Rows

At least it's been good weather for reading. I've been ignoring the mess around here and have been completely sucked into The Golden Compass (or Northern Lights) by Philip Pullman. So far it's an incredible adventure of the magical sort that I love. And, although deemed quite religiously controversial, I do not think spiritually so. At least, in the sense that it IS fiction after all.

It's also been good knitting weather.

I suppose I shall have to put the book and the needles down today long enough to straighten up for a fun night of carving pumpkins with Aunt Amy and Uncle Andy. And tomorrow Nana and Papa are coming to share Halloween with us. My guess is that I'll still managed to sneak a few rows of stitches and a few rows of words.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Well, today is just gloomy, doomy as can be. Ridiculous amounts of rain are falling. So much so that I have a little river of sorts running down the walkway in front of the house. In some ways, it's really lovely and cozy and if all that needed to be done today was to curl up with a book and a cup of coffee or a movie and warm blanket and some knitting, I would be happy as anything. But having to drag two babes around to preschool and knowing I will have to do it again in just a bit and in the meantime needing to start wash, pick up the kitchen from breakfast, vacuum the cereal bits off the living room carpet and so on, well it makes me feel rather dumpy. So, instead I'll just talk about yesterday.

Yesterday was a glory of a fall day. Warm, rather sunny for most of the day, and deemed a perfect day for a picnic by Tate. (Although, according to one of our recent favorite library books Ernest and Celestine's Picnic by Gabrielle Vincent, today would have been just fine too.) I thought they would be just thrilled to have juice boxes, which is such a rarity around here, but I was wrong as usual and Tate was grumpy until he got his water bottle. Yeesh. Look at that sour puss on his face.

I chose to ignore his grumps and just enjoy the view.

Then some crazy cowboy rake riding was in order while I, once again, raked the front lawn. The leaves are dropping so fast, you can't even tell today that I did a thing!

And, in the end Tate ASKED to have his picture taken so of course I had to comply. He wanted to be right in the middle of our humble decorations and pumpkins. Nana and Papa got those scarecrows for us a few years ago and I never thought they would make it this long! And those three pumpkins on the left? Also from Nana and Papa, from their own garden! I'm convinced a magic garden, as it produced three perfect pumpkins for my little pumpkins and only three.

Boy, I could use some magic right now to get over this weather. I suppose coffee will have to do.

Super Halloween Party

Super, in that one was a superhero, one was just plain super-cute

and two were super brothers.

Super, in that our super-cool neighbors had a super-fun party and because I feel super-grateful to be where I am right now.

Conspiracy Theory

A few weeks ago I had some blood tests run. I've been feeling so worn out lately and there is a family history of thyroid problems, so my doctor and I decide to test for that and some possible vitamin deficiencies just in case.

"Trouble" is, everything came back perfectly normal.

It has to be stress.

And here's my theory: I am almost entirely certain that my children have plotted against me. They've managed to have a pow-wow and all agreed. If possible, gang up on her, but otherwise make it a top priority that one shall induce unrelenting stress upon her AT ALL WAKING MOMENTS. Refuse to get dressed. Scream about your dinner. Say no to the shower and all other requests for hygiene. Call her names. Strip at inopportune times. Tell her it's her fault. Spill the milk. Whine. Do not pick up. When asked to pick up, make excuses. Make every possible request, even when eventually fulfilled (so as to avoid losing Game Boy time or a similarly horrifying discipline), take as long as humanly possible. Have a tantrum when you don't get what you want. Find a way to complain about it when you do. Ask her to do something for you only after she sits down. Then, and ONLY then, ask nicely so she feels guilty if she doesn't comply. Confuse her when making requests so as to reduce the chance of her managing the request properly. Spit. Talk simultaneously and VERY loudly. Lose your lovey just before bedtime. Lie. Throw things. Draw on everything except paper. Stick your half eaten lollipop to the couch pillows. Fight about who gets to pray at dinner. When all else fails, cry.

I know this all looks suspiciously like three cases of small children; but I know my kids. They're too smart to succumb to these normal childhood issues. Some would call it childishness, but I call it

conspiracy.

Knucklehead Brothers

These pictures were taken at a recent morning wresting match. How these boys wake up ready to spar is beyond me. Best of friends, worst of enemies. Usually the play fighting goes sour at some point when someone really gets hurt. This one stayed pretty silly.

In spite of the regular abuse they dole out, I'm so glad they have each other.

A Confession

I joined Ravelry this morning. And, while I do not assume to be remotely in the leagues of most of these knitters and "hookers," I will confess that I am going to find drooling over their gorgeous creations and patterns a major time-suck if I am not careful. SOMEDAY, I am going to be that talented. But first, I have to cut the boys' hair. ;-)

More Pumpkins

Hello Autumn! It seems when you roll around we can't get enough of pumpkin farm field trips. Tate had his for preschool last week and we had a rare, as of late, warmish and sunny day.

I got to go alone with Tate, thanks to the generosity of a neighbor friend, and it really was good to be able to focus on him for a little while. We have been struggling through a new phase of tantrums recently, making for a lot of stressful days. Watching him play games and smile and want to hold my hand was priceless.

I enjoyed the reminder of what a sweet and funny boy he is.

And, there is a light at the end of our tunnel. I have seen Calvin's ability to reason and control his temper improve over the last year and I am certain this time with Tate is one we will all grow through. I am learning what works with Tate is different than what worked with his brother and we are finding our way.

In the meantime, I'll take the sweet moments when I can get them.