Happy Labor Day 2011. Labor Day will be one of my family's memories of growing up for two reasons. One, our nephew and cousin celebrates his birthday every year on this holiday. Two, part of the birthday celebration is going to the annual Chapin Labor Day parade in my hometown. MK said it best when she announced, "Mommy, that parade we went to was the funnest one ever in my life!"

The children are just about all old enough now to know the "Ready, Set, Go!" routine of the parade. Once the floats begin to appear on the route, all children must get their candy bags prepped for loading up on the gobs of candy they acquire during the one hour long display. It truly is amazing the amount of candy each child leaves with each year!

C is getting a bit older. In fact, today he celebrated his "half birthday," much to my dismay :( He is now 11 AND 1/2. I know, right?! Great for him, going by too fast for me. Alas, in this stage of his life, he has chosen to take a liking for coffee. And who better to share a cup of joe with but his Gran.

With the parade in full swing, the kiddos took their spots.....

and waved to the passers by.....

and clapped for a job well done!

(I love this pic. I could publish a story on this pic alone - it tells so much. Look at the faces. The anticipation. The conversations. Just makes me smile to see it and imagine the thoughts that were taking place at the moment this shot was snapped.)

And this special day occurs every year because of this special little guy. Happy 4 years Jay-man!

***One more MK comment. I asked her what her favorite part of the parade was and she said, "I LOVED those girls what was pretty!" AKA, the pageant/beauty queens. I love that she is sooo very girly!

Sisters

Once upon a time there were two little girls. One was happily awaiting the arrival of her baby sister. She prayed for her "baby" in China. She missed her sister in China. She loved a baby sister she had yet to even meet.

One day the two little girls met. The one little girl told the other little girl, "Don't be afraid. We have waited and waited for you. We have loved you from afar. We are so excited to be your family."

The baby girl wasn't so sure about having a big sister. She was a bit jealous, to put it lightly. But with time, the baby sister began to trust and love her big sister. The baby would look to her big sister for help. And for hugs. And the two girls would talk to one another at night until they fell fast asleep together. And they would wake up together each morning....

and giggle or sing songs or read books or played games- always together.

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James

"I am sorry Mommy. These papers fell out accidentally on purpose." This is my favorite MK quote yet. Her four year old mind is having trouble grasping the concepts of what is an accident and what is done on purpose. Love the innocence.