swinging into fall

"Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."  ~George Eliot

It's here!
 Autumn, with it's beautiful breezes and warm colors, is finally here.
She can't wait to return to the park without the hot sun scorching the rubber seats of the swing.
She looks forward to some long-awaited rides in the stroller.
She wants to wear a jacket to school.
They want to travel north to pick apples at Aunt Winnie's {maybe next year}.
They want to visit the pumpkin patch in the front lawn of a beautiful old church.
Little costume ideas have found their way into our conversations these days too.

And I can't wait to watch it all unfold before their little eyes!
{and bake some pumpkin muffins too}

What are you awaiting this season?

september sky

There is nothing I love more than this changing season with dramatic weather and skies that take your breath away.  Changing colors of rust and orange that later fade to gray and brown delight my senses. I am eager for this long-awaited change.

clip clop at 10 o'clock

Regardless of the hour, this little one has discovered what she likes to do when her bedroom door is shut and she should be sleeping...

She is ever-so quiet as she adorns herself with plastic accessories, satin and tulle. 

For hours she pretends and imagines until she makes her debut...

and last night, that was 10 o'clock!

Shhh...

We all do it.  Get a baby in your arms and you begin rocking, bouncing and shhhing.  Now, the only problem is when you continue these behaviors when there is no baby in your arms.  Rocking back in forth while in line at the store, bouncing to the beat of the music at the dentist office and yes, I did automatically say shhh to a child that was crying {well, more like having a temper tantrum}.  Opps!  I think I offended the mother but certainly didn't mean to, it just happened.  In the future I will try to be more aware of my baby soothing tendencies while out in public without my baby!

almost

Only a few weeks more until it is officially apple season--Fall, that is.  The weather this past weekend made me feel like digging out the jeans, hot tea and filling the kitchen with the smells of wonderful baked goodies.  The cooler weather invigorates my tired mind and has me looking forward to the wonderful season ahead.  It's almost here! {and hopefully the weather will continue to cool too!}

www.cannellevanille.com

changes

via

Change has swirled through the air at our house the past month. {The birth of a baby has had a lot to do with it.}  Change has crept into every little corner of my organized and normally calm self and shuffled everything into a tangled mess.  New schedules, unexpected behavior issues, new sleep routine, new schools, new expectations and a new balance of 3 has me feeling all goofed up.

I keep telling myself that the best thing about change is, once you are used to it, everything goes back to calm and organized.  It is just those few weeks or months of chaos that I dread with any sort of change.

I was the kid that cried on every first day of school (even as a teacher) because I disliked not knowing what to expect.  Change gets me nervous and anxious in every kind of way.  My brain feels foggy and unable to think clear.  Settle, settle, settle...I keep waiting for the dust to settle so I can get back into a "normal" and organized routine once again.  I guess it is the feeling of not being in control that I dislike most.

So, for those of you that dread change as much as I do, my thoughts are with you as we embark upon a new school year filled with lots of changes for not only us but for our children too!  Life does change, it is inevitable...or at least that's what I keep telling myself!

play, sweet girl, play

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood." Fred Rogers

As you head off to school for the first time, my wish is that you develop a passion for learning through guided play this year.  Play, sweet girl, play!

 

When we drove up to preschool today you said,"I don't want to go back home...I want to stay here and play!"  My heart beat fast and with relief when you confirmed that you were excited to be going to school today.  

As we walked in the door I stopped and ask you if I could take your photo and you looked up at me so seriously and said, "I don't want to be late!"  Stunned by your thoughtful answer, I gulped and said, "Yes, we don't want to be late for your first day."  At that very minute I choked back tears as my little one confidently walked in the door and found her teachers.  Never once did you look back.  I gulped again and quickly said, "goodbye," before the tears began to run down my cheeks.  I left you playing with new blocks and play-doh. You are in your element and I couldn't be happier but my sentimental heart can't help but lament the fact that you are growing up.

This year,

I hope you play and discover new things.

I hope you play nicely with friends and learn to share.

I hope you talk about what you play.

I hope you play and make new friendships.

I hope you play when it is time to play and listen when you should.

I just know these lovely ladies will ensure that you grow and learn in a positive way this year!

Happy first day of preschool!