Out of the mouths. . .

A few things the kids have been saying that I want to remember:

G: "You can't get rid of God, because God is the air.  You can't hurt the air, even if you try.  Hiiiiiiya! (karate chopping the air).  See? It's still there, and it's not hurt!"

Bug: Looking at the back of a book, which has small icons of many other books, pointing to one, "Make it full scream!"  This is from watching videos online, and hearing the girls say, "Full screen!"

G: "Daddy, whenever you ride on an airplane, you should wear a skirt.  That way, if you fall out, you can spread out your skirt, and it will make a nice, soft landing."

Bug: In response to me bumping him with my elbow, "Mama! Your el-bone!"

G: "Whenever I get scared, the words 'what if' start bouncing around in my brain.  You know, like, 'What if the moon falls out of the sky?'"

Bug: I muted the T.V. at the hotel, and he asked me to turn the sound on.  I said I didn't want to while we were changing channels, because there were lots of inappropriate things on.  He said, "Can you turn on the appropriate?"

G: (who is home sick today) complaining of all that ails her, "an earache, a headache, a tummy ache, a sore throat, and brain bouncing."  When asked what she meant by "brain bouncing," she replied, "Well, like I can't make good decisions and stuff."

Greenfield Village

Hmmm, how to sum up a great weekend. . . The village was amazing.  The company was great.  The baby holding was a hit!

Greenfield Village was such a pleasant place, albeit tourist-y. It didn't seem obnoxiously so, somehow.  Maybe because at the same time, it felt so wholesome for the kids to be learning about the settler's time, about inventors and days before electricity.  They watched weaving and pottery and glass blowing with very focused attention.

They seemed to enjoy each other very much, too.  It is wonderful for us to spend some time with this family who has always felt close, but has spent many years far away.  All my kids loved holding one of the cutest babies in the world.  Bug requested that we please take the baby home with us.

We look forward to many more outings with these cousins!

He swims!

Over Labor Day weekend this fall, Bug decided he wanted to swim. So, he did!  He went under, moved his arms, kicked his legs, and scooted himself through the water.  He seemed to instinctually hold his breath underwater.  No learning to blow bubbles or practicing getting his face wet.  He just told me to move back and let him try it, so I did.  And he swam!

Time to ourselves

Bug and I have begun to get into our own little rhythm now that school has started.  It usually involves get home from the flurry of school drop-off to a quiet breakfast and tea.  Then, we head out with Stella for a walk (or sometimes a run).  We usually have a destination, like the woods or a park.  Once we get home from that it's time to shower and start the day.  I have to say, it's very nice to have 2 starts to the day nearly every day.  The first is usually stressful and quite a blur.  The second is usually more of a gentle beginning. I've been behind on blogging, but here are a few pictures of our morning outings.

A New Year

The beginning of a school year feels like everything starts anew more then the New Year.  Here we are again. . . here is that feeling in my chest that flutters a bit, with uncertainty and pride. . . here are my children, running into the world, away from my reach. . . here are only a few small tears, but mostly deep breaths of confidence. . . this is a place we have all been to before, and it still feels new.

Today Moo starts 3rd grade.  She has the blessing of many friends in her class from last year, as well as two friends from her toddlerhood.  G-Bear has many friends from last year, too, in addition to some friends from Moo's class last year, and one friend from church.  There are lots of new potential friends in each of their classes.  The teachers are a bit of a wild card, since we know nothing about them. . . only hearsay, which has been good.  I will spend today waiting for the clock to move faster and to see them again and hear the reports.  They will probably think of me some, but I think the day will go more quickly for them.

Fairy tale jokes

We spent some time in the car making up jokes, and here are a few worth remembering:

By Moo:
Why is Cinderella no good at soccer?
Because she can't find her coach.

By G-Bear:
Why does Cinderella have trouble walking?
Because she lost her FOOTmen.

By me:
How does Cinderella sneeze?
Glass-SHOE

My Moo:
Why does Snow White live in the forest?
Because her mother FOREST her to.

Friendly Haven

To spend time up at this place is just heavenly.  To spend that time with a pile of people you love being with is even better.  Time is a strange concept that seems to disappear in the air when we are enjoying this place.  We love it here, and we love these folks!