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!

     

Tea Time

A new post for Growing Great

Pictures

My camera is broken.  It took a long fall and I’m debating whether to fix it or upgrade.  In the meantime our phones have been an easy replacement, as they are always with us.  We have been out and about and here are some pictures:







This next picture is one for documentation.  It was Wednesday, October 24, 2012.  My 29th birthday.  I kicked the kids outside to give myself a little quiet time while folding laundry and watching a recorded reality show.  Soon a screaming was heard, one that I instantly could tell was a scream that meant pain.  I rolled my eyes and went to see what damage, from whom, was had.  My little guy was the one screaming that Max had bit him.  I couldn’t see at this point and as I got closer I was met with this ugly site:

Indeed, Max did bite him.  Hard.  In Max’s defense, Zane apparently bit him first and this was a retaliation bite.  Oh, being a Mother is filled with much excitement! 

He’s 2!!!

October 19th has come and gone and that means our little man is 2!!!!  Zane is obscenely loud, extremely loving, and a big talker.  He doesn’t like having his picture taken, yelling at me, “stop mommy!  No more pictures!”  the moment I aim a camera in his direction.  He loves and admires his siblings, but is very quick to tattle on them and play the innocent youngest card to his advantage.  Multiple times a day I will hear him scream at me, “Max (or Violette or Well) hit/pushed/kicked me!”.  Most of the time it is a fabrication and what happened was a toy was taken from him.  He gives great soberly kisses and enthusiastic hugs.  He’s a lover of pizza, chocolate milk, goldfish crackers, breast milk and oatmeal!  “Snuggle me” is a phase uttered (demanded in a loud voice) at the most inconvenient times along with the phrase, “More boob Mommy, please!”.  That last one is a crowd pleaser and makes most people giggle as I quickly divert his attention and save nursing for only at home. 

The pacifier and addiction to breast milk continue on.  As with the other children I will allow the pacifier to be used for a few more short months and then begin the ritual of the Great Fuffa Fairy swooping down to take them for babies who need them and leaving a sweet toy behind.  It’s worked three times before and shall do the trick one more time.  Sigh.  As far as nursing goes, my initial goal, when he was a newborn was to go until one year, then it was eighteen months, then two years, now I will continue on until he and I are both ready to end it.  I cherish our snuggle time before bedtime and naps, and despise the many night time demands. 
  
For Z Man’s birthday we had Grandpa Roehrig & Grandpa and Grandma Goodhue over!  Let it be noted that the last time all three Grandparents were in the same room was almost eight years ago at our wedding.  That was the first time they met each other too.  So, this was a BIG BIG deal.  All the children were extremely excited and couldn’t wait for the big day.  Cake and three Grandparents is huge!!  It was a lot of fun and I believe that the kids had some major enjoyment.  Many smiles were had on this special day!

 

Zane loved his cake, a tractor one, per his request.  We had to take the tractor off as soon as he saw it, but at least we got one picture in before the whining!

After cake my parents headed back to TC in the early afternoon.  Although the time went by quickly, it was such a wonderful way to celebrate Zane turning 2.  And for the record, both Grandpa’s said they would watch the children together for a weekend, once Zane was potty trained.  Tom and I will be cashing in on that one for sure!!!! 
Happy Birthday Zane Michael.  You are an amazing child!!

Autumn Is Upon Us

The leaves have reached peak color around our area.  It seems to be more vibrant this year, reds are deeper, the oranges resemble ripened pumpkins, and the yellows shine brightly.  As I drive, we point out the trees, competing to see who can find the brightest colored tree.  We find one on the left side, then the right, it’s surrounding us, these awesome colors are truly beautiful. 

As the leaves change color the county showers their inhabitants with an abundance of festivals and activities to take part it.  As we spend more years in here, my love for Lenawee grows.  It’s a pretty awesome place to live (TC has it beat, still!). 

Fall also equals playoff baseball.  Maximilian experienced his first Tiger’s Baseball game.  Row 19, behind the home plate made for a pretty cool first game vantage point!  My four year old boy thoroughly enjoyed his one on one time with Daddy and this noteworthy first. 

 

 

Tiger’s won.  Max ate and ate and ate and had a lot of fun.  Tom realized quickly the best way to keep a fidgety four year old content was to keep handing him food.  Max was okay with that!  They made it through the whole game and Noelle can’t wait for her turn to head to a game!

Fall festivals are all around us.  We’ve gone to a few this year.  Children are older and it’s easier to get up and go.  Noelle loves to go, Max tags along and is great as long as we promise to buy him something, Violette complains the most not content with much of anything, and Zane fights the restraints of a stroller, wanting to be a free man.  It’s great family fun.  Cough.  We plunge through, making the most of it all.  Ignoring complaints, buying lots of elephant ears, keeping focused on moving and not dwelling too long at one craft booth.  We’re making memories!

  

   

A much anticipated train ride field trip for Thursday School happened this week.  We all were able to go (minus Noelle and Tom) and had a great time.  Who doesn’t love a train ride through the beautiful trees?  It was windy and chilly, but the children did not care and insisted on riding in the open train car.  The train moved slow, but it was a ride to remember! 

 

Parks, we’ve been visiting them.  There are a lot around our area and it’s a great break in our day to drive to one for an hour.  I’m really really good at breaking up monotony now! 

 

School at home continues on.  Violette has become very good at handwriting, but not so good at following directions given by Mom.  The best and most efficient learning is through play.  So we play a lot!  I find myself having to force the chores to be set aside and engage is true play with the children.  I dread it always, but then after an hour I loved every minute.  If only the house cleaned itself!

 

There’s a quick update!  Next up is Zane’s 2nd birthday and my 29th (gasp, I’m frickin’ old!!), then Halloween.  We’ll continue to crunch leaves under our feet, spy vibrant trees, and spend lots of time playing, learning, and growing!