I’ve been meaning to really sit down and do some writing on some things I’ve wanted to unravel with words, but it seems now is not the time as things keep coming up. I go back and forth between challenging myself to wake up early, stay up late and make sacrifices to do some things just for me and letting it all go–drinking in my kids and riding the current where it takes us. The past few weeks, I’ve been very aware that the stages my kids are in right now are some of my favorite. Six, almost-four and nine months have magically rolled together like three cherries on a slot machine. The payout is deep appreciation for the joy they bring us.
I’ll continue on with a traditional “enjoying” post, but before I do, I know there are some sweet readers who follow from the Philippines. News footage doesn’t show us everything, but it’s shown us enough to get a glimpse of the challenges you are facing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we are following along as you rebuild what you’ve lost.
******
November has unwrapped some sweet moments for us so far, and we are grateful for right now.
A few weekend things we enjoyed:
Tonight, after watching Nella’s smile stay plastered on her face for a good five minutes, I whispered in her ear, “I’m so happy you are happy.” Her joy is contagious.
Early sunsets mean pre-dinner family walks. They are lovely.
Sidewalk stains that have turned into driveway graffiti–I hope they never wash off.
The following picture? Yer welcome. It’s my favorite.
Farmer’s Market Weather.
We’re entering Florida’s glory months which means the local farmer’s markets have begun. We visited our first one this past weekend–not intending to, but we were driving by and felt lured by the mass of umbrella stands and the promise of finding a jalapeno hot enough for Brett. He literally visited every single produce stand and put every poor farmer on the hot seat as he delivered the pepper interrogation. “Why aren’t peppers hot anymore? What happened? Is there something wrong with the crops? Is it true that more wrinkles on a pepper mean it’s hotter? How hot would you say your peppers are? Can I taste one?”
While the Pepper Inquisition proceeded, the kids and I found better things to do. Nella found fresh pickles, Lainey found finger puppets, I found used books and Dash found a dog on a leash to look at, so everyone was happy.
Raise your hand if your kid is obsessed with making rubber band bracelets. Is this the Beanie Baby of 2013? Local kids are obsessed, and never before have tiny rubber bands looked so cool. Well okay–maybe when you had your school color rubber bands laced between your braces brackets. I was never that cool when I had braces because I was homeschooled and our school colors were God and Jesus. So I just went with clear.
But still. Look. Cool, huh?
Lainey’s new favorite game.
It makes me laugh.
It’s called Wipeout.
Basically, you ride your scooter really fast and then pretend to wipe out. And I’m supposed to take pictures of it. Which means neighborhood kids circle our driveway on scooters and throw themselves into the grass while their scooter keeps rolling along to hit landscape lights and knock out small children. And then then they run to see the camera: “Did you get it? Did you get it?” I laugh every time.
Okay. Finally. Want a present? My friend Nici (shop, Dig This Chick), who’s been a frequent houseguest of this blog, makes beautiful things–many of which you’ve seen our family wear (my kids’ custom shirts when Dash was born and the Florida shirt Brett wears in every other post–he loves it). Her GEOwares are unique and beautifully made, and she’s offering our readers a special discount–20% off using code DIGGYSMALLS, including sale section. Shipping is always free and only $7 flat rate for international. Make someone happy this holiday, and give them something to wear with a place they love. DIGGYSMALLS…got that? Enjoy.
I’m over at BabyZone this week with 20 Ways to Raise a Creative Child (loved putting this one together) and joining their 30 Days of Thanks with 7 Ways to Say Thank You to Special People.
Happy Monday, friends.
Love the Wipeout game! And I love the pictures even more!! I’ll have to find a corner for my kids to try and recreate this!! 🙂
My kids do a similar version of wipeout. Our driveway slopes, so they station their wagons and Little Tykes cars at the top of the drive and then free wheel down the driveway. It is so fun to watch and I take lots of pictures and videos.
There will be the right time to unravel those thoughts into words. Now obviously is the right time to enjoy your family. I smiled this week when I googled your cooler Naples weather. It’s still consistently warmer than our best Tasmanian summer temps!
I just laughed so hard at the “… our school colors were God and Jesus” line!!! Those rainbow-band bracelets are everywhere here, too, and now my daughter and her friends have started creating rubberband charms to attach to them. If she figures out how to make a unicorn one, I’ll send it to you. 😉
Those bracelets. I have kids who walk into my class and just say, “Mrs Landmeier, I’m gonna put this on your desk so I don’t play with it.” Because I cannot handle those things! So cute on the wrist… and yet SO HARD TO KEEP ON THE WRIST!
But I totally want to make one.
I loved reading every word and taking in every picture. Those are some of my favorite ages too!!! Suck that MARROW!!! From your loyal Colorado follower, heather. PS… I went to a Christian school where we had “tri-une” colors 🙂 Hee Hee
Who the heck is the model on the lower left of digs section? The boy? I must know. Off to call Dig.
