Best Buds

I used to hope that Juno would settle down with a nice husband and have puppies of her own. That was never her life plan. For one, she doesn't really like other dogs (she actually adores cats). And two, she is pretty exhausted from raising our little tribe here. She is the most tolerant dog I have ever known. Most evenings Emmy will snuggle up next to her and go to sleep. 

As much as she loves them, I think Juno is glad there won't be any more babies for her to take care of.

Halloween

When I was a kid my mom always made our Halloween costumes. She was fantastic at it. I would come up with a random idea (always involving a box) and she would make it. I think the best ones were a camera, and a refrigerator. I really enjoy making things. I love sewing and knitting, so you would think I would be all over making cute costumes for the kids. I'm not. I just don't have it in me to make their costumes. Dexter and Ember get whatever hand-me-downs they currently fit from the big kids. Piper usually raids her princess stash, and Asher is the only one I usually buy for. I also don't go on any of their field trips. I happily volunteer in their classes once or twice a week, but I don't do the pumpkin patches or the zoo. Now you have my confession for the week.

Emmy Lu got to be the ladybug this year. 

 I love seeing her walk. She is in the drunken sailor stage, and it's just so cute.

 I convinced Dex to be the chicken again. Come on. It's just so cute.

 Asher is definitely past the cute costume stage. At least he dresses up, in a few years he'll be like all the teenagers and just go around in scruffy jeans holding a pillow case. 

 Piper, I'm so glad you are still in the princess stage. I'm not ready for what is next. 

 These kids did really well. We started the night at a party and then went trick-or-treating. The kids were really polite and all had a good time. 

Now I have to figure out a way to not eat all the candy. 

Fall Beach Days

I love having four kids, but I need to be honest. It's exhausting. You know the feeling you get when you cross the finish line after a race? That's how I feel every night when I close the kids' doors after we tuck them in. I feel like I'm crawling over a finish line. Actually, it feels more like I've been dragged over it. 

Every once in a while we have moments where things feel easy. I almost don't want to talk about them in fear that they won't happen again. We went to the beach last Sunday after church. The weather was perfect, and there were only a handful of other people there. Nate and I sat down and actually relaxed. The kids (except for Emmy) all went in the water and spent the afternoon running around on the sand. 

 She loved the sand. She started walking for real this week and had fun practicing her new skills.

 Nate does not like getting his picture taken, but it needs to be done every once in a while.

Days like this balance out all the tough ones.

Weekend Fun

Overall, Piper really enjoys Kindergarten. Her one complaint is that she really misses her preschool friends. There is one in particular that she begs to see almost every week. This weekend a local church was having a fall festival, and it was the perfect event to invite her friend to come to. Piper loved having Lucy with her. As you can see they enjoyed a very healthy meal. They also won the cake walk about 5 times (this is why I need to keep my Y membership). 

 Asher came with us as well, and adored the rock wall.

 Piper surprised me and did really well climbing.

 This is what the little ones did while we were gone.

Dexter Days

I didn't realize how exhausting last year was for me. It was busy, and I felt like all I did was run kids around. This year for various reasons it is not as hectic. I am loving it. Loving it. Dexter only goes to preschool Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings. I also switched around the carpool schedule with the big kids, and this year it is much better. Thursday and Friday mornings I really try to focus on Dexter and doing fun things with him. There are SO many great classes and activities for toddlers in our town. A few weeks ago we went to Art Play at the local art studio. They have some free play time, and then do an organized craft. 

 Dex was the oldest kid there, and it was odd to think of him as a big kid.

 He does swimming lessons on Thursday mornings. He has a great teacher, and always looks forward to getting in the pool.

 There is a science center that Nate and I both adore. This past week we went to their toddler time. They did a STEM program and it was pretty fantastic.

I am glad there are so many things for us to do together. Emmy also enjoys tagging along.

The magical age of three

The Time: 3 PM

The Setting: The time out corner of the dining room

The Culprit: Dexter

The Conversation:

Dexter- "Mom, Can I get out of timeout?"

Me- "No, wait until the timer goes off".

Dexter- "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

Repeat the previous dialogue for the next three minutes

Dexter- "Can I get out nooooooow?"

Me- "Yes"

Dexter- "MOM, you need to say yes I can get out"

Me- "Yes Dexter, you can get out"

Dexter- "MOM, you need to say yes I can get out right now"

Me- "You can get out right now"

Dexter- "You didn't say YES"

Me- "Yes"

Dexter- (Flailing on the floor sobbing) "I just want to get out of time out"

Me- (Trying to estimate how many minutes until Nate comes home, and if anyone would notice if I open up the baking chocolate) "Buddy, just come out"

Dexter- "Thank you Mom"

30 Seconds Later

Dexter- (Sobbing AGAIN on the floor) "You didn't say you're welcome"

End Scene 

Hey there, October

Oh October, I've missed you. I adore the summertime, but I'm ready for fall. I always feel sad when I have to out away all my cute summer dresses, but this year I'm just excited that I don't have to shave my legs anymore. The kids are really enjoying the weather and the extended outside time. Emmy Lu wasn't a huge fan of the heat, but she is delighted now. Every once in a while I still mourn the fact that I don't have kids that nap, but it's nice to be outside so much. You did read that correctly, even Emmy doesn't really nap. She's like a super type of baby that doesn't need to sleep. 

She still loves the grass, and crawling all over it.

 Dex loves to swing for hours, especially when Piper is at school and he doesn't need to share.

 She took a step here and was so proud of herself.

 I can't handle this face. I just want to squeeze it. She kills me.