ...

 It doesn't take much for Aidan to crack up ... adding to his absolute delightfulness.

I love you, little man. You bless my heart every single Monday. I'm a very blessed grandma, for sure.

Kaity's pictures

Saturday, September 21:  Kaity asked if she could take a couple of pictures with my camera. I hesitated; because, afterall, my camera is quite possibly my most prized possession. However, I put the strap around her neck and she marched around the house snapping pictures here and there, getting the "hang" of it quite quickly.

 I had to quickly show her the mechanics of the camera, but Kaity is a smart girl and it didn't take much instruction before she was snapping away ...

 I did take a picture of her quickly while I was showing her one of the buttons on the camera.

 Kaity took a few of Paco and me ... Paco turned out very nicely I must say.

 She also snapped Matey-Bird and was very pleased with her efforts.

 This is her "chalkboard" in the classroom with a math problem ready to be solved (kind of) ...

 Paco's desk--a little blurry at first ...

 ... but now perfectly clear. I'm not sure why Baby Alive's name has been removed.

 Kaity's shoes. I asked her WHY ON EARTH we needed a picture of her stinky shoes, but she just laughed.

 The photographer ...

 My lamp ...

 Kaity's attempt to take a picture of herself pointing directly into my mirror. She was disappointed in the result, but I explained the thing about the flash and the light, etc. and she fully understood then.

Good job, Kaity. You've got true potential as a photographer! I love you, Kaity-Girl!

Mill Creek with Kaity

Saturday, September 21:  Sweet Kaitlynn and I visited a small playground a few miles from my house Saturday. We've visited it before--but the true highlight of this little place is MILL CREEK. It's within sight of the playground, down a slopy place with stairs of roots!

 I'd forgotten how much I love this place! I love it because the creek is accessible. I love it because of the gorgeous trees and the interesting rocks and the little pathway that winds with the creek.

 My Kaity-dear loves to explore--as to ALL of the grandchildren--and ME TOO! It's a win/win! Most of all, I love to watch them abandon the cares and frets of this life and just ENJOY God's great beauty.

I found myself FULL to the top with thankfulness as I watched this dear child play, explore, laugh ... and get as close to the creek as possible without getting a soaker. 

 See what I mean? Actually, this place Kaity landed on is not as precarious as it might appear. Plus, Kaity is a very sure-footed child. She determined to find "pretty rocks" for my rock garden and set about doing it with all of her heart. I love this about Kaity.

 We met other interesting children along the way, but I've cropped them out of my pictures since we don't know them. One little fellow's name was Kingston, but he was called "King." He had a head full of curls and was full of naughtiness. His poor older brother had charge of him and it was ... tricky to say the least.

Kaity loves the outdoors. She is wired to explore, to climb unafraid, to jump high and go deep into new places.  

 Doesn't it look like Kaity is headed for disaster in the picture below?!

 She recovered herself nicely, however, and did not take the plunge! We stayed here quite awhile. It was quiet. It was peaceful. It was wonderful. 

 I put all of Kaity's rock collection in my camera case (which now has dirt stains ... oh well ...) and then Kaity placed them around my plants when we got to my house.

Thank you, Awesome God, for every minute of this afternoon.