I’ve been so melancholy this fall. Something about the light in the afternoon gets me every single day.
Love the photos….wipe out-wht a blast!! We used to video our girls singing to the Lion King and watched it 30 thousand times..
xo
lynn
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Could someone give a tutorial on the rubber band bracelets? I have never seen or heard of them. 🙂
The wipeout game is confusing me. I am going to have to rad the summary of it again. Slowly. : ). Maybe I will read it out loud to Gary.
I think you are going to raise some of the most creative kids ever.
Happy Monday.
Laughed my head off about the pepper inquisition. Hilarious.
OK, I still don’t get the game, but Kaish and Gary both said they understand. Kaish said he will show me tomorrow. He has a really bad cold and is totally feeling rotten. He hates medicine, so, I am not sure how to help him.
You have to be crazy busy. I am always looking for a post from you. I just love seeing the children. I can’t believe Nella is soon to be four. She is just the happiest and cutest little girl. Layne looks so much like you in the banner picture. Her wipeout is so funny. Baby Dash is getting big. I watch a wild 9 month old. I have never seen a baby like her. Such fun ages that your children are. Soak up every moment. We will be here to oh an ah when you can post their pictures. ((((HUGS))))
I homeschooled and I homeschool my girls. I could have died laughing at “school colors were God and Jesus”!!!
Nela is SO beautiful. Love all the great pictures!!
oh my word, I just peed myself a little over “Jesus and God.” Hilarious.:D I totally gonna use that code. Thanks, girl.
As always, I enjoy your posts. We live in the same town and I enjoy seeing how different our experiences can be within similar environments. It helps to open my eyes to more than just the world in my immediate space.
Thank you for your kind words for the Philippines. Blessedly, my family there is safe.
The wipeout game, a favorite of my 7 year old! Only problem is baby sister tries to copy and for her it really is a true wipeout 🙁
I loved all the pics as always, my face was the 2nd pic of Nella at the top she’s getting so big!
The wipeout game, a favorite of my 7 year old! Only problem is baby sister tries to copy and for her it really is a true wipeout 🙁
I loved all the pics as always, my face was the 2nd pic of Nella at the top she’s getting so big!
Beautiful pictures as always:) Joyful Nella looks gorgeous! And the Wipeout is just SO COOL!!!! Hahahaha I couldn’t stop laughing as well:) Greetings from Italy dear Kelle:)
Adorable x legs :)so cute
xxx
Thanks for the link and the discount to that Etsy shop! I’ve had no idea what to get my husband for Christmas. He’s proud of his home state and will love wearing his Oregon t-shirt around Florida.
I haven’t seen the rubber band bracelets here, but I homeschool.
We do allow colors, though:)
I’m so jealous! I love the farmers market, here in the Midwest they’re all closed for the winter.
Loved every second of this post. Phyl
Can’t. Stop. Laughing. Those wipeout pictures are so funny. What a hilarious game.
THANK YOU for the coupon code to Dig This Chick’s Etsy shop!! Because of you, I now have a jump start on my Christmas shopping! (And I LOOOOOVE that they’re Made in MT – my home state!)
I hadn’t expected to find – and order – a Christmas gift for my best friend this morning!!! Thanks so much Kelle and Nici!!
Hey, I have been lurking on your blog for quite some time now and just wanted to say I look forward to your posts. You have such a beautiful writing style that makes me feel like you are just sitting across the kitchen table, having a cup of coffee with me and sharing your heart. I can see how much you love your kids and you inspire me to look for the beauty thats in my daughter. Thank you so much for sharing your world with us.
Lainey got some serious air in one of those shots of her wipe-out. And Nella’s hair is getting so long. My daughter kept pointing at pictures of her and saying, “Sister!” I said, “Yes, she is a little sister, just like you. Her name is Nella…” Beautiful pictures and thank you for reminding me to breathe in the small things.
Hi Kelle,
I’m not sure if you have mentioned this before or not but where do you get your kids mocs?
Thanks 🙂
LOL @ “our school colors were God and Jesus”…..for some reason, that just made me chuckle!
Beautiful photos! I love a good Farmer’s Market…sadly, ours are over for the season. Cool seeing Dig this Chick’s store on your blog…I love, love, love her stuff and had the pleasure of meeting her one weekend in Missoula, she is lovely. I thank you for introducing me to her blog because I only checked it out when you first mentioned her years ago. Yours and hers are my favorite blogs 🙂
Seriously, the homeschooler’s school colors. So hilarious and so true. In other news, I just started following your blog recently and I love it!
Yep my little chick makes those rainbow loom bracelets too. It’s the thing this year apparently 🙂 I bet Nella’s happiness is contagious. You’re a good momma Kelle.
