Sunday, October 23, 2011

Daily Scene

Owen: When I grow up, I want a job that makes a LOT of money.

Emerson: So do I. Wait. Actually, I don't want to work at all.

That's my little diva...

Sunday, October 9, 2011

My boy, Greyson

Today, my Greyson turns four.
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I know they say that children go through their biggest changes in the first year of life, but THIS year was monumental for Greyson.
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This was the year he went from a screaming, frustrated, unable-to-express-himself toddler, to a happy, playful, TALKING boy.
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And let me tell you something: That boy is hilarious.
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And CRAZY.
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And non-stop bouncing off the walls from the moment his feet hit the floor in the morning until his head hits the pillow at night.
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But he's also gentle, and loving and very helpful.
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Greyson also has very strong opinions about certain things. Right now, his preferences include changing his socks several times each day, eating large quantities of white rice, riding his tractor until the battery is dead, and drinking as much milk every day as I will allow.
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Oh yeah, and he's got a THING for anything orange. You might think a boy turning four would like a Spiderman party or a Power Rangers party, but not THIS boy. We're having an ORANGE party. That's right-orange foods, orange drinks, orange decor and orange cake. I aim to please.
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He's also a great big brother. He always is ready to "help" his little sister and guide her in the right direction. We're still working out the kinks, though.
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I'm pretty sure that THIS child will be the one who turns my hair grey. It's only fitting that GREY is his name.
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When I see his smile, it KILLS me. And when I hear him laugh, it is infectious.
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I don't know what the future holds for Greyson, but I know it's going to be great. And I'm not in a hurry to find out, either. I'm enjoying this time with him.
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Happy Birthday, baby boy.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

A Fond Farewell

Summer is winding down around here. Bathing suits and blooming flowers are being replaced with sweatshirts and shades of Fall on the trees. I love this time of year, for the smells and the sights and even the farewell we say to the warm summer season.

We've been taking time to make sure we send Summer out in style. The kids take turns, almost daily, choosing which park they'd like to visit. There's never any fighting because all of the parks around here are pretty great. So, we grab a snack after school, head to the park and play until we're starving for dinner. There aren't many complaints when it's bedtime around here!

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We've also been spending time with some of our friends, both new and old, as much as possible. Jazz on the Lawn is such a great event. The kids can run and play and dance, and the adults can catch up over wine and snacks. You can read more about it here.

Last Saturday night we had another great night there with our friends. I didn't get to socialize as much as I would have liked, because Miss Alayna decided she didn't want to do anything but DANCE. That's right-my shy little two-year-old. She wanted to dance, right in front of the stage, AND the speakers, ALL night. She had those musicians wrapped around her little finger. They took every opportunity to sing right to her and even let her sit on the stage while they played. Emerson and Owen had fun chasing each other and their friends around all night, stopping here and there for a snack or a quick dance. And Greyson? Well, he ate about four cupcakes, but he was happy (and not screaming) which made all of that sugar totally worth it.

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And while signs of Fall are everywhere around us, the weather is still showing us some serious LOVE. On Sunday, we packed a picnic lunch, got in the car, and headed West. What we found was pure fabulousness.

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That's right, baby. Just one short hour from here is an awesome lake with an awesome beach. Somehow we managed to have almost the whole spot to ourselves. We swam, we explored, we lounged, we ate, we soaked up the sun. There was no time limit-no place we had to be. We just enjoyed the day, all of us.

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This place is a keeper and we can't wait to make a return trip. The kids are making plans already.

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October is knocking at our door. It's going to be full of greatness. On the agenda: pumpkins, orchards, my little boy's birthday, Halloween parties, and a trip to Michigan. We're headed North in a couple weeks, but we've been missing the Michigan Fall that we love. Guess what? A little surprise package came from my Mama.

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A bag FULL of the best smelling and tasting donuts EVER, straight from the orchard. The kids couldn't get enough. (Neither could I.)

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We're ready for cooler weather, but we'll take this warmth as long as it sticks around. Soon enough it'll be hats and mittens and cold noses. Right now, we've got some sunshine to soak up.

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