Which is better the cookie or the decorating?

The wonderful world of weekending is one I can't help but get lost in lately.  I have treasured my weekends and the magical moments they bring. Last weekend we ventured out to find our Christmas tree.  Ellie and Mason got all "dressed up" for the occasion.  Ellie wanted to wear her bedazzled look and Mason found his new Christmas Snoopy shirt and pirate beads to be the right look for him.  Binoculars for searching out the best tree were a must.

Before we left the house there was much to be done...stop to visit our pirate pumpkins that seem to hang onto fall even though Christmas decorations have begun to fill the porch.

Daddy and the kids went to check on their wheat and "The Wheat is Growing Run" began to celebrate.

Mason then posed as a scarecrow and then we were off.

Baby Isaiah woke up in time to see the trees everyone picked out and his cousins were more than happy to entertain him.

On the way to buy our tree Mason found a Gingerbread Boy decorating kit that was a must have.  I was excited to decorate the tree, but the boy was all about the cookie decorating so kids win when it comes to holiday cheer.

After many laughs it was time to try these tasty? treats...

Mason and Ellie worked to create their masterpieces and I think one of my favorite parts was when they actually tasted them Ellie spit hers right on out.  I can take a few pointers from them.  They are not troubled by the thought of letting something go to waste.  If it tastes like garbage that is its destiny...no need to ingest that.

Tasty?  Well not so much, but worth the experience?  Don't these pictures say it all?


The next day...

Mason: Ellie can I eat your nose?

Ellie: No.

Mason: But I love those kind. (Referring to gumdrop nose on her Gingerbread Boy.)

Ellie: (grabbing and pulling on her own nose while answering) No Mason, I can't even take it off.

Mason: (Looking at me, puzzled yet ready to bust out laughing) No I mean your Gingerbread Nose.

Ellie: (Laughing) Oh, yes that is fine.

A bit later he asked about her eyes and the the above conversation replayed but with eyes instead of nose.

Let's Play Superheroes

So tonight we turned the TV off and let our brains wander into the world of Let's Pretend.  At the end of the night Ellie recapped all the fun with a quick summary, "We had fun playing Doctor and Baby and Superheroes. It was so fun!"

As the grown-ups were winding down I suggested, "Mason maybe we could draw or do something else."  I had just about hit my limit of playing "Baby".

From this little suggestion Mason lit up, "Yeah, let's play superheroes.  First we have to draw our designs for our superheroes and then we can play."

Ellie and I joined him on drawing and he created 3 to our 1 picture each. The following characters were born.

Super Stretch By Mason

Super Good Hero By Mommy, Face and Name By Mason

Ellie Superhero By Ellie

Weather Man By Mason

Force Field Guy By Mason

Uncle Chris needed a bit of coaxing, but he got into the spirit of things with a bit of persuasion from his nephew.  "Just doodle a guy and then we can play superheroes with our guys," Mason said handing him doodling supplies. "Who is that guy? Crazy Hair Guy?" No, it's "Hammer Hand!"

Hammer Hand By Uncle Chris

As Daddy was just beginning to convince the wee ones it was time to brush teeth and get ready for bed I heard, "But we didn't play our superhero guys yet!"

Thankfully the boy is a speedy artist and had extra heroes ready for play.

Introducing:
Daddy as Super Stretch, 
Grandma as Weather Man, 
Mason as Force Field Guy, 
Mommy as Super Good Hero, 
Ellie as Ellie SuperHero, and 
Uncle Chris as Hammer Hand.

The wild adventure that followed will play out in your imagination.  Enjoy.

After a late afternoon nap, Ellie was not quite ready to sleep so she got back up with me a bit and decided after drawing she wanted to cut something.  She got her drawings and began.  I asked her what she was making. "Nothing, I am just cutting."

Here is her masterpiece. I think I will clean it up tomorrow.

"May the Memories Wrap Their Arms Around You..."

