Endless skies

Four for Four

We celebrated four years with Laurel on Friday.  Whew.  It was a big day ;)  I thought four photos pretty much summed it up, although there are always more photos one could post, eh?

Cake for breakfast... seriously, what a way to start the day ;)  Note that we had bundt cake.  Are you wondering why?  My round pans seem to have been swallowed up by the universe.  I can't remember seeing them since we moved.  How can that be?  So, I used this lovely bundt pan I've probably used two other times in my married life (once that it worked, once that it didn't... heh, heh).  I googled how to use prepared icing for it.  We sprinkled.  We added magic wand candles.  The birthday girl... well, she only ate the frosting.

When we realized the military ball and the birthday were the same day, we decided to stay overnight in Fargo.  There is a hotel chain we have fallen in love with, and here we are having a bit of a pool party.  We drove south (Fargo is a little over an hour away) early enough to have a bit of time in the pool before getting all fancied up. We love, love the pool. Saturday morning also included swimming, in case you wondered.

This wasn't L's favorite gift... it might have been, but for some reason she won't embrace hats ;)  However, the picture illustrates the fact that L saved up her presents to open just a few at a time on Friday at breakfast, just before dinner, and again Saturday morning, and again Saturday afternoon. Seriously, she does not get this delayed gratification from yours truly.  This also shows a little about how tired she was after dance class, the drive, the pool, and the excitement of having sitters.  A little birdie told us she asked to go to bed Friday night, but maybe that was in part because she knew it was the final night with the beloved pacifier. 

And then, the ball.  Good heavens.  You would not see me standing here without all the fairy godmothers.  They were very busy, all over the country, giving pep talks and offering advice.  Well, and finding the dress, shoes, necklace, make up tips, and hair recommendations.  You know who you are, bless you, bless you.

At the ball, we processed in (no, I didn't trip, whew) and out to the Head Table which was at the front and above everyone else.  This was excellent for people watching, but when the entre arrived and included spaghetti... eep. The others at the head table were shouting distance away too.  I might have reviewed my Air Force toasting ettiquette too.  We also did our dance.  To what, you wonder.  Well, let's just say it was not to "Thriller", "Who Let the Dogs Out" or any song by C & C Music Factory.  I think the DJ, who works with C, played Brooks and Dunn's "Neon Moon" just for us because it doesn't exactly fit with those other songs... heh, heh.

And, so it is that we descend from the fairy tale and back into real life ;)
 
 
 

What lies ahead...

1. The birthday for the girl... Can she really be turning 4? She said tonight, "Mama, can we go celebrate my birthday in Virginia?  Can we just go back?"

2. The Military Ball... where C and I will be the oldest people present, I am betting.

3. The challenge of a photo-a-day. (See album to the right, also updated One Shot Saturdays at long last.  And, a format experiment I am not sure I like.  Curtis says to give it one day)

4. New class starting Monday, under a revised system for UOP, and with material I've never taught.  Remind me later that I like a challenge.

5. First time as a parent, at a parent teacher conference tomorrow.

November 3... Three Months

Dear Eli,

I wish you could talk some days.  What do you think of this world we've brought you into?  At once so loud, often cold, usually windy.  It's filled with what I have to guess is a million interesting lights.  Your view is often looking upward. 

Your mama is not pushing you.  It hurts me to put you on your tummy to cry.  I need to do it anyway.  I tend to haul you around because we hate to have you crying because you've been put down.  You have a sixth sense for when your siblings are sleeping, and you expect that this will be your time.  It won't always be, but we try.

In your manner, you resemble L a great deal.  In order to get you to sleep, we have to put your hands away.  They interfere with your eating, your contentment, even your ablility to keep your pacifier.  Like L, you can fling that paci with your tongue in amazing ways. (Let's face it, the tricks are not that grand at three months).  You have a sweet, sweet smile.  We love it.  You're talky, and you seem to be conversing. You are a hot baby, and your little feet are sweat boxes.

You make your wishes known, and already, we do not doubt the strength of your will.  That makes you fit right in here, let me tell you.

This picture shows two of your favorite things rignt now:  Your swaddle blanket and the bee on your bouncy seat.  I had no idea the bee would be such a hit ;) Your brother tipped you out of the bouncy last week, and you did not cry.  I wonder what that foretells (other than your mama's need to focus in a bit more on what's going on).

 
You are the sweetest of sleepers, and once content, you'll sleep just about anywhere.  In this picture, you're sleeping on a picnic table.  I was right there, promise. It's so peaceful to see you in this state of repose.

