This is the adorable face I greeted Sunday morning after what was clearly a hard night’s sleep!  With a mere five days remaining until holiday break, I’m feeling like my hair is in a similar state from being pulled out due to stress and worry that we’ll finish our school projects amidst all the other fun holiday festivities I want to be doing!  I’m sure it will all turn out just fine as it always seems to, and besides – how can I stay stressed when I see such cute faces?

Be sure to roll on over to Tracey’s for more Best Shot Monday!

Ahem.  {taps microphone}  Um, is this thing on? 

A dear friend reminded me today that it’s been nearly two months since my last post!  Eee Gads!  It’s certainly not for lack of mundane exciting things to report, it’s more the time in which to write anything resembling a coherent thought among the thousand other things that we’re actually doing!  But, today being the beautiful gift in which teachers and students alike find ultimate happiness, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to do some fun Christmas Craftiness and get a post in to boot!

With only 7 school days remaining until we’re officially on holiday, I’m hoping to sneak in a few more posts for good measure too!  While some of you may be disappointed that these photos are not of my two growing kiddos, you can imagine for yourselves the squeals of delight and umpteen-thousand reminders that “No, it’s not time for reindeer treats yet!” both Garth and I uttered between 8am and noon.

In other holiday endeavors, I spent close to an hour this morning listening to yet another YA audio book (it’s the only way to stay on top of what my students are reading or should be reading!) while stringing cranberries to decorate the adorable little pine in the corner of our lot.  A strand or two or popcorn and we’d have all sorts of birdies coming by to snack – the kids would just love it!

Speaking of the kids, they finally woke up, so we headed upstairs to get them.  A few tickle matches and a change of clothes later, we were back in the kitchen admiring the reindeer treats when I asked, “Babe, did you move the –” and I pointed to the table where our beautiful strung cranberries had been.  Instantly we both realized that our “beloved” pup had eaten the e-n-t-i-r-e strand!  So, until we get more supplies, here’s all I can share of my cranberry craftiness today!

Sounds like both kids are actually sleeping today, so I think I’ll indulge in a little snow day rest myself!

I love nothing more than perfectly warm fall days and the nap-deprived humor of my little man.  His crooked grin is courtesy his own camera catch phrase of “silly wiggleworms” – I can just imagine his internal dialogue that he cracks himself up!

Drop by here for more Wordless Wednesday!

I’ve joked before about how difficult it is to fit a full-time job into an already full-time schedule.  So one would think that by going to a part-time work schedule I would have oodles of “free” time to write, read, reflect, oh and if you bother to stop by here anymore…blog!  In fact, I’m finding that the balance is much easier to strike, but I’m also spending more time choosing to be an active participant in the goings-on. 

While I’ve been taken lots of pictures there haven’t been as many of my two favorite subjects as of late.  However, these two…they just make me laugh and cry at the very same time!  Sometimes I feel as if my heart will actually break because it is constantly being stretched to accommodate the capacity of love I have for my kids. 

Even though her expression is a little silly, I just adore this picture of my lovely little lady – taken a few weeks ago at my cousin’s homecoming football game. 

And Calder…he’s becoming quite the little man.  Here, he was playing with his coffee stirrer straw and spinning around to get “busy” – I think he was trying to see himself.  I’m quite certain that he’s laying a great foundation for his dad to trick him into trying to see his ear in a few years!

Be sure to spin over to Tracey’s for more Best Shots today!

Check out more Wordless Wednesdays!

I never could have predicted the full range of raw emotion that motherhood would elicit.  Protectiveness – sure, I expected that.  Yet I’m finding the line between meeting their every need and catering to their momentary wants.  Watching them play, my heart swells with both excitement at the fun they’re having, at the memories being built.

Then I see the longing in his eyes as he scans the area for one of the coveted fishy squirt toys.  Looking to the water, his eyes quickly survey the sad scene that all the toys have been claimed.  (I can’t help but point out the full net in the background of this picture!). 

Then he spies a fellow water-parker with some fishies in her net.  The little expression on his face and my memory of how nonchalantly he hoped to get his hands on one of those toys, makes me want to laugh and cry.  I’m so thankful and proud that he wasn’t knocking kids over to get what he wanted, yet I desperately want only the best for my precious kids.  Shortly after this moment, I went on the search myself.  When I returned with a terrific purple octopus, I was already awaiting the excited squeals.  Much to my surprise, he dismissed it with barely a second glance and continued longing for a fish.  It had to be a fish. 

