Family Tree

I love watching my kids with their grandparents. The love they have for each other, the spoiling that goes on, I just eat it up. Today when I watched Elise and Poppy carving pumpkins, I realized it was much, much more. They actually sort of act alike...

the same smirk

the same concentration

the same---I don't know...surliness.

 

This tree lives between our Surrogate Grandma and us. It is like part of our family and shows off then essence of a family tree. Its roots knocked out our sewer lines the week of my first child's birth, its limbs fall on our cars, and yet my love and respect never waiver. Oh, sure. I get angry sometimes and cuss it, but I can't stay mad for long. It's been alive much longer than I have, its grandiose stature gives me perspective on my life, its beauty welcomes me every morning on my way to the car, plus it provides such nice scenery for while I'm sitting on the toilet...anyway...like the ways of this tree, the traits that pop out in my kids never cease to amaze me. How do you pass an unwieldy attitude down to your grandchild? It is beyond me.

 

Well, she definitely got her Bebe's love for dogs.

This one's toothy grin is definitely from her Gigi. That one's a little easier to understand, but it still gets me tickled.

And, *somehow* she got her Papa Bruce's hambone. She talks to everyone she meets and can usually get out at least a smile from each and every one of them.

 

These two were definitely proud of their craftsmanship, and Poppy even worked through a meltdown (Poppy accidently carved the face Evie "wanted" on Elise's pumpkin and the face Elise wanted on Evie's pumpkin). Overall, though, it was a pretty great day!

Handsome Little Guy

Today at the grocery, someone called Evie a handsome little guy.

 

I know! It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't happen every. single. time. Seriously. I have never taken the girl to the grocery store when *someone* didn't call her a handsome little guy. Last week someone even argued with me about it. Really? The latest development is people accusing her of being a tomboy. She is curious...

 

 ...loves exploring...

 ...has a strong will...

...loves animals...

Sounds a lot like another girl I know...

...but no one ever called her a boy---or even a tomboy!

 

I think the only difference is that Elise has hair...

 ...and Evie doesn't!

That's alright. I think her spunk will carry her through the next year or two, at least until she has enough hair for pigtails!

A Daring Adventure

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature.... Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Wow. Helen Keller's quotes always amaze me: to the naked eye she was missing so much, yet her spirit was so bright. She also said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

My parents have been faced with their own trials recently. They celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary last year by taking their six grandkids, four kids, and three kids-in-law to Hilton Head. Shortly after, The Stupid Cancer popped into their lives. It is a horrible disease with horrible treatments, but...I am so moved by the peace within them. Things that mattered, seem trivial now. The people, the moments, the laughs---now, that's what matters. 

 Sunrise,

 and sunset;

 

 the lollipops;

 

 thoroughly enjoying the lollipops;

taking their first grandchild on a horseback ride,

 

and recording it;

 three-fold;

 

 doing the same for #5;

cherishing what they do have;

 

including a weekend at Pipestem State Park in WV with amazing fall folliage! Thank you Gigi and Papa Bruce for being such an inspiration. We love you!!

Oh, Baby, Baby!

I feel like Britney lately, "Oh, baby, baby! My loneliness is killing me. I must confess I still believe--still believe! Give me a si-i-ign! Hit me baby one more time! Oh, baby, baby!" Well, except for the seatbelt thing and I still use carseats and I can't sing and stuff like that. I really have been singing that song a lot, though---due to the high volume of babies in my life.

My mom wants to see pictures from our time at Pipestem State Park in WV over fall break, but I told her I had to get these baby pics up first! Erin is going to post pics of my neighbor, Baby Jack, any day now. So, I have to get a few up, or it would be very anti-climatic.

Isn't he a dollbaby?!? And, Mama Kate is just glowing. If only I had that girl's genes...ahhh...

I also went back to see Baby Lucia this week. Hence, the song. And, the raging I-think-I'm-actually-the-new-mommy hormones. Poor Michael...

Could she possibly be any cuter? Yeesh!

The poor mommies are probably growing tired of The Mother Nurse checking the latch, checking their mental state, and mainly just bringing my kids over!

...wow...

 

Well, 5 is a little easier than almost-2. At least when it comes to visiting babies, that is!

I am absolutely *loving* these babies. So, if the mommies get sick of me, I hope they don't tell me! :)

Not The Dog Cooper

Okay, it is true that I told a group of moms last week that I was going to move out to a farm so that my kids can run wild. They are so happy around animals, plus, I am so tired of trying to get Elise to talk to people...if we go I would have to take Cooper---aka The Kid, Not The Dog Cooper---with us. Elise is a different child when he is around. She's the child I know and love, who is sweet, fun-loving, has a good attitude...

 

Overall, her attitude has improved drastically since the first month of kindergarten, but I'm still holding out for something better. Something more like when she's around animals---and Not The Dog Cooper---and even better yet animals *and* Not The Dog Cooper!

 

...and then the other one, I have to chase non-stop. Elise informed me, 'You should *not* let her do that.' 'But, I just wanted to get a picture first.' 'Mommy, those donkeys are not trained. They will bite her.'

 

 

 

They are so cute together. And, they are even nice to their little sisters.

Usually...

But, the sisters are pretty resilient!

Plus, Not The Dog Cooper's mommy likes to play with her camera too.

...and his daddy...does daddy stuff...

...like haul pumpkins.

Needless to say, we had a great time at the pumpkin patch with Cooper's family! :)