I let the rest of the holiday horses out of the stall today–you know, the ones I hold back late October because a full stud of merry, merry sometimes just rubs people the wrong way. Get back in there, ya festive little stallions. The world isn’t ready for you yet. But it’s October 30th, there’s no school tomorrow and Halloween marks the opening bell of our home’s Celebrate All Y’all season, a November/December mash-up that weaves fall cornucopia and twinkle, twinkle with a common denominator of happy–whatever makes you happy. It includes hay bales and pinecones, and has no prerequisite date for Andy Williams. All that to say, I hit play on my Classic Christmas station today, okay? I folded. I folded before Halloween, and I’m not proud of it. It was just for one song and then I switched it. It’s just…Andy Williams is so suave.
So I call Heidi because she gets it. We never say hi when we answer; we just start talking.
“So I think it must be a gene, this holiday thing. I was born with it, and I can’t control it. I want to pitch a tent in Target’s Halloween aisle and watch it transform overnight to what’s coming, because we all know it’s coming next…twinkle.”
“Oh my God, I know,” she says.
“It’s just a happy place, those holiday aisles.”
“And we’re not the only ones who think that, Kelle. We have justification for our craziness. I was in the pre-Christmas aisle the other day looking at wreaths, and this other lady next to me? She was smiling too. We both knew it. We looked at each other and, I swear, we held our gaze a little longer because we were in the frickin’ Christmas aisle.”
“You should have got her number. We could have had a cookie party.”
Okay, I’ll reign it in. Back to October. HORSES! Back in the barn, In you go.
It’s pretty here right now. Cool and calm and promising, a taste of Florida’s best months to come.
Enjoying…
New Spaces
My girl lost her first top tooth last week, the most image-altering milestone since that same tooth broke through her gummy smile almost seven years ago. It catches me off guard when she smiles. I see what’s happening here–a little wiggle here, a twist there and tiny pieces of babyhood and toddlerhood and childhood fall out of the way, making room for all the beauty to come. Three kids, and I’ve learned to balance a little better the sentimentality of their growth. Less boo-hooing over what’s gone and more appreciation for what’s here. I love this new smile so much.
Pumpkin Patch Parking Lot
The horses that have plenty good reason to be out of the barn–our annual trip to the church up a few roads. I so appreciate the work they put into creating such a special place for our Florida kids.
They upped the ante this year with a kettle corn truck. Oh, I’m sorry. Korn with a K. Which is very much like Anne with an E, I supppose.
There were a billion moms with a billion cameras and lots of babies in pumpkin shirts and orange tutus. I smiled and loved watching them, remembering exactly what it was like, that first Halloween, that first trip to the pumpkin patch. These are rites of passage.
Big boy goes for the biggest pumpkin. And don’t think he couldn’t carry it. He did just fine, thank you.
I like the little ones.
Her Jams.
Currently Mary Lambert’s “Secrets” and back to Katy Perry’s “Firework” again. All day, ‘err day.
Sheep Herder.
She keeps him in line, on the sidewalk, out of trouble. Except for when she’s getting into trouble with him which is very often.
The Delayed Bottle.
No comment. Just no comment.
Cornsilk Halo.
It’s for catching fairies.
Lots to enjoy. Even without all the horses.
Happy Almost Weekend, Almost November and Almost a Full Horse Stampede.
Anne Reber says
I am biased towards an Anne with an “E” π
gina says
Oh my goodness–Dash looks JUST like you.
Nancy says
trust me he won’t take the bottle to school..my youngest one took hers way longer than a year
Christina Carrier says
I live in Maine, so I envy your nice weather all year round! We come to Florida in March to get out of the cold! But I have the love of Fall and Holidays like you! I love your blog and photos, especially the holiday and birthday ones!
P.S. my oldest had a delayed bottle too! I don’t judge! π
shannon says
I am so with you! I have even bought Christmas decorations and started shopping for gifts! Love this time of the year!
Julie says
Delayed bottle – delayed boob, same thing, no problem!
Emily Hackethorn says
Ah! YOu just got me so excited for the Holidays! Happy Halloween to you too. Nella’s jams are just too much!
Life with Kaishon says
Magic in a church parking lot with kettle korn! #fabulous #bestdayever #lovethehalo
Amy Carmichael says
I already added all 123 Christmas songs back into my iTunes library this week, I have no regrets.
Kelly says
My almost 16 month old still drinks her milk from a bottle…and I don’t care. You learn with the third child to pick your battles.
sarah says
There IS something so different about a lost top tooth. It happened in our house a couple of weeks ago….happy/sad.
Lindsay says
I can’t even tell you how excited I get when I meet somebody who feels the same way about Christmas and the holiday season as I do. π Its’ so nice not to have to explain why I’m already loving the Christmas isles at the stores and Christmas music and anything Christmasy. π
Briseidy says
nice cice pics! happy halloween!
Shannon C says
Every few years I go back and read Anne of Green Gables. Thanks for the reminder!
Jessica says
Christmas movies start tomorrow on the Hallmark channel. Just sayin’…:)
whitney says
This must be rubbing off on me…because I used to be one of those “Absolutely no Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving!” people. It must be having kids..
janelle says
I bought Christmas pillows this week. In my defense, they’re PB knock-offs. 2 for $24.99. It would be a crime to pass that up.
