This Year's Spooky Creation

This year's creation - slightly more simplistic than in the past. But how do you top last year's epic saga of Autobots vs. Decepticons?

The Pumpkin Patch

Another mommy first crossed off the list: Aiden asked me to come with his class to the Pumpkin Patch this week. Little nippy, but we had a fantastic time! The farm did a fantastic job of making this a real learning experience while keeping the kids busy the entire time. It was great to see Aiden interact with his classmates! He loved the hayride and the corn maze - I couldn't keep up with him.

Aiden and his buddy, Ryan

Planting Strawberries

The tractor pulling the hayride
I'm loving this picture...

My Pumpkin's Pumpkin

An Addition

I realized after reviewing the early morning post (aka - the previous rambling), that I left out some of Aiden's most glorious wisdom he's recently bestowed on me - I burped and a little bit of my food came back in my mouth. It was soooo cooool!

I won't begin to provide a misguided explanation of how that may or may not apply to my life...

Note To Self:

No more coffee at night time. Sorry, no matter how cold it is inside or out. No. More. Coffee. It's impossible to sleep now as a result. And I have nothing but my wondering thoughts and snoring hubby to keep me company. So I resort to the internet to entertain me until I can finally sleep. Neither the wondering thoughts or the internet are good for me. Sleep is what I need.

On another note, I'm completely amazed and sometimes heartbroken by the things Aiden says. Just yesterday he began telling me how much he misses Clayton, Vivian, and Colben - All good friends that have moved away. Then he tells me "I know I won't get to see them anymore, but I will always remember them. They were my best friends and I won't forget them." It breaks my heart a little. You want to protect them from so much, never to have them feel that pain of separation. There is so little in this world that you can protect them from and even less that you can control no matter how hard you try. So you have to let them grow and that means experiencing all of the bitter sweetness life has to offer.

A little later as we were in the car, he breaks the silence with "Mom, I trust God." It's said with such earnest and honesty. As adults we long for a feeling of trust that is that clear - a thought not confused or smudged by doubt, by life, by the past, by the disappointment of the world. How do we find that clarity again? Is it lost with childhood? And it's not only trust in God that's blurred. Our ideas of love... hasn't they changed as well? Not so perfect? Not quit what you thought it would really be? Not saying that's bad. But once upon a time, the idea of love was so clear to me. And now... It's there, but it doesn't come with the crispness and clarity that it use to have. I try to tell myself that it is because it's no longer new. But what we believe love is has been tainted as well by our experiences.

A therapist told me once that my expectations were too high. I stopped going the next week, insulted that he didn't think I deserve what I thought I needed - that I would have to sacrifice what I thought happiness looked like in order to really be happy. But in a sense, it was probably the most truthful thing ever said to me. Yeah, my standards are/were a little high for myself, for experiences, and for others. What I've discovered is that when I learn to let go of these expectations, I find more happiness in myself. The trick is learning to let go but also knowing when not to.

Yes, these are random and somewhat depressing thoughts... We'll blame it on the coffee and the lateness of the hour. But it's enough to let me sleep a little tonight. Promise happy pictures soon!

An Assumption of Age

Until now, we've skipped that phase of parenting where you pick up and drop off the young teenager who's your regular Saturday night sitter. I remember those days. They weren't that long ago, were they? You remember them too, right?

Well, I can't say that we've entered into this phase as a family, but I did offer to pick up and drop off the sitter for our Community Group. A valiant gesture on my part. But I didn't realize that when the offer was made and accepted it placed me into the role of being 'That Mom.'

So, as we're packing up Sunday night following Community Groups, I do the whole scene where I'll strap Aiden in (mind you, he's wired at this point having been pumped with 100% juice and cookies), mindlessly walk around, put my stuff in the back since the sitter is sitting up front with me. Sit, buckle, and … no keys. Ahhh, I've left them in my purse. Jump out to retrieve them from the back seat.

It's at this point that the chatty sitter feels the need to share how her own mom forgets her keys as well. Sometimes she'll be holding them in her own hand asking if someone has seen her keys. I'm thinking... Yeah so, who hasn’t done that (apparently a very mom-ish thought I soon discover).

