Fall, Fairs and Cider Mills

Okay, I’m way behind on blogging so this is going back 2 weeks ago when my friend Jana and her family came to visit. They’re in Pittsburgh right now so we’re just a short 5 hour drive away, perfect! It’ll be even more perfect when they move back to Ann Arbor for Jason’s medical fellowship next year; it’s only 1 year long, but we’ll take it. It was so great to have them here!

Shauri and Kristin and kids joined us for some fun on Saturday and here’s some photos that our very talented Shauri took for us while we were out at the cider mill and the Dexter Days fair. Unfortunately we didn’t even think to get any “grown-up” pictures, but the kids are all we want to see anyway, right?

Thanks for the great time Smythes!

An Incompetent Granny…and other Keely funnies

The other day Keely and I were driving to get Mattie from the vet when Keely announced, “Mom, I’m only going to have one child.” I thought this was a strange way to start a conversation but just went with it.
“Oh really? Why?”
“Well, because if my husband and I ever want to go out of town for the weekend and drop the kids’ off at granny’s house (that would be me) I think you would do fine with 1 child, but 2 would just be out of control!!!”
Hmmm, thanks for the confidence Keely. I went on to assure Keely that she could have as many children as she wanted and promised that I could handle it but the fact remains that this slight could be interpreted in so many different ways.

Another fun moment was the other day when Keely walked over to the kitchen sink and turned to look at me disapprovingly while folding her arms across her chest. “Look mom, we’ve talked about this before; turn the faucet off. When are you going to start caring about our earth?!” I promise the faucet was barely dripping and I didn’t even know it was on but consider me well reprimanded!

One more story. We went on a road trip to upstate New York this last weekend and at one point Ben dropped his binki. Knowing that the road trip would be much more pleasant if he had his prize I took off my seat belt and then turned around to look for the needful thing when I hear, “Where did you learn that mom?”
“Learn what?”
“To take off your seat belt like that. Was it from Shauri or some other naughty person?”
Shawn and I both started cracking up about this. Shauri is Keely’s Aunt who often times tries to get Keely to try things a different way or “think outside the box” if you will. Looks like you shouldn’t go against what her mamma taught her Shauri! : )

Keely's Birthday Week

I am convinced that they (you know, the man) should change the word "birthday" to "birthweek." In my experience kids no longer have a day of festivities; between school, friends and family it seems to last the whole week. Keely's was no exception. She started the week by taking goody bags to school followed by a day (her actual birthday) of getting spoiled silly by getting to choose her whole day. Blueberry pancakes for breakfast, a surprise gift after school (an easel and art table), a movie at the theater with dad, play time at Max's, dinner at Red Robin and cake and ice cream with family that night. I think that she had a great day but after reminding me for the 100th time that it was her birthday and that she could choose/do anything she wanted that day I told her that I knew and she didn't have to remind me any more to which she replied, "But mom, that's what you do on Mother's Day." Touche.

After a little break from the celebrations Keely had her friend party on Saturday night. A "pretend sleepover" where everyone came in their pj's, and brought their favorite stuffed animal and sleeping bag. We started the party with pizza, followed by more cake (a Barbie cake that Keely had been begging for) and ice cream and had a scavenger hunt followed by slumber party games like "musical sleeping bags." Instead of someone getting out though I just told them if they didn't land on a sleeping bag they had to do a silly dance. The girls had fun with this and I suspect a couple of them were actually trying not to end with a sleeping bag. All in all I think everyone had a great time!



Happy Birthday sweet girl!

New York, New York

Once again I took a fall trip to my favorite place. Thanks so much to Amy and Shauri for making the trip and for posting all about it so that I don't have to.

P.S. Just don't believe everything Shauri writes! : )

Flintstone Feet

I couldn't find a pair of shoes to fit Ben so in desperation I went to Stride Rite and explained my situation. The girl helping us measures him and says, "Oh" like she's about to diagnose something, "that's because he wears an 8 Extra Wide."
"Really" I say, "and where can I find an Extra Wide?
"Here."
"Well yeah, but where else?"
"No, just here." she says.

