Pumpkin Patch

 Graham and Hannah Reece spent the night with Nana and Papa last night.  The kids had a 4 day weekend with a couple of days off on Thurs. and Fri.  so they were ready for some fun and a change of scenery, I think!  This morning, Nana and Papa took them to breakfast at their favorite little spot on Ft. Myers Beach.  Then Nana took them to the pumpkin patch and for lunch a playing at McD's.  They can always talk Nana into McD.'s happy meals!  ;)

The kids picked out pumpkins for themselves and a baby one for Camille.  I'll have to add a picture of their pumpkins later.  They "decorated" them with sharpies.  :) 

While the kids were away, Dan and I vascillated between relaxing and trying to make the most of the time to get a few house projects accomplished.  I moved the living room furniture around (this seems to be a trend for me when the kids are away) to make a designated play area for Camille.  Now I have a clear view of her in her play kitchen while I'm cooking/cleaning-up in the kitchen.   I know it sounds weird, but organizing a cleaning really is relaxing to me!  Dan watched football, cleaned up the patio, tidied up the garage and was terribly thrilled to help me move the furniture *again*.  ;)   

I think Camille is growing, she slept for 14 hours last night!  From 4:15pm-6:15am!  That was a treat.  Dan and I enjoyed a few late night episodes of Parks and Rec on Netflix.  We are hooked on that show!

Fall weather hit Florida late last night with a cool front...the high was 87 today.  That qualifies as "brisk weather" in these parts, ha!    I am in the mood to make something with pumpkin in it....maybe this?  

Source: tasteofhome.com via Sarah on Pinterest

On Coolness

This morning, Graham walked into the kitchen and said,

"Mom, I need to tell you something."

"Ok, baby, what is it?"

"If someone is cool whenever they are little, when they are a grown-up, they are so worried about being cool that God makes them not cool.

It can be a punishment if cool is the only thing you think about.  'Cause then sometime that person will learn that being cool  isn't the main thing in life."

"Wow, Graham, where did you learn that?"

"I think I learned it from this (pointing to heart), not from this (pointing to head).

Don't get between the boy and his water gun...

or you WILL get wet!  ;)

Once Upon a Time...

Today I was *ahem* enjoying my husbands company after he came home from work.  ;)  

Graham walked in to the kitchen, with hands on his hips, head tilted and grinning.

"Guys, it's time to stop enjoying Once-Upon-a-Time land....you've been in Once-Upon-a-time-land for way too long now!"

Victory, or fail??

An all too frequent sight lately, I decided to record my people bickering tonight, with hopes that watching themselves behave badly would lead to remorse.  Instead, HYSTERICAL laughter ensued and then they ran off laughing and playing together?!  Well, that didn't work out quite like I'd planned...

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

Millie has a new favorite snack...Gluten Free Brown Rice Krispies (got 'em BOGO at Publix!) and Rice milk.  She wanted more and more, I refilled her suction cupped bowl 3 times!  Cute little thing.

The Daddy Void

Dan's out of town for a special denominational meeting this week.  We are missing daddy something awful around here!  Especially Hannah Reece...she's a daddy's girl ALL.THE.WAY.  

Bedtime is usually when the tears start to flow.  Last night I set out to find one of Dan's shirts that he'd worn to work, one that still had a faint daddy smell.   Don't worry, he's non-commital with his dirty laundry, so it hadn't made it's way into the  filthy laundry basket yet-just on the floor next to it, ha!  The minute I handed it to her, she buried her little face into it and took a big whiff.  It was gross and sweet, all at once! 

And here's the daddy's girl, all snuggled up with daddy's shirt, and wearing one of his huge white undershirts as a gown.  And of course the thumb.  And the big IKEA crinkle blanket that she made her own when her "blank" baby blanket got "lost".  I "found" the baby blanket again to see if she'd trade, but it was a no go.  *sigh* I am thankful for the precious relationship between our girls and their daddy, it is a gift.

Sweet daughter, you are so beautiful, and when I look at you while you are sleeping....my heart skips a beat!  I am utterly amazed that God made me your momma.  I love you!  XOXO