"...May your childhood take you by the hand. May what you remember find healing when it hurts, so the memories will protect you when they can." -Tom Hunter, Bev Bos, and Michael Leeman

Tiny Teddy sporting his new finger-knitted scarf.

November is a time for reflection.  A time for traditions. A time for making memories. Last weekend we ventured to Apple Hill. Our sister-in law arranged for the family to meet up at High Hill and the weather was fantastic.  We made it in time for carmel apples for lunch.

Fall Favorites: Carmel Apple, festive fall fashion, and family time.  Oh and yes that is Pooh Bear on the table.  He had a visit to Dr. Ellie and received a bandage for his Onyx inflicted nose injury and wore his hospital gown all day.

Attempting to steal a bite...a must.

Before eating Mason tried to get us to let him ride the carousel, but I felt like that wasn't the Apple Hill experience.  It was more of a mall sort of thing.  As we walked away from it I realized that we typically distract and blow by them at the mall too, so would the world end if it made it into our Apple Hill experience?  Probably not, so giddy up!

Mason: "Can we ride the merry-go-round?" Me: "No, we could do that at the mall. Let's see what else they have." Then while walking around I realized, wait we always say no at the mall so live it up.  Me: "Alright guys here's some quarters hop on."

Next Ellie's request to ride the pony was on the agenda. That girl loves her animals.

Ellie our animal lover and thrill seeker.

We then went in search of the train ride. The conductor tried to fool the kids that if we waited for our relatives to arrive he'd be taking a break and we'd miss out.  Ellie saw right through his act and laughed saying, "NO!" You'd have thought that man never smiled.  Leave it to Ellie to see through that jokester's tough exterior. It takes one to know one.

Waiting for our train ride.

See, I told you: Thrill Seeker.  Entering the tunnel on the train.

The day continued with the Hay Maze at Abel's and then we headed back down the hill on home.

Getting Taller

This weekend we headed south for a Pre-Thanksgiving celebration with our family and friends. On Thursday evening Mason was SO eager to get going on our trip.  He had fallen asleep on the way home from a busy day and woke up, scurried around the house and packed his own suitcase and backpack.  It was hard falling asleep that night knowing we had to wait another day before we could go.

He had been talking about the trip and telling us how he would bring the tiny gas truck back and play with the plane when he arrived. He had borrowed the truck over the summer and had kept it safe through many adventures.  He would play and then feast on "toast with butter, because Grandma always has toast at her house."

I love these little memories. It got me thinking of the little things I remember from visiting my grandparents.  The little parts of their home that was different than mine.  The rectangular faucet in the bathroom, the staircases where we played and pretended, the walks we took in their neighborhoods.  Whether it was Oregon or Idaho, the magic was always there. The bits of magic that you carry with you, "protect you", fill your heart.  Friday evening we set out on our trip to spend 4 hours in the car to be back home sleeping in our beds until the accident on I-5 could be cleared.  We woke up rested and ready for our adventure.

Brunch at the Tower Cafe and we were off.

Spoon noses

No Traffic and Beautiful Fall Leaves out our window...We are on our TRIP!!!

Ellie and her bear took a nap to pass the time.

When we arrived Mason instantly found the toys, unpacked the gas truck, and danced to the music of the clock.  As he danced I thought of how that clock is one of his memories.  One he'll hold close to his heart like the flashlight adventures he played with Ellie, Dakota and all the "wild animals" (grown-up monsters) last night.

To Carve or To Sculpt...That is the Question.

There aren't a lot of photos in the post.  Be prepared to visualize.
Read on, let your thoughts run wild.

