Ten Things

1. The Great (finally) got his first hair cut! Those wonderful curls are a bit shorter now, and he looks just as handsome.

The before picture.

The "I'm not pleased with this" picture.

Watching Thomas the Train.

The post cut picture.

2. We spent Thanksgiving with family in Florida. Lots of fun and lots of food.

I wish I knew what the Great was thinking here....

3. November was busy.

4. December has been busy too.

5. Being busy has been nice.

6. But I'm not feeling inspired to write a lot. I'm feeling inspired to take a nap.

7. R's dad celebrated 25 years of leadership at the accounting firm where he has worked for over 30 years. R and I were able to be there and celebrate with the family; and enjoyed a road trip just the two of us! I took several naps in the car.

8. Sunday night R made us homemade pizza (with purchased dough). The Great has asked for it every meal since Sunday night. I understand. I like pizza for most meals too.

9. Squirms is really enjoying Christmas decorations, talking about Christmas, thinking about toys, and more Christmas decorations. She has also decided she really likes candy canes, or candy cans as she calls them. It's fun to see how much she is enjoying celebrating Jesus's birth this month.

10. We took around four hundred and seventy-six thousand photos to put together a Christmas card (with three photos). We have photos of silly faces, back-of-their-heads, dancing, crying and tantrums, and smiles (but not at the same time). These are two we didn't use for the card:

We love band aids.

We tried to get them to hold hands.

Smiles and Candy Theory

1. Give them a piece of candy.

2. Candy devoured.

3. Giggling, tackling, tickling, giggling.

4. Try to wear blankets like spooky ghosts.

5. Disappointment surfaces (not sure of the origin).

6. Crying. Oh, I'm so sad. I'm sad. Lots of crying.

I call this the One Piece of Candy Life Cycle.

I've also figured out that eating lots of whoppers does not make me better at crossword puzzles. Unfortunate. 

Here are a few photos, one from the beach trip, and several from R and the kids carving pumpkins. 

This girl knows how to have fun.

Squirms was great at cleaning out the pumpkin.

The Great was not so sure about sticking his hand in there.

The edge is as far as the Great would go.

R and his helpers. Sorry I cut off your handsome head R.

Happy Halloween. 

Happy November!

Reviews of Books

The Remorseful Day by Colin Dexter.
      Ah. Great book. Great characters. This is the last in the Inspector Morse series. A series worth the time to read because of how well you get to know Inspector Morse and trusty Lewis. As Squirms says about Arnold Lobel (see below), they are my friends. I'd like to have a silent conversation with Morse and his blue eyes across a pub table. And to enjoy fish, chips, and eggs with Lewis after a long day at work.

Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough.
      I do enjoy reading about others' lives. And the more I read about Theodore Roosevelt, the more I respect him. I particularly liked that McCullough gives information on his family members too, like older sister Bamie. It seems Bamie might need her own biography written.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
      I read this because it is classified (in bookstores, school lists) as a classic. It's poetic. The writing is pretty. There are several phrases that are just beautiful. I had a difficult time getting drawn into the story and had to force myself to read. However, an english teacher / book lover that I trust assured me that it's one of her favorites so I'm glad that I finished it. If I read more of Hurston I may need to find her poems instead of novels though.

Capital Dames by Cokie Roberts.
      This is most current in my memory; and it's a book written from letters and historical documents about the belles of Washington DC in the 1860's so of course I loved it! Roberts follows the women of DC and others who come to DC, from before the Civil War through just after, and then thankfully gives a short epilogue for each. This book offers so much detail and insight to this time period, and so many facts that I didn't know about these women. It also showcases the heartbreak that the war caused, from her focus on one city and it's people - friends, coworkers, families all effected. It brings light to a side of the Civil War that I had not studied or considered.
      It also made me take note of a certain historical marker in front of a home for sale in our surrounding area. Virginia Clay-Clopton's former home. A belle during the Pierce administration and wife of a US Senator and then wife of an Alabama Supreme Court Justice, she became involved in the suffragette movement in her later years. Now, if I can just convince R that we should buy a house built in the early 1800's....

Mouse Soup and Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel.
      The Squirms whole heartedly approves of these books. One of them is read at least once a day, usually more, and she has declared that Arnold Lobel is my friend. After reading Mouse Soup she must know who paints each book we read. These are both gifts from R's parents, and it should be noted that it's nice to have a former elementary reading teacher in the family. And although I do have some concerns about the Owl and his seemingly complete lack of common sense, Squirms adores him and almost has Owl at Home memorized.




And in case anyone was wondering, Chaco does make boots (I haven't purchased any, just a discovery). And buying Halloween candy before the 31st is a bad idea (this I did purchase, and then eat).

We Rode a Train

So, the Great turned two. I'm pretty sure I should have devoted an entire blog post to this major life event. I need one of those shirts that says I'm an Okay Mom.

Of course we went to a train museum and took a train ride. And then ate hot dogs. And cake and ice cream.

