Seriously don't read into this

Last night we went to my Mom and Dad's for dinner. Pre-eating activities were what you'd expect on a Sunday afternoon. Mostly talking with a little sword fighting thrown in the middle. The sword fighting enhances conversation, I feel, because you constantly have to be on the look out. Atticus could, might, and most definitly will chop your head off if he gets the chance. When Jo was kindly escourted to the sideline to give someone else a "waa-ting-ing" opportunity she threw herself on the couch next to me and just howled. For the sake of making small talk with my daughter I asked,"Jo, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Through her dramatic sobs she cried out, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I JUST WANT TO KILL SOMEBODY!"

I am choosing to interpret this as a moment which exposes all 3-year-olds' natural aggression. Not a reflection of poor parenting. Either way, I think we all might want to watch our backs around a little someone who's name rhymes with foe...

Seriously a beautiful day!

Yesterday was beautiful. The day, the weather, the Jo, the Atticus. The only thing which could have made it better would have been Ryan at home all day. BUT, still beautiful. It's fabulous living at my in-laws. I am pretty much guaranteed in depth talks every night I want them. It's kind of a trade off though. If Casey and Mom and I start into a conversation... it's going to get good... and then it's going to be 1 AM before I notice the time again. Still, worth the lack of sleep. Plus I'm playing a little racquetball with family B which I really enjoy! Never has exercise been so good. And Jo gets a cousin to play with pretty much every day.

Yesterday was especially beautiful because we took a nice walk and enjoyed the sun. We got to Eric and Briana's in 17 minutes. I (21 weeks now) was a little red in the face. Briana said if we stayed outside and didn't touch, Elena could come out and see us for a minute, wave "Hello." Jo and Tic antibacteria-ed themselves and impatiently waited their cousin's presence. "I want to see Elena!" over and over until she appeared. Elena looked wonderful yesterday! It took she and Jo a minute to remember each other and adjust to some changes. "Mama, she doesn't have hair." "No, Jo, she doesn't." "And she has green." (referring to the mask Elena wore over her mouth and nose) But it didn't take long for the two to be holding hands again. Briana said this was okay, she'd just wash Elena off once back inside. Lena showed us the long necklace she was wearing. She gets a new bead every time she gets a blood transfusion or chemo treatment or has some other medical procedure. And she wore an adorable hat her Grandma Brimley lovingly made. Well, what was meant to be a quick hello turned into an hour long play date outside. It was SO wonderful to be with Elena and Briana again. To watch the kids interact as they made "messes" of bark together on the picnic table and walked on the log steps and swung on the play set. Elena seemed to be in the best spirits we've seen her in since her diagnosis. She's very weak and fell down several times. But she is still her beautiful self. I can't exactly describe each thing I love about that girl. Several mannerisms surfaced during our visit that just warmed my heart. What a lucky lady I am to have held her hand just yesterday. A beautiful day!

And, to top it all off, Ryan and I finished our day by watching Willow!