Grandma and Noelle

Thursday Noelle cantered on a horse.  She was thrilled, and wanted more.  Her instructor said she has a bit of wild child in her!  She was cantering!!  I couldn’t believe it.  The previous lesson she was asked to try, and stood her ground stating she was too afraid.  We discussed fear, the reason behind it and how sometimes we just had to go for it.  Conquer it.  This was a daily discussion, but after a few days Noelle decided that she was going to try it.  That she did, and my favorite part, was seeing the satisfaction on her face after she put her horse away and ran to to me.  She was so proud of herself, her face filled with a unmistakable prideful smile.  And as a mother, I was proud of her.  A feeling so deep inside. 

Noelle couldn’t wait to show Grandma and tell her all about on their special weekend.  My mom was coming down for Mother/Daughter Weekend at Morgan Valley Farm.  I signed them up months ago, and it has been in the forefront of Noelle’s words and thoughts.  As Saturday approached the excitement was upped a notch and squeals of happiness came from her. 

Grandma arrived and hung out with us for a few hours before we drove over to Morgan Valley.  We checked in and took their stuff to the cabin.  It was a pleasant surprise to find the cabin was not as rustic as we previously thought.  Noelle picked the top bunk and Grandma the bottom.  I gave hugs and kisses and walked back to my car, knowing that this was going to be a cherished event and they were going to have a lot of fun. 

   

Since Zane’s birth, this was my first night away from Noelle.  I texted my Mom a lot, just checking in.  I couldn’t help it, I missed my girl!  My Mom would inform me that Noelle was just fine and they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.  They crafted, took care of horses, had a bonfire, went on a wagon ride, played games.  A long list of good fun. 

 

 

When Sunday came, I watched the clock intently, watching on their arrival.  When the car pulled in, I ran out.  Noelle was all smiles and stories.  Grandma looked happy too!  For days I heard all about their adventures and soaked in each of Noelle’s tales. 

I am so grateful my Mom was able to take Noelle, as I know this will be a memory for her to hold onto and treasure. 

Halloween

We loaded the wagon and headed out on Halloween with a Cowgirl, Hunter, Elephant, and Skeleton in tow.  They all did really well, making it around the subdivision, not wanting to stop despite the misting rain and cold temperatures.  This year Zane was really into it, proclaiming in a very auditable voice, “trick-or-treat!”.  At a few houses people held out a bowl for the kids to choose from and Zane proceeded to grab the whole bowl!  When he wasn’t taking the whole bowl, he would grab three or four pieces, opposed to the polite one piece.  It was pretty cute. 

Violette decided to abandon the beloved Rapunzel costume in favor of a warmer elephant that Max wore last year.  She looked adorable.  Max loved being a hunter and toted his pop gun with him.  Noelle has started up riding lessons again and opted to be a cowgirl.  He brand new pink cowgirl boots were the perfect accessory for the costume.  When Max was two (well, just shy of 2) he was a skeleton and it was just natural for Max’s clone to where it too.  Zane would tell people, “I a skel-ton!”.  Tom and I did not dress up this year, but the children are planning a family costume for next year.  The Zoo Keeper and animals was a big hit last year with them!

  

 

We also discovered this great park right around the corner with countless trails through acres of woods.  This past weekend we decided to head out and have some Family Fun.  The leaves crunched under our feet and let the children decided the route.  When we came upon a fork in the trails, they debated which way to go, Noelle and Max usually at the forefront of the debate.  Tom and I loved holding hands while our brood wandered ahead, picking up sticks, chasing each other, and really enjoying our time in the woods.  This park will be visited many times in the future!