Playing at the park

Our favorite thing to do is go to a playground. Here are two photos our neighbors took. They have a boy who is about 18 months old.

Silas Goes to Preschool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtmtK0lzP-8

Photos from our babysitter!

We have a few wonderful babysitters from God's Bible School, which is located at the top of our neighborhood hill. The kids really enjoy these girls. They are all very experienced either from larger families, or have been nannies. A neighbor recommended Esther to us a few years ago, and since then, Esther has recommended Rachel, Rhoda, Theresa, and others. Last night, Theresa was watching the kids while we had rehearsal, and she took some cute photos of typical things the kids do together - tackle!

Smiles

I wish I had made a note of when Silas began to smile for a camera. When kids are very young, they have no concept of smiling for a camera, at least with my experience. Then, when they realized you want them to smile, and they are around 2 years old and beginning to assert their own will, they perhaps will not smile when you ask, but rather, scowl (again, my experience!) At some point in the last months, Silas began to smile for a camera when asked. It has proven to be very entertaining! This look is different from just catching him laughing on camera. Observe:

Funny kids

The kids are getting more and more funny, and fighting less. Maya seesm to take Silas' abuse in stride, and even laughs when he tackles her. At church this past Sunday, he tackled her from behind, with a running start. An elder commented on how it was a particular type of tackle. If I knew football, it would probably have stuck with me. Anyway, she laughed and laughed!

Here are a few photos of how they are getting along.

Tulips

Melissa's maternity leave ended mid-February, so Damon has been home with the kids for over two months. The kids are getting along very well as of late! Silas is starting to understand that Maya is not a toy to toss around at will. He is actually enjoying her company, and Damon is enjoying them both immensely!

They go to the zoo, Museum Center, bookstores, and shopping a lot. Here are photos of them at the Zoo Blooms Tulip show - over a million tulips grace our zoo every April.

Article

Check out our online article in Soapboxmedia.com.
http://www.soapboxmedia.com/features/11meldamgray.aspx

One day, we will add more to this blog!!!

Maya is doing well

Maya has been home for a few months, and things are going along well. I am not sure how much more we will post, as life has become busy, and I just want to work on her lifebook and babybook, etc.

Silas is settling into enjoying having a sister. Our favorite things to do are the Museum Center, the public Library, and go to parks whenever it breaks 50 degrees!

Here is a photo of them at the Cincinnati Nature Center on a beautiful day in early January.