I have been reading a book to my class over the past several weeks.  We finished reading the book this week, and are embarking on our journey of exploring our creativity and expression of how the book can inspire us. Yesterday was wrapped with meetings, a staff meeting in the morning and a preschool parent meeting in the evening.  Both were thought provoking and an inspiration to "one up" myself and kick my teaching power up a notch.  Typically I think of "one up" as a negative, but in this case I do not.  There are times when I feel competition can be negative and just before drifting off to sleep last night my mind was spinning with thoughts, quotes, moments, little gems from the day.  I was wishing I could write them all down, but sleep won out. Ellie woke me early this morning and as I lay with her and she drifted back to sleep my mind spun again.  Not in a wild out of control chaos, but a glorious spin like a dance.  At one point Ellie burst out giggling, asleep and dreaming of something mischievous or comical, but giggling with utter joy. I lay there longer struggling between my desire to start capturing my thoughts and letting them spin joyfully like that laughter.

In the staff meeting we reflected and discussed and I left feeling inspired to enjoy the bittersweet ending of a great book.  That feeling you have as you are dying to get to the end to see it through and discover, yet the sadness that the journey has ended.  With this book, I feel that the ending has opened another door.  One student said, "Maybe there's a part 2!" For us, the "Part 2" is within us.  The book travels through the journey of a young girl finding her voice within herself.  Her path to finding the strength to speak up for what she believes, what she knows is truth, for the people she loves and cares about whole-heartedly. I can relate to this child.  One who, at times, would watch things happen around her and not know how to speak up.  My journey has not been as short as hers to finding my voice and I continue to strengthen mine and deepen my understanding of why I need to use it.

I recently heard from fellow colleagues about how they had been hearing me talk about the power of play for our students. They shared with me how they have taken that and run with it in their classrooms. This was such a gift to me.  Knowing that I made a difference, an impact in more students' lives than just those in my room was powerful.  It pushed me on, made me feel like "what more can I be doing for my own class and teaching?" Not how can I make more work for myself, but how can I bring my work to a higher level?

Last night it hit me (again) how powerful rowing was for me.  For me it was my turning point, my fork in the road for which I landed on the best route of the path.  The one where strength, passion, and the need for others is critical for you to cross the finish line in your best possible way.  Sometimes you may end up with the silver medal, but when you have rowed on through with your team's golden efforts of strength, courage, camaraderie, passion, common vision, and determination, after the initial tears of disappointment fall you stop and reflect on what you have accomplished and the power of what you have achieved is so much more than any medal can give you.  Yes, the medals are amazing and can hold a special memory or capture a feeling and give you a physical object to hold in your hands, but it is what we carry with us constantly in our hearts that endures, shares, and drives our true self. All my medals in my treasure box cannot compare to the strength and true understanding of teamwork that I won in rowing. For in a boat you must strive to make yourself your personal best, yet it isn't all about you.  You must also make yourself the best fit for your boat, your crew, your team. Having 9 talented women is not enough, they must also help each other aspire to be more than they thought they could be, each urging one another on to take the risk to reach beyond. Without competition I am not sure this could happen. I was moved to see my colleague speaking SO passionately about her students yesterday.  She spoke and tears welled up in her eyes. I began to think about her and how her little comment a couple of weeks ago to me made me work better to improve my own teaching as well, not with the intent to "one up" her, but to kick things up a notch for my students, for myself, so that we all may be inspired to carry on in this journey of living and learning and loving it along the way.

Yesterday we carved soap. Our main character in our book carves soap.  She is incredibly talented at it.  The author writes about it in such a beautiful way, saying "When the promise doesn't reveal itself early, your imagination must dictate your intentions. Then the wood, or the soap, it will become what you least expect." Some of my students had challenges with their first attempt at carving. This morning I thought about the language of it. When we think of carving, perhaps that isn't the best word. Today I will teach them how to sculpt.  How to peel back the layers.  For our true selves to be revealed, like what we hope to sculpt, we can't simply stab in and carve deep.   The risk from crumbling is too great. We must do it bit by bit, shaving away that which we don't need.  Our character, Naomi, says she imagines what's inside and takes away what she doesn't need. This is what my day wrapped in meetings was all about.  My best teaching self is within me.  I need to keep peeling away that which I don't need and it shall be revealed.