My big boy, Gabe, was looking at these photos over my shoulder. His raspy, changing voice kept gasping and he’d say, “Oh, wow! She looks like Nora…especially her eyes right there, and her ears in this picture, and how she is standing in this one, and oh! Look at her smile and her hair-do in this one! Wow, she’s cute.” Hahaha! So darn endearing coming from a pubescent boy 🙂
Still lovin’ your fam and dreaming of meeting you all 🙂
Kelly
Can I ask you a question? Where did you find Nella’s square hair barrette? It’s adorable and I’d love to find one like it. Thanks! ~tara
Those bracelets are so popular! In my third grade class practically every students has one on each day. The rule is they stay on your wrist! 🙂
Yes, Rainbow Loom is in fully effect in our city I guess too. It was the cutest/funniest thing. The 2 neighbor boys and my 3 boys sitting on our porch working away at bracelets this past summer/fall. The boys that LOVE football and everything “boy”…not that making bracelets is only for girls but they usually do more active things when together. My son is really into it, he’s watched a ton of Youtube vids. He’s sold a bunch. Our speech therapist ordered some for Downs Syndrome Awareness month even! Pretty fun.
Gorgeous post AGAIN!! I also so enjoyed reading 20 Ways to Raise a Creative Child cuz it made me feel GREAT about myself!! That I am an AMAZING CREATIVE Mama! (btw, I don’t ever go around saying that…just wanted to let you know that your write up made me feel that way). When my boys were really little our days were defined by CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION, ART, DRESS-UP, SUPER HEROES, MESS, DIRT, TAPE ROLL AFTER TAPE ROLL, ADVENTURES, PRETEND CAMPING TRIPS IN THE NEIGHBOURS’ YARDS (just to name a few)…that was our everyday. Now though, as my boys are 9 and 12, I find myself struggling to provide those creative moments. With both of them in school all day and extra curricular activities that fill up the schedule very quickly, it’s been challenging. I see it as my Mama responsibility to keep that oh so important creative part of them alive!! It is so important to free up those busy schedules and let those creative, adventurous, awesomely hilarious and fun-loving monsters loose (AKA my two boys) And of course, as they get older their creativity comes in different shapes and sizes, different activities and interests and alot of independence. And that is beautiful too!
Thank you again Kelle. Your words, your posts encourage some of us Mama readers to stop and ponder on our own little worlds and to take the time to really think about some of these parenting moments…
I don’t know about those bracelets, but I want a pin doll for $200, yikes!!! Such a cute post. Thank you for sharing…and yes sweet momma, do some things just for you. You are da best 🙂
Tejas love,
Melissa
First time seeing that colourful bracelet…enjoyed this post + pictures as always.
Go mama and take some ‘me time’ just for you.
Kelle….
Rubber band bracelets? I have never heard of them. I want one!! ;-D
I never could have played “Wipeout”. Not as a child. Not now. I am so clumsy, that I’m afraid I’d injure myself!! Lets phrase it this way. Okay? It is a miracle that I have never broken any bones!! Yep. Miracles do exist!! Hee, hee, hee…. 😉
–Raelyn
“Our school colors were God and Jesus.”
I seriously almost peed my pants! Thanks for making my night!
Life can be very displeasing especially when we loose the ones we love and cherish so much. in this kind of situation where one loses his/her soul mate there are several dangers engage in it. one may no longer be able to do the things he was doing before then success will be very scarce and happiness will be are. that person was created to be with you for without him things may fall apart. That was my experience late last year. but thank god today i am happy with him again. all thanks goes to Dr. EDIONWE, i was nearly loosing hope until i saw an article on how Dr. EDIONWE could cast a love spell to make lovers come back. There is no harm in trying, i said to my self. i contacted him via email: edionwesolutiontemple@yahoo.com. words will not be enough to appreciate what he has done for me. i have promised to share the good news as long as i live.
Our school colors were God and Jesus. . .that slayed me! I am still laughing. Thanks for that. I am a homeschooler and I can’t wait to use it the next time I get a comment about ‘school spirit.’
I just died at your school colors comment. Hilarious!
I am one of those sweet followers from the Philippines. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I know in no time, we will rebuild. Again, thank you.
Ohmygoodness! I, too, was never that cool when I had braces because I was homeschooled and our school colors were God and Jesus. I’ve identified with many of your more difficult posts about your childhood, but this one gave me a much needed laugh!
BWAHAHAHA!!! School colors were God and Jesus. I’m dying! Thank you for that laugh. Whew, I needed that.
Hello, Kelle! Finally I rode your book. I am glad that the book was published in Poland. Is the most beautiful book about love for a child I’ve ever read. Nella is amazing, sweet, pretty girl! You are great mum and woman! 🙂 I many have learned from you.
Sorry for my English but I wanted to write to you. Kisses! 🙂 Ewa from Poland.