Semi-Annual Fall Poem

Re-posting of my autumn poem -
Falling From Me
By Dawn Reid

O leaves that fall from our tree.
Staying one more week, frozen in time and frost.
Your peak is pretty as can be,
But in the wind and fluttering you are lost.

To my little ones I request the same,
Stay for me, young and innocent a little longer.
Alas they do not listen either,
Growing always older and taller.

Fun-O-Ween Day!

This year the kids and I decided to have our own fun day the day before Halloween, so we could really start getting into the Halloween spirit. Richard from across the street came over and the fun began!

First we at pumpkin and white chocolate chip cookies for breakfast. The fiber and Vitamin C is not a bad way to start off the day, if I do say so myself!Then we read stories (We're Off to Find the Witch's House, 5 Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Fence and Where's Baby's Pumpkin?). We then took some time to "dance it out" by watching and following our family Monster Mash webclip.

Next we had snack time with special Halloween trail mix (popcorn, crackerjack, reses' pieces, graham cracker cookies and pretzel rods) with "witches blood" (apple juice) or "goblins brain" (chocolate milk). Next we watched "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown".
Finally we ate a lunch of grilled cheese ghosts with monster pieces (mixed fruit) and ghoul's fingers (pickles).
It was so much fun and made me thankful I get to stay at home with them during these precious years. :)

Climb the Mountain!

Yesterday Ashton, Paul, Kate & I actually climbed a mountain! Kate and Ashton, all by themselves, summited Crowder's Mountain.



That would be 0.9miles of strenuous climbing and stairs to the top and 2.0 miles
of strenuous climbing down the back trail.


I am soooooooooo proud of them! Both children were insistent they make it to the top all by themselves and, at times, running up and down. It was a beautiful fall day, not only in weather but in the marvel I held at their changes and growth. Once upon a time they were a small cluster of cells and now they can climb a mountian. WOW!


You see, Crowder's is where I first began to suspect I was going to be a mother and I hiked it while pregnant with both children, so it holds a very special place in our family folk lore.

Ruby Red and Crimson

Falling From Me

By Dawn Reid

O leaves that fall from our tree.

Stay one more week, frozen in time and frost.

Your peak is pretty as can be,

But in the wind and fluttering you are lost.

To my little ones I request the same,

Stay for me, young and innocent a little longer.

Alas they do not listen either,

Growing always older and taller.

Early Politics

Ashton has declared his party of preference. He is a "Demo-crap" but wants to vote for "McCandy". We are on our way to be a part of history as a civic-minded family!

Once we got to the polls, Ashton & Kate stuck near us as we did all the necessary paperwork. Ashton accompanied me to the voting booth and Kate stood with Paul. He pressed my button for president and then wandered off while I avoided the straight party and hand-picked my people. (GO MUNGER FOR GOV!). We then marched over to the Kids Vote area where Ashton, without any prompting or direction from us, did indeed select John McCain. He also informed us, as serious as a heart attack, that he is, infact, not a "Demo-crap", but a "Re-pumpkin". Kate, all on her own, filled in the bubble directly under Munger for governer (my choice as well). All in all, I look forward to sparking their civic-mindedness and will tell and retell the story of the first presidential election in their lifetimes and how they were apart of it.

Vote...For Starbucks?

If you vote tommorrow (and who in their right mind isn't?!?!?), Starbucks is offering a free coffee. Supposed to be a cold and rainy day, so they've got my vote!

362 More Days Until Halloween!

I L-O-V-E day after (insert random holiday) sales. Love them, love them, LOVE THEM.

I was able to get out today and grabbed tons of post-Halloween decor and clothes for next year, most of the stuff at 75% off. One of the girls working at Party City was looking at me like I was crazy with my cart full of tulle ghosts and giant bobble-head trick-or-treaters. "Throwin' a late Halloween party or sumthin'?" she asked with a slight cock to her head. "No..." I explained, telling her how, since I was packing up my Halloween decor today, it's so easy to throw the newly-acquired discounted stuff in with the stuff I already had. And, I must say, I am excited about my finds.

