Summer Days

I know, I know, another photo of Sarah.  It's just that, at the moment, she seems to be the apple of my eye; well, the apple of the eyes of all family members.  She really is as sweet as any picture of her.

 She does have a very dirty bum, though.  This is completely due to her method of bum scooting, particularly filthy in the summertime.  She might look cute, but don't turn her over.

 She's laughing at Ben's attempts to help her walk around the yard.  Hannah walks her slowly round and round the house giving her time to place her feet and get used to a new method of ambulation.  Ben  operates with the same consideration as his older sister and Sarah walks easily under his tutelage.  However, Joseph and Jacob are an entirely different story.  Their speed is permanently geared for fun and Sarah can barely keep up when they help her 'walk'.  A look of fear passes over her face and she opts for her familiar bum-scoot.  This leads to Joseph and Jacob asking me why Sarah hates them.  "It has to do with trust, sons, not hate.  One day, when she is very late, she will appreciate your attempts."

Thought I had better throw blondie in for good measure.

 And what is summer without the hay?  The boys are growing and now insist on accompanying their dad to the fields where they alternate between sitting in the air-conditioned tractor, hurdling over windrows and resting atop the square bales on the hay wagon.  What a life.  Jacob, now a sturdy and broadening 10 years and 74 pounds, spends the day on the hay wagon shifting the 60-pound bales with the help of a hay hook and his developing muscles.  Grandpa Mike drives the tractor while Dave grabs the bales and throws them onto the wagon where Jacob is waiting.  I swell with pride to watch three generations of Afelskies work together to bring in the hay.  In 30+ degree heat, mind you.  Amazing to watch my oldest baby enter into the world of men.  What a wonderful and wholesome way to enter into that world.

 And my oldest girl babe?  Winning yet another poster contest.  This time she took third prize in the county dental health poster contest.  And if you could focus in on that cheque, you would see that it is for $50.  Judging by her poster success, I would say that she has a good side business going.  Jacob asked me this morning at breakfast if Dave or I had shares in any companies.  I laughed at his inquiry into our finances, thought of our financial profile and answered with a resolute no.  He responded, "Well, if you did, remember to always buy low and sell high."  Perhaps Hannah is willing to incorporate.