I Like

Did you ever see the movie Amelie?  I love the cover of the box, the bold green the sassy haircut, the mystery...I honestly don't remember  the entire movie, for it has been too long, but I love the lists of likes and dislikes for the characters...for that is what I am thinking of on this chilly, early morning.

Jen

She likes the quiet calm before the storm.

She likes that the weather has turned cold and she gets to pull out a few new "looks" in her wardrobe.  Bring on the scarves and sweaters!

She likes snuggling with her family in the night as her chilly, little ones creep from their bed to ours in search of warm snuggles.

She likes that she was up at 2am making muffins, so Mason could bring them for our turn to bring "Parent Snack" at school yesterday, which he brought proudly and told his teacher that his daddy made them for everyone.  (Yes, this is in my likes because if a muffin fairy came into our house in the night and made muffins while I was sleeping I would most likely predict it was Daddy because like Mason told his teacher, "He is the best Chef." I don't mind being in the background on this one. Besides I have proof that I do some "cheffing" now and then. Styling by Mason.) 

Pirate Chef preparing 1st carrot cake for Halloween! 

She particularly likes that Mason's conversation with his teacher prompted her to write it down and share it with Josh in a note. (Reading the conversation in it's entirety was inspiring as well as her taking the time to share her take on it. ) 

She likes being awake and finding time to just be.

Mason's sign...oh there is a story here, but there is also a bit of sleep to be had.  More to come...

She dislikes that the weather has tuned cold and her feet and hands are sticking out of the blanket and she is cold. 

She dislikes that every time the wee ones snuggle us it means there is a dirty dog creeping into their warm, cozy, vacant beds.

She dislikes having to rewash all that bedding that she was feeling productive about being caught up on.

She dislikes that she didn't make enough muffins to be able to try one or give Ellie one as she asked to eat one yesterday morning.

She dislikes that she is awake and not sleeping because she fears how exhaustion will come to visit when she is least prepared. 

As I said, I don't remember the whole movie or the order of how these lists came together, but I am thinking I should have put the bad before the good to end on the up swing of things....

....she likes reading and writing and the magic that they bring whether it is alone or with others. Each can bring a smile, a tear, a laugh, a feeling that helps you know why you do what you do. 

That is if  you take a breath now and then to be awake and find time to think and just be.

Ellie my new little "writer". "Do you see my bone? Do you see my leash?"
The girl loves her dogs.

The Curtain Rises

Last Sunday, Jen took some alone time. You know, time for herself. Time to do things that people do so that they don't go insane, build shacks out in the woods, and write manifestos. Now she said that she was going to go get some groceries, but I know the truth: It was a mini-escape.

So I was home with the kids. We played some games, watched people swallow things that they shouldn't swallow on YouTube, and listened to some music way too loud. You know... we had fun! While we were listening to music, Ellie started air guitaring (which apparently is not a word according to my computer and its dotty red line). "I wanna rock out like a rock star!" she shouted.

"Let's have a rock concert," Mason chimed in.

"Ok, but we will need a stage," I said. I went out to the garage and retrieved several lengths of spare PVC (always have a spare). In less time than Van Halen's "Jump" I had lashed the pipes to a pair of dining room chairs (funny that I call them "dining room" chairs since we really only have one room in our house other than the bathroom, but I digress... again), tossed on a make-shift curtain, and we had our stage, complete with my bread proofing light and some jack-o-lanterns.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, I give to you the culminating performance of that evening: A horror in one act - "The Cupcake'

P.S. The stage is still up. Tonight at dinner I had to sit on the ten inch step stool and enjoy my porridge. It was a bit uncomfortable, and Ellie laughed at me, but THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

"I like you Mommy."