 

Also. I need to know what shoes people wear for Fall and Winter. I've been wearing Chaco sandals for about nine years, year round - with running shorts, jeans, and sun dresses. In my fashion worldview, Chacos go with everything. Tonight at church my toes were turning purple during listening about the Christian Women's Job Corps, and I thought that it might be a good idea to find some closed toed shoes. I finally now understand why my favorite Auburn friend from Florida, Miss JS, walked around Auburn in 30 degree weather in flip flops her first year.

  

Thomas the Train came with us on the train ride. As did Grandpa and Gran, or Breat Branny (Great Granny) as the Great calls Gran. The train took us to a little pumpkin patch and the kids each chose a pumpkin. Our two year old thought that the pumpkins were there for a Pumpkin Throwing Contest.

  

And then we went to the beach. I mean the Gulf. The beach on the gulf.

The spoiled rotten angel children got to spend the weekend playing on the beach with both sets of grandparents. They were fed ice cream for snack, given legos by Auntie L, and allowed to stay up late. We also now own one million sea shell pieces.

Yoga, for the boy who loves the sand.

Sea shell hunting with Grandpa

Ten Things

Old Puppy

1. I'm really learning a lot from the Octonauts cartoon. I have considered watching it by myself while the angels are napping.

2. I'm planning on going to the toy store tonight to look for a birthday gift for our train loving boy. I'm so excited! I love choosing gifts for them!

3. My grandparents celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this past week. And our favorite Welsh aunt and uncle were in the states to celebrate with everyone. Squirms now says that "Uncle R is my friend" and keeps planning what she will talk to him about next: volcanoes, her Bell Steeple, orcas, and the difference between orcas and okra. Orcas and Okra - both things we discuss often at our house, and difficult to say back to back. 

Everyone wants their picture.

4. Cabela's opened a store just down the road from us. So far I have purchased fudge from the new super store. Excellent choice.

5. The Great has been into building Towers and Tunnels from Lego blocks.....his towers and tunnels both look like towers.

This is what he thinks of selfies.
This look kills me. I love it.
Such a "I'm a man, don't bother me" look.

6. We visited the Green Mountain Nature Trail on Sunday evening. Picturesque. Idyllic.

7. I really really really need to go to the grocery store.

8. The Great is learning colors. So far every color is orange. And Squirms will no longer wear socks with any threads on the inside of the sock (so no designs on socks) or socks with "bumps" (writing on the bottom of the socks). Please help.

9. We still have not gotten the Great his first hair cut. I'm not sure that I want to. Can I end the sentence with to?

10. We are missing our Central Florida friends! There are some great people who live in Central Florida.

October the First

It's October!

After coffee this morning I moved boxes around in the garage to find my pumpkin door hanger and the kids halloween baskets. And then I hung two wreaths on our front door because a) I had forgotten that I had a fall decor wreath; b) I wanted to hang the pumpkin since it's October; and c) I could still close the door after layering the decorations.

The weather is cool and a bit dreary today. Perfect for the first day of October. 

I love it when she dresses herself.

Watch out Tanner - dump truck coming through!

Is anyone else just really excited about Fall?

Squirms received a package from Mamé yesterday with a Fall dress, including a pumpkin on the skirt, an Auburn shirt, and matching bows. She is ready for the pumpkin patch.

Just because. It's not raining.

October also means the Great has a birthday soon. Which also means birth parent update letter*. Which means I've been thinking how to describe with words our mischievous, sweet, active, sweet, always hungry, sweet, train-loving, sweet boy.

At almost two the Great loves to play peek-a-boo, read train and truck books, repeat everything his sister says, play chase, and in general just be as loud as possible. He is so very kind, quick to say he is sorry and give a hug, and asks to be rocked to sleep at nap time. He has a favorite soft blanket toy, carries Thomas trains with him everywhere, and uses "thank you" better than most adults I know. 

*The update letter is normally much longer than a blog post and we try to include, well, everything we can think of: health, personality examples, adventures and travel, favorites and dislikes, and I always to attempt to somehow convey how dearly we adore and love him (it's difficult to express the honor we feel at being his parents, and I think if I sent a vial of my tears they might think I was strange).

The Squirm's preschool teacher has used words like independent, strong willed, and the phrase she could be a lawyer when she grows up when describing our little girl. The other day as the Great and I were exiting the classroom after morning drop off I laughed and asked "What is the chance of having two children that are both incredibly strong willed?"

She replied "Maybe it has something to do with the parenting." 

Our silver faced Shelby Ann loves Fall too.

Vulnerability?

Squirms and the Great have really upped their game recently.

I find myself thinking it would be great to go back to work someday. Like tomorrow.
Or that my mom should go ahead and retire. And move next door.
Or that it's a good idea to start my day off by locking myself in the bathroom and waiting for R to get home.

I haven't yet figured out how to up my game.

Extra coffee, reading parenting book chapters on discipline and behavior expectations for toddlers, joining a MOPs (mothers of preschoolers) group, building arm muscle, and taking time to stare at their beautiful faces when they're still are things that I'm trying.

