First date since we moved to Georgia

Kennesaw wood

It has been 5 months since we have been out in public sans children, so Friday night we happily left the kids with Emily (whose little brother is in Songbird's class at Monday school), and drove two miles up the road to quiet downtown Kennesaw. We found a place to park, and walked the streets, taking note of the shops and businesses scattered along Main Street. I was surprised by a thrift store I've never noticed before, so we went inside, looking for treasures. We happened upon two 1967, beautifully bound George MacDonald fantasies, The Light Princess and The Golden Key, both of which we do not own and have never read to the children. They are illustrated by Maurice Sendak, in great condition, and cost $1 each.

Happy with our find, we tucked the books away snug in the car, and continued by foot through the town. We came upon a park which we have visited with the children on another occasion, but being alone we decided to venture inland, discovering several small grassy fields, and a few wooded trails. The most remarkable things about the park were the enormous oak trees sheltered within. I am sure they have seen such changing terrain in their lifetime. We even saw a big whitish bird swoop down in front of us, but we were both so surprised we didn't get a good enough look to determine owl or hawk. Either way, it was no doubt a magical bird, perching and swooping amidst old, magical oak trees, in the interior of a magical wood. In fact, I am not entirely sure that if I were to return with the kids the fields and paths would exist at all.

As it was growing darker, we turned back to the town and headed to one of a few local restaurants, the Trackside Grill. Together we had corn muffins, coffee, salad, catfish, meat, and remembered and dreamed until the clock struck 6:30. Then it was back home to tuck the little ones away for the night... 

The next day Hubry read both books to the kids - and they could not get enough.

Trunk or Treat

On Halloween we dressed up and went to a nearby church to participate in their Trunk or Treat festival.  Since Hubry was out-of-town, I decided it would be simpler than trying to go to the free day at the Atlanta aquarium with three littles (though I was definitely tempted).  Since the kids play dress-up almost every day, getting dressed up for a festival wasn't much of a novelty (though the candy was).  The funny thing was that Raindrop took her dress-up clothes off and would only wear a white sweater and white bycicle shorts.  The kids pleaded and pleaded with her, but she had such a specific idea of what she wanted to be....

Fall Festival

The kids and I thought it would be fun to have a little Fall festival in our backyard.  We went out into the world in search of suitable carving pumpkins, marshmallows, candy corn and fire wood.  Then we set to work planning our designs.  It turns out I was the only one who was really able to actually carve into the pumpkins, and the swirly designs the kids drew were virtually impossible for me to cut out with my basic kitchen knife.  So instead we went with triangles....  After we were done carving we lit a candle inside each pumpkin, and then Hubry arrived home just in time to help light to fire.  He even let the kids have roasted marshmallows with candy corn on top:). I love how kids get so excited about things as simple as last-minute homemade Fall festivals.

Visit with Grandparents West

A few weekends ago we went down to LaGrange to visit with the Grandparents and celebrate Daddy-O's birthday.  While there, we spent a lot of time jump-roping, hoola-hooping, racing, walking, and kayaking in the lake with Uncle Jim.  We are blessed to be close enough to visit family again, and so thankful that our kids are old enough to remember their Great-Grandparents.

During our trip, I was able to sneak away for a few hours to visit my sweet college friend, Bethany just a half hour away.  It wasn't nearly long enough, and there isn't a single photo to prove it happened, but it is in my heart :)

Sayings and Quotes

***Little Raindrop is in the cutest stage where she comes up to us with a smooshy face and says with whispered voice, "I love you too much!"  She is definitely the doted-upon youngest child, as we all love her so much.

***Hubry asked Bro last night, "Would you like to listen to GT and the Halo express tonight?"  The decisive answer was, "No, it doesn't really make me have ideas."

***Songbird asked cousin Marit, "Am I your best friend?"  She replied, "Yes!"  "Am I your first best friend?"  "Yes!"  After a pensive moment Songbird responded, "Why?  I'm not really kind to you!"

***Raindrop has started tacking on the phrase, or anything, to the end of statements she wants to add emphasis to.  Some of the cutest or anything phrases have been:
"No, I don't want it.  I don't want it or anything."
 "I don't want my bed.  I don't want it or anything.  Hey, Mapa, where are you?  I don't want it                      or anything!!!"
In the car Songbird was trying to cheer up little Raindrop by singing "Jesus Loves Me."                       When that didn't work she started with the ABC song.  Finally, utterly beside herself,                             Raindrop said, "No, I don't want Bible Tells me, ABC's, or anything!

***The kids love identifying the birds at our bird-feeder.  Every time we have a visitor stopping for a bite to eat, there is general excitement and celebration.  I was surprised the other day when I noticed Raindrop was calling birds by their specific names (and getting them right).  Mama, a chickadee, a chickadee!

Songbird at rest time today