Writing here, after not writing for a week or two, is difficult for me! I quickly get out of the habit, and then I feel awkward, and don’t know where to start. I feel silly just telling you that.
It’s been an incredibly full couple of weeks and I’ve been sick throughout. That’s the thing about being sick isn’t it? Life doesn’t stop just because you are under the weather. I’ve continued to do all the things, and we’ve celebrated two birthdays.
This is how Mabel felt about that on Job’s birthday.
According to her, it was her birthday too. She even ran to my closet to dig out her birthday crown to prove it. Still, no one let her open any presents!
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Job received a tool belt and work gloves, and Jonny and I stocked the belt with inexpensive tools we bought at a local store. He was very happy with his gifts. His exact words were, “Now that I’m an actual guy that builds, I’m happy.” Job says adorable things like that all the time. We recorded that one in our little One Line a Day book.
He also received a new coat, though Mabel put it on and told us all that it was, “MY COAT.” Job didn’t argue with her.
I told him that he absolutely must wear the safety goggles while using his hammer. And then when he wasn’t looking I wimped out and hid the hammer. I just don’t think he’s quite ready for a real one. He didn’t notice its absence, and now I don’t have to worry about him hammering himself in the eye.
I had a last minute inspiration, and Jonny and I took Job on a date, just the three of us. We visited a small children’s book shop where he was allowed to choose one book. Afterwards we took him for a treat. Walking down the sidewalk, he told us with a big smile on his face, “Let’s do this every year. This is the best birthday ever.” He wasn’t referring to the gifts, or the treat, it was the time alone with us that made it the best. Yes, I think we’ll do that every year. Sweet, sweet Job. Five years old!
Next up, we celebrated Beatrix’s tenth birthday. Well in advance, I knit her a Silverfox Bonnet at her request in hollyhock dyed yarn, but for some reason, I hid it away without ever blocking it. Now she doesn’t want to part with it and it really needs to be blocked! To go with her bonnet, I bought her a special book, and wrote the most awkward inscription inside the cover. Next time, I’ll write elsewhere first and make sure I have my words right before picking up an ink pen and writing in the actual book.
Beatrix really had quite the birthday week. There were multiple get togethers with friends, and on her actual birthday I took her out to lunch along with Larkspur and their friend, Istra. Those girls are so, so silly and I’m so glad they have each other to be silly with.
I did not sew Beatrix a birthday dress. She started planning this year’s dress many months ago. I bought the fabric (plain linen), I bought a pattern, and I even had it printed at our local printer (per advice I kindly received) because it was a pdf pattern. I ironed and cut and planned, but I still haven’t sewed it. It’s difficult for me to clear the time and space both physically and mentally to sew to begin with, and adding illness to that was too much. Thankfully, I purchased little matching dresses for Beatrix and Istra after they saw them online weeks before and noted that they liked them. I surprised them with those on Beatrix’s birthday (well, they weren’t really surprised), so Bea wasn’t without a new dress. And I will sew that birthday dress. Probably this week. We don’t have big Thanksgiving plans, so I am hoping I can get it done. I just have to sew the first seam, and then I think I will be good.
I’m still trying to recover from this yucky cold, and I’ve been reading lots (almost finished with The Fellowship of the Ring), and knitting too. I’m grateful that this week will be a slower one, and I can relax a little more. For those of you traveling for Thanksgiving, I pray for safe travels for you and a cozy time with your loved ones. Maybe I’ll have a dress to share next week… In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving!
Molly says
Ginny, I’ve always loved your gift suggestions. Are you considering doing a list this year?
Molly
karen says
Happy birthdays – Sorry I’m late. I’m a November birthday so I like that month the most. Everyone is growing fast. I remember Bea and her forever nursing, ha ha. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Bindy in Australia says
Hi Ginny. I’m glad you were able to work through the awkward feelings and post. We love hearing from you!
Dawn Harris says
What a great book choice! My husband and I both grew up in the Mount Vernon area on part of Washington’s original property. It was very different back then, really its own little town. I do not have a copy of it myself so I am now inspired to get it for my boys so they can know a little more about where Daddy and I met each other. Happy Thanksgiving!
Emily says
Happy Thanksgiving Ginny and happy birthday to your dear wee ones!
Marilyn says
Hi Ginny, Hope you are feeling better. Those dresses you made for Beatrix and her friend are lovely. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOB. Wishing you a blessed year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEATRIX. Wishing you a year of happiness and blessings. Looking forward to seeing Beatrix’s birthday dress.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Marilyn
Marion says
Ginny you sure had a busy few weeks. hope you are feeling better. job looks so cute with his big boy tool belt. Beatrix is adorable in her bonnet.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOB HAPPINESS and BLESSINGS TO You
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEATRIX JOY,Love and BLESSINGS are my wish for you
Have A BLESSED and HAPPY THANKSGIVING GINNY and FAMILY
Marion
Joan says
Love this post. Ginny I hope you are feeling better. What beautiful children you have.
HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY JOB Blessings and happiness to you.
HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY BEATRIX Wishing you a year of all good things and a world of BLESSINGS.
HAPPY and A BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO ALL
Joan
Lana says
I wonder if Job’s work gloves are the same yellow ones we bought for our children over 20 years ago. I came across them in the garage a few months ago and they were formed to their little hands that are now adult hands. It just about broke my heart. One of those boys is cooking all of Thanksgiving dinner for us and his in laws tomorrow.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeannie says
Thank you for this and all your posts, Ginny. I’ve followed your blog and watched your family grow for years, your sense of humor and great big heart feel like a necessary part of my own understanding of what a family can be. . . . You might want to try elderberry for colds and flu, lots of good info on the internet. We’ve had great results with it.
Christy says
Happy Birthday to your children, and Happy Thanksgiving. God bless!
MamaAshGrove says
I just blogged again after a 3 month hiatus and wasn’t sure how to jump back in. .. so I just did. Our (much) littlest also has a tough time on older siblings’ birthdays- and she is so used to so much attention from all the big folks that it is strange for her to have a day where she isn’t the star!
I hope you feel better.
Nancy D Mosley says
Love the birthdays and comment from Job. The dresses for Beatrix and Istra are adorable. I’m sure they loved matching!!! You are right to say safety glasses at all times — I cringe everytime I see someone hammering without them. My uncle, in his 60’s, was hammering his fenced posts when the head of the nail broke off and went into his eye. That was the worse pain he said he had ever felt. Thankfully he didn’t lose eyesight but it was months before he felt better. So I share this as many people don’t think it’s necessary just for hammering. Please wear safety glasses. I’m sure it is rare to have an injury like that but our eyes are too precious a thing. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Martha says
Two big birthdays in one week! Thats a lot of work and celebrating! Phoebe currently loves Marguerite Henry books, I hadn’t seen that one before. Hope it is a happy and restful Thanksgiving for you!
Diana DG says
Oh my goodness, the big double digit for Beatrix. I remember falling in love with her when she was just an itty biddie little girl trying to learn how to shoot with a bow and arrow (my absolute favourite post). Adore Job’s birthday cake. What is it though? Life wouldn’t be the same without reading your blog.
Carrie says
I hope you are recovering well. I love the post and especially the declaration..”I just have to sew the first seam, and then I think it will be good”. A motto to live by, lol
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Emily says
I second what Pamela said in her comment. Also, I so love the photos of your daughters and their friend. Their joy in one another is palpable and beautiful and gives me an sense of hope.
Emily says
Happy birthday to Job and Beatrix! I can’t believe Job is FIVE!
Gwen says
Ginny, so happy to hear about all your happenings. I hope you will have some time to get some rest and feel better. I’m kind of like you when it comes to sewing. I have to be in the right frame of mind and can’t have distractions. That is sure hard when you work outside the home, have a husband that wants you to stay by his side always, and a daughter and 3 grandchildren that live with you. I really need my alone time and I’ve threatened when my other 2 children and their families come home for Christmas that I’ll just get a hotel and they can have the run of the house. You always give the best presents to your children…Happy Birthday to Beatrix and Job…what beautiful children you have.
Pamela says
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your wonderful family. I hope you don’t ever feel the need to apologize for not sharing – we all realize how much you do. In fact, I marvel at the amount of balls you manage to keep in the air. I am so thankful for your presence in this world and for the peace you bring into my life. I feel so blessed to have found your blog and to be part of your community. Blessings??
Stephanie says
Happy birthday to Job and Beatrix, such beautiful kiddos! I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling poorly- it seems like this year’s cold season has hit so many people really hard and really early this year. I know way too many people who have been laid up, and it’s still early. I hope you’re on the mend soon!
Bee says
Happy birthday to Job and Beatrix! I started reading your blog just after Job was born, so to think he’s five is a bit crazy, haha. He sounds like a lovely kid (as do all your kids, frankly).
I also love that portrait of Bea and Istra in their dresses – stunning! And that bonnet is adorable! 🙂
Hope you feel better soon. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Erin says
Laughing at Mabel, and good on Job, such patience.
I can so picture this because scenes like this have at times been enacted on birthday days here too.
Michelle says
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from Maine, we are expecting snow tomorrow, and I’m hoping it wont affect our travel plans too much on Wednesday.
xoxo
Elizabeth says
so sorry for the cold! that’s hard to function and with still doing the many things you do every day!! The birthdays look like they were wonderful and what a great idea to do a Mom and Dad date with Job! and the date with the girls for Beatrix! so great!
ruth says
So lovely to catch up again, Ginny. You share such joy in family life with us. Take care of yourself and a blessēd Thanksgiving to you all.