Jack, who is four and a half, recently learned how to pump his legs and swing himself. 

He swings now every day.  He loves to swing.  And I love how much he loves it.  Swinging is one of those childhood joys that are irreplaceable.

My camera is funking out. Outside, the shots are great...but inside....ah, well. I really don't know what I'm doing wrong. This is why I am not a photographer. But WHY, then, is my blog so picture heavy?

Because I think that you can see, even through the bad grain and the poor light, that face. I sometimes put this chicken up on the counter next to me, and we visit while I cook, or make tea. I don't remember the occasion for taking these- at all- but I looked at them and thought,
"This is such a perfect age."

I meant Miles' age, not this age- this age of cloudiness and confusion that surrounds our world.

Two and a half is a wonderful age. He's fun to talk to, interesting in his observations, and small enough to hug all over- he's still an armful.

And I realize, too, that this is why the youngest child is babied. With chickens and children, time flies by. Now that Miles is soaring through these years, I am better at seeing what I so fleetingly enjoyed with the others.

Whenever I look at him, I think of my other two-and-a-half-year olds, and I enjoy him more for that.

I would give up many things to be able to physically relive holding my two year old Jack or Lucy or Bowden...it wasn't so long ago that they were two and a half, but it isn't getting any nearer.

Sometimes the chicken's silence means trouble.

Sometimes it means a drum circle ready to erupt in the kitchen.

(Why are these pictures so awful? I need a better camera. Or some camera lessons. Or a photographer to follow me about. I will pay in meals with my family.)

Umbrella!

The sun really is too much for our lily-white skin.

My sister, Rosie, posted! Go to her blog for some beautiful baby pictures- of a very P-W baby!

On Monday, it was Bowden.
On Tuesday, Jack.
Wednesday, we kept Jack home from preschool, but it was really Miles' day.Today- really since last night- Lucy has been aching and fevered and a little congested, and my eyes feel like they're burning up.
I can hear Josh coughing upstairs.
That's all of us. Bowden and Jack are better already, so hopefully this thing will be conquered in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Guess what we got for Christmas. And guess who gave it to us.

I just had to post them all. We love these shirts.