Jess says
Dude… I’ve been watching Christmas movies ALL week. And I never delete my “mistletoe” pandora station. I love the holiday season!!
Lou says
What a gorgeous post to read. You have brightened my day – thank you xx
Lou
ella says
oh girl you get me, you REALLY get me. All things twinkly and bright and Christmas-y and warm and comforting and….just happy. I try to reign it in until socially acceptable but I think I’ll just embrace it this year. This post made me all emotional, in a good way.
bubblegirl says
I see what you did there… Anne with an E… time to bust out Green Gables and also Wizard of Oz… tis the season
Unknown says
Great post!!!! Your words always get the feelings right!!! Have fun today!!
Reenie says
Adorable kids…. adorable photos.
Lainey looks so tall in those pics. Love her new smile too!
Happy Halloween!!! π
Meg @ write meg! says
Oh goodness, I’m so ready to let the horses out myself! This is our first holiday season in our new home, and I’ve been thinking about the decorating opportunities since we first visited on a snowy day in March. Caaaaaan’t wait!
Love the shots and your thoughts, as always!
Julie ACE says
I was driving home today and thinking “I can’t wait for Christmas this year!” maybe it’s because we are talking about a 2nd baby, maybe it’s because my son is going to be one in 17 days, maybe it’s because this Christmas he’ll notice more than a few bright lights then he did last christmas at a month old. Maybe we have already taken a few trips to Home depot so he can watch all the Christmas decorations dance and move and sing π Maybe it’s because I’ve always been this way with Christmas, but that feeling as has deepened and grown more precious since having my child. Either way? I love it. I love your appreciation for the holidays. I get that. It’s a bonding thing. like in the Target isle.
Auntie Mip says
This! This is always an internal struggle for me. I LOVE all things Christmas. My motto…if it doesn’t move decorate it. And I really have to fight the urge to listen to Christmas Carols this time of year. I love twinkling lights, berry and cinnamon scented candles and all things mercury glass. When my nieces and nephews were little I always used to surprise them with carols in July who they were in the car with me. Oh it is such a test of my patience.
When I am tempted to cave, I remember something my dad told me when I was a kid. It was Christmas morning and I was 8 or 9. I was sad because the presents were all opened and before I knew it the day would be over too. I told my dad I wanted Christmas every day. He said, “that would be fun wouldn’t it?” Then he reminded me of a particular candy bar I liked. I ate them every chance I got to have a treat. I LOVED them. Until I didn’t. He told me that most of what made Christmas special and enchanting was the anticipation of it. He was right. As an adult I have learned to appreciate the build up and savor those days. And I am learning more and more about the “holidays of Fall” whenwe are together as a family watching football, playing cards or shooting pool at the local tavern and what I miss if I rush it all. This year will be my 10th without my daddy and I miss him so much. I am grateful for the lessons he taught and Christmas is all the more magical because of him. And you had better believe that at the stroke of midnight on Thanksgiving my house is going to explode in a frenzy of sparkle, twinkle and glow with a whole lot of fa la la la la in the background!!!
Carol and Betsy says
Still waiting for Target to give you your own fashion line. I think I look to your blog as fashion inspiration. Love you and your children’s clothes, Have a great weekend!!
Anne B says
Anne with an E is a proper spelling. Corn with a K is not. I’m obviously biased toward the E too! Happy Halloween.
melissa says
Happy Halloween to my favorite family on the internet. Have a spooky, safe, fun-filled night!
Boo! from Tejas,
Melissa
Evening Star Farm says
My horses are out. I Christmas shopped today, I have started makingbmy cards. And then we went trick or treating.
Sarah Gatling says
I also moseyed over to the Christmas aisle of Lowe’s the other day. Secretly, while my friend wasn’t looking. IT WAS MAGICAL.
Shannon Brown says
GREAT great post! Please go to the library and take out Arthur’s Tooth by Marc Brown–you’ll love it!
Brenda says
My boy had his bottle until he was two. And I’m supposed to know better π cherish it.
Jenny Mann says
Nella’so hair looks like it’s getting so dark! I love the photos of her and baby brother, they’re so heartwarming.
*Jess* says
I nursed my first two kids past age two so it seemed pretty unfair to me to take my third’s bottle away at an arbitrary time π
No judgment here π
Mary says
I love that he still has a bottle, #3 usually takes longer to let stuff go! I remember it will. I’m not sure why people will keep coming to a web site like yours, pretty, upbeat, positive, why keep coming back when you want to say bad things about the author. I love your site, love the pics of kiddo. Just keep doing what you do. Haters gonna hate, just ask Taylor Swift.
Susan says
I laughed about delayed bottle and then chuckled some more with comments….yah, I agree, he won’t go to school it π I am not into the Christmas spirit until the day after Thanksgiving. I really really enjoy Thanksgiving so I force myself to wait. Yes, it take self control and yes I do make lists before that =)
SmallWalls says
I won’t comment on your delayed bottle, if you don’t comment on the fact I still nurse my 21m old to sleep every night.
Tiffani Talbott says
I am a couple months behind (had a baby) and I just want to say how much light you bring to my day. I just read the earlier post about crappy people being mean and I am sorry that even finds its way here. You have such a beautiful voice and thank you for sharing your family and experience of motherhood. It reminds me to smile at all the little moments.