Right Now

Right now, we're a bit in recovery mode from a weekend that had such promise, but totally flopped into boxes of tissues, doses of ibuprofen, and late night rendez-vous over the porcelain throne.

Our weekend started out with excited pre-dawn whispers, crayon drawings of apples in red, yellow, and green, oatmeal, and a short drive south to Henrietta Apple Orchard. Somewhere on the road, however, things took a turn, and by the time we were pulling into the orchard's parking area Audrey had started feeling chills and aches. She was visibly shivering as we picked our first few apples, and after only six green orbs found their way into our bag, we had to call it quits and head back home. She was huddled in a ball and completely miserable the whole time we were there (all 10 minutes).

I did grab a bag of seconds as we paid for what we picked, so even though our grand total of pick-your-owns came to 6, we got a nine-pound bag of windfall seconds, too. Not a totally wasted trip, but a total bummer. My poor girl was so excited about visiting the orchard, and she didn't feel up for picking even one.

As soon as we got back on the highway, she did this:

...and pretty much stayed in that position all weekend long.

We cancelled visits, changed menu plans, and watched lots of TV.

Our strategy worked, though, because her fever broke some time on Saturday night and by the end of the day on Sunday she had a little pep back in her step (though we'll need to work on getting her eating back to normal this week).

It all sucked, of course, because who likes seeing a kid sick, uncomfortable, and lethargic? But I did get around to processing those apples, and the house smelled amazing all weekend, which kinda lifted spirits a bit... even if nothing else worked out like we'd hoped.

And maybe a little apple butter on some toast with good butter and a little juice will be what finally pushes this girl over the hump into Wellville, no?

Crossing fingers.

Wishing all a happy Monday!

This Moment

Playing along with Amanda today... in her words: 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Swapping Rooms (Change Isn't Bad)

In continuing the metaphor from last week when I compared the state of my house to our adaptation to these new-to-us School Days, things are calming down now.

Audrey is getting used to her mornings; she gets up when her alarm sounds, gets dressed, comes down to have breakfast, goes back up to wash her face, brush her teeth, and use the potty (she even rinses the toothpaste out of the sink now!), and gets her stuff together by the time we need to get out the door.

Likewise, the switch-er-oo I did on the office/playroom/craft room/movie room is basically settled now, too. The playroom is now simply a playroom through and through. No adult space trying to mesh with Legos and play kitchen stuff and dress-up clothes. The infrequently used theater/movie room now doubles as the computer/gaming room, finally putting to use all the technology and consolidating it into one space that can be closed off from meddling kids.

And best of all, the downstairs 'office' that was basically a catch-all for unfiled papers, unused equipment, and Daddy's computer has been polished into a much more functional project room.

Audrey's early school days are starting to feel normalized, and our house is settling back down, kinda like we knew it would... eventually.

So the moral of the story is this: change isn't bad. Change makes messes, change throws things up in the air- for a bit- and change sometimes makes things harder... but in the end going with the flow and not fighting change can make things better... for everyone.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go linger in my project room, where I plan on spending this last half hour (before walking down to the school to get Audrey) with my freshly organized supplies.

Windows open.

Aaaahhhh.

Fall At Last!

We picked out our pumpkins, we made our apple pie, we hunted for autumnal treasures, and we ate dinner out in the balance between day and night.

Welcome, Autumn, you're finally here!

Happy Fall Equinox!

Right Now

Right now, I'm loving a weekend that saw...

...clear skies and high humidity, thanks to the rainy conclusion of the week.
...cinnamon rolls on Saturday morning, brunch out on the town, and projects all afternoon.
...twelve eggs in one day from the girls, including our first one from Mr. Mama following her lethargy (we found out she had 'sour crop,' according to a backyard chicken expert referred to us by our county extension office- but she appears to be fully recovered now!).
...a slow start on Sunday, lots of scrambled eggs for breakfast, and laundry all day long (6 loads to be precise).
...homework and handwork pre-dinner, baked potatoes, and the expansion of our driveway art to include parking spaces and a few intersections just before bath time.
...a glowing sunset sky dancing with gigantic dragonflies, early coyote howls, and an actual glimpse of the hoot-owl as it swooped from one corner of our woods to another.

Right now I'm gearing up for a morning of running errands and a week of balancing obligations and logistics as we say good-bye to summer and hello to (official) fall! We're standing at the threshold of my favorite season, y'all, and I don't know about you but we are ready to cross over!

Happy last-day-of-summer, and happy Monday!

Thank You Sidewalk Chalk.

This was my view Friday afternoon, for what seemed like quite a while.

I listened to my kids talk to each other about colors and shapes. I watched their faces pass over me, close to mine. I watched their expressions of focused concentration, and I marveled at their patience.

Then I got up, and for the rest of the afternoon this was my view:

It's so interesting to me to see this collaborative work and their obviously contrasting developmental levels. Audrey was able to trace my outline with amazing accuracy and attention to detail, and ahead of her was Henry making wide loops around limbs and head with no discerning features (except my purple fingernails, which he added meticulously to each finger that Sister drew).

Also amazing to me was the peace and synergy of this project. Side-by-side for almost 30 minutes without a single unkind word or raised voice. Amazing.

The result? A chalk chain 'family' across the driveway to greet Daddy when he came home...

...crowned with this rockin' astronaut afro mama, and presented by a totally decompressed pair of sibs at the conclusion of yet another school week, already in the books.

Thank you sidewalk chalk.

This Moment

Playing along with Amanda today... in her words: 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

More From Audrey's Camera

I finally found where the VTech camera software has been saving the photos from Audrey's camera! I couldn't figure out where they've been going recently... until I realized she has the date on her camera set to 2067. I should have known to look for her stuff 53 years ahead. Duh.

So anyway, here is a new glimpse into her world, slightly pre-starting the school year. (most of this recent batch was videos)

Enjoy!

In Transition

When the 'usual' for the whole family is kinda up in the air because of the changes that come with the first kiddo starting- and adapting to- kindergarten, who on earth would also start organizing, purging, moving furniture, and swapping rooms?

Well, me.

Yeah.

I guess my house could kinda be a metaphor for this period of adjustment we're going through right now- it has grown to be a dysfunctional mess because spaces around us have not changed as they've needed to, and now they're turned over and tossed upside down and a little chaotic but in progress, and in the end will be just right. Functional. Efficient. Better.

Just like most change, though, it comes with a little sweat, tears, and heavy lifting. But we'll get there, and boy howdy will it be nice when it's done!

Right Now

Right now, I'm loving a weekend that saw...

...grandparents coming together with tasty treats for Audrey's first Grandparents' Day Lunch at school.
...reuniting with an old, dear friend on Friday night at an art opening,  and my buttons popping with pride at my mom's debut.
...time on the back porch wrapped in blankets, watching the rain.
...a visit to the farmer's market, bags of peppers and sunflower sprouts for our fridge, and our first bahn mi from a food truck!
...an entire day of working outside: bushes trimmed, chicken coop cleaned, woods hacked and wacked, spaces cleared and soaker hose installed around the foundation of our house.
...a firey sunset, the hoot owl making an appearance outside our bedroom windows, and the coyote pack, at least 8-10 strong, laughing and singing in the dusk.

This weekend was wonderful, mostly because of the fall-like weather that seemed to breathe some life back in to us all. Although the air conditioners are back on today, that breath still lingers with us.

Fall is coming!

Happy Monday!

Weekending

Henry: "I'm gonna be an artist when I grow up."
Audrey: "I'm gonna be an art teacher when I grow up."

Swoon.

Hope your weekend is just as beautiful.

Happy weekending.