Tonight at dinner Josh pulled out the "fancy" dishes from our china cabinet.  Mason said, "When will we use that big flower plate?"

"How about tonight?", I replied thinking, we should be using this stuff more often. "What should be put on it?"

"Salad," Mason quickly shouted from the kitchen.

A penny for the fountain to make a wish...

I lit some candles and Ellie announced that it was her birthday.  As Mason started to tell her it wasn't really I started singing, "A very merry unbirthday to you, to you..."  Mason took the cue and sang something similar, but his own on-the-spot lyrics and then ran back to the kitchen to "make her a cake."  He grabbed an apple and stabbed a birthday candle in it and we lit it, turned the lights off, and sang "Happy Birthday" in the glow of the candles. The beaming smile and squeals of glee were infectious.

Just before dinner I had received a message from a far away friend that recently lost his mother. I had read an update from him the other day about his mom and it was written so beautifully.  I teared up thinking about her and although we had just met a few times back in college when I stayed at their house in Boston. I remembered her dearly.  I loved how with her Spanish accent she called me, "Hen". My friend shared with me how his mother had asked about whether or not we were still in touch and how I was.  It has been SO long since we have seen each other personally, but we reconnected online a while ago.  A whole country apart, but chatting now and then. Friendship is so amazing like that.  Time can pass and distance can come between you, but a connection can bring you right back to the fun memories you have with truly great friends. I was amazed to hear that she remembered me and I teared up again. I remember many great laughs and wish him the strength and peace that his post exuded. I can only imagine what it must be like for him at this time.  It makes me want to hang out with my mom more.  I loved seeing her last weekend even if it was brief.  I loved every minute. 

More pennies...

After dinner, Mason was anxiously awaiting my willingness to go up to his new room and play.  I said I would after I rinsed the dishes and he said, "Oh, because they are so fancy? Where did you and Daddy get those?"

I told him how they were presents at our wedding.

"I wish I got more presents."

"You will."

"Will I get married one day, Mommy?"

"You might. When you find someone you fall in love with, you might ask them to marry you."

"I like you Mommy."

"I love you, Mason."

"Hmmm, who is a girl that I know that I could marry?"

"You have time to find one."

"Let's go upstairs and play wedding day.  We will have to make a lot of plans.  Joey thinks that when people kiss at a wedding it's gross."

"I don't. I think it's lovely."

"Me too."

I think it is lovely that we have not yet reached the "it's gross" stage yet.  I know that day will most likely come, but I have to say I loved playing "wedding day" tonight.  We went upstairs and I had to use the pretend computer to type up the list of all the things Mason would need such as: flowers, decorations, bear suit, dresses, drinks, plates, rings, "and for my costume"...the list went on and on. (Did I mention I love how he referred to his attire as his "costume"?)

Mason in his "Ring Bear" costume this summer at Uncle Micah and Auntie Maddie's Wedding

Then I had to make my list. Then we turned all the lights off and waited for our guests because it was a surprise party wedding, but by the time Daddy came upstairs to play we were all pretty sleepy from hanging out in the dark and Mason sadly reported to him that we hadn't had time to "hang up the decorations."

It is amazing when you take a look at the world through the eyes of a child. At one point in the conversation he told me how when he got married we would all sleep in the same bed because people that get married share a bed.  I am pretty sure any future daughter in-law of mine wouldn't want to share her bed with me, but that isn't what he meant, it was just pure love.  The idea of us not being together does not compute. It is like my neighbor growing up that wanted to marry me when he was four, and was going to buy us a house in the middle of the street (when no cars were coming) so that we could both still live by our parents.

As we grow up and want to become more of our own self, we venture away, but then there is the strong desire to be a part of their day, to share with them, to be around that love.  I can't imagine my life without all the memories and love and support that my parents have given me through the years. I look forward to more to come and wish my far away friend the strength and peace to continue his journey through life in a new way.