Also, the majority of the stuff out there is G.G.G. (That's gross, ghastly and goolish.) To GGG for my little ones and their potential dreams. Today I racked up on cute ghosts and pumpkin things to add to what we already had. Also, when it comes to decorating for Halloween, is it just me or are most things either small in scale when placed in your yard or wayyyyyyyyyyy to expensive? I mean, really, it's pretty hard to see a carved jack-o-lantern from the road. But the ghosts I got are about 3-4 feet long and I picked up quite a few of them to make a nice grouping for next year. I can't wait!

Grandmas, Grandmas, Grandmas Everywhere!

Some people may not be aware that my mother has been suffering from a mystery illness that has caused doctor after doctor to run inconclusive test after test. Seeming to have come to the end of the road with treatment options, her last resort was seek out help from an traditional Chinese doctor. While she did not believe, not even for a second, that this was what she needed, she never the less decided to give it a try since there was nothing really left. And...amazingly...the treatments seem to be working!
For the past 12 months I have seen my mother become less and less active and unable to be the grandmother she longed to be to her growing grandchildren. And, suddenly, she seems to be making a comeback! Today she stopped by and played "Hi-Ho Cherry-O" with Kate and "Candyland" with Ashton. One month ago she would not have been able to bend down to play. Woohoo! I hope this treatment stays on track and I get my mother back. (And FYI - Kate absolutely LOVED Hi-Ho Cherry-O, she thoroughly enjoys sorting colors and counting the little pieces.)
Also, more good grandparent news! Paul's parents will be arriving in a few short days to spend Halloween with us! Ashton couldn't be more excited and filled with anticipation, while I'm sure Kate will be thrilled when she realizes what is going on. We are very happy they will be coming and, by the frost warning posted for later this week, know they are on their way! ;) (Coming from Detroit they ALWAYS seem bring the cold with them, be it Spring or Fall.) My one wish while they are here is to make sure we get plenty of good photos of everyone together for Darlene's scrapbooks. Either she or I are always behind the camera and never in any of the shots together. HINT HINT Paul.

53 Plants and Ouch, My Back!

Well, I planted and planted and planted and planted and, did I mention PLANTED, 53 plants for 4 hours this afternoon. I am so excited! I tried to plant everything so that my beds are going to have that beautiful layered filled in look of an established garden instead of that bare, "three holly bushes out front only, sub-division" look. I will try to take some photos tomorrow when it's light out, but I don't think the real difference will be seen until mid-spring/early summer. How lucky to have gotten all these plants for free too! I made sure to share some with three of my neighbors and can't wait to see the whole street full of beautiful black-eyed-susans next summer!

Everything Is Coming Up Hostas?

A great hobby I've picked up over the last few years has been gardening. I really enjoy getting my hands dirty and watching something grow and flourish that I've tended to and watched over. My mother's kind neighbor just donated an entire trunk full of plants to me which I am very excited to get in the ground and try my luck with. All are perennials and seem pretty hardy. Tons of variety including some really interesting succulents, hostas, black-eyed Susan's, lambs ears, etc. The neighbor also instructed me on how to grow cuttings from my prized Anniversary present tree - our Weeping Japanese Cherry.
Wish me luck and I promise some before and after pictures of the yard!

Ghosts Are Funny...

....at least to Kate. Ask her to do her "Boooooooooooooo" for you if you see her. She cracks up to hear the sound come out of her mouth. ;)

Bad Economy = Time To Rethink "Wealth"

As the economy stumbles and slides, I've observed the stress levels of people all around me inch upward. As the overall financial health of this country is beyond my power (other than making sure I cast my ballot in Nov), I've decided to turn my eyes toward the things in my life I can control and the happiness I get from them. Here goes!

