Babysitting and Birthdays

My cousin Keaton had a birthday party today. He is the big "4." Kids grow up entirely too fast. I thought Keaton was 3. I lost a year somewhere. Then the family went out to our cabin on Eleven-Point River in Arkansas. It was pretty much a muddy sloppy mess and flooding as well. This was all to celebrate my Uncle Glen's birthday. Have you ever noticed that everything tastes better when you are camping? We had delicious roast and chicken. But not ordinary roast and chicken, oh no. We had camping roast and chicken...much better...

I watched Keaton and his sister Chloe tonight at my Aunt Ronda's. They are so precious. We colored, painted, played with toys in the bathtub, watched movies, played on the computer, made jewelry, and read. Chloe is in kindergarten so she is learning to read and write and I am a very proud cousin. She has been writing my name all week since she learned I was going to be babysitting. So tonight she gave we three or four pictures with "I love you Katy and only you Katy." She read a whole book to me and I just listened in awe. It actually brings tears to my eyes to think that I was at the hospital when Chloe was being born and now seeing her learn these things makes my heart burst with joy.

The hightlight of my night was cuddling up with Chloe on the couch and reading her Mother Goose. She slowly fell asleep while Keaton was bouncing off the walls, and still is.

I love to just sit and watch kids. I was sitting on the couch watching Keaton. He had his little Fruit of the Loom whitie tighties on with no shirt. I was just looking at his little skinny arms and legs, and thinking how beautiful he was.

Well, until we meet again, Adieu.