A Frog In A Well

Does anyone remember that math problem from back in the day about the frog in the well?  It went something like there is this frog stuck in a well and every time he takes a few steps up toward the escape at the top he slips back down a certain amount of steps. The trick is figuring out some sort of formula to help you determine how long the poor guy will be stuck in that well before finally reaching the top and launching himself into freedom.

For some reason I keep coming back to this problem.  It is so odd to me how this came into my brain.  I mean years have gone by since I grappled with this problem.  I remember always being "good at math". I was in the "high" math group.  I went to Mr. Moore's math group in elementary school and was a bit "ahead" along the way.  I am not generally one to brag and boast about such things, but I find it interesting how something you may be "good at" can also be a burden. For although my mind found patterns and problems to work well in my brain, I didn't really LOVE math.  I do remember this problem though for as much as I was supposed to be "good at math" this problem stumped me at the time.  I was confused by it and wondered why my "good at math" label wasn't working for me here.

The other night our good friends were sharing their woes about a recent progress report their first grader brought home.  He was discouraged and feeling like he was not "good at math".  First grade and already feeling this way.  I have been thinking about him and my students at school and how we have SO many standards and a warp speed pacing. There is never quite time to slow down and help them build the stamina to grapple with how long that poor frog will be stuck. For if they don't "get it" that day the pace says, "we're moving on tomorrow", oh and by the way you need to have mastered yesterday to move on with us today, so if you were sick or needing more time, so sad for you.

I think we need to stop and remember that learning is a journey.  I was just sharing with my students the other day about things I have learned as an adult, like how to be a gardener, a rower, a singer, a public speaker, a writer.  It would be great if things could sometimes have a "quick fix" happy ending, but I feel as though some of my greatest accomplishments and successes are those that I worked the hardest to find, and in reflecting and relishing in the discovery I learned something about myself that surprised me, because I never knew that side of me existed.

At times, it is hard to be that frog stuck inside that well.  Yesterday at work I was scraping the bottom of that darn well.  I may even have been in the water, but today somehow I was back on the uphill climb.  Then after lunch I slipped again.  By the end of the day I was moving on up. You just never can tell where you'll end up.  I still can't seem to figure out that formula.

This year, this stage that education is in, challenges us as educators, parents, and life-long learners to seek out and practice ways to bring joy to "the art of the journey" to our students, our children. In the world of "Don't worry about the ones that seem hard, just do the best you can." A.K.A. if you have no clue there will always be something to mindlessly bubble in, we must seek and find ways to bring learning to a higher level.  For in life true success is not multiple guess. Someone, or many, may say you are "good at ______", but it is far greater to earn it with a little blood, sweat, and tears. To know, for true, what you are and what you know you can do.  To live up to yourself, not what others perceive you to be.

It is this that sent me to a complete high as I headed out to recess with my storytelling 4th graders this morning.  My heart soared as students that usually are busy finding ways to do everything, but engage in what we are doing, shared, "I thought it would be hard to be a storyteller, but now I see that it isn't and I am thinking next time I want to be inside that circle."
and "I noticed that people inside the circle took a risk even though they were nervous."
and "I was nervous, but I ended up having a lot of fun."
and "I like how you put a lot of excitement into the story."
and "I noticed that everyone was quiet in the audience so we could hear the story."
and "I liked how no one was trying to make a joke just so people would laugh, they were being serious about the story."
and "I like being a storyteller with more people around because it is way more fun than just telling your story to one person."
and "I noticed that even though we made some mistakes at times, we just kept going and it worked out okay."

Isn't this what it is all about? We make mistakes, but we just keep going and keep trying to work it out. That darn frog may still be stuck in that well, but he keeps looking for his next uphill climb. Next time you are faced with your challenge, your "I'm just not good at _______." Think about how you will bring it toward that escape at the top.  It is so sweet to escape those labels those "holes in our bucket" of life.  Never in my wildest dreams, 11 years ago, would I have predicted I would be leading our whole school Morning Sing assembly or dancing and singing with my class with utter joy, but I am. It is what surprises us most about ourselves that helps us soar.