It's a simple effort to make conversation, deep down in my heart I know this is true. But on the surface, it hits me. In my mind, she is me. Just a few short years ago, I was sitting there in her spot. I’m not much older than that - so we’re equals in my book.

But to her, I am HER mother. I'm no longer the kid sitting on a Sunday night, I'm the responsible party (use that term as you will...). Do you see? It's an assumption that all moms lose their keys (however true this may be...). To me it's an awaking, another sign that again I am (or am suppose to be) the adult, doing adult things, forgetting in the adult ways. Oh the terror.

If I am ‘The Adult’ / ‘That Mom,’ then why does it feel like I am still playing house sometimes (and not in that good way like the first time your parents are brave enough to leave you home alone)? When does this go away? Only when I accept it? Or does this wear into us until it becomes apart of us, ingrained in us? How long does that take?

Collards, Festivals, and Queens - A Fun Time Missed By All

You don't get much more southern or small town than the yearly Collard Festival. Yes, it even comes with its very own Collard Queen. Wouldn't you love to put that on your resume?

I know what you're thinking... Before 9 years ago, I couldn't have told you what a collard was either. The best way I can describe it is that it is a green leafy vegetable that stinks up your entire house when you cook it. It's mashed up kinda like the spinach flavored baby food and always tastes a little better after the first frost of the year. I can't truly vouch for the taste part. It's an acquired thing, that I'm still working to acquire. But according to the MIL, it's a staple around any holiday.

So, what brings me to this fine discussion of the collard? As you may know (as I'm sure you do, right?), this year's Collard Festival was rained out by a hurricane. Luck for us, the parade was rescheduled for today.

I love a small town festival, don't get me wrong, and don't go spreading the word that I'm a collard basher. Because I love my itsy bitsy teeny weenie scoop I add to my plate every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. But today's event was rather trying for me.

We arrived early for the festivities (I use that word loosely). We were able to watch a Taekwondo exhibit where the instruction actually said "We'll put our foot against your head to knock you out" to a group of overly active 4-9 year olds - just what I'd want Aiden coming home from class saying to me... Lunch was surprisingly nice at downtown grill once we were able to coerce Aiden to watch some You Tube on Jamie's phone. He's been awfully whiney today. I blame it on being up much too late these last few nights. But he's been like an insomniac lately!

Following lunch we walked down to a friend's home expecting to meet Jamie's mom there and watch the parade as it was about to start. About three seconds into the 6 block walk, I hear "I have to go peeeeee." Great... spending up the pace a little. Everyone we pass is heading the other direction. Jamie, are you sure the parade's coming by here? We arrive, no one is there, not even Jamie's mom. So we turn and walk back, the same six blocks still having to go 'peeeeee.' Make it back in time to see the band marching by. Rush to a bathroom (cough, ugh, don't touch anything, hot, stinky, yuck, wanna go home feeling coming over me). We rush out just in time to see the entire crowd turning to leave.

Luckily as we're trucking back to our car, we're able to catch the tail end of the parade - the band again, imagine that. But Aiden struck gold with some candy thrown out by - yep, you guessed it - The Collard Queen and her friends the Turnip Queen and Brussel Sprout Princess. (Yes, I made these up. Some of you aren't going to believe me about the Collard Queen, so I don't want to confuse you with the other queens, I assure you they were there, but I don't know their proper titles).

So, that was our day. Nope, there are no pictures. For one, I forgot my camera and technically, we missed the parade, so what was I suppose to take pictures of?

The Halloween Chronicles

As Halloween draws closer and Aiden changes his mind again as to what he will be this year, I thought I would chronicle our previous Halloween selections. In both Aiden and Jamie's defense, most of these were picked out by me.

2004: Aiden and Aunt Amanda (age 8 months)

2005: 'Bee'lieve it or not, I only have a picture of Aiden's backside for the year of the Bumblebee (age 20 months)

2006: Buzz Light Year & Me (age 2 1/2)

2007: I know... you're surprised to see a superhero among the mix. Spiderman (age 3 1/2)

2007: Spidie & Me - If you look closely, you can see Aiden's brace under his costume. Only 10 days before Halloween, Aiden broke his collar bone while playing with his best buddy, Clayton.

2007: Pumpkin craving & the forces of good and evil

Any bets on what Aiden will be this year?