This is my favorite photo of you with your grannie.  She is a sweet grannie, and both she and your papa are in much better practice changing bad diapers and soothing savage babies than they were with L.  You are much loved, let me tell you. And, your North Dakotan birth place may offer unexpected challenges, but the proximity to your grandparents a benefit of being here.

 
This is your first Halloween.  We really tried to find you a costume.  I promise one for next year (and not a too big witch hat).  You had a bit of an off day, and we didn't trick or treat either.  You had a bottle though, so really, no suffering for babies.  And, thanks to you, we went for a little drive to look at Halloween lights and soothe the wild baby.  You're almost always mellow, so was it the day, or the full moon?  I know November 13 is a Friday, so be on your good behavior then, okay?

We love you.

Before the Turkey

So, my challenge to myself this month is 30 days of things I am thankful for.  I'll put them in a side bar album, I think.  Do you want to play along?  ;)

Halloweenie Notes to Self (With photos!)

You know, I am not Martha Stewart.  I do things fast, not necessarily well.  Sometimes, that works for me ;) So, I wanted to jot down a couple things to remember:

10. Last year's clearance Halloween plates and napkins have been fun the whole month of October for lunches and snacks, play doh, and pretend games. 

9. One is never remiss in purchasing a fall sprinkle jar.  It seems festive to put them on, well, anything... our current fav is putting them on plain or vanilla yogurt.  They come out really slowly, so lots of shaking (which is actually a fun part), tiny amount of sugar.  This would also be fun with apples and peanut butter. 

8. One batch of frozen cupcakes (or sugar cookies), made into both large and mini, goes a long way when the extras are kept frozen (unfrosted) with the extra icing in the fridge.  For making a gray day more fun, for taking as a hostess gift, for sending to favorite Uncle S, for the big day, for the early birthday... 

7. Yellow and red food coloring make a really great orange for cupcakes, sugar cookies.  Blue and red make a great purple-y gray for "black" cats.

6. You can carve as many pumpkins as you want to.  Be sure to have a really sharp knife.

5. A newspaper spread workspace for, well, anything, will make super fast clean up and transition to dinner.  This is especially true for pumpkin cutting, painting, and water experiments. 

4. There will always be a craft/activity you don't get to.  That's why Halloween is annual. 

3. Display, display, display.  The jack-o-lanterns that have been outside all week, decorated porch, hanging pumpkins that were made earlier in the month have been a daily thrill.  Really.  You should see Jonah point and say, "Miiiiineeeeee" or "Hoooommmee punk-punks". 

 
2. Check out Halloweenie books from the library.  Some favs will cost less than $3 after Halloween, and some are worth owning. 

(One of our favorites is Pumpkin Moon, and look what we had last night!)

1. When it's optional, go ahead and wear the costume.  Appreciate adults/teachers who take time to appreciate the costume.  Be the adult who notices and cares.  (And a bonus:  Black washable marker works just fine on faces for, say, whiskers... heh, heh)

(L's look for ballet class on Friday)

 (L for trick or treating... princess, of course)

(J, ready, fearless...)
 
 Anything you want to share from your adventures this month?  I'd love to hear!

Squishy Frog

So, the Halloweenie celebration at gymnastics class caused me to put J in his costume.  How could I not take photos of this?  I know, some of you who are better, more patient people than I, would not post Halloweenies before the actual date.  But, you will find him irresistable, I bet.

Eli was also in the spirit, and this is pretty much his costume. We've tried two others on, but for some reason, they don't fit.  Next year, unless he is a giant, he should be able to squeeze into the traditional monkey.  If not, perhaps the frog ;)

And, once you've nerded this far out, some four days prior to Halloween, you might as well do this:

Yep, we have matching fox shirts.  Thanks, Uncle S, for the original.  The baby version was a gift to J.  I believe I have this photo of L and J too, if only I were more organized.

The big girl is going to be a (sigh) princess.  She looks regal, but I don't care for the photos I have thus far.  So, there is still some anticipation for you, right? ;)
 

The Big Girl

She's about to turn four

Craves attention right now, and will behave very badly to get it.  

Teaches me (again and again) about active listening and careful self-editing (Do I hear an amen to that?)

At one minute the providing outstanding help, the next wanting to be the baby

Loves school, Sunday School, and comes home with songs that take me way back.  I am amazed at my ability to pull the songs of childhood from the cob-webby recesses.  How long has it been since I belted out "I may never march in the infantry"?  (and is this a strange song for children?)

Is interested... in nature, art, dance, a little science. I've set a new goal about putting her creative work nearer the top of our daily schedule.  It had slipped...