What? Oh, yes. I should probably try stepping up my prayer time. Good idea.

_______________________________________________________

The above was written last week....but still applies even though my angels both wanted to be rocked to sleep this afternoon and were so sweet and cuddly before their naps.

This morning was a MOPs meeting day. The discussion topic today was Vulnerability. I've been mulling over that concept. The video speaker today is of the opinion that humans being vulnerable to a small group of other humans (friends) is good for mental health. The small group I was with this morning had varying levels, or definitions, of what being vulnerable to others looks like; and one woman just needed to talk so we didn't actually discuss Vulnerability very much. 

After mulling, and the grocery store and preschool pick up, I looked up the word vulnerable. 
Cambridge English Dictionary says: ​able to be ​easily ​physically, ​emotionally, or ​mentally ​hurt, ​influenced, or ​attacked. 
Merriam-Webster says: capable of being physically or emotionally wounded; open to attack or damage; liable to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses after winning a game in contract bridge. 
The word vulnerable is an adjective, and vulnerability is a noun.
I didn't find vulnerable or vulnerability in the concordance of my study Bible. I think the speaker was using Vulnerability as a concept of being open, honest, and truthful concerning ourselves, and then sharing that with others at the risk of being judged, and hurt by others.

This left me with more questions and perhaps some opinions.

Is it Christ-like to be vulnerable? If yes, with how many others, and are there different levels? Is posting a picture of a messy living room on Facebook a vulnerability if you don't care that your living room is messy? Does this MOPs group play bridge? Can we be vulnerable to others if we are not first vulnerable before God? Why do people like to declare that they are different? Isn't everyone? Oh, now I've derailed. 

Perhaps it is healthy to be capable of being hurt by others....I think Simon and Garfunkel may have a song about this. Perhaps it is unhealthy to be capable of being hurt by everyone you meet.

Conclusions. That may or may not concern the topic of Vulnerability.
-I do not like the phrase "being real". What does this mean? Are people who are not "being real" robots? Does "being real" mean that you have to be a "hot mess" all the time (I adore the phrase "hot mess" by the way)? Does "being real" mean that you cannot try to be more organized, arrive places on time, wear pearl earrings, and post happy photos of your children on Facebook? Can we just use the phrase "be honest"? 
-I think vulnerability between friends should involve conversations and time. And not an open blog post or Facebook.
-I may not be getting the concept of make new friends if I feel the need to call R and talk to him about what I'm feeling after spending two hours with other women in my life stage. 

We Heart State Parks

Whew.
This was a weekend full of surprises, and some outdoor fun.

Last Thursday the kids and I went to Guntersville State Park to visit our favorite Mamé and Papa. We went on a walk with Mamé and ate lunch at the lodge there. The Lodge at Guntersville has impressive views of the lake; beautiful views!

On the trail at Guntersville

They have an agreement: only one child will look at the camera at one time.

Friday evening R's parents came to us and we got to walk around one of our favorite shopping places here. And they brought some new books for the kids - so we read about trains, the alphabet, and clever mice.

A TRAIN!!!!

Saturday, well, everyone knows what Saturday was. The first Saturday of college football. And LGC's birthday, still proving that she's slightly older than me. And ALM's eldest son's birthday (we miss you!). And a surprise from dear Central Florida friends that has kept them in our constant thoughts and prayers since Saturday. And the day that AnniePants went into labor with her beautiful baby girl (technically I think her birthday might have been Sunday).

We traveled to my Grandpa's and Grandma's house to watch the game, exposing my in-laws to the extended family for an Auburn Football game. Only time will tell if this was a wise decision, if they will ever hang out with that side of the family again....

Half the room. The other half took turns closing their eyes in the pictures.

Monday was just lovely. We explored one of the trails atop Monte Sano and had a wonderful time. And even though the sign said it was 3.4 miles long and we thought, wow, Squirms is loving this, let's keep going, she can do it and we can keep taking turns with the Great (who wasn't that thrilled about just walking), when the actual loop back to the parking lot was almost 5 miles we thought, Squirms cannot be still even when sitting on my shoulders! Please stop squirming precious Squirms! Hold on to my head instead of telling stories with your entire body. R and I were impressed that the four of us not only made it, but had a lot fun too - a pleasant surprise! I should mention while we were on a mountain, we were at the top, so the trail was flat.

And, then another surprise, a free (used) swing set arrived! Last year someone gave a swing/play set to one of my uncles, who gave it to my dad, who gave it to another one of my uncles for his grandkids to use. They were done with it so my parents and H brought it to us. Squirms is calling it "her playground".

Yeah. I've got four trains. So?

You're welcome world for this picture.

He's looking at the camera! 

"Red-dee"

It really is more like a play ground than a swing set....

Convoy.

The "Post Office" is also the "Motor Cycle Parking".

"Boo!"

He had to park his car in there too.

To celebrate Labor Day we grilled hot dogs and fried okra. We were thrilled to have so many family visits this weekend, and I'm especially looking forward to going to Monte Sano State Park again soon. And frying okra again.