Babysitting the grandees

We've had fun with the little munchkins!  It's been great to have Miranda here, too.  We get to visit, help each other, take turns changing diapers, putting kids to bed, making meals... and even coming to the ends of our ropes.

These kids are just so dang cute.  Today we went to see Santa at the Housing Office-- and do tree lighting, and eat hot dogs and nacho chips and cookies. They had a Navy brass ensemble there playing Christmas carols.   The moment Delaney heard music starting, she stood at attention, and put her hand over her heart.  Then she recognized it wasn't the Star Spangled Banner or what they play when they retire the colors and she moved on.  I thought how many adults don't have a clue as to how to show respect for our flag and our country.... and here is a 4 year old, who does.

When we went to the Library on Monday, the kids had fun climbing the "castle" and hanging out the windows.

Then they listened to stories and did a craft.  Toward the end of the craft an alarm went off.  WHONKKK!  WHONKKK! Lights flashed. "MMMUMBLE MMMUMBLE MMMUMBLE ..OUT OF THE LIBRARY...MUMBLE MUMBLE PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO EXIT."  What?  What?  It wasn't until we were almost outside that I caught that they were saying fire alarm.  We stood there a minute with the crowd gathered outside-- including missionaries who had been in the process of emailing home.  We decided to leave about the time the fire trucks arrived.  Delaney was quite concerned about the library.  She was afraid it would not be there.  We assured her it was likely a practice drill or something else but not a fire.  We went on to Ross to shop.  And on the way back, we checked out the library.  It was still standing, and no smoke, but Delaney and Rylee were not convinced.  Rylee still says, "Loud noise.  Library!"

We've gone for walks on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.  Today it was foggy.  We pushed the three children in the two strollers.  Part of the time they rode.  Part of the time they walked.  And occasionally we just stopped to watch things-- an egret scratching in the shallow water and catching breakfast.  A scoop shovel digging in the drainage ditch, some jets taking off, some funny trucks passing.  It's always a bit unnerving keeping the children out of harm's way as they walk.  But they seem to be getting better at hanging on to the strollers rather than wandering into the streets.

Today we went to the thrift store and Miranda found some maternity pants and some lidded cups for Camden.  As we were checking out, they said tomorrow all clothing was 1/2 priced.  We may have to go back!