Hates wearing gloves or mittens, doesn't like a heavy coat, as all are restrictive.  This is my fault. I finally found my mittens, but a heavy coat makes me crazy.

Owns boots... pink with flowers... so I will not fail at child preparation for cold on that front (I do not own boots, in case you wondered)

Has hair forever falling in her eyes (This is the tree idea in Family Fun Mag... if you haven't tried it, do!  I need to post Jonah's version, as it is very cool.  Both surprised me with their imaginativeness)

Wants to wear jammies all the time when at home

Not into photos being taken

More creative play all the time... It's fun to see her acting out scenes with dolls and other stuff.  I learn things about my parenting (eeep!)

Outside time makes her happier than being in all day, even if she doesn't want to go

Purple, pink, Hello Kitty

Princess for Halloween with tiara and clip on earrings to match... loves the dress, hates it's material against her skin.

Still loves to bake and decorate... wonder what she'll remember of all that.  What will she think about making her own birthday cakes?

 
So much lies ahead...

Yes, I am still here

Whew.  It's been quite a week.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, perhaps this photo says it all:

 
If the devil doesn't get you, it's the deep blue sea, right?

Note the zipper moving Elvis-ward on this one.  He loves his belly, and he tries to make his pjs leisure suits.

 
  So, then you take them outside to freshen your own perspective (and avoid drowning, of course)

Bring in the reinforcements (whew... so thankful to have reinforcements while C was singing Dixie last week)

And, perhaps, pass on the ghoulish behavior to the pumpkins? ;)

(More coming... I have so many blog posts ready in my head, if I can just find it... heh, heh)
 
 

Where the Wild Things Are

Yes, we went. 

Are you wondering what we thought? ;)  Keep in mind that C and I don't necessarily have like taste in movies. Since L was born, we've gone to about one movie in the theater per year, and since I've worked for Axia, I only watch a couple more at home in a whole year.  It's hard to believe, given all the movies we saw in our first two years of marriage. 

That's context for the following comments:

The cinematography is amazing.  Each character is exceptionally well-portrayed, especially the wild things themselves.  Setting is used to great effect, not unlike how the settings are developed in the Harry Potter movies.  I especially liked the transition scene where Max goes from his home to the land of the wild things. 

I am not sure it's a kid movie though.  And, should anyone expect it to be, beyond the title, given that very adult film makers put it together?  I find it interesting that the book's author was on the creative team, and I wonder if his intent in the simple book is fleshed out in the movie.  I should probably do some reading on that. 

So, Max comes from some pretty heavy stress to the wild things, expecting them to save him.  He arrives to their hope that he can save them.  It doesn't ruin the story to say that he simply can't.  There is a very existential loneliness to it all.  Even in the most joyful moments in the movie, as a viewer, I was completely aware that it could not last.  Of course, neither could the moments of deepest sorrow. 

In the end, the movie suggests, we hurt each other (and the touch in handling this is exceptional, no cliches, no over simplification, yet crystal clear).  Then, we forgive each other for our shortcomings because we are all lacking.  The movie suggests that even in imperfection, we still need each other. 

As we were walking out, I wondered to C how we'd see the movie differently as 10 year-olds who would be much more plot focused, likely not seeing some of the layers of the story.  The movie wasn't produced for L's age group, middle elementary school, maybe.  In a way, I wish the previews didn't make it look so fun. L has been watching them for months. 

Maybe what the movie suggests is the power of story to move beyond what seems quite straightforward on the surface... 

Hills, I tell you.

We went to a small Minnesota town in search of apples... Really, the big orchards, home to the famous Honey Crisps, are over by Minneapolis.  Next year, perhaps.  This was a very young orchard, only two hours away.  I didn't think about it, but the beauty of leaving ND is that there are hills in Minnesota.  I sure to miss having hills, or mountains for that matter.  We unexpectedly found snow too ;)

L and J are ready for a snow ball fight (well, aside from not owning snow boots, but details, you know, where the devil lives...).  I know snow won't be so novel and fun by February, but right now, every flake is a special thrill.

Can you see the potential here?  The owners were fantastic... cider and coffee provided along with samples of apples and honey.  They keep bees too, and the owner showed L and J exactly how it works step by step to get and harvest the honey.  He also introduced them to the chickens, and let them feed those silly birds.  But, I wish we'd come when the gardens were still flourishing, when we could have sat in comfy chairs and looked out over the orchard, had an outdoor picnic.  Next year...

A couple post cards:

How tall will she be by next year, I wonder... ;)