I love this picture of Fearless at one of his soccer games. Their season has sadly come to an end once again, but next year we will all be back to cheer on the Prince of Peace Eagles!! Fearless had a great season, regardless of the fact that they didn't end at the top of the league. The winning doesn't matter, it's the attitude that's important to me. I love you so much Fearless...now go get that ball!!!!
We had an impromptu campfire tonight for dinner. Complete with roasted hotdogs, juice boxes and s'mores. Daddy had been burning leaves tonight, and he thought it would be fun to make a dinner out of, plus then the mess stays outside the house...always a bonus! Fearless, Skater Boy and Daddy took charge of roasting the hotdogs for everyone. Little T ate an entire hotdog...put that in the books people, because I think it's a first ever!!! Louie, on the other hand, wouldn't even hold a hotdog. She caught one glimpse of the bag of marshmallowy goodness and had her mind set that pure sugar is a much more nutritious supper to be had. I had to keep telling her that she had to, at least, eat a banana before she could have the marshmallow. She fought this for a while, but finally caved when she could see that her fussing was getting her nowhere fast!! She ate half her banana and then Mommy relented and gave her the treat. She kept asking for more, "one, two Mommy...please mommy...one two??" She is so cute..really!! Fearless, Skater Boy and Sunshine all had a few, but Little T wanted nothing to do with them. I wish I could say the campfire ended on a sweet note, but it didn't. It ended with Louie begging and begging for more sugar, and Little T crying that it was too dark outside. So...Mommy and the little girls headed in before the darkness could eat us whole:) I, personally, had a great time...so did the older ones. But, Louie may be bouncing out of her crib tonight in a sugar overload...and poor T may never let us turn the lights out again. Ahhh....life in a full house is never, ever, boring and I love it!
I had to post this picture of Daddy and Skater Boy. Skater Boy was dancing in the background and I think it's hilarious. He would never, in a million years let me photograph him being this silly....so I LOVE IT!!
This year our family found a wonderful pumpkin patch to go to. In the past, we had Grandma Carole supply our pumpkins since she would grow them in her garden. And before that, we went to a patch in Sauk Rapids that was just wonderful. This one, was almost just as good!! It was a huge field where the kids could run and pick their perfect pumpkin. They all had a wonderful time, all except Little T I guess. It's not that she didn't enjoy herself, but when she is unsure of her surroundings she gets a bit shy and extremely quiet. I think the picture of her says it all!!
How cute is this girl....I mean really?!?! I know I've said this since....hmmm...pretty much her birth, but I just cannot get enough of this girl. Yes, that's even after she has colored all over my wicker furniture, or rubbed herself down with ranch dressing....even after I have cleaned up an entire pitcher of lemonade because she thought that obviously she was big enough to pour it herself!! She is such a funny, delightful child, always doing what she can to get the family to laugh. I have to admit, I need her....almost as much as I need air. I need her infectious laugh, her silly little wiggles, and her ability to give a hug like she's clinging for her life. I also have to admit...that I'm mourning her growth. I'm sad that she won't stay like this forever...I'm sad that in a few short months she will be talking more clearly...I'm sad that it won't be long and she'll be wearing big girl panties. I'm going to kick and scream a bit at how unfair it is that our children are little and innocent for such a small portion of their lives. It's gone before I can barely take it in...and IT'S NOT FAIR!!! I guess I have never had such strong feelings about fleeting toddlerhood before, because I have always had a new baby on the way. This time....no baby, just big girl...and I'm not too happy about it. I am coming to the realization that this is the reason why the youngest child gets babied...because Mommy's need to, they need to hold on to their last baby just a little bit longer...trying to cling to it just as long as possible. Well, that's probably what I'll do anyway...I hope it doesn't scar her! Just for the record...I love all my children as much as my little Louie...but they don't really appreciate the belly rasperries and constant, and I mean constant, kisses like she does. Love and affection does take a new view a bit as they grow. The older ones don't want kisses at the school doors anymore, but a sweet little note tucked in the lunchbox does the trick!!!
Tonight I feel peaceful, peaceful and loved! There is something about fall that really gets to me. I don't mean that in a bad way, actually the opposite. Other than the gift of my family, fall is proof positive that our Father loves us so very much. I mean really, for what other purpose did He have to have green leaves turn to red, orange and yellow. But that's not all, then they fall to the ground and make the most wonderful piles of color on the ground with hours and hours of enjoyment for kids to jump in and throw in the air. Still...there's more, finally they dry and make the most wonderful crunchy sound when you walk on them. I believe that His sole purpose for this, and all seasons, is just to give us beautiful things to enjoy. I know there are beautiful parts of all seasons, but none strike me like fall does. I feel so blessed that God picked this house for us that is almost literally wrapped in fall color. And yet, it gets even better. I am now within walking distance to the river, which is where I spent an hour today running on the trails surrounded by so many beautiful trees that I was literally in tears at one point. I don't know if anyone else out there cries because the leaves in their back yard are red, but I do....there you have it, I'm a wuss!!!
