view

There is nothing like that great expanse, that glorious view.  It pleases us all and never tires.  Somehow, even though the lake is low, the people still gather to see the beautiful view.  The opening in the earth that allows for reflective sunset viewing and gorgeous blue waters that change with the day, is magic for the soul.  

October

"Listen!  the wind is rising,

and the air is wild with leaves, 
We have had our summer evenings, 
now for October eves!"-  Humbert Wolfe 

The wind did kick up today and the temperatures were cooler.  We are so ready for some cooler October eves!  Happy October!

storytime

For years, I have driven a long way for one of the best storytimes at a public library.  I felt like my kids always got a lot out of the program, so I was more than happy to make the trip.  The other day, we were at our local ice cream/coffee shop and happened upon a storytime there.  It was wonderful and the man that does it, just loves kids, books and music.  What could be better?  The children come alive with him in the room.  It is absolutely amazing.  Needless to say, we have stopped driving and starting walking to our weekly storytimes.  I am always so impressed with people who do things because they love to--especially when they positively impact the lives of others {little ones and their parents, in this case}.

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents"

-Emilie Buchwald

the shadows on the wall

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The shadow fear has hit like a ton of bricks and out of no where, it seems.  My little one first pointed to a shadow in her room the other night.  She pointed and shrieked to the shadow of the lamp on the ceiling.  When my husband told me about the incident, I dismissed it as a one-time occurrence and thought nothing more of it.  Early one morning this week, I was awakened long before the sun by the same high-pitched cry...the cry of fear and desperation.  As I dashed to her room to see what could be wrong,  I never thought a shadow could be the culprit.  After changing the position of her night-light and rearranging things in her room that could create potential shadow problems, I thought everything would be fine.  

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Driving the car this morning, I had to pull over to the side of the road when uncontrollable crying and screaming came from my little one in the backseat.  I couldn't imagine what the problem might be.  Maybe her little finger got caught in some part of the car-seat?  Maybe she dropped her little lovey?  Nope, it was her shadow on the side of the car door that was scaring her.  Every time she moved, the shadow moved and she screamed harder.  Finally we placed Elmo between her and the door to block the shadows.  The poor child held onto that Elmo until we got home and I could "rescue" her from the backseat.  

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All day, we practiced waving at our shadows.  We practiced waving outside and inside and when I explained that WE make the shadows, she seemed indifferent.  

Tonight, when I went in to check on her before going to bed, I noticed that the rocking chair was oddly shoved to the far corner of the room.  I guess it was moved because it was making too many shadows.  

Poor kid.

puffed sleeves

When done correctly, I don't think there is anything more feminine than puffed sleeves.  They are so timeless and classic on little girls.  When I was little, I enjoyed puffed sleeves in the rompers my mother made me.  I also was quite intrigued with Anne's fascination with puffed sleeves in the movie and books, Anne of Green Gables.  My daughter now seems to be overjoyed with sleeves that are puffy.  Of course, it helps when there is a bright frilly flower on the shirt too. 

that sweet friend

"We are friends and I do like to pass the day with you in serious and inconsequential chatter.  I wouldn't mind washing up beside you, dusting beside you, reading the back half of the paper while you read the front.  We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you and think of you very often."

-Jeanette Winterson

We are working on some real friends too but for now this little guy goes with us everywhere.  He plays with her, sleeps with her, rides in the car and even has a voice of his own in the mornings when I hear {in a super squeaky high-pitched voice} "hi mommy, hi daddy."  Yes, Raffi, you are a true friend.

train ride

Finally, after many many months, the Little People invited our lovey on a train ride.  The back car was cleaned out and room was made for the excited giraffe.  The drummer boy was kind enough to ride in the smoke-stack so that there was plenty of room for the giraffe to fit without dragging a foot or a tail. 

The fire truck led the way for the joyful occasion.  It sounded it's horn over and over to signal the excitement that was had by all.

At the end of the ride, the giraffe was greeted by his excited Momma.  The Little People were happy to share their train {after months of coaxing by the Momma} and they have agreed to do it more often.