october days with mimi & papa

my mom and dad came.  this was a visit that bought me some more minutes out here.  right when i thought i couldn't take another day away from my friends and family.  when i was desperate for face to face chats with my sisters but when facetime wasn't remotely enjoyable because it just depressed me to see everyone together.   they came and were a fast remedy for some serious homesickness.  

first up: pumpkin patch

 

some of us got lost in the corn maze while mimi and kinsley didn't mind showing off their victory dance.

it's extra impressive when you can lasso yourself.  

next:  a morning of soccer games.  

caroline: the heart behind the Dancing Cinderellas.  

children's museum where we discovered that mimi has a hidden talent.

 

pumpkin carving done in the nick of time.  

searching for the perfect jack-o-lantern design.   hallie drew up some good options.  

trick or treating.  i'm not sure there is a neighborhood more festive than ours.  many houses set up food and drink buffets in their driveways which set the tone for a fun night for kids and adults.  

without warning, caroline would often sit down in a driveway or sidewalk to sneak a piece of candy.  

we covered a lot of ground around here by day.  by night, we watched season one of homeland.  super addicting and super good show.   

thanks mom and dad!  we had a perfect time with you!

a slice of her day

one of the most frequent questions i get about homeschooling is in regards to little caroline.   while i considered finding a vintage playpen to trap her in I also had optimism that I could effectively homeschool while also being intentional with my time with her.

we have our rough patches but by in large its been beautiful.   over the last several days i snapped pictures of some of the things she does during school time.  

each activity can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

her chef hat is a must when she cooks.  

linking cubes.  big smile.  

loves to read.  prefers to look through scrapbooks.  

crazy about stickers.   

they usually get on paper but lots of storage bins have sticker decor.  

her new "smile" face.  she is insisting on closed eyes.  

                                    lacing beads.  hard skill but she is getting pretty good.

getting her wiggles out.  

she loves to sort her animals.   

building.  (i just noticed she was stacking same colors...way to go caroline!)  

another example of her new smile face.  open your eyes, child!  

yes, handwriting practice pages have been scribbled on.  yes, kinsley has held her ears saying she can't concentrate during a little tantrum.  yes, we have hard days.   but overall caroline is loving homeschool just as much as me.   

update:  i can't help but include this:

early morning play-doh

birthday at the beach

my (sweet, spunky, adventurous, snuggly, glued-to-mommy, lover of chocolate, adored by her sisters) little gal just turned two.  

she got to celebrate at our favorite home away from home...charleston.

 caroline, you bless our family.   bless us.

 you are full of life.  you run everywhere you go.  there is a very literal spring in your step.

 i treasure my time with you.   you are a jewel.

 you are our entertainer.  when you realize we are laughing at something you do, you become downright theatrical.

 you cling to me.   you grip my arms when you lay against me.   if i have sleeves you wiggle your hands up my arms so our skin is touching.   i love that.

 time outs.  kisses and sorries.  definite parts of our days.

 you are growing up.  you are pretending.  you cook me food in your kitchen while wearing your chef hat.   big big milestone.

 your sisters think you are wonderful.  they think you are hilarious.  the three of us girls get tons of smiles and laughs because of you all day long.

 you watch them.  you talk to them in the car and hold hands, car seat to car seat.  

you can keep up.  you certainly try.  

pretty soon you will be a big kid like your sisters.   i can't wait for what those days will bring.   

it was an awesome weekend celebrating you, little girl.  (forever my baby girl)

last week.....

hallie insisted on doing the hula for her 1st day of preschool picture.  

 caroline did this puzzle one million times.  

she went to her sad spot when things didn't go her way.      

hallie rocked some pretty great bed head.   

they did sand art.  our stairs have never been more colorful.   

we found this guy in the woods behind our house.   we were captivated.   

the tortoise triggered nature journals and a trip to the library.   last week was a good week.  

not caught on camera

we are gearing up for a busy fall---just the way i like it.   an exciting change is that we decided to homeschool kinsley this year.  one week in and i wouldn't trade it for the world.

i don't have one specific milestone or event to share.   instead i want to list a handful of stories--things that i know i will forget if i don't make a point to bottle them up and store them away.

caroline loves to be naked.  loves it.  when we get home she usually completely undresses.   

hallie and her card games.  she never tires of crazy 8's.

kinsley is the most health conscious kid i know.  i once told her orange foods are unhealthy and she now refuses all goldfish/cheez-its.  always prefers something juicy.   

caroline the daredevil.   i have had numerous strangers tell me i need to sign her up for gymnastics.  

we had a putrid smell coming out our vents.  ben had to go under the house to get to the source.  he made a homemade hazmat suit.  it was hilarious but caroline was terrified.   lots of screaming and burying her head into me.   

when i hold hands with hallie she likes it when i squeeze tightly.  if i ever loosen my grip she take her opposite hand and tightens our two hands together.  

hallie and kinsley learned how to ride bikes with no training wheels.  hallie figured it out first.  her little heart was pounding.   kinsley was in shock which led to sheer determination.  a few minutes later she had it mastered.   

hallie fell out of bed at midnight and got 4 stitches.  "i have yarn in my head."   

soccer has started and ben is again coaching both their teams.  at kinsley's pratice, caroline participated in many of the drills.  she did amazing.  dribbling.  shooting on the goal.   she is not two years old yet.   

kinsley watched parent trap.  a graduation from princess movies of sorts.  she watched with her head slightly cocked and a smirk on her face.   she aged about 5 years before our eyes.    

caught on camera

every time i lost a tooth when i was growing up i was adamant that my tooth fairy box be left outside of my bedroom.   there was something very unsettling to me about a fairy flying all around my room while i slept.  i wanted nothing to do with her.  

enter parenthood.  

we are on borrowed time while kinsley still believes in the make believe world.   her innocence and imagination are gifts and it's fun to nurture them.   she has studied the above picture and examined every detail of her fairy.