Fall Party

I felt like I was in a test kitchen helping Kevin’s mom get ready for a fall themed bridal shower. It was fun! She put together such a great menu—everything was fabulous, with lots of delicious flavor combinations. And I loved the center piece she did. It really put me in the fall mood.

 

Following Through

Yes! I followed through with the first craft I had planned for Meredith. Because it was all spelled out in a book, it was very easy. She loved it and we had fun together. Maybe this craft thing won’t be so bad (for me) after all!!

Here is the Octopus craft—this week’s theme was “the ocean” since we just got back from the beach house. We read a bunch of books with stories about sea life, scuba divers, building sand castles, taking trips to the beach, etc., etc. I also learned a finger game that Meredith loved about five fish and shark. This idea was also in that library book.

 

Here is Meredith copying out her name on her marker board. It’s a long name—I’m proud of her for trying so hard. She finally got her “E” right. It used to look like an upright caterpillar with lots of legs!

 

Outer Banks I

Kevin asked me what I thought about our vacation to the Outer Banks, where we got a beach house on Hatteras Island for a week. I told him “restorative.” There is just something about salty ocean breezes that rejuvenates you and makes you whole again. It has been a really tough past two years for our family. Now that the whole going-back-to-school-with-kids trial is over, our vacation was just what we needed to renew ourselves.


Our beach house.


View from the wrap-around deck.


Kevin and the girls walk over the sand dune to get to the beach.


Inside the house—there were panoramic views of the ocean from all the windows (four of them were sliding glass doors onto the deck). You could also see the “sound side” of the Outer Banks from the kitchen window.


I think our absolute favorite “activity” (or maybe it was a “non-activity”) was sitting on our deck and enjoying the sunshine and the ocean breezes. There is nothing more relaxing than that.

Outer Banks II

Enjoying an evening walk on the beach.


Clara’s not sure about that wave.


We had fun building several different sand castles.


Clara ate a lot of sand.


Meredith is bringing a jellyfish (held on a sea shell) to show me. We saw a lot of wildlife. We saw dolphins playing in the water on several different occasions. One morning we watched a pelican swoop down to dive in the water and get his breakfast. There were lots of fish in the water, lots of birds, lots of crabs. We enjoyed taking many walks along the beach and looking for sea shells. I brought home a whole bag full of pretty purple and orange shells.

Outer Banks III

One day we took a day trip to Ocracoke Island. We all enjoyed the ferry ride over there. On the way back we stopped at Cape Hatteras light house. It is the tallest brick lighthouse in the world and is an international symbol of the North Carolina seashore.


Being funny! I love foolin’ around with my family.


One night we ate dinner at a seafood restaurant. Meredith was so excited to order fish from the menu. When it got to our table, she asked “Where’s the fish?” We pointed it out to her. She looked perplexed and said, “But there’s no eye on it!” She was very disappointed about that.


My little shrimp.


There is a lot of history in the Outer Banks. Everything from Pirate history (Blackbeard was beheaded off of its shores), America’s first colony (the lost colony), Underground Railroad history, and the Wright Brothers’ first flight.

Outer Banks IV

Kevin made a sand turtle with Meredith. She was VERY upset to have to leave her turtle. She asked Kevin why they couldn’t just take it in the car with them. She was also very concerned that the “next children” who come will take good care of her turtle. When we left she put a pebble in the turtle's eye and said, "That is a tear because he will miss me and he is sad."


Clara was really tired this particular day and fell asleep on my shoulder as we were about to leave.


Kevin was such a “water baby” all week!!! He was constantly in the water. He loved to body surf and we also got a body board to use for the week.


On the way back to Indiana, we stopped in Burlington, NC and stayed the night. We found this carnival and the kids both enjoyed a few rides.


Shannon and Jeff drove up to see us and stayed at our hotel. It was fun to visit with them and see the happy newlyweds.

Our Poor Hobby Horse Has Died

Meredith came running to where I was yesterday and was visibly upset.

A: “What’s wrong, Meredith?”

M: “My [hobby] horse died.”

A: “Oh, I’m so sorry. How did he die?”

M: “He ate too much of mommy’s medicine.”

A: “Can the doctor make him better?”

M: “No, because the doctor can’t get into heaven until he is dead too.”

A: “Oh, I’m so sad for you.”

M: “Yes, that horse got dead because that soldier took a sharp stick and poked him in half!!”

A: “What? I thought you said he ate too much medicine.”

M: “He ate medicine AND he got poked in half.”

And thus ends the life of our poor hobby horse.

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Another one:

The other day Meredith was being rough with Clara. Kevin rebuked her and said, “Would a true princess, like Cinderella, act that way?” She replied, “No, but Cinderella does not have any childrens.”