I realized then, though it’s a lesson I’ve far from mastered, that my role in this life, my job and awesome responsibility, isn’t always to provide the very thing that gives them temporary joy.  Rather, in the face of disappointment and desire, to lead them through those impulses and toward a more lasting fulfillment.  Today, these are both my very best shots.

Earlier this year, we took a trip to Meijer Gardens to see their butterfly exhibit, and just shy of heading outside to explore, it started raining, so we headed home.  It wasn’t until later this summer that I discovered the treasure that is the Children’s Garden!  A few friends and I met for a playdate and I knew we had to go back.  As our final weekend of summer, we headed their the Friday of Labor Day weekend to take in the last days of the Alexander Calder art exhibit.  While he isn’t necessarily Calder’s namesake, it’s still too cool to miss! 

If you think a little thing like not being able to walk is stopping her from literally soaking up all the fun she could possibly have…well, you’ve got another thing coming!  Little Miss had a fantastic time.  I can only imagine how much fun she’ll have throughout the coming year!

I spent too much time getting just the right picture in front of the Calder sculpture at the Gardens….and was thrilled with this result.  It was only after several minutes of shooting (while Garth and Seneca walked ahead) that we learned this wasn’t in fact, a Calder.  *sigh*  Regardless, I have to say I love these two shots!

Playing with my new zoom lens…and The American Horse sculpture was a pretty sweet subject!

My finger was just itching to snap a few dozen pictures of the amazing artifacts we saw at the exhibit, but understandably, photographs are not allowed.  Thankfully, there was a hands-on aspect to the exhibit where it was permissible to snap some pictures…I love the concentration here as he constructs his own mobile. 

I suppose this is more a Wordful Wednesday than Wordless Wednesday, but either way….hope yours is happy!

It seemed like such a long wait, but last week we finally had some ripe tomatoes.  Calder has been eyeing them for weeks, and couldn’t wait to bite into one.  After slicing some up for B.L.T.s this week, I realized why he was so into them – they are crazy sweet!  Here’s hoping to a few more delicious caprese salads before it gets too cold around these parts!

I suppose tonight also marks the official “end” of summer since our first teacher workday is tomorrow.  I guess that means my late-night blogging bonanzas are coming to an abrupt halt!  I’m sure I’ll still have a few things to say here and there, so don’t go too far!

Imagine my surprise when my husband actually suggested that we take Calder to see Sesame Street Live.  Short of dropping the bowl of ice cream I held in my hand and racing to the computer to purchase tickets, I was more than happy to oblige at my earliest convenience.  I would have thought something along those lines would have ranked right up there next to Chuck E. Cheese.  Nonetheless, he mentioned it, and as it turned out the show was coming to a nearby theater within a couple of weeks. 

Aunt Julie was thrilled to spend the day, and what actually became the entire night, watching Seneca while the three of us took our surprise adventure.  Stopping to take a quick picture, we made him say, “Elmo” and “Sesame Street” though he still wasn’t aware of the excitement in store.

Once he caught sight of the balloons, dolls, toys and shirts he made the connection!  He was really intrigued by all the excitment around us as we waited for the show to start. 

It was so funny watching him absorb the whole scene.  I don’t think he blinked the entire first half of the show.  Seeing him in that setting and accepting his calm coolness confirmed just how much like his daddy he truly is.  While I was bouncing all over trying to evoke some sort of reaction or excitement from him…he just calmly sat there, smiling and completely enjoying himself. 

It was such a great time, spent with a little focused attention on our Big Boy.  I hope we can continue to do things separately with our babes.  He’s been a little Sesame Dancing fool since our little trip!   Following the show we ate a great lunch then did some back-to-school shopping with Grandma.  Needing a little grand-baby time, she took him home for the night and we promptly crashed on our respective couches.

Growing up, I always dreamed of what it would be like to have a sister.  Not that I didn’t totally appreciate my brother – ok, truth be told, there were many moments when I didn’t appreciate my brother (2 words – pizza thrower) – but it would be totally different with a sister.  We would have hours-long conversations, lose ourselves in shopping trips, and help one another through hard times.  Oh, and did I mention the laughing?  Of course, there would be laughing.

As it turns out, gaining a sister happens many ways…and I’m so thankful that I’ve been blessed to call this amazing gal family!  Luke is so very lucky to have you in his life, and I can’t wait to grow closer despite the miles that I fear will most often separate us physically. 

Today – on time – I wish you a gloriously happy birthday, Ann!  We love you and can’t wait to see you again!