Trick-or-Treat

Wouldn't you give this pirate some candy?  You can't see his sword but oh yeah, it's there.

I know this is fuzzy but it pretty much sums her night up.

Lollipops.  She kept saying, "I eat candy Mom?"

Or she just went ahead and got it out of her pumpkin bucket.

Jack was Luke Skywalker again and Kayla was a colonial girl.  She has been looking forward to this for a long time.  According to Jack, they've been waiting to trick-or-treat for a whole year!

Standing over the vent.

More treats!

Sunday Afternoon

I am having a good Sunday.
Church was great.  It's Reformation Sunday so our service was just a little different.  Love remembering some of the church's heritage.
Just had a nice long nap (!) and it's still quiet around here so maybe I'll get to read a little.  I just finished reading Hanna Coulter again.   I don't think I will ever get tired of reading that book.  I love it more every time.  Now I'm starting one called These is My Words.  I believe it's a work of fiction based on the author's family memoirs.
The kids and I are still reading through Carry On Mr. Bowditch.  This one I love as well.  I'm sure I must have read it when I was in school but I don't remember it.  It has made me cry a few times and get so excited about learning at other times.  Read it.
Kayla's reading More Stories from Grandma's Attic.  I wish I could find more of those.
Jack's into all the Thornton Burgess animal stories.  There are many.  The one I see now is The Adventures of Prickly Porky.  The librarian was so glad he checked several of those out because they are in danger of being taken off the shelves for good.  That is sad.  With so much junk out there for kids to read, they would consider getting rid of some good classic literature.  We'll just keep checking these books out- maybe it will help rescue them!

Now, because I don't want to forget this and because it might make you laugh out loud:
On the way to church this morning Samuel asked, "Mom, what's that white stuff coming out of the cars?"
"Exhaust."
"Sauce?"
"No, ex-haust."
"Ohhh...egg sauce."

Snow Gear

"Hey Jack!  Want to sled?"
Yep.
The weatherman said we might see a few snowflakes today.
Jack claims to have already seen two.
So, of course, Sammy is in full snow gear.
Waiting.
I have to confess, the possibility, just the tiniest prospect, of snow, gets me excited.

Lucy Pics

I know it's because she's mine.

I know the way a mama and a daddy look at their children is different from the way others see them. With an affection that's different and precious.

It should be that way.

But I still have to say

I think this little one is beautiful,

full of sweetness,

and full of silliness.

(This was the beginning of her now perfected pirate face.

I'll get a closer shot of that soon.)

Birthday and Tennessee

Day two of swimming lessons- done.
It is a great day when you can help your kids see how God has helped them and answered prayers on their behalf.  Every day should be like that, I know.  I guess today we had eyes to see.
And you know, for Sammy and Lucy, these are the best kind of "lessons."  Just spending time in the pool, getting comfortable in the water.
I've got some birthday and Tennessee pictures ready to post.  Here we go.

Kayla wanted to make her birthday cake.  So, of course, I let her.  As she was peeling off the letters and decorations from the packaging, Sam ran up quick as a wink, stole one of the letters, the "y", popped it in his mouth, and ran away.  Kayla didn't get too upset about it.  We are doing family parties this year but her little friend Journey from next door did come over for homemade pizza and cake.

Lucy's favorite part of the Tennessee trip was baby Joel.  How could he not be?  He's a cutie.  Lucy loved for him to sit on her lap.  And she loved giving him kisses.  She's still talking about him.

Caroline and Kayla taking a little snack break on a rock by the river.  Sweet friends.

Mary and Jack out on a rock in the river.  Seems like these two are usually the more adventuresome ones.  

Sammy and Aunt Sarah heading back to the trail.

Lucy backpacked it most of the time but she loved finding sticks when she was down.

I have some more pictures of her that might have to be their own post.  Too cute.

I love this little boy.  He looks like he was out in the woods.  And he sort of was.  On top of the van which was parked in the woods.  He's always, always, into something.

Snippets

Lots to post and write about, hopefully sooner rather than later.  Today was a pretty busy day so once I can get some pictures uploaded, maybe I can get on with it.
We had lots of fun on Kayla's birthday with a visit from Mimi and Papa. Then we headed to Gatlinburg (or is it Pigeon Forge- I don't know) to enjoy the fall scenery with Brian's family.
Today was back to school.  I feel like I started the week behind but I guess I'll catch up by the weekend!  Jack and Kayla started swimming lessons this afternoon which meant that Sammy and Lucy got to play in the pool during lessons.  They all had a great time.  Lucy was more than ready for her nap.
Soccer season is winding down this week- yay!  And could it be just in time for the first snowflakes of the fall/winter?  Sounds crazy to me but that's what was on the news.
I have to say... it might just give me an extra spring in my step, the anticipation of it!

Finally! Happy Birthday, Kayla!

Happy 8th Birthday to our sweet Kayla!  She has been counting down to this day for weeks!  I remember when she was back at something like 59 days and she just could not stand it!  Last night she asked if she could hurry up and go to bed so her birthday would come sooner.

