Hoot! Hoot!

Every morning at sunrise, the pitter patter of Julian's little feet can be heard across the mezzanine, all the way into our room and around our big bed. He climbs in sleepily and curls up with Stephen, Lolo and I for a little while before daddy is off to work and everyday this summer, he would quite suddenly pop his head up to announce with bursting enthusiasm that he heard an owl! Of course we never saw the said owl. But Julian was just so persistent and sure of himself that we couldn't break it to him that it was actually the morning doves in our maple trees that were hoo-ing like that. So when I came across Lucinda Guy's pattern for Otto the owl a few weeks ago, I knew I had to make one for my Jubilee Bubilee ;0)


Meet Otto the Owl. I knit him with Knit Picks Superwash DK using one ball of each nutmeg, cinnamon and white. I used odds and ends leftover from my peace sweater for the eyes and scarf. He was a cinch to knit up though he ended up limp in the knitting pile a lot because I just didn't feel up to all those fiddly bits. But he's finally done and Julian really loves him. So much so that he actually loved him, hugged him and cuddled with him way back when he only had one eye, no ears and no stuffing! Now that's love, folks ;0)



Here he is relishing in a crate full of apples at a local orchard a few weeks ago. The weather was brilliant and we had a really nice morning of apple-picking with Stephen's sister and fiance who had just gotten engaged the week before. I really had to keep myself from jumping up and down in excitement a lot because I am so thrilled for them! Julian had such fun climbing ladders, riding on a great blue tractor and petting the animals (they had a little petting zoo, too!). And to top it all off, we got to come home with a huge bag full of sweet and crisp apples.

It's amazing how much fun it can be to go out and do things like that with the kids. It's so wonderful to watch them discover new things and delight in every little moment. It really gives you a whole new perspective on the world. We've become so blaze about everything and it just takes an excited toddler to make you see the true wonder that is all around us and that we take for granted daily. I am so thankful for my Jujube and Lolo. They are truly life affirming and I love them so ;0)

Awww...