Friday, July 18, 2008  -  HE SAID: HE WANTS "SHE SAID" TO DO THIS ONE TODAY!

And, "She Said," is delighted to take on the job! And, that's because it is an easy day to catch up on because we had 4 more family members come up from the Cities to spend the weekend--and since we happen to love ALL 4 of them, it was great catching up with them all. But, one of them, Ciara, (who is now 5-- but was a baby last time we saw her,) was especially entertaining to be around. She is extremely out going and incredibly smart, so having a conversation with her is a real trip. She also like to ditch her shoes at the door and take off running through the humongous yard at her Grandma Dar & Grandpa Doug's, so she is definitely not a shy, little girlie--girl, who is afraid of critters or those horrible, blood sucking gargantuan mosquitoes who populate that state. Don said he felt like a real girly boy when she was out in the fields with him and Doug because he was swatting away at the bugs and moaning and she acted like she didn't even notice them.

Her Aunt Shelley, who is one of the most patient aunts around, took her to see "Showboat" and cousin,Kiah, made Ciara feel very special by sending smiles her way throughout the performance.  Auntie Shelley also taught Ciara how to play "Go Fish" and helped her make a stunning crown, so it was fun to witness all that. Then, Auntie Brittany, who hopes to be a nurse in the future (and will make one fine one) was equally as helpful in entertaining Ciara, while Ciara's Grandma Theresa worked, worked, worked and worked some more around the house. She cleaned the kitchen, the bathrooms, and then was out weeding the massive gardens around there...and when she wasn't doing that, she was picking up the slack on keeping Princess Ciara well taken care of!  We definitely need to teach this girl how to SIT down and relax!! (Are you listening Theresa?????!!!!!)

I think Doug forced Don to go work in the fields again (ha ha) - but also I found myself out in the big old garden picking carrots, broccoli, cabbage and peas--a super, wonderful gift from Doug for this city girl to pack up and take with us. And, of course, no day out at the farm has gone by without my spirit getting an always positive boost from Dar, so I plan on smuggling her into the RV and taking her with us when we leave. I wonder if they have Amber Alerts in Minnesota...