• Picking up Kate from preschool every day and the always getting a big hug and even bigger smile followed by "Mommy's here!" (as if we've been away from each other 4 months as opposed to 4 hours)


• Hearing Ashton always ask for seconds, not for himself, but to ensure Kate gets whatever it is he is getting


• Watching the leaves change on the trees and realizing how wonderful fall is in NC. I'm thankful that nature takes no notice of the NYSE!


• Buddy, the coolest cat of all time, is mine and always has time for me to pet him and cuddle with him.


• Having a good man for a husband. One that is patient, even keeled and a good father to our children.


• Meeting new and always interesting people in my job and seeing them insist on having fun, no matter what type of day they had


• Loving my neighbors and the fact that we all know each other by first name


• Listening to my niece's voice over the phone. (It's so adorable and tiny)


• Having both my mother and father alive and around for me, but also for my children to know their grandparents (Both of my grandfathers had passed away before I was born)


• Talking to my grandmothers, both of them, and realizing what huge impacts they've both had on my life and how lucky I am to have to help me parent my little ones


• Having a great mother-in-law that truly loves her grand kids and who's grand kids love her


• Thinking ahead to how this will be the first halloween both of the kids will really be into it and how much fun it's going to be to take my little red dragon and fair maiden princess out to trick-or-treat!


• While we have little left over, I am happy that both Paul and I have jobs and are able to pay all our bills each month and on time!


• Realizing that myself, my husband and my children are all healthy

I mean, really, happiness come not from what happens to you in life but how you react to it right? So, while my retirement savings circle the drain (remember, my background is in the financial industry) all I can do is look forward to working the rest of my life and raising kids that will do well enough to support me in my twilight years! ;)

T.L.O.L.W.W.N.A.A.

Ashton and I picked out a book from the library yesterday that was both a fall theme and had a title that reminds me of my mother. Check it out sometime, great little tale full of sound and rhythm. (I re-read it to Kate and Ashton in the bathtub tonight and they loved it even more.)

"The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything"

by Linda Williams

Scary Thought This Halloween

This is even creepier than

Frankenstein or a witch!

Ever Read "The Paper Bag Princess"?

If you haven't checked out "The Paper Bag Princess" by Robert Munsch, you should. Great feminist children's book with a strong and independent lead character that happens to be a female. It's one of Ashton's favorite books and came recommended by Owen's mother Karen. Great alternative to the classic "woman as a victim".

The other day I was in Old Navy looking for jackets for the kids when I spotted the coolest all-in-one Halloween costumes. One in particular caught my eye, the fire engine red dragon suit. Basically it's a fleece jumpsuit with extras like blue wings attached with a head that doubles as a hood that turn it into a dragon. I convinced Paul and the kids to come up there with me and had Ashton check all the selections out. At first he liked the monkey, then he saw the dragon and the decision was made. We took him back to the dressing room and had him try it on. Once the top and bottom were on (the best thing about this costume is it consists of putting on pants and a jacket, feet and hands are attached) he FLEW out of the dressing room to check himself out in the three way mirror. He then proceeded to run around the giant store roaring at anyone and anything that he passed. Kate thought it was great fun and wanted me to put her butterfly costume on so she could do the same. While Paul checked out a few pairs of 36x36 denim, I wrangled a roaring purple butterfly (the dressing room clerk renamed her a dragon fly) and a fire breathing dragon who would not answer to "Ashton", only to "Dragon".

Ashton was insistent on wearing the costume out of the store and even to bed that night. As my little red dragon and I snuggled in bed I read him "The Paper Bag Princess" and, as the dragon in the story feel asleep, so did mine, in perfect timing. To see him enjoy something so much, in such an ordinary way, fills up my soul and replenishes me. I never knew that being a parent was going to be like this and don't want these times to ever end.

Also, FYI --- After consulting her, I exchanged Kate's butterfly for a princess costume and figured that since dragons always seem to hold princesses hostage, the costumed pair would make more sense. Now, if I could just get her to wear it....

