the airplane

We arrived at the airport to check our bags in and these kids were totally excited!

A little snuggle with Mommy while we waited for boarding

Can't believe there are tables to work on and still SO SO excited

Ready Mom!

The parts of the airplane ride that are least pleasant for me are always the take-off and landing. For Adam's and Lucy's first flight, I wanted them to be as comfortable as possible with the least amount of worry; especially for the little girl aka Worry Wart. We talked about the procedure at the airport for security and check in, the amount of people at an airport, how they should behave on the airplane, what they should expect to see, what to do if you have to go to the bathroom, etc. I guess we did a good job, and they are just really great kids, because they acted like pros. Both kids were so filled with anticipation about the flight to San Antonio that they enjoyed every minute of it. Lucy felt "like I'm flying like a bird! I'm higher than the clouds!" Adam couldn't believe all the lights he could see and how fast we  must be going.
Now they say they are totally ready for Disney. Let the planning begin!

anticipation

Tomorrow is a big day. We are taking our first trip with the kids on an airplane! As San Antonio is our destination of choice for Columbus Day weekend, we all have excitement growing for visiting a new city. Lucy is excited for the plane, for Sea World and for swimming in the hotel pool. Adam is excited for the plane, for "the desert" (Texas automatically becomes the desert for some reason), and for the adventure itself. Mark and I are both eager to see their reactions to flying on the airplane. We are looking forward to seeing our dear friends Bob and Julie. We are looking forward to exploring the Riverwalk, Alamo and all the area has to offer. Mostly it is anticipation of getting away with our family. More to come...can't wait!

perspective

Last weekend was a fabulous family wedding. (see next blog post) Throughout the day and evening, my eyes were open to all that was going on around me. Like many women, I took in the dresses, the styles, the wedding decorations, the cake etc. Like many women attending weddings, I thought back to my own wedding with a smile on my face. My own observations had me laughing at the kids, catching my family in strange animated conversations. My eyes were open to all that was going on around me. But I guess my eyes weren't the only ones making observations...Apples and Trees so they say. Here is a piece of paper I found on our table at the reception. It is Adam's handwriting. He was too embarrassed to dance on the dance floor, being 7 he is now into a bit of "what does everyone think of me" phase.

His observations include: Lucy dancing on stage, old people dancing, old people on stage, person picking me up on stage.

This short little list of the wedding through his eyes just got added to my List of Things I Love About Adam. I need to remember to ask him who the "old people" were.

top ten things I love about my husband this week

1. He cleaned the kitchen and did all the dishes.
2. He took the kids on errands with him while I went for a mani/pedi with my mother.
3. He didn't make fun of me while I was singing and dancing to Glee in the kitchen tonight.
4. He's finishing making the dinner while I'm blogging and Facebooking. :)
5. I'm pretty sure he's been praying for me to have a good school year...and of course God is listening to him.
6. He's got beautiful eyes and I love the way they smile at me.
7. He hasn't complained once about the time I've needed to spend at school these past several weeks.
8. He told my daughter that she was smart and strong...not just pretty or cute.
9. He answered the door for the Schwan's man so I wouldn't have to. We have 4 boxes of ice cream treats on sticks, but I didn't have to repeat myself 6 times that I don't need the special that's offered this week.
10. He's made time for each of us AND himself. Thanks honey...love you.

back to school

It's that time of the year. We've gone back to school.
Adam started 2nd grade this year. It's very difficult for me to see him as this "big kid" when truly what seems like just a few months ago we were learning letters, teaching him to write his name, and trying really hard to make sure he had matching clothes on. While we still work on matching the clothes, now he can read at about a 3rd grade level, has quite an imagination when he writes amazing stories, and really IS a big kid. Lucy also went back to her routine. But even that isn't quite the same. This year she started her pre-K program. She will go to kindergarten next year (shhh--I'm not ready for that blog yet) and she is loving it. The best part for her is that she has a new teacher, Miss Sara, and she gets to skip a nap after lunch most days. I also went back to school. You know that I teach 4th grade and moved to a new classroom this year. I am really enjoying my new batch of students, but I'm yearning to get home to my own kids. I miss their faces, their laughter, their stories and their words. (Most of them.)  I also really enjoy the summer because I get some extra time with Mark. We are able to have lunches together, Gmail chats, ice cream treats, and just more hours of the day together. Now that school has started, I'm feeling that nostalgia for the hours of daylight we all spent together. Of course it will feel better soon, but right now I'm feeling the back to school blues from schedules, paperwork, rushing and mostly.....time away from my family that I enjoyed so so much this summer.

sweet singing

My daughter is 110% girly. She dreams in pink I do believe. As well as dresses in pinks, purples, poofy twirling dresses. She also is in love with love. She watches the princess movies, and any other movies for that matter, with a soft, tender heart. She cries at the music. She wants to be "dipped" when she is hugged and kissed. She wants the "happily ever after" each and every time. And I love that about her. What I am loving right now is her sweet singing. She makes up these little songs about her toys, her hair, her mama, and currently: her cat Mable. She is singing in the kitchen to Mable the cat. She is singing to her about the sweet whiskers on her face and her soft fur. She is singing to her about how much she loves her. And...Mable is listening attentively. Of course, her attention drifts and now she is singing about Pop Tarts. But it's all sung with love and the occasional dance step.

summer fare

One thing to love about summer is the fresh fruits and veggies that can be found at local farm stands and farmers' markets. I'm finding that this summer my kids are more likely to try a new food if they can pick it or grow it themselves. We've gotten Lucy to eat lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash and fresh string beans! This is quite an accomplishment for such a picky eater!!  Adam chose to grow Brussels sprouts in our garden and has kept a close eye on their growth. So far this year, we've been able to pick 2 cucumbers from our own garden, that we quickly eaten up (mostly by Adam) but even Picky Picky ate a slice dipped in ranch dressing. One place we like to go is Wiltse's Farm in Maple Park. The kids are in love with the sweet black cat and the occasional family dog and I love the beautiful flowers I have gotten for our gardens. This year I've picked up a really pretty orange/yellow coneflower and a healthy butterfly weed. Gorgeous!  But we ALL love the produce. Today was the day we had to run up to pick up SWEET CORN.  Reading their Facebook post yesterday:  "sweetest sweet corn this year, just had an ear raw for breakfast"!!!!  Well, if that isn't tempting! So tonight we're having BLTs with pepper bacon, and Wiltse's white and bi-color sweet corn.  Yum!