T-Ball Catcher

Ivy surprised us and has begun reading the titles on her freshman summer reading list a bit early. Apparently, she plans on starting The Member of the Wedding sometime next week.

Oh, mother, I see you standing there before me offering quartered grapes and wilting on this sultry summer's day. "Don't sit down! Let me drink you in first."

This guy is AWESOME. When does his next book come out?

Lakeside dancing

Summer is finally here in Madison. For the next 3 months there are monthly outdoor music festivals in our neighborhood and last weekend we kicked off this joyous season with the Riverfront Festival. Ivy loved kicking up her feet and showed the stroller set that she has incredible sense of rhythm.

When she wasn't focused on her solo performances, she danced in the shade of lakeshore cottonwoods with her daddy. . .

. . . and waved at the all-girl Zydeco band while dancing in the blazing sun with her mommy.

We're looking forward to shakin' our booties all summer long and to continually introducing Ivy to the ways of the East Side.

Bubbler

This is totally hilarious...

but how can we make it stop?

A few moments of quiet reading

I've worked with children and families for my entire professional career and have written dozens of grants that help public libraries strengthen their early and family literacy programs. I live and breathe early literacy and I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time:

We have a tiny reader in our house! Ivy reaches for her books first thing in the morning and crawls into our laps many times during the day with her favorite titles. Repeated readings of Planting a Rainbow and The Very Hungry Caterpillar with her warm head tucked under my chin are moments of pure bliss. She makes her librarian parents very, very proud.

From Virginia to Wisconsin

Ivy finally met Grandma Pauline, Grandpa Frank and Aunt Christine. Ivy's now richer by one red wagon, a child-size bench, water toys for the backyard and an ever-widening circle of love.

Here she is with Grandpa Frank on the first day of their visit:

Here she is with Aunt Christine at the World's Largest Brat(wurst) Fest:

And here's a touching moment with Grandma Pauline:

We're so glad that they made the trip to Wisconsin and we're very grateful for all the love they gave to Ivy. Thanks for everything, guys!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Frank!

First I'll wrap you around my little finger and then I'll whisper sweet baby secrets into your ear:

Thanks for making the trip from Virginia to Wisconsin - I'm so happy to be with you on your 29th birthday!

On this day, May Twentieth

Exactly one year ago today, Kevin and I met with our adoption agency for the very first time:

Exactly six months ago today, Kevin and I received our travel call, telling us that Ivy was ready to fly home to Madison:

Exactly Today:

Oh, Happy Day.