"Baby Isaiah is coming over to my house. That's what he said when I called him."

Thursday night we had the joy of meeting our new nephew and cousin, Baby Isaiah.  Welcome to the family little one.  We loved meeting you and can hardly wait to see you again.  Ellie talks about you all the time and tells us how you are coming over to play.  Three days old and already taking calls. You are amazing. 

In the parking lot before we went in Mason said, "His picture is so cute.  I wonder what he feels like." Everyone had a hard time sharing turns holding him.  He was so snuggly. 

Today in the car, Mason and Ellie were chatting about him in the backseat, and Ellie announced how she has a baby in her belly and it is wiggling all around.  They got to discussing babies and Mason said, "You know how babies come out? They come out of vachinas." 

Ellie screeched, "NO!"

Mason quickly replied, "No, that's just a joke everybody says."

I couldn't help but giggle. Yeah, because how could that even be possible?

"Where is that baby?"

"Look at my baby!"

(Recognize the sweatshirt Uncle Micah?)

So the other morning, Ellie woke up as I finished my post, "Flying Solo".  She saw the picture of herself on the screen and said, "Where is that baby?"  She has inherited two of those little Cabbage Patch babies from Ana and one was in her little toy car seat across the room.  I said, "Here she is."  Ellie is a master of knowing her babies and doggies and if you try to fool her, you are foolish indeed.  She will protest and scream at you something like, "No, not that baby the other tiny baby! Like that." (Pointing at her photo.) And so, the search was on...where the heck was that baby hanging out these days? Luckily, I found her relatively quickly, and then she had to have the baby stroller, which she calls a shopping cart.  Then the doggie hat.  It was all quite comical.  All the photos in that post are a year old as I didn't have recent photos to match my story and I loved reliving those moments.  So that morning on the way to work as the kids were dancing I took a recent pic. Don't worry I wasn't driving, Josh was.  Carpooling is awesome!
 

I love Ellie's spunky self and her love of her boots these past few days.  The girl's got style! Artist in the making.

"Do we have 'I Just Called To Say I Love You?' Go to the Mall."

So today we hit the mall. This was not our original plan, however, the "reputer" was under the weather and a trip to the Apple store was in order.  Josh booked the appointment and we were off. As we pulled into the parking lot we realized that we'd be lugging our huge box a bit (and when I say "we" I mean Josh) as there were no nearby spots on this grand re-opening weekend. Oh the horror!

Well, what we thought may be a bit of a crowded nightmare, was pleasantly surprising.  The kids were adorable and such, yet the crowds and noise in some places were a bit unnerving.  I don't understand how I used to love going to such places. I also don't understand the ear attire. Poor, big computer had to check in for an overnight stay, hopefully we'll be picking him up soon, but somehow I wish we could get him without having to return to the time-warping mall.

Flying Solo

There are some things that are hard to capture. Perhaps that is why they feel so magical. For if you could capture them, then you would simply have them and there would be no rush of feelings and the strong need for capture. This day began at 4:00. Waking after falling asleep with Ellie so early that when the early hour woke me, I didn't fight it. I crept out into our first rainy, fall morning in hopes of capturing a bit of the magic of a quiet, chilly house that could inspire my soul. Alone time, I was craving it.

I lit candles, brewed coffee, and set up my scene near my bouquet of fall flowers that Mason and Daddy bought me at the Farmer's Market last Saturday. The color is rich, the lighting is amazing, picturesque. I tried to take the photo...perhaps that will be a new learning adventure for me. How do you take such photos? The one I took doesn't include the warmth, the feeling I get when I know that fall is here. As the wind plays the the chimes hanging outside in my tree I will embrace this literal calm before the storm. Inside recess awaits and I will be ready. I will drink in the fall. For now, it will just be in my mind's eye and in my words.

