Abby turns 3 today!

And, oh! How we wish we could be there to see her shining sweet face! We would love to have seen her celebrate her birthday with her buddies - a handful of "princesses and princes" who partied with her at a pretty park near her home in Texas. We love these pictures her Mama sent us! We will never forget the day her Daddy phoned us with the news....our new little grand daughter, Abigail Jane had arrived!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR PRECIOUS ABBBY!!!

Meanwhile, in North Carolina........

.........it seems that little P-pie is having fun with her chick-chicks! Josh sent this picture, just in case I couldn't visualize what Piper was up to while he and I were chatting on the phone! Oh! That silly Piper Gaye! She really gets into caring for Speckles and the other girls!

Some welcome visitors blow in on the wind!

It has been a week of fun with our kids who literally blew in from Ft. Worth. Everyone had a blast with Fred, who is running the household by now. Saturday marked his 3 week anniversary as the Little Bird Farm "big dog". He has brought us a lot of laughter and sweet moments! It was precious, watching our younger son, Nate, and little Abby - rolling on the floor with Fred - such laughing & giggling!

The wind has been fierce, stripping away our best garden topsoil and shaking our poor, pretty daffodils nearly to death. We have wrapped our blooming fruit trees in Christmas tree lights, white & blue, to preclude frost damage - we hope! Spring is coming on harshly here! But it was a terrific week with Nate, Sara, & Abby!

Tuesday with Fred

Fred had his puppy check up today; a 3rd booster shot and lots of hugs and compliments on his cuteness! I imagine they tell every puppy this, but they convinced us that we aren't the only ones who think his cuteness is off the charts! He was courageous and didn't mind the visit one bit. When we got home - he was exhausted! See for yourself! He thought his red ball was better used as a pillow - than a play toy.

Today is Girls' Day - HINA MATSURI

In Japan, today is the day to celebrate girls - all girls. In many public buildings and most homes, one can see a display - elaborate or simple - of dolls; Emperor and Empress, their court, musicians, protectors, and ministers. Another tradition is that of floating straw dolls (hina) down a river or out to sea, the belief being that the dolls will take away all the troubles of the real girls!

We wish all girls NO troubles! Only wonderful blessings!

Abby and her new bubble wand - so sweet!

Piper getting tickled - precious!

A day in the life of FRED

Just a few toys! Crazy play time!

And then........... .

Such a sweet little guy.