The Murphy Boys

We have been connecting with Earlham alum all over the city and having a great time!! We recently visited a quaking blog and wildflower with Aaron Albertson and his two girls: Marie (4) and Juniper (2).  They have a really wonderful chemistry with Ayrie and Shiya.  Aaron’s wife, Jessamin Heinrich, is also an Earlham alum. This is our first spring in Minneapolis and it is spectacular! xo nora, ayrie & shiya

Our very dear friends are organizing a fundraiser for Ayrie and for our new organization, Tombolo!  Visit their website, Running for Ayrie.  Tha nk you Richard and Christa!!  I met Richard and Christa through my work in Chicago and they are absolutely devoted to Ayrie and Shiya. It was really wonderful to see their relationship with the boys develop in Chicago and it continues to develop long distance via visits and skype.  Richard and Christa have the amazing ability to be at a playground or play hide and seek for…read more

i think shiya gets his powers of observation from his mom.  he walked outside yesterday and said, “wow!  where did all the snow go?”  (note: the snow has been gone for a month!)

ever the pragmatist, when I told Ayrie that a monster was going to eat him up he thoughtfully told me that monsters probably only eat kids muscles because muscles are made out of healthy protein.  he also confirmed that monsters are not actually real.  and later we discussed whether monsters have teeth that are strong enough to heat bones (like dinosaurs) or not (like humans and squirrels).

shiya doesn’t have a special blanket or stuffed animal but he does love to be surrounded by things he loves! last night he slept with eight stuffed animals across the top of his pillow, two books under his pillow and one book clutched in his arms.  he seems to be connected with these items on a deep level because every time one fell off the bed he would wake up yelling, ‘my duck!  my duck!”  And I would think, how did that child know that his duck fell off the bed while…read more

One day at school a teacher mentioned to me that Ayrie has really good retention for the chapter books that they read every day before nap time. I asked Ayrie about it and he told me that his favorite books were ‘The Magic Tree House’ books. So I bought a few and we’ve been reading almost two a week. The books have taken us to the Titanic, the Civil War, an 1890’s science exploration ship, and Indian jungle and more. I told our Aunt Pat how much we were enjoying…read more

It was in the 50’s today even though it’s still mid-march. Ian and I were able to take advantage of the beautiful weather with the boys by visiting a near by lake and bird sanctuary. It did my heart good to see my little nature explorers walking though mud, climbing trees, listening to woodpeckers and playing at the edge of the melting lake. First Day of Spring

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