Fall Yearning

I walked out to the mailbox the other day. The sun was shining brightly. The air was crisp and cool. But the angle of the sun had changed from summer to fall and I got that fall feeling in my bones.

There is something about the change from summer to fall that brings a strong, unshakeable yearning feeling inside. Yearning for what, I'm not sure.

It's probably that it brings back strong memories in me. Memories of a time when "back to school" meant leaving loved ones and/or watching loved ones leave.  The absence of those people produced a longing in me that it seems has never been shaken.  Those were pivotal times for me. They were a blend of loneliness and sadness mixed with excitement for a new part of life. They must be ingrained in my being so that every time the season rolls around, I feel the sadness and longing return. Just like a certain smell or a favorite song can bring back vivid memories or feelings.

Fall is a beautiful season. I love the color changes. I love the crispness in the air. But I don't know if I'll ever be able to shake the nostalgia the season brings for me.  I suppose it is a sort of "life marker" that will always remind me of times past and lessons learned.

Karina is three

Ask Karina how old she is and you never know what answer you'll get. Some days she's seven, other days she's four, and sometimes she's fifteen.

But, today, she is three.

She has been anticipating her birthday for quite some time now. She talked endlessly about what kind of cake she'd have; every time went go to the store she chose a new gift to put on her "birthday list"; and she properly put Kyle in his place whenever he suggested his birthday was also coming soon--forcefully reminding him that her birthday is next.

Karina chose a princess castle cake. I had fun making it and it turned out pretty cute. When I added the coloring to the frosting to make it pink, Karina exclaimed, "Look! It's girl frosting!"

See, the look on her face? That is the look of pure joy at being the center of attention as we were singing to her. This is what Karina lives for.

We kept her presents on a high shelf until it was time to open them because she kept trying to peek. When it was finally time to open the gifts she opened them in record time, tossing each gift to the side and saying, "Okay, what's next?"

This is my baby. This is my three-year-old. This is my princess.

Bike riding

Kyle is finally mastering riding a bike. Yay!

One afternoon Dallin spent considerable time helping him ride back and forth in the yard. It was hard, though, since we don't have a very long straight stretch for him to practice. So, this weekend we headed to the school where he could practice in the fields and dirt. He did great!

Right now he's got pretty good balance and left-handed turns. He's pretty good at falling too, since he's done more of that than anything else.

Ask him to turn right, start going on his own, or STOP and that's another matter! Way to go, Kyle!

Suvival of the fittest

Two participants.

Two separate challenges.

One must spend six days hiking 50 miles in the Wallowa Mountains, summiting peaks and mountain passes, relying solely upon the food and supplies he must carry on his back.

The other must endure the challenges of putting five hooligans to bed every night for six nights with no parental backup after long summer days of swimming, playing, and bike riding, mixed with crying, fit-throwing, arguing, and rolling eyes!!!

Who do you think will win? You decide.....

Quotes

I ran across a scrap of paper the other day where I had scribbled a few cute quotes from the boys. I thought you might enjoy them.

Grant: What's the front of your elbow called?

Dallin: I don't know.

Grant: I thought that was your armpit.

Kyle: It's the "crinkly" part of your elbow.

*****

Grant (when he realized he was the last one to take a bath for the night): Hey, you guys used all the hot water! That's my favorite kind of water!!

*****

And this is my personal favorite:

Grant: Mom, why do you never cut your nails? Why are they so long? Is it so you can spank people better?

Darn. He figured out my secret spanking weapon.