I swear Warrick grew two inches last night. Two weeks ago I noticed that he could wash his hands in the bathroom sink without standing on the stool. He helped me mix peat moss in the wheelbarrow/wheelbarrel (which one is it anyway? barrel makes more sense to me). He helped me put together a map of the United States this evening. He is actually starting to instinctively protect his sister ... in parking lots and near stairs and water (my, haven't I prayed for that one. I am SO over the bodyguard role for Vera). He's just growing up. Everyone tells you, "Enjoy it while they're little - it goes so fast." Crazy how some days can seem like forever and then WABOOM! they have another birthday when you feel like you just got rid of the packaging from last year.
We are manual labor freaks right now at the Olson estate. My husband is worth 5 strong men when it comes to getting a job done well and in record time. I wish I could remember the phrase his own dad used to describe the way he works . . . "killing something". And to my OWN dad, his work pace is nothing short of dumbfounding. On Saturday, he dug 13 fence post holes and set the 10 foot hedge posts in lime, which, of course, he shoveled in and tamped down himself. All this before noon. Set two 4x4 posts in two other holes. Should I add that these holes are like 2 feet plus deep? Mixed concrete for other two holes. Hand dug 10 other holes in clay ish dirt and then shoveled probably 25 wheelbarrow fulls of dirt and delivered. He's a monster. I love it.
We have our garden nearly ready. Sort of. Will deer proof as best we can, coon proof, rabbit proof and kid proof. Have blueberry plants in. Have strawberry bed nearly ready. Landscaping off to a great start. Rain run-off redirected to pond.
Check.
Full weekend of crazy work. So satisfying.
And the kids... as I mentioned before. Growing like crazy. I want to remember when I am older and they don't want to crawl all over me anymore, that for a time, I was the greatest person in the world to them. Well, to Vera, at least. Warrick definitely prefers his dad, and for that I am thankful. I would be completely at peace with him if he grew up to be like his dad in as many ways as his personality and the good Lord allow.
And my little chicken - SHE has nicknamed herself that when she gets up in my arms and snuggles my neck with her hands tucked in to keep warm - still steals my heart and the show daily. Although, I must add, she seems to be taking a liking to throwing her food on the floor with every meal. Even with discipline. Even going hungry for a bit after. She still thinks it funny. Do I? Seriously . . . YOU scrape rice crispy nastiness off the tile and try to get it out of the grout every day. Then call me. It's stupid.
BUT, she is the sweetest, toughest little white haired black eye sporting girl. Both kids love to read right now. They make each other laugh really hard. He tells her she's so cute and she plays with his hair. They can feed themselves with almost identical skill and can count to almost the same number. It goes like this:
"One. Two. Four. Five. Six. Seben. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Eight. Nine" That's Vera
"One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Eighteen. Thirteen. Eleventeen. Thirty-nine." Her brother.
Love them. Want another one. Maybe two. At least one. Praying that my husband will see the light on that one. For sure need his cooperation.
We've had lots of wonderful visitors at our new place. This is our good friend Kent. He and his wife Tiffany were neighbors of ours in Wichita. We first got acquainted because Warrick was so interested in his motor cycle and I was pretty uncomfortable with my son's lack of personal space and his intent staring at this particularly close range. So, of course, I introduced myself. Was surprised when this young man replied to my request on my son's behalf - to look at the motor cycle from 2 feet away - with a "yes ma'am". They became fast friends and some of our kid's favorites
More rockin' visitors. We had an incredible weekend with a visit from our sweet friends, Katie and Dustin and their boys Charlie and Oliver and overlapping their time with Christian and Nicole and William. Both super special to us and sharing milestone adventures and journeys. We treasure them. 
Good morning!
