Auntie Angie's Visit, Part 4

While I was doing kitchen things in the morning the girls pushed their little chairs together and got into some pretend-land with Auntie. 

 Can't remember what they were pretending, but both girls were totally into it. :o) 

 Ah yes - sunshine and coffee - two things that make me very happy, and Joy is convinced she should get in on the double happiness too, not just Mommy. Thankfully, I have managed to keep her from actually sipping my morning coffee thus far. :o) She sure tries often enough though!

 BLESS HER HEART! Angie dug SOOOO many dandelions for us when she was here. She came when they were at their peak too. I had been digging them myself, but had gotten kind of sick of it and there was other gardening to do, so Angie dug right in and helped out. No kidding, she probably dug 200-300 out of the back lawn. It's looking so much better. I've just had to finish the far end and catch the odd re-appearing one, but it's SO nice to look out and not see yellow dots poking out all over!

 "Elp, elllp, elp?" (Joy doesn't quite say the "h" on the beginning of "help" just yet.)

 Morning sun on roses.

 A happy sight.

 Process on our little garden. The veggies have doubled-tripled in size in the 12 days since I took this picture though... looks way better now!

 Ride 'em Joy-Belle!

 I commented to Angie after this particular play time that it was sure a good thing she is such a good listener and playmate, because Hope sure has no end of ideas and lacks no skill in communicating what has in mind.

 This is how stuffed animals go down the slide at Hopey's house. You sit at opposite ends of the hardwood, and give them a good ole shove towards the other person, saying "weeeeeee" while you do it. Great fun, I tell ya. :o)

 Getting some one-on-one time of her own. :o)

 We bought diapers again, and that box also got turned into something to play with, for a little while, until Mommy had had enough of seeing it in the living room.

 This time it was a giant bathtub for all the stuffed animals, plus a human, of course.

 Then, it was contrived that a garage door should be put on the side, for ease of shoving the little stuffed creatures in side. Eventually, a slide was also added at the far end. Quite the deluxe bathtub, I tell ya.

 The narrow bed that runs along the front of the house. Plants are gaining height and blooming nicely.

 The flower bed beside the front patio. The shade doesn't do it justice, but that's just when I got there to take pictures.

 It's absolutely stunning out there first thing in the morning.

 Even though it doesn't happen often for me, the table and chairs next to the house do provide the perfect place for a cup of coffee and the Word in the morning sunlight and loveliness of God's creation. 

 A little bit of a bride's bouquet between each of the solar lights - two mini roses and white alyssum.

 Front bed from the other side.

 Picnic lunch on Angie's last full day here.

 Joy-Joy loves her dolly just as much as Hope does hers.

 That little top braid is a lifesaver for me some mornings! :o) I do it small enough it can stay in for a few days, and helps if the girls are up later or I'm running behind and can't fix Hope's hair right away at the start of the day. I don't do it all the time, but it sure is a nice option and keeps her front hairs from spilling into her face and food. :o)

 Ready to take Angie to the airport.

 Joy konked out for a nap minutes after we got on the road. :o)

 And when they got up from their real naps later in the day, they headed straight to the backyard where their Daddy was putting together a little swing set and slide for them.

 Of course, the girls were helping.

 Hope was a little chilled when she got up from her nap, hence the hoodie.

 They each knew which was their swing, I tell ya. And Joy was pointing it out to Hope, just in case. Though Hope likes to push Joy, Joy doesn't think that is such a great idea. She prefers to wait patiently for Mommy or Daddy to get back to her. :o)

Hope made the cutest comment to me about her swing, "Mommy! It's a yiddle swing for me! Now I can swing on it and go fast and not be scared!!!" :o) And she does love to be pushed fast! :o)