a day at the park

Last Wednesday was a perfect day. We scouted out a new Farmer's Market/Stand in a little town next to ours. Kate had a fun time sampling all of the goods, especially the natural bath & body products. I had an equally fun time trying some delicious jam. After I picked up a few tomatoes, cucumber, and strawberry-fig jam, we explored. You know the type of exploration that has you turning down small streets that feel as though they should be one ways, and pausing at 4- way stops a little too long as you try to decide whether to go left, right, or straight. Around a corner and through a stop sign, we came upon the sweetest little city park. The play area is surrounded by trees and benches, and they even have some old fashioned playground equipment like a merry go round! I wish I could have caught it on film, but the early yellow leaves were cascading down like golden snow on a perfect fall day. We've already been back for a picnic lunch, sliding down the tandem slide with two girls, and Rachel's first time in a swing.

Evidence of a truly happy day.

Although not in focus, you get a great view of Rachel's beautiful smile. :-)

a few good 'uns

Conversation between Mommy & Daddy about Mom's new aerobics class.
M: "Roanna really busted our tails today."
D: " Hmm, Roanna. . is she black?"
M: "No."
Kate barges into the conversation, wanting to participate : "Is she red?"

I love little kids! Why couldn't a person be red? I mean we sing, "red, yellow, black & white, they are precious in his sight," right?

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Another great one from this evening. We went to prayer meeting tonight at Bob & Lisa's house in Winder. They have a meal all together and then sing, read, and pray. Well, in the midst of prayer time, Kate & I made a trip to the restroom. I turned on the fan while I took my turn.
Kate: "Mom, why do you have THAT on?"
Mom: So people out there just hear the fan, not me peeing."

Then, it was her turn. The funniest thing about her new potty habits is that she needs privacy. So, as I cracked the door open & waited just outside the door, I chose to turn the fan off, thinking she might not like it. She loudly tells me, "Mom, turn on the fan, so they can't hear me peeping!!!!!!!" A few people in the quiet prayer meeting were privileged to hear that little comment.

something new

For as many years as I can remember, the first day of school was always full of anxiety for me. I'd be up half of the night before, organizing my backpack three different ways, making sure my pencils were lined up in my pencil holder, wondering what my new school year would hold. The morning of would tpyically consist of running around like a chicken whose head has been chopped off trying on myriads of outfits, and eating my hastily conceived breakfast with a slightly queasy stomach. Even when I quit the school scene as a student, for at least my first five years of teaching, I had similar experiences. My syllabii, classroom rules, first day speeches all lined up, I'd still feel apprehensive for the first hour of the day, then I'd start running on adrenaline. So, this year, with no school to start, I guess what I am missing most is the adrenaline, not the anxiety. The excitement, the newness, the starting over. To capture a teensy part of that feeling, I've started something new this fall. This time I haven't had queasy stomachs or lost sleep, just sore muscles. But, the excitement of starting something new is still there. The stirring up of a desire to achieve something different and new is all there. I love getting up for aerobics, I even like meeting some new people (a real strain on me typically). And, I can't wait to see what it's going to do for me. So, even if you've dumped school long ago (or even a short time ago), go find something new and start it.

a link

For those of you who are out of my family loop, my sister & her husband recently moved to Thailand to work as youth pastors at a church that ministers to English speakers (both ex-pats & nationals) in a suburb of Bangkok. (Did that get it right, Patrick?)

This post from their new blog made me cry, so I thought I'd share. I've also added this blog to my bloglist, so you can always see when they've updated!

http://keepingupwiththejonesesinthailand.blogspot.com/2009/08/so-what-crap.html

Please don't miss the two new posts below. I don't know what's come over me? Stay-at-home-itis?

taking the leap

Armed with a potty seat (ring that sits ON the potty), elmo panties, training pants, pull-ups and a whole new set of rules, we are attacking potty training with a vengeance. Quite a few times, Kate has asked where the potty train is. :-) Ha!
In the morning, we put her training pants on. If she goes in the potty successfully, she gets to wear her underwear. She has to wear pull-ups at nap, night, and when we're on the go. I've embraced the pee on the floor, couch, bed, rugs. (Just crossing my fingers that she choses just the floor for her accidents). Monday we had 1 time on the floor, 1 time in the potty, and 1 time in a pull-up. Tuesday, I had my goal for twice in the potty and we made it! Extra bonus: no accidents!

Prize: Ben & Jerry's sorbet

Mom got a prize, too!

looking into the future And, as a bonus: one finger or two??????

for the first time

matching outfits

Rachel -- 3 months, Kate -- 2 years 7 months

she found her fingers after this, I just like how Kate is looking down trying to calm her sis.