Preschool

I’ve decided to be more proactive about doing preschool activities with Meredith. Is this really the beginning of my homeschooling career? Lately I’ve been very reluctant about homeschooling, mostly because I’ve felt very lazy. And, if that’s how I feel, how are my children supposed to get an excellent education?

Most of my friends are sending their three-year-olds away to preschool. A huge part of me wants to do that too because it would be VERY nice to get a break two mornings a week. Plus, I really loathe doing children’s crafts. But Meredith loves it so much and I don’t want her to be cheated of that experience.

So, I’ve put together a plan. We’re going to do a bunch of mini-unit studies. I found a book at the library that inspired me. Basically we’ll read 10-12 books surrounding a theme (everything from “the moon and stars” to “bugs” to “pizza”) and then we’ll do a craft based on that theme. Each week is a new theme. And a lot of the themes are seasonal. It's great because everything is spelled-out and (appears) super easy. Between that and what she gets at MOPS, I think she should be set as far as crafts go.

We are also planning on doing a lot of nature walks and outings to give her hands-on experience and reinforce what she is learning. I’ve been inspired after reading some books on Charlotte Mason.

The other day I was talking to a friend whose son was “studying” Humpty Dumpty in preschool and then the teacher asked him what kinds of animals lay eggs. Later, out of curiosity (don’t you love peer pressure?) I asked Meredith what animals lay eggs. She looked at me as if that was such an absurd question and said, “Mom, birds lay eggs.”

So, anyway, here we go! I think it’s going to be a fun and memorable year with my girls.

In a Nutshell

Today I forgot to bring the stroller when I took the girls to the children’s museum. This meant I had to carry Clara from room to room. All 22 pounds of her. She still isn’t walking (although she takes 4-5 steps at a time and the record so far is 12 steps). At the last room before we left, I sat on a bench and felt totally wiped out. I was also hungry so I reached in the diaper bag and pulled out a sack of animal crackers.

There sat poor, tired Amy on a bench, kids and toys swirling around her, eating animal crackers. And actually enjoying the animal crackers.

I’m such a mom these days. How quickly that happened. You sign up for a baby and suddenly you find yourself with two kids at a children’s museum eating animal crackers. Watch out, it could happen to you!
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I haven’t posted on my blog this week because I’ve spent nearly every “free” moment listening to this audio book while trying to work on Clara’s baby book. I figure since she’s well into her second year of life, it’s time to start it for her!! And the audio book is due at the library today. And I still have two CDs to go. But technically speaking I have until the library opens tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., so I am optimistic that I will get through it!

I really, really LOVE audio books. I listen while I do housework and go on walks with the girls. This way, I get in about two extra books a month. Plus, it really saves me from a lot of serious boredom!!
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Last night I went to probably the loveliest bridal shower I’ve been to. Heather hosted and she always does things so beautifully. It was a literature themed shower and very fun. The food was supposed to appear from the Jane Austen era and I volunteered to bring the fruit bowl (pictured above). I love making food look pretty.

I love this pic.

It's really fun to go with Kevin's dad to our home site because he's so excited for us.

Up, Up and Away!

Frogs, Football, and Flights

Yesterday I was at the pool with the kids. A little boy was upset that a toy frog had fallen down the pool drain, so I reached my hand down to get it for him. It was a real frog. It was a dead frog. It was a very squishy dead frog. I pretty much flipped out and gave the kids their money's worth of entertainment. :-)
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Tonight Kevin and I are going to a Colts' game! I'm so excited because a) it's my first professional football game and b) it's a date night!! We got free tickets through Kevin's office. The seats are really good apparently--four rows up from the field.

Football seems like such a fall thing. I haven't even checked the weather, but I feel like I need to bring a big hooded sweatshirt or something. I'm not even sure I'm ready for summer to be over yet!
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Recently we purchased airline tickets for the girls and I to visit family in California. After realizing that it would cost $50 to transport each of our carseats (2 carseats, $25 each way = $100!) because of the extra luggage fees the airlines recently started imposing, we decided to pay $10 more per ticket and buy seats on Southwest. Southwest is currently the only airline that doesn't charge luggage fees.

Thank you Southwest for standing alone and refusing to pillage young families!

It's not the business travelers who will pay--it's families like us with young children who have no choice but to bring all the extra baby paraphernalia. It's not like, when I fly, I bring along a carseat, stroller, pac-n-play, etc., etc., just for FUN. You know?

It was only a few months ago that we purchased a brand new carseat for Meredith--it was $65 after using a coupon. Why should I pay $50 to transport a $65 carseat?!!

Anyway, thank you Southwest! I am your newest, most loyal customer!!

Really Nice People Exist

Hopefully today I will get my car back from the repair shop, where all four tires are being replaced. We would have waited a little longer to replace them, except on Monday I ran over a very large nail on the road and got a flat tire. So now they are all getting replaced.

