W's School Halloween Parade and Class Party

One picture really sums up the entire experience up...

But what the hay, here's another one for your viewing pleasure...

Seriously, from the moment he saw me sitting in the stands during the parade, the tears and crying started. Thankfully, he wasn't the only toddler crying for his parents, but he, by far, was the worst in his class. Ugh.

In some ways, I just have to laugh because of the sheer ridiculous-ness of it all.

W: I wanna home.

Me: W, baby, we're having a party. We've got cookies, cupcakes, chips. We're going to have SO much fun.

W: Hoooooommmeee.

Me: Baby, sit in your chair. See all of your friends are eating. You love chips and cookies.

W: Carry you. (Translation: "Hold me" from "Want mama to carry you?")

Me: What if I sit by you?

W: Nooooo, CARRY YOU.

Me: *sigh* Let's talk, W. (Carrying him over to a quiet corner.) Mama can't come to your parties if you are going to act this way. There's nothing to be upset about. I'm here. Look at your friends. They aren't crying. There's nothing to cry about. Come on, let's have fun.

Finally, a little stoppage on the tears, but holy moly, I was ready to shoot myself. I'm not sure if it's the chaos or this fact I'm there for a prolonged amount of time, but AYI DE MI. It totally manifests itself as him becoming cling wrap, though. I know it's a phase and I know it's temporary, but you just want your child to have as much fun as the rest.

a poem for my mama

I came across this poem the other day and it really reminded me of my mother. I miss her so much. They say the first year is so tough and I imagine that it will be as the first holidays come up. But, I can very clearly hear my mother say "That's enough, P___. " Anyway, the poem is called I'm Free; unfortunately, I don't know who wrote it.

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.

I'm following the path that God has laid, you see.

I took His hand when I heard Him call.

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found that peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I've savored much.

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and peace to thee.

God wanted me now; He set me free!

P.A.P.

June 2, 1942 - July 12, 2009

rain, rain, rain

We've had several days of rain over the past month in and half. I think at one point we had 11 days straight in a 2 week time period, then a 3 day break with another 5 day stretch of rain. We are waterlogged to say the least. Our bonus room flooded and we had to pull the carpet out. We have to cut out and replace some of the sheet rock that connect the crawl space to the bonus room because of mold and mildew. Yuck. Not quite what we were wanting. However, S and I are going to take this opportunity to turn that room downstairs into a new space. We're planning on staining the concrete versus throwing down new carpet. We're going to take out the drop ceiling and may do some combination of exposed and sheet rock ceiling. S is going to get his opportunity to build in some shelves (if he still wants to do that). I'm thinking about painting it some funky fresh color. Although it's the PITS right now, I can't wait to see the finished product. YAY!

Our backyard is a bog as well. We're going to have to do something about the drainage problem in the spring. Until then, W is having a grand time playing in the "wadder". I've included photos of his most recent play date with the mud pit.

october

October is my favorite month, not because my birthday happens to fall this month, but because of the crisp colors and coolness of Fall. Unfortunately, this month we haven't exactly experienced that coolness yet, BUT it is coming.

We've had a busy month. The first Saturday of the month we went over to Georgia to visit S's sister and her family. Our nephew, A, turned 3 and had a Cars party at Mickey D's. Before Old McDonald just had a farm, now according to W, he also has "chikken nuggets." Aye di mi. The following Sunday, I went to Walker county for my cousin K's baby shower. We used to be very close but had grown somewhat apart over the years just because we had very different lives. Now, we both have families, etc so we have more in common. Since my mother's and grandmother's passing, I've been feeling a little lost at times and am finding it is very important to me to maintain these familial relationships so that I don't lose that connection to my mother and grandmother.

We also took a trip down to the coast with my father this past weekend. There are pictures down below. I hadn't taken a trip with my mother or father in 4 years because my mother just wasn't physically up for it. It was bittersweet for me. I have a lot of fond memories of beach trips with my parents. In some ways, it was nice to see places I had been with her, but there was a little sadness there too. We drove down Thursday night. Then on Friday, we drove over to Fairhope to take Daddy to dialysis. While he was at the center, S, the boys and I went over to Bellinggrath Gardens. S wasn't sure about going there at first, but he eventually understood why I wanted to go there. It was the perfect place to let W out and run about. We had a nice lunch there with the Senior citizens and then headed back over Fairhope to pick up Daddy. On Saturday, we headed down to the pool and the beach. W and little G had fun in the pool, but W wasn't too sure about the ocean. W did have some fun in the sand though. On Sunday, we went back down to the beach for a little while before we had to head back north. I think that we had a pretty good trip overall.

This weekend is supposed to be one of those fantastic Autumn weekends that everyone visualizes. I've bought some beautiful cosmos and mums to set out on our front porch to welcome the season and we're planning a day at the Pumpkin patch next weekend for W. S has mentioned roasting pumpkins seeds on more than one occasion so I'm sure that I'll be doing that for him next Sunday.

View of Bellinggrath home from dock.

Another set of stairs with artisan well.

Sweet baby G

Big boy W.

Climbing the stairs

Handsome daddy.

Daddy and his boys.

Out on the dock.

Trying on our new hats.

In the pool with daddy.

Showing mama the sand.

Bucket head.

the apple doesn't fall far from the tree

G is starting to get the hang of solids. It's probably a 75/25 shot when you feed him where 75% gets in the mouth and down the hatch and the other 25% gets on him and anyone else in the line of shot. So far, he really digs carrots, peach banana oatmeal and butternut squash & corn. The pics below are after butternut squash & corn. I think he liked it as he emptied the bowl without any problem. LOL!

"Where'd it go?"

"More please."