Last night we visited the Whole Foods Hay Maze. After the long day it was another moment to capture. As with most things, it has improved. We try something and then we make it better. This year the maze has the usual hay bales and pumpkins with the added tunnel feature built with pallets, boxes, and lighting. It is the perfect example of nothing going to waste. The pumpkin boxes and pallets were the perfect height for Ellie to run through in her boots and dress, squealing with glee. She invited me in and after a moment of hesitation, I accepted. For after a long day what could be better than a trip through the tunnel? The perfect height for Ellie is a different story for me. I felt like I was filming a scene from Being John Malcovich, but I kept on. I made it the full length with Daddy and Ellie chugging on through behind me. I sat at the end watching Mason bring me tiny pumpkins laughing every time and Ellie running wild. Another moment to capture, but no camera on the scene.

I wish I could transport this maze to school. "Alright things are hitting their limit take a few laps in the maze and then be ready for class." Hmmm, this just might work.

After the maze we headed inside. It was Tuesday and I don't remember the last time we cooked at home on a Tuesday. I don't know what it is about Tuesday, but for us it's been "get out" night. We found our tasty treats and headed for a table. We ate and watched at the kids venture into the play area.



For those of you who have not been to this Whole Foods there is this "Mercado" for kids. In the beginning it was a mini supermarket with books, puzzles, aprons, fully stocked shelves of play foods, blocks, cashier and so on. Over the years many items have vanished as they realized the traffic through the area doesn't lend itself to sustainability. Over time they have replenished with new items, but the one thing that has been there since the beginning are the blocks. This is my favorite part to observe. I have never seen a time when the following was not the case. It is a perfect spot for observing child behavior. Last night it was no different. Ellie was playing in there first with another boy her age. And when I say "with" I mean near. Then Mason began to join them. Ellie had an apron on and was bringing us teacups and Mason was cooking up some soup. Then two older girls, about 7 or 8 years, cruised in and, oh the horror on their faces. "Look at this mess." They immediately began to organize and put away all the blocks, strategically. As they were putting them away the boys were all depleting their supply, removing them as quickly as they could stock the shelves. When the girls took a break for their dessert the shelves were quickly wiped clean. Upon their return the look of shock on their faces set them to work at high speed. They stocked the shelves immediately and Mason strategically set to work on how to sabotage this keen organization. As he came walking to us with a basket of blocks the younger of the two girls stood staring, jaw dropped. I couldn't help, but laugh. Oh honey, it's just the way of the world.

Five years ago I was pregnant, thinking I had at least a month before meeting my son. I was often up at these odd hours, but never blogging for it wasn't until his birth that this blog was born as well. Usually I was walking the house trying to rid my legs of the cramps they would have, reminding me of years of rowing. I imagined it was my body preparing me to take on pain and lack of sleep. I have been feeling the change in season and the excitement that builds as the temperatures drop and the wardrobe begins to change. This morning I searched through the dark for a scarf that would wrap me and keep me warm. As I reflect on these past 5 years, it seems like such a short time, yet so much has changed and grown that it feels like one of the biggest chunks of my story. I would not be who I am today without all those other times, but these years are ones I embrace. Five years ago, I new change was coming, but as Justin Roberts sings, "Oh we never really knew, how much we needed you, until you came into our lives..." I love my Mason. I love how he has changed me, helped me grow to become a mother.

As the seasons change and we take note of change, I fall in love with fall. For it is a time I reflect on this change. I was reading two blogs earlier asking me what it is I love about the fall. At first it is the pumpkins, the carmel apples, the warmth of the colors and cool of the breeze, the scarves, the sweaters, boots and more.

But when I really think about it, I love the fall for that is when I fell in love in a new way. It is rare that I am alone anymore, sometimes a little time flying solo is all you need to remind yourself how you can't imagine your life without everybody else.