Thursday, October 11, 2012

.....fall harvest and birthday bliss.....

....it's the only thing I want to do for my birthday every fall....we missed last year for a reason I can't remember, but we made up for it this year.....big time....




...apple picking, pumpkin patches, face painting, bouncy houses, horse rides, live music and BBQ......it was a no brainer when I heard about this place.....

....we packed the kiddies, rented an extra car for our visiting cousins and headed out to the fall festival.....the weekend began with a trip to the beach and by Monday, we were pulling soft wool hoodies over our heads and sliding into velour purple coats.....

....perfect harvest weather......








 ...two years ago when we enjoyed my favorite birthday activity, I was newly pregnant with Brody.....and now this little toddler is partaking in what his Momma loves to do best in October.....it's amazing how families can change in such a short time period.....





....and how one little person can add so much joy and wonder to a family that was already full......Brody's new words and interaction with the family has been exciting for all of us....the girls are thrilled when he shows them he can understand their requests or participates in their games of make believe.....and I am overjoyed that he still loves to hang on my hip despite his independent stride......




....I'm in a current place of being very in tune with my children.....actually, I was forced to go there with them upon this move that is still fresh for all of us.....forced to ask the extra questions.....forced to spend time creating a safe and relaxing environment that condones a three and four year old to freely open up about their day.....the good, the bad, the pressures.......the worries, the fears, the new friends......and I have been unable to say no to crafting when we have a spare hour....and for those who know me well know that I don't really like to craft......so that activity right there already makes me feel like I am giving more than usual....

....not that I slack on the being present part of child rearing in the hustle and bustle of it all.....but life happens and we all get caught up in running through life.....at least this Momma does.....all three are adjusting in their own way and each of them is needing a lot of extra attention....and God always has a way of proving over and over again that His timing is perfect because I have that extra time right now to be completely present....my school schedule with the girls this year is so much easier and less frazzled.....we still go to school every day, but it is a slower pace.....I have been hesitant to sign up for the extras that keep us running wild....no tap, no gymnastics, no art......no organized play dates on a set schedule.....and I can attest that although the activities are fun and rewarding, there is also very much to be said about spontaneity with your children.....

.....lately, I am acutely in tune with them.....our conversations have depth and meaning.....they are maturing and there is a sense of added responsibility that comes with your child allowing you into their world; even if it's the world that is only a few hours a week away from you....for Elsie and Callie, it's theirs and they don't have to share it......but when they do, and lately it has been frequent and meaningful, it's a whole other perspective.....we are talking about things like what a conscience is, treating others with respect, sticking up for people, balancing the making of new friends, but keeping the old.....it is a new phase of growth and I am grateful that we all seem to be in sync with these conversations and insights into growing up......

.....I am enjoying them immensely (even on the bad days) and we play a lot.....it's been too long since I have played with my babies and I am sweetly enjoying this phase of inhaling every moment of them.....







....we loved having cousins around this weekend.....




....and the full house of family made my birthday that much more joyful.....






.....we managed to come home with 12 lbs of apples.....so if anyone has some ideas on how we can eat them all in the next few weeks, please share.....I have already scoured pinterest for recipes.....


....oh, yes....and we also have our fair share of pumpkins......but several are set to be carved.....




.....the band got us on our feet and we rocked it out.....or at least the kids shook it down.....




....it was a weekend to celebrate....


....and so far, 38 is great....