While Daddy's been in Rwanda...

We're glad you're in the midst of the crazy long trip home to us, Jesse! Your two-day "commute" back is kind of ridiculous—although I guess I shouldn't be surprised any more by things like 16-hour layovers in Ethiopia.   :)

I wish I'd had time to put up the usual daily update posts during your absence, but we'll have to settle for a highlights reel now that you're nearly back.

While you've been gone, there has been lots of block building...

We took a trip to That Fish Place so William could add some neons and a snail to his tank...

Theo was characteristically adorable at Hélène's birthday lunch last Sunday...

Erin, Nash, and Anna's visit was wonderful! Josiah and William played with them nonstop and were disappointed to have to go to school on Monday and Tuesday while cousins were in town. Your dad orchestrated a couple of after school two-hand touch football games with them + Caden. A seriously good time was had by all.

Josiah made a potato powered clock with a b-day kit that came from the wonderful Prahls...  

(thanks Auntie Kara and Uncle Matt!)

Hélène has started reading Le Petit Prince to Josiah at bedtime. Somehow it still shocks me that he understands so much of the language...

Your parents left on Thursday morning for their getaway to N. Carolina, and at suppertime that day Levi arrived so Tim and Holly could head off for their long weekend en amoureux. It's felt like a bit of a perfect storm around here with all responsible adults and child care back-ups away for precisely the same few days, but all is well. I somehow even got in a normalish work day on Friday...

And tonight, Saturday, Hélène headed out for the C-V homecoming dance, such a quintessentially American high school experience.  She looked beautiful (William said "Wow!" when he saw her dressed up!). She returned a little bit ago and reportedly had an absolutely wonderful time! Seeing as during high school I was waaay too nerdy, introverted, awkward, and not to mention usually wearing that cringe-inducing exoskeletal scoliosis brace, it's such a treat to see her enjoying these activities I never did.

With a very sweet friend who provided rides to and from the dance. (Given the
chaos of neighborhood kids plus our own in the driveway and yard when she
arrived, the dear girl must have thought I run an orphanage for grubby little boys...)

By the way—in case you see this before we talk—extended family got in touch today and I'm pleased to say are spending a few nights in the "guest suite" down in the basement. I wouldn't want you to be surprised if you arrive home to company while the boys, Hélène, and I are at church!

And I think that must sum it up. For the record: I'm pooped. But even more than that: I can't wait to see you tomorrow!! (I guess it's technically 'today' since I see the clock has ticked over. Hooray!!! Hurry home!)

Birthday season

Autumn and the start of school means birthday season 'round these parts. Given that putting up posts has been low on the survival priority list, I'm lumping them all together here.

First up: Josiah turned 9 in mid-September. Last year of single digits? Halfway to being out of the house?! For his birthday dinner, he requested spinach salad with what we've called for years "Josiah's favorite salad dressing," meat pie (fourth year running), and a robot themed chocolate cake. He was a happy boy! And he graciously let an eager little brother help blow out candles, open gifts, and share the spotlight in general.

Happy with a new-to-him bike.
(Nannan and Papa White joined the festivities by Skype!) 

Excited for his robotic spider from big sis Hélène.

Aquatic robots plus clothes from Mama Cas and PopPop. 

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A few weeks later it was William's turn: six!! Given that he's only just moved into size 4 toddler trousers, I still can imagine William is my baby...but in reality he's 100% "big kid" at this point. We're so proud of how well he's done in the last year. He continues to be a smallish package of enormous emotions, and we wouldn't trade him for the world.  :)

I should note that he was enormously offended (screaming and throwing of objects) when he learned that we live in a world where people have to go to school and work on birthdays. Fortunately we crossed this conceptual bridge a week before the Day Of, and by the time October 2 arrived, he was content with opening a card over breakfast and saving his gifts and family party for after school.

Think he looks pleased here? (Somehow the pile of loot from family members became surprisingly formidable...)

William's dinner request was homemade Hawaiian pizza. Yum!

And a baseball, blueberry birthday cake.

Another quick Skype call with Nannan and Papa, hooray!

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And finally, just a few days later, we celebrated Hélène turning 18!! Unfortunately Jesse was in Rwanda (still is there, in fact), but with lots of family in town, we didn't miss him tooooo badly.

Her dinner request was a Mexican feast. Delicious! 

And lemon meringue pie for dessert. I went for individual little tartlet versions
(along with some jam tarts for anyone who preferred). So yummy.

We celebrated her birthday a day early, on Sunday, since it was easier than doing it after work on Monday (the actual day). But...we saved family presents for Monday night so the birthday itself wouldn't pass without at least a little fanfare! The boys got her a little plush golden retriever puppy, since Hélène's been missing her beloved golden retriever Vic back home in France.