After hearing a strange noise while driving on Monday, I pulled the car into a parking lot. There happened to be a FedEx drop-off box right there and a woman was putting a package in it. She saw my tire and rushed over, offering to let me use her battery-operated pump to re-inflate my tire. I was overwhelmed with gratitude that a total stranger would be so eager to help. Then, two roadside workers wearing orange vests walked over and asked if we needed power for the pump. We said ‘no thanks’ and they left.

After a few minutes, we realized that the pump wasn’t doing any good and I would indeed need the tire changed. As the lady started to leave, the roadside workers walked over again and asked if I needed more help. I had just ended a phone call to Kevin and we decided to contact roadside assistance. I told him, “Sorry I don’t know how to do these types of things.” Kevin said, “What? You can’t change a tire?!” Like (jokingly), “What kind of woman did I marry?” (Maybe I should learn how to do this someday to prove that I’m a Real Woman …)

The road workers, who were laying cable and get paid per foot they lay, said they would be happy to take 30 minutes and change my tire for me. Again, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I couldn’t believe these total strangers were being so nice and considerate toward me. In no time I was back on the road again.

It was so refreshing to see such goodness and decency in this world. What could have been a real bummer of a day ended up being such a blessing and encouragement.

If that weren’t enough, after I left with my spare tire intact, I went to the gas station to figure out how to put air in the spare tire. The guys who helped me said it really needed it. I stood there with a bewildered look on my face wondering just how to go about it. (I wasn’t going to let on to Kevin that I couldn’t do even THAT, so I was determined to figure it out.) One of the mechanics at the gas station saw me with a blank look on my face and then offered to help. He not only put air in that tire, but he put air in all my tires!

Who would have thought that a flat tire would have made me feel so good about living on this planet! What a great day!

Ha, ha

This morning I was reading the paper and Meredith came to look over my shoulder. Here is a picture of the front page of the paper I was holding:

Then Meredith said, “Mom, I know what that man is saying.”

“What is that man saying, Meredith?”

“He’s saying, ‘Nooooo, I don’t want to wear THAT shoe!!!’”

The very next moment, the orange juice I was drinking was in my lap, I was laughing so hard.

Flamingos Don't Fly

Meredith has an illustrated book of Robert Louis Stevenson poems. This morning she brought it to me and asked me to read it. I started reading her Travel.

TRAVEL

I should like to rise and go

Where the golden apples grow—

Where below another sky

Parrot islands anchored lie,

And, watched by cockatoos and goats,

Lonely Crusoes building boats—

Where in sunshine reaching out

Eastern cities, miles about,

Are with mosque and minaret

Among sandy gardens set,

And the rich goods from near and far

Hang for sale in the bazaar—

Where the Great Wall round China goes,

And on one side the desert blows,

And with bell and voice and drum,

Cities on the other hum—

Where are forests, hot as fire,

Wide as England, tall as a spire,

Full of apes and coconuts

And the negro hunters’ huts—

Where the knotty crocodile

Lies and blinks in the Nile,

And the red flamingo flies

Hunting fish before his eyes—

[Meredith: “Flamingos DON’T fly!”]

Where in jungles, near and far,

Man-devouring tigers are,

[Meredith, very bothered: “Flamingos DON’T fly! They walk.”]

Lying close and giving ear

[Meredith continues: “I saw it at the zoo! They stand on one leg and then they walk like this (she demonstrates).”]

Lest the hunt be drawing near

[Meredith: “Flamingos DON’T fly, mom!”]

At this point, I gave up reading the rest of the poem.

Robert Louis Stevenson was a great poet but, apparently my three-year-old can’t get past certain glaring inaccuracies.

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Today is our church pic-nic! Kevin and I are sort of “in charge.” Last night I pounded countless chicken breasts to marinate for the grill. (How much meat does our church body eat? Hopefully I got enough!) Now I need to go and fill 250 water balloons!! Should be fun! Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day …

Still More Fair

Meredith loved the salsa dancing so much she decided to join the professionals on the stage. Kevin and I both agreed it was our favorite thing all night--watching her dance her heart out.

The girls both loved feeding the goats.

What a fun day!

More Fair

One of my favorite exhibits is the art gallery.

We've found our favorite Elephant Ear stand!!

Meredith wanted to stay forever and pet this baby pig.

Fun Fair Day

Although we probably had the best time ever at the Indiana State Fair last night, it didn't really feel like a full fair experience because the weather was dry and cool. It really does need to be sticky and hot to be the Indiana State Fair, you know.

We had dinner at the Dairy Bar. May I just say that I could eat the Dairy Bar's chocolate milk shakes until I'm sick. They are the most amazing invention ever known to man kind. And that is saying a lot coming from me, the Food Queen.

The Parade featured lots of old guys on tractors, of course.

We were surprised that Meredith was afraid of the cows, unlike last year. But she did find a baby cow she tried to coax to come to her. She said, "It's okay baby cow. I won't hurt you. Come here, baby cow."