She "makes" like me

One of the most interesting and challenging parts of being a mom is figuring our kids out.  What makes them tick?  Are they extroverted or introverted? Enjoy a challenge or frightened by it?  Do they like a lot of interaction or do they require more down time?  Is help appreciated by them or do they like to do it themselves?  One thing that I have really come to realize in the last year is that they are definitely all different from each other, and also from me!  As they get older, their own little quirks and personality traits are really starting to shine through.  I am learning to appreciate them- to be thankful for our differences. We definitely have a broad spectrum of likes and dislikes between our three girls, and it certainly makes life more interesting. 

One similarity that I love about Hannah and myself...she "makes" like me.  A flurry of creating in hyper-speed.  No time for picking up as you go, that can be done later.  I don't freak out when I see messes like this (she was cutting and gluing hair for the paper doll she was working on) because I know she is in "the mode."

I am grateful for the understanding I am given (sometimes in very tiny amounts) to see my children for who they are, and to honor and respect that.

good times, good times

Because so many of our friends don't really celebrate Halloween, and because our kids don't already get enough sugar in their diet (roll eyes)...we decided as a group to come up with a fun alternative to traditional Halloween fare.  October 31st was a school night this year, so we planned the 2nd Annual "Fall/Pumpkin/Harvest/Something-else-to-do-instead-of-dressing-up-and-asking-our-neighbors-to-give-them-candy"- Party for Saturday night.

The kids did some coloring,

(they were preparing their goody bags- keep reading)

The adults did some munching (or maybe that was just me).  Notice the juice box in that picture, we are so fancy!

We played some fun games,

This donut game was especially hilarious...

and messy!!!

It was a great time of laughing, relaxing, chatting, eating, and sharing together. So blessed we are to have such great friends! Good times, good times.

bike ride with Laurel Baby

Last night Carl took the older girls to his hometown (1 hour away) to watch a football game against a longstanding rival.  It was against my better judgment to let them go on such an excursion on a school night- knowing how late they would be home, and how early morning would come.  It is obvious that Carl doesn't get to do any "father and son" type activities, and because the girls wanted so desperately to be alone with their dad is such a grown-up way...I conceded.  I bundled them up and sent them on their way with a goodie bag (which Carl later told me saved the 2nd quarter when the novelty of their surroundings wore off) and mugs ready for cocoa. So, with "the others" gone- Laurel Baby and I found ourselves alone.  The possibilities of how we might spend our quiet evening together were almost overwhelming.  Finally it was decided that we would go for a bike ride.  Earlier this year, my dad bought me and ibert seat for Laurel to ride in on my bike.  She loves it when we go.  So we too bundled up, I strapped on my camera and off we went.

She took off her gloves no less than 500 times.  This was okay because I was thankful for the excuse to stop and rest.  Clearly I am waaay out of shape.  She loves looking in that little mirror on my handlebars.  No matter how many times she spots her own face, she still greets herself with a sweet, "hi Lolo babee".  Over and over again she repeated it.  I love hearing her say her own name- especially with the "baby" part added on (this is what we call her).

We made our way down (I say down just so that you will know that I had to go up on the way back :) to one of my favorite look out spots.  The autumn colors were so serene at sunset.

We could smell dinner cooking and chimneys frothing their cozy sent all through the neighborhood. Just as we were pulling away from our river perch- we saw these geese retreating to their nests in the wheat fields behind our house.

 

We honked back at them.  Then Laurel's mantra then became "bye bye guckies" (duckies).  I am pretty sure that she said that all the way home.  I have trouble remembering much of the ride home.  Certainly if I had pedaled any further or harder than I did, my legs would have given out and my heart would have seized.  I understand now how people find themselves middle-aged and out of shape.  Life just creeps up on you and before you know it- you are old and fat. That is an uplifting thought huh?  We made our way back inside for some dinner (which thankfully I was able to prepare without fainting), a bath together, and some movie watching on my bed.  Laurel seems to think that she sleeps there too these days.  She is quite comfortable sauntering in to my bedside in the middle of the night now that her crib no longer restrains her.  It's okay, she is a good snuggler- with me at least. Carl reported that she kicked him in the head last night.  I am fairly certain he was dreaming. A lovely evening with Laurel Baby.

We have some fun things planned this weekend...hope to be back soon with a full report.