Festivus For the Rest of Us in Fall

Yesterday we had a great time at this year's "Festival in the Park". The kids really had fun riding the carnival rides, playing on the playground and in the sandbox, catching a show by a clown troupe and taking in all the sights and sounds of a fall festival. Previously we've gone to events like this one, but for some reason or another (tantrums, nap time, over stimulation) they've not been the greatest experiences. But this time, it was magic!



Kate and Ashton both not only wanted to, but enjoyed, going on the rides by themselves. This was the first year they really did it! It was so much fun and gave me unbelievable joy to see them both get in ride cars together not fighting with, but having fun with each other! They were so good about siting right next to each other and taking turns steering or turning or whatever the rides did. (Kate is so fearless at 2!)

The only minor blip was Kate and good ol' Gus the Talking School Bus. As of late she's become fascinated with school buses, always pointing them out as we drive down the road. I was soooooo sure once she saw Gus the Bus parked and open to anyone who wanted to go inside and explore, she'd run up to it and climb those giant stairs. But, surprisingly, she did not want to get on. I'm guessing up close a bus is quite larger and dirtier than she anticipated. As she stood there staring at Gus, she was very certain and firm when asked again and again if she wanted to go on, saying "No. Nope. No. No. No. NO!" But she continued to hang around the open door, playing peek-a-boo with the driver and carefully watching all the kids getting on and off. As I began to give up on her, out of the blue she puffed her little chest out and said "Mommy, up!" pointing inside the school bus. So, I carried her up the stairs and deposited her in the seat next to her daddy. She immedietly got up, ran to the window, and let out the loudest Tarzan-like bellow I've herd from her yet. "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" to the festival, crowd, and anyone within a mile distance.





I guess that was her way of telling everyone how proud she was of herself for conquering her fear of the giant yellow machiene. I was proud of her too!





All-in-all it was a great time and it cemented in my mind what a wonderful season fall really is!

Arrrrg Me Maties!

Did you know today is "Talk Like a Pirate Day"? September 19 every year!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

"Ahoy! - "Hello!"
Avast! - Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense
of surprise, "Whoa! Get a load of that!" which today makes it more of a "Check
it out" or "No way!" or "Get off!"
Aye! - "Why yes, I agree most heartily
with everything you just said or did."
Aye aye! - "I'll get right on that
sir, as soon as my break is over."
Arrr! - This one is often confused with
arrrgh, which is of course the sound you make when you sit on a belaying pin.
"Arrr!" can mean, variously, "yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "I'm enjoying this
beer," "My team is going to win it all," "I saw that television show, it
sucked!" and "That was a clever remark you or I just made." And those are just a
few of the myriad possibilities."

School Daze

Wow, what a 1st day back to school! The kids did not want to make it out the door this morning. Correction...Ashton did not want to go to school but Kate wanted to go without pants on. They rivaled cats and dogs when Kate decided to wear Ashton's Lightning McQueen underpants (backwards no less) without his consent. But eventually we got to St. Mike's with pants on and Ashton in tow. The following happened:

• Kate wanted to go back to her old classroom and did NOT want to take off her backpack. She did mention she approves that all the chairs in her new classroom are purple, which is the best color in the world apparently.


• Ashton wanted to hide behind me in the hallway outside his class and was more clingy then he ever was as a toddler going to daycare. He also decided today he did not like his favorite shoes in the whole wide world and wanted a pair I gave to Goodwill weeks ago. :(


• I eventually just had to hand the kids over to the nearest adult and run out of the building *yes run*. I was surprisingly sad to see them go. Really sad, but I got over it quickly by slowly and quietly walking around Kohl's department store and trying on everything I could find only to purchase one VERY cute turquoise top. What a perfectly good waste of a morning!

Wednesdays Ashton has OT 8:30-9:30am then I drop them both off back at school. I am very much looking forward to organizing our lives and spending more quality time with the kids in the afternoons now, while I think Ashton & Kate will have some desperately needed time apart. (Click on the photo to read what Ashton's schedule is like this week. OMG, he has a schedule! Where have my little babies gone and who are these school children?)

Almost there...

1.5 days until preschool starts back!

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm not sure who's more excited, me or the kids!