Just to put this into perspective Keely is 5 and wears a size 10, and she has pretty big feet for a girl. The boy is only 18 months! Great, so Stride Rite it is. Until he grows out of kid sizes that is and then we'll probably have to special order them. Here are the only 2 pics I could find that have good images of Ben's feet. Kind of makes him all the more lovable though (except when he steps on me with his monstrous shoes!). : )

18 months

I can't believe my baby is 18 months! I wish I could portray in writing how happy this little guy makes me! He has developed such a personality and is cracking me up everyday. I can't describe it like I'd like to but he is just a kid you want to grab and hug all the time. Here's a few of our favorite things:
Just a few things he's saying:

• When we can't find Ben's shoes (which is almost always), he walks around the house shrugging his shoulders and saying, "where is it?"
• "No!" A real favorite.
  
• When he's done eating Ben throws his hands up and says "all done!"
• Mattie has figured out that it is safest to stay away from Ben, so Ben spends much of his day laying on the ground and looking under the chair (where Mattie's hiding) while saying "dog" and "Mattie" like he's making a brilliant new discovery.
• When Ben wants to get out of the house he says "go!" and runs to the door
• "shoes" because he's obsessed; and believe it or not he's only got one pair that fit him. I can't find shoes wide enough for his chubby little feet!

A few things he's loving:

• Every time we pass a basketball hoop he makes a motion and sound effect like he's shooting a basket.
• He loves to give high fives and will do it all day if you let him
• Running up and throwing his arms around me to give big hugs - love it!
• Dancing! The kid loves to dance and can really get those arms and legs moving.
• HITTING - my only complaint. Hitting Keely, his cousins, anyone who happens to be in his path...seriously, it's non-stop!
• His bear and his binki. Can't sleep without them and I know it's time to take the binki away but I'm dreading it!
• His daddy - oh, and he prefers men in general. Last week was his first in nursery and I had to let them know that if he needed to be calmed down it would have to be a man. He's a man's man.
  
• Making people laugh. Once he knows something cracks you up he'll do it again and again; he's such a character.
• Folding his arms for prayer. Every time he sits at the table, be it a snack or a meal we must pray. And then he claps after every "amen."
  
• Food. Any and all. I love that he loves food, makes life so much easier!

Dear Keely (on your first day of school)

Dear Keely,

I watched you this morning as you picked at your breakfast because your belly hurt. I know about nerves, I have as many as you do right now. I watched as you slung on the backpack that’s almost bigger than you, looked up at me with a brave face and then admitted that you’re scared. I waited with you at the bus stop and kept talking about how fun your first day of school would be, about how much you’ll love your classes and your teacher, but all the while my stomach churned and tied in knots. I watched you tense as the bus pulled up, then watched you relax as you saw Jade waving to you from the window. I was so proud as you stepped on and went in and I knew that brave step was the one that mattered today. I loved watching you wave from the bus but felt like you were waving goodbye to so much more than me.

As soon as the bus pulled away I dashed to the car so that I could beat that bus to school and be waiting when you got off. When I dropped you off in class I watched you sign your name with that shaky, newly formed penmanship and I smiled as I saw your classmates do the same. When it was time to say goodbye I was so proud of you for letting me go because I know it was hard but even though I didn’t show it at the time I want you to know that it was just as hard for me.

I finally let some tears flow as I drove home. It feels like yesterday that I picked you up for the first time and whispered to you that I’m your momma and I’ll always take care of you. I remember putting you in your car seat carrier and knowing that life would never be the same and it hasn’t – I don’t think you’ll ever truly know how much happiness you’ve added to my life. Now it’s time for me to put on my brave face but I want you to know that although many things will change there are some things that will always stay the same. I will rejoice with you over every accomplishment, cry with you over every painful experience, and nothing will ever make me happier than hugs from my little girl. So, on this big day just know that everything you felt, I felt; know that I spent the morning thinking about you and praying that your first day would go well. Know that the best part of my day will be when you step down off that bus and you’re home. I’m so proud of you and I love you more than you’ll ever know.

All my love,

Mom