Sibling Sociality

The last few weeks, Michael and Sadie have really -finally!- started having fun together. (As opposed to tolerating each other as they've played near one another, at best, and fighting over toys, at worst.) It started when we moved Sadie's crib from our closet into Michael's room (in order to make room for the new baby in our closet.) I was really worried how they would both handle it, but it has been surprisingly positive. They love being able pile stuffed animals, pillows, and blankets into one of the two cribs and then crawl in and play together. --And it's always Michael who starts things off by calling, "Do you want to come in here, Sadie?"

They have also discovered the fun of taking the couch cushions off to tumble on,

watering plants together (This is what they do when I say "look up" at the camera.),

and playing jack-in-the-box. --They climb into two large buckets we have to hold toys (after emptying all the contents onto the floor, of course), cover themselves up with a blanket, and then pop up together.

We still deal with the occasional squabble, but it's sooo nice to see them starting to be friends!

In other news. . .

We spent the last two weekends out of town. The first weekend, we went to Austin and stayed with my folks so we could attend our friend Yi Jeng's graduation from UT with her Ph.D. During the several years preceding our official courtship, Yi Jeng was always gently prodding us to get together. So in a way, you could say she was our match-maker.

Her father flew all the way from Taiwan to see her graduate and it was lovely to finally get to meet him. They flew back to Taiwan together, and we have promised to come visit her there someday. Congratulations, Yi Jeng! We will miss you!

The next weekend, we went to visit Matt's family. Poor Matt and his dad spent all of Memorial Day painting their fence.

But we also enjoyed going swimming at the pool, attending a garden show, climbing trees,

and blowing bubbles.

A friend from our ward gave Michael a little suit to wear to church. Doesn't he look snazzy!?

One of Matt's favorite books to read to the kids is "Little Baa." It's amazing how, no matter how many times they've heard it, they still pay rapt attention.