Ah, fall. I welcome you with your insane schizophrenic weather, soup and anything pumpkin flavored. And leaves, my gosh, the leaves. One of my favorite things is walking to the bus stop and being caught in a shower of leaves. I love the crisp air and the smell of people starting up their wood burning stoves for the season. I may just commit to saying that Fall is my favorite season of all.
It also means it's time to go apple picking!
I love Columbus Day because it's one of those holidays that only a handful of people get off of work. (I also love the Facebook post that said something to effect of "I am going to celebrate Columbus Day by visiting another country, calling it my own and making everyone else leave.") The girls were out of school that day, and since our plans of doing Busch Gardens was dashed by rain and cold weather, we went apple picking instead. Did I mention it was cold and rainy? Yeah, apple picking wasn't so awesome either. But we can also appreciate being cold and wet on an outting if it means a few memories.
We went with some fun friends of ours that were willing to overlook the nasty conditions.
Oh look, I was there too! Jonah was kept snug and warm...he liked the warm part, but not "snug" so much.
I appreciate having a strong man to facilitate retrieval of those "hard to reach" apples up top. It's a tradition that the girls love...and Clark will probably appreciate less and less as they grow bigger. As it is, putting the 5 foot tall, 11 year old on his shoulders is not as easy as it once was.
The apple of my eye. Sorry, couldn't resist...now if only I had an arrow.
We also took the opportunity to pick us a few pumpkins. The girls found lots of tiny ones that never had a chance.
We have now commenced eating apples in excess. Applesauce, Apple Crisp, apples and peanut butter, apples and Nutella, apples, apples, apples. We have a lot of apples.
Then on Saturday morning we bonded over homemade donut holes and a riveting game of "Down by the Bay"- despite what it looks like, we were not having a seance.
PS Clark and I kind of rock at that game - the girls can't appreciate that.
PSS Poor Jonah gets stuck in the mush pot, every time.
And now I would like to document, for my own sake and memory of what life was like at this stage, a sad story. This is a sad story about two sisters who somehow convinced their Mother to consider letting them throw a party. You see, we don't really do parties. It's not that I don't like parties, it's just that I recognized years ago that once you start you kind of can't stop. And with lots of kids, I just wasn't keen on that kind of commitment because I also happen to be the kind of person that couldn't throw just a simple little party. It would have to be super cute. Like, pinterest cute. And I just can't bring myself to do it. But they had me jazzed at the prospect of their little Halloween party. And it was going to be a joint sister effort, which made me happy. They made a power point presentation that they worked on for days, with detailed plans for decorations, games and food.
All they had to do was show us that they deserved it - be nice, be obedient, be helpful...enough that I noticed they were even trying or making an effort.
They talked about it for weeks. They told friends about it.
But because Clark and I are good parents ('cough') we followed through.
They didn't earn it.
We have good kids. They are sweet and amazing but they struggle with a few things that Clark and I really want them to improve on. I hate that they didn't earn it. I hate that they have to go back to school and tell their friends not to expect an invitation in the mail. It breaks my heart, it truly does.
Maybe a Christmas party. Wish them luck.
Wasn't that a good story?
It also means it's time to go apple picking!
I love Columbus Day because it's one of those holidays that only a handful of people get off of work. (I also love the Facebook post that said something to effect of "I am going to celebrate Columbus Day by visiting another country, calling it my own and making everyone else leave.") The girls were out of school that day, and since our plans of doing Busch Gardens was dashed by rain and cold weather, we went apple picking instead. Did I mention it was cold and rainy? Yeah, apple picking wasn't so awesome either. But we can also appreciate being cold and wet on an outting if it means a few memories.
Then on Saturday morning we bonded over homemade donut holes and a riveting game of "Down by the Bay"- despite what it looks like, we were not having a seance.
PS Clark and I kind of rock at that game - the girls can't appreciate that.
PSS Poor Jonah gets stuck in the mush pot, every time.
And now I would like to document, for my own sake and memory of what life was like at this stage, a sad story. This is a sad story about two sisters who somehow convinced their Mother to consider letting them throw a party. You see, we don't really do parties. It's not that I don't like parties, it's just that I recognized years ago that once you start you kind of can't stop. And with lots of kids, I just wasn't keen on that kind of commitment because I also happen to be the kind of person that couldn't throw just a simple little party. It would have to be super cute. Like, pinterest cute. And I just can't bring myself to do it. But they had me jazzed at the prospect of their little Halloween party. And it was going to be a joint sister effort, which made me happy. They made a power point presentation that they worked on for days, with detailed plans for decorations, games and food.
All they had to do was show us that they deserved it - be nice, be obedient, be helpful...enough that I noticed they were even trying or making an effort.
They talked about it for weeks. They told friends about it.
But because Clark and I are good parents ('cough') we followed through.
They didn't earn it.
We have good kids. They are sweet and amazing but they struggle with a few things that Clark and I really want them to improve on. I hate that they didn't earn it. I hate that they have to go back to school and tell their friends not to expect an invitation in the mail. It breaks my heart, it truly does.
Maybe a Christmas party. Wish them luck.
Wasn't that a good story?
9 comments:
Woot. Love fall. And love parents who follow through. I'm sure your kids will appreciate it someday too.
Probably.
At least that is what I'm banking on.
I love Fall, too, and apples and fun family times. Let's hope for better times for the party planning team!
We're doing apples now too. I love it because my job is to eat the things my wife makes.
First of all, Fall is the best season. Hands down. Not too cold. Not too hot. Beautiful.
Second, you're family has so much fun together. You do amazing and awesome things and you don't let the fact that you have a little one deter you at all. I want to be like you.
Third, sometimes being a parent is hard (who am I kidding...it's hard more than sometimes).
That is a really hard one. Good job following through though. That must of been a hard conversation with some disappointing girls. Did any run away?...mine always run away...for like 7 minutes.
You know they will remember the silly apple picking outings more than the cancelled parties.
Parenting is a long haul.
Cheers,
Leah
Good parents, you are. It is so hard to follow through-- and it is nice to know other people's children struggle with the same darn stuff-- just get along dang it and listen the FIRST time?!!?
So many comments. We'll discuss it later.
They are super cute.
Sometimes I think the punishments (or "consequences") are more painful for me than they are for my kids. Way to be strong. I hope they do better! I want to see your pinterest-worthy Christmas party!
Good for you! Sam lost his birthday party last year. I felt bad for a few minutes, but then, not so much. He had been warned, and I had to follow through. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it! :)
Nat
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