corn fed

Happy Birthday Uncle Michael! And Happy Belated Birthday to Aunt Kristin! The Independence Day holiday is always extra special for them. We celebrated Michael's birthday in high style, with another big fish fry and banana pudding and cake and brownies, and (one of Dennis's new favorites) corn on the cob. Too bad Michael wasn't actually here to partake in the festivities, but I'm certain that his day was wonderful all the same. I hope it was, at any rate.

Dennis had a so-so day. He didn't sleep his normal 12 hour night last night, finally going down after midnight and waking us up 3 times needing some cuddling during the night before waking up before 8 am. Maybe it's teeth again, or maybe he was tired from lack of sleep, but he whined at me a good bit this afternoon. Or maybe it was me, because after I told everyone that he was a little bit pitiful today, he showed up and smiled and talked happily to them all. We got him to bed at a normal time tonight, in his own bed instead of in his pod, and maybe things will straighten back out for him.

He exhibited a good bit of his sweet personality today. When Steve came in from a phone call about some difficult news about a loved one, he was pretty down. Dennis saw him coming in the door and ran over to the door and said (very plainly) "Hi Steeee" when he came in, and he reached up to be picked up and cuddled. I like to think it cheered him up a little. Everyone told me that this was the second time he'd said hi to Steve today, and that both times he spoke very clearly. He was also sweet about sharing with Chloe, offering her the toys she wanted and taking turns with her in the rocking chair. She ran him over yesterday, and I think he started out the day watching her a bit warily, but they were soon giggling at each other and playing sweetly. I loved when they were on either side of the storm door, smiling and laughing at each other. Chloe even kissed the door, and Dennis just stared in astonishment. Chloe gave him his first kiss not too many weeks ago, just grabbed his head and leaned forward and planted one right on his mouth. It's going to be fun to watch them grow up together, and it is our hope that they become lifelong friends. They first met on the day she was born. Ellen and I got a little teary eyed when we watched them together. We have a picture of them together taken last July 4th, and they've grown so much! Unfortunately we didn't manage to keep them still long enough to get a picture this year, and I'm so disappointed! They were so cute in their red, white, and blue!

We're home tonight, but the party's not over yet. More to come tomorrow!