Carving Pumpkins With Grandma

Fire Prevention Week

This week is Fire Prevention Week at Bryton's school. As much as Bryton is infatuated w/ Firetrucks and Fire Stations...you'd think this would be the best week ever for him, right?!
He hopped off the bus yesterday, very excited to tell me all about the Smokehouse, and how he got to go into it w/ a "real Fireman!" I heard about how he practiced escaping from the 2nd floor of the Smokehouse, since this is where he sleeps in his own house. Bryton also taught his sister "stop, drop, and roll."
When I was tucking him into bed last night, the questions started.
"Where are our ladders, outside our windows?"
"If there is a fire in the hallway, how will you get to me? I'm trapped by myself in my room, then."
"How will you get to Avery if there is a fire in the hallway?"
"What roof do I step on, outside my window? Where is Avery's roof, outside her window?"
"Where will we sleep if our house burns?"
"Where will we get a new house?"
And those are only a few of his questions. This is the 3rd year we've dealt w/ Bryton and Fire Prevention Week at school...sooo...I was fairly prepared to answer his questions.
He thinks pretty in-depth about all this, and it worries him.
So, we'll fine-tune our 'family fire plan', practice it with Bryton, and hopefully calm his fears a bit.

"These Are Days..."

I've always loved this song. Tonight as I was putting the kids to bed, I was reminded of it's lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhKJcTgmgI

Bryton, well, we obviously love him to pieces...but man-oh-man, does he know how to push our buttons these days. As my mother in law put it, "He's a school boy, now." True that.
Positives...he's quite independent, he's strong, he's smart, he's active, and he's caring. I know we'll go through all kinds of stages with our kids, and this is one of them...he's constantly "testing" us. In our books, I'd say sometimes we pass his tests, and sometimes we don't! Parenting is a learning experience for us, and there are many times when I think to myself, well, I hope we handled that right.
Avery seems to mature by the day. She's becoming a smart little girl, with a very good memory and quite the little knack for drama. She's a social bee, like her brother. And she's a Mama's girl. Her vocabulary is growing, and she loves music. Lord knows she can throw a tantrum w/ the best of 'em; although, that is becoming less and less. She can be a little too independent at times...such as trying to put her own clothes on only to get mad when she's unsuccessful, trying to wash her own hair in the bathtub, tie her own shoes, and pick out her clothes.
And so bedtime is always a good "wrap-up" for us all...no matter what the day has brought. Its our story time, cuddle time, pillow talk time, and our prayer time. And yes, it also means the house will soon be quiet :)

Playtime w/ Emma

I should have a picture from yesterday to go along with this blog, but we were apparently too busy to be snapping shots! Avery had Emma over to play. Emma is my good friend, Jen's, little girl, and she is about a year older than Avery. We played outside, went up to the gym (they played in the playroom there while I lifted weights...and they'd look out the door, and give me the 'thumbs up' sign!), we went to the park, and played w/ toys here at home. I love listening to them talk to each other...Emma teaches Avery all kind of things. Yesterday the term of the day seemed to be, "boyfriend!"
They played house for a long time, which reminded me of when Jen and I used to spend many long hours playing house! I had to laugh, because a few times I had de-ja-vu! When Jen and I were growing up, we were like sisters...we were together all the time. I was usually coached on how to play with Jen...what we'd do next, what to say, how to play, etc... :) That's how sister's act, right?! Emma was doing that a little bit yesterday, and yes, most of that comes from the fact that she is older than Avery (just as Jen is a year older than me). Oh, how history just might repeat itself w/ Emma and Avery! I'm sure Emma's Gma Linda gets a good laugh from up above, as she watches these two adorable little girls play together :)

Religion Class

Bryton had his first religion class last night, which is also known as CCD. When I was growing up, we had CCD on Saturday mornings. Since then, they've moved it to Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm. This seems like a better idea, except for the fact that by Thursday night, Bryton is tired from an almost full week of school and getting no naps. Despite me being worried about it, he didn't do too bad last night. Its a very good program and he has a good teacher and helper in his CCD classroom this year. I just hope he'll be able to hang in there w/ the schedule!

Illinois Fall Weather

I've heard a few people complaining around our parts about the cool weather we are having already this Fall. Yep, it means thicker coats, long pants, long sleeved shirts, and possibly hats and gloves...but that's OK. Today is a perfect Fall day. And we do live in the Midwest, right?! The sun is shining, leaves are scattered on the ground, the weather is cool but not cold by any means, and there is that "smell" of Fall in the air :) In the past, I could never say that I shared my brother's love for Fall, but I just might be getting there!

Bow Season Has Begun

And where is Brian as I write this?! You guessed it...out in the woods, up in a tree. I called him awhile ago, expecting to get his voicemail so I could ask him to stop and get a gallon of milk on his way home. I got a scary soft sounding voice, instead. When men whisper, they sound just creepy!
Lets hope Brian has luck, and we'll have fresh venison in our freezer this Fall :)