Afternoons in the sun.

We've had such beautiful weather this Fall. (It's almost halfway through November, and for the last week we've had sixty degree weather. It's going to be so difficult to accept the cold when it finally comes!)

The past week I've been reminding the girls how important it is to get outside and play. Playing indoors is no problem - both of them have imaginations that are larger than life - but with this nice weather I've almost felt like we need to save the imaginative indoor play for when it's our only option. So I've kicked these girls outside every day this week. 

And we've been having so. much. fun! We've all loved our outdoor time. I've loved talking with these girls. And listening to them play. (I've also been wondering where in heaven's name my babies have gone?) I look at their sweet little faces, and want to burst at how fast they're growing. (Parenting is such a mix of every emotion. I love the people they're becoming - but I can't help but wish to have them tiny and in my arms again!) I love these girls!

Family Home Eveneeng.

Last evening we went to the amphitheater down the road a little ways, and ran wherever our feet would carry us. It was delightful. Eventually.

But before it was delightful, it just wasn't. Someone pinched someone else. And then that someone else bit someone on the shoulder, which started a volcanic argument that lasted for the entire four minute drive. And then within minutes of arriving, someone else bumped their shin, which left a mark. 

Our uplifting thought for the evening was "Don't hate other people" which I tried to change into something like "Love everyone!" but all that positivity landed on the flat rocky ground... and stayed there. So I tried to remind them that Reesie was watching their every move...

Because she was. And she was enthralled. She politely gave me one glance, and then looked arrrrround the camera to see what the other kids were up to. (Please don't grow so fast, Reesiepeesie.) 

It was grumps, interspersed with teasing, mixed with sassy remarks. None of it was my favorite. (And to be honest, I'd kind of given up.) But on our walk to the car, I forced a game of tree tag. (My dad used to use that trick.) And it worked like a charm. 

(After someone got upset because they felt they were unjustly tagged. And after Mems took a spill, pell-mell down a hill.)

But our ride home was chirpy instead of whiny. And happy. (So I'm putting it down as a win.)

Happy Birthday Reese!

One year ago. One little year ago, this love joined us. How has it already been a year!? Yesterday I re-watched all the videos we took in the minutes right after she was born, and then I went upstairs, snuck into her room, and watched her as she slept. I love her. She has the same feel to her today as she did when I first met her: Calm. Observant. Sweet. A little stubborn. A lot happy. I love this baby more than words. Happy Birthday Reesie! 

If you give a Mems a cape...

We were at Steve's parents' house, and it was a perfect evening for running around. Mems asked for a cape. But then Mae and Robyn wanted one too. So Mae and Robyn got capes, but then Erik wanted one too. But in searching for Erik's cape, we found all sorts of costumes! A witch dress, cute polka dots, and a chicken. (I think the chicken one was Steve's sister's at one time... which cracks me up! I love it!) Mems ran around the backyard like a tiny little thing, yelling "BOK! ...BOK! ...BOK!" We were dying laughing. 

And the girls didn't stop with these: there were robes, dresses, aprons, suspenders, silly socks... I love these fun kids and our fun grandma.

This evening was perfect.