I have seen Kayla grow so much this past year and kind of come into her own.  She's got some opinions now, I guess:
No bows on shoes.  Nothing fancy.  She's most comfortable in a t-shirt, preferably one of her soccer shirts, and some shorts or soccer pants.  Give the girl some crocs or flip-flops and she's set.
She has not wanted her hair cut in months.  "I want it LONG, Mom!"  And it is.  And she would rather I leave it alone- no bows there either, no pony tails, unless I insist.  Which sometimes I do.
She adores her baby sister and will/can do most anything for her.
She loves to play school and house.  Dolls are still in, and I am so happy about that.
She spends a lot of time reading, too. Mysteries are her favorite.
She still likes to organize and really clean, although just "picking up" is no fun.
Baking is one thing she would do every day if she could.
She loves CC and singing.
I love that she's still a little girl in so many ways, still sweet to her friends though tough with her brothers.  She can hang in there with the boys if she has to.  She fights with her brothers but at the end of the day, they are still friends.
Our Kayla is quite the treasure.
We love you K!  Happy Birthday!

Sunday Evening

This week is looking pretty busy.  A little overwhelming actually.  All kinds of good things to look forward to, just a lot of work to get there!  I found myself getting anxious about it then remembered there is grace for each day.  More than enough.  I need not fret about tomorrow.  I will pray to that end, anyway.

Kayla's birthday is one of those really fun things coming up.  She pretty much eats, sleeps, and breaths birthday lately.  No big party this year but she doesn't care.  She's going to be eight and that's big!

I will say good night with this from Sammy.
He got stung by a bee this afternoon.  Not fun.  Brian had to get the stinger out.
This evening when we got home from church Sam said, "You know how that bee was mad at me when he stung me?  Well, I was really mad at him, too.  For stinging me."
Me too, buddy.

This and That From the Week

Just got back from a friend's birthday dinner.  We went to a restaurant called Zeppoli's.  It was a little too loud to be quaint but still really good.  And it's not a chain!  Even better.  (Jenny- I still miss you at these things)

I don't feel like I've been with it much this week at all.  I guess it's gotten better as the week went on but it seemed like I was dropping the ball over and over.

Jack and I were working this afternoon and he said, "Mom, you're so lucky.  You never have to do any work."
My response:  Bug-eyed.  Mouth wide open.  Speechless.
Then I just smiled.

We did take a hike up to the Cascades on Monday.  I'd never been there.  It was beautiful.  I took so many pictures (didn't I just say I was going to try to enjoy things more and photograph less?)  At some point or another, all the kids gave me some good material.

From Jack:  "Mom, there are so many huge rocks here.  I just have to conquer them."

First let me say this look is classic Kayla.  

Her quote:  "Mom, I have imagined this place so many times.  It's just like I thought it would be."

Also a classic.  This time of Samuel.  Do you see the waterfall behind him?  Gorgeous.  Sam's "job" was to hold my hand as we walked across the not so steady rocks that finally led to the waterfall.  If I said, "Sam, be careful, " he would say, "MOM!  I am OK!"

Or, if I said, "Sam, come help me,"  he would say, "You can do it Mom.  I know you can."

Lucy liked the "water fountain" as she called it.

She was also often heard saying, "Out!"

(meaning, get me OUT of the stroller!)

Brian surely worked the hardest, pushing the jogging stroller up, up, up the trail until we finally left it and headed across the rocks.  Going back down was not really much easier but we made it.  Four miles round trip.  

Well worth it, for sure.

Fall

"In fall, the color would be in the trees, the leaves coming down some days even with no air stirring, brightening the ground, and it would be so quiet you could hear them falling."  

from Wendell Berry's Hannah Coulter

Pumpkin Patch Time

The kids and I went to the pumpkin patch yesterday.  Actually, it was called the Sinkland Farms Fall Festival.  There was a pumpkin patch, plus a whole lot more.
It was really a perfect fall day.  The sun was warm but the breeze was cool.
It quickly becomes apparent at places like this that for parents, it's mostly about the pictures.  Everyone's taking pictures.  I was no exception.  I tried to limit myself, though.  It's no good to have the pictures but not have really enjoyed the time there.  Here's some of what I did get:

Kayla has decided she loves horses.  We made several visits to this one.

Jack was the only one interested in feeding the goats.  The baby one was ok; the mama was a little more aggressive.

Sam rode a horse!  Honestly, I didn't think he would do it once it was our turn but he did.  He said it wasn't scary but the horse was "a little bit shaky."

Go Sammy!

We did eventually make it out to the pumpkin patch.

This one, maybe?

Sam thought the best part was showing how strong he was, then throwing or rolling the pumpkins down the hill.  Sadly for him I had to put a quick stop to his fun.

He went on to finding pumpkins that he thought Lucy could hold.

I think Lucy enjoyed her first trip to the pumpkin patch.  

On the way home she said, "I wuv animals."

Good stuff.

Afternoons

I love this guy.
This is how the two of us have been spending part of our afternoons.
Diagramming sentences.
Choosing adjectives and verbs.
Writing.
And enjoying our hot drinks together.
His choice:  hot tea.
Mine:  coffee.
I can't say that things are always as calm and smooth as they are in this picture but I can say that, usually, this is one of my favorite parts of the day.

In a Day

Every night when I lay my head on my pillow and pull up the covers, I think to myself how much I love that moment of each day.
Maybe a happy sigh.
Maybe a smile as I close my eyes.
Ahhh...my pillow.  Which means quiet.  Rest (maybe uninterrupted???)
Last night I got to thinking about what else I really enjoy in a day.
Here's a few:

The quiet, cool darkness of an early fall morning.  (yes- there's that word 'quiet' again)
That first cup of coffee.
A neatly made bed.
A clean floor.
Gentle rain against the windows.
My children laughing.  Not just laughing but belly laughing.
All of us settling down to read together.
A burning candle.
Open windows and blowing curtains.
Evenings with Brian on the couch with our ice cream.

What about you?