November 8-15

Playtime around here has become very scripted.  Olivia is the writer, director, and producer of everything, and Gretchen is the aspiring actor.  Large chunks of playtime are dictated, and Gretchen does her best to accurately copy the words and emotions.  Bryan and I are less obliging, but that doesn't keep Olivia from trying to sneakily influence us by giving multiple options with slightly different wording.

We had to have a chat this week about how "if it's on the floor, it's Kaitlyn's toy."  One traumatic morning in the playroom seemed to be enough to drive this lesson home, and since then most of the big girl toys have been kept either in the cage or above crawling level and put away at the end of the day.  Perhaps we can keep the "put away" part going?  Happily for everyone, Kaitlyn's movement preceded her pincer grip, so she doesn't have the dexterity to either pick up or eat small objects she might find.  She gets close enough to cause the older girls to panic, though, so by the time her motor skills improve they should be properly trained in keeping small things out of reach.  In the meantime, I can leave her unattended in the playroom and she will happily amuse herself with baby toys for quite some time.

Earlier this fall, we bought some fruit trees to plant in our backyard.  They arrived on Friday and Bryan planted them yesterday.  We won't see any fruit for 3-5 years, but when that time comes we are excited to have pears, apricots, plums, and cherries.  :)

Pictures and Videos:
Video password: BarhorstBrewed
Kaitlyn on the Move
Playing with Daddy

Olivia's new dress:

Gretchen drew a picture.  "Face.  Nose.  Leg.  Other leg.  That's Uncle Jacob!"

This is how the girls play with Daddy: