Laurel Elisabeth Stevens

We are visiting Michigan over the Christmas Holiday this year which means that we have to get the kids outfitted for winter. Warm jackets, snow pants, boots, mittens, hats, etc. it is all adding up. I think these winter clothes are much cooler than when I was little. Elisbeth's sizing is a little more predictable so those articles were sent directly to the snow belt. However, we thought that we should try Henry's outfit on. Gladly, he was pleased to participate. I was pleased that everything seemed to fit. I sure hope that there is snow in Michigan for the Holidays.

After the kids took a rest we all headed to the park to play.

The next day family came over to continue the birthday celebration. Presents were opened and more 100yr. old games were played. Below you can observe the postman game where a blindfolded player in the middle calls for the mail to be sent to one city and to another. Those in the circle around represent cities. The two cities called must exchange places witout being caught by the blindfolded mail burgler. Dad also spent time explaining geology to us before he headed off to Poland to look at cores himself. (Note the use of the passive voice. An engineer has written this.)

Elisabeth had a Pink and White Birthday party where "high-tea" was served. I think that means there was alot of sugar and milk in the herbal tea. It was a girls only party which meant that my main job was to save these young ladies from Henry. We played at the park. I believe that the games for the party came from a 100yr. old children's game book. Ahead of the party Elisabeth had a wonderful time just reviewing and selecting which games would be played at her party.

http://elisabethkraftson.blogspot.com/ I'm not sure how to add a link right, but I hope this works. This website is in honor of my Grandmother, Elisabeth Jane Kraftson.

We must really be on vacation--kids having dessert nearly every day, 2 parades in three days, going to bed with sandy feet and hair . . .memories. Henry had his first icecream cone--at Barden's of course. (yes, he's had icecream plenty of times, just not in a cone). If you aren't from Traverse City you'd probably drive right by this ramshackle old place and head for Cold Stone Creamery, but the locals know better. It's a delight. And Elisabeth wants to go there every day. At 8:30 this morning, on the way to the grocery store, Henry calls to me, "I want to go to Gardens." Gardens? "The name of the grocery store is Glens, Henry." "No, Gardens," he says, and points to Bardens. Ah, he catches on quickly. Speaking of icecream, the parent's trick of spelling in front of their children doesn't work anymore. Elisabeth knows what we're spelling, and Henry thinks it is always icecream. "I want some H-N-D!" he cries. "I...

Henry rode a two-wheeler (with training wheels, so I guess it is really a 4 wheeler), but he rode it by himself. I have video to prove it, but don’t have a clue as to how to get it on here. I also have it on my phone. These media crazed parents. Nothing better to do but film their children with various pieces of equipment. Here are some pictures from our hike at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore--Ezra, Ari and Jason joined us for this trip. The kids loved having young companions to encourage them along the trail. We ended with a beautiful view of the dunes, then headed to Empire Beach. Of course, we thought it would be too cold to swim, but it was just perfect. So in they went anyway. But the good thing about being here 3 weeks: we have time to go back! See Dad Stevens helping Henry use the saw? Now I know where John gets his desire to teach Elisabeth about square roots at age 3 and the Periodic Table at age 5. Get 'em started early on what you love. . . .Like reading . . ....