Goodnight Mom

I read this story the other day and had myself a little chuckle...Isn't it so true. Josh will be away on business for a couple days this week in addition to other evening activities that will keep him away from family time. Me and the kids most of the week...Lord help me to remain sane and love my time with the kids. We only get one chance to do it all right and to His Glory :)

Goodnight Mom
(with apologies to Margaret Wise Brown)

In the messy green family room
There was a telemarketer ringing the telephone and a crying toddler because his brother just popped his red balloon
And a picture of --

The cow jumping over the moon (which someone colored on with permanent marker)
And there was a missing teddy bear, and a girl with gum in her hair

And one to be scolded
And laundry to be folded
And a very hungry spouse
And something stinky in the house (that no one else seemed to smell)

And a comb and a brush and a colicky baby who just won't shush
And a frazzled mommy screaming #*%#@

Goodnight messy room
Goodnight scribble-on moon
Goodnight cow getting out while she can
Goodnight telemarketers and the popped balloon
Goodnight long-gone teddy bear
Goodnight cereal bar smeared all over the dining room chair

Goodnight spitup
And goodnight leaky sippy cup
Goodnight much-too-little house and goodnight grumpy spouse
Goodnight comb and goodnight brush
And goodnight to a certain 4-year-old who just needs to hush right now I mean it

Goodnight Elmo
Goodnight toys we'll pick up tomorrow, or the next day
Hello chardonnay and TiVo--
"me" time finally

Expressions

I normally have a hard time getting Ellie to smile or make any sort of expression for the camera. Today she wouldn't stop making faces! I could hardly keep up with her with the camera. She is finally to the point of walking steadily and enjoys playing outside. Praise God for a beautiful day!

I guess I could add a few of Jack too...

The Swing Story

For those of you who know Eleanor personally, you know that she has a mind of her own, may change that mind often and without notice and is a fiesty little one who has thrown a good amount fits in her short life time.

"Ahhh, swinging can be so relaxing"

"I'm not done! Put me back in!"

"See mom, that's all it takes to make me happy."

Seriously Eleanor! She was fussing and i thought she wanted to get down and play some more in the grass. Boy, was I mistaken :)

Rockford Harvest Fest

Today we went downtown Rockford with some friends for the annual Harvest Fest. It was such a beautiful day for October and the streets were packed with people enjoying the festivities. I love being able to enjoy the outdoors especially in fall!

Jack and his friend Annalie about to embark on a hayride

This Week...

I feel like I've had writers block or something lately. Not much to share and I haven't taken many photos recently. It's hard for the camera to catch Ellie smiling so I was quite pleased with her excitement for the camera here.

The only thing I can think of that we did this past was take Jack to get a haircut. This is the shortest his hair has been in a while and I think it makes him look so grown up :)
Jack has a love for toy catalogs! It all started about this time last year when I started receiving catalogs in the mail for Christmas. For some reason he loves to just look at all the pictures of the toys. To him it's almost as good as having one. This morning I came around the corner and he was just lying there reading his catalog and looking so adorable.

Platte River

This weekend we had the wonderful opportunity to spend a day without kids canoeing down the Platte River in Northern Michigan with our friends Andy and Leanne. Our hope was to see a lot of colors in the trees but as you can tell not too much has turned. No big deal... It was a beautiful day and the amount of Salmon in the water was awesome. It was like something you've only seen on the discovery channel. Every parent needs some relaxing adult time away. I'm so grateful for my parents who are always stepping up to take the kids and give us these times.

After canoeing we went over to Cherry Repbulic in Glen Arbor to sample some wine and yummy food. Josh and I had never been there and being one that doesn't really like cherry flavoring in foods was pleasantly surprised. We came away with a bottle of their Cherry Red wine which is 20% cherry wine and 80% Merlot...mmmm good!

And why not end the day with good pizza at Pangea's Pizza Pub in Traverse City