balancing act

you know that crazy clown at the circus with plates spinning precariously atop of sticks perched on his palms, forehead, nose, and chin? yeah, he may as well be me.

school has started.

and, I should add, I've returned to the classroom. my job-share-partner-turned-dear-friend, kate, and I took a leap of faith and decided to go back to teaching a regular classroom of 25 third graders. it wasn't a decision that came easily and I think we both spent a good deal of time soul-searching on this one. NOW probably isn't the best time to ask us if we are at peace with our choice...but if you wait a few weeks, we'll have our ducks in a row. I think I can say that I somehow blocked out the reality of how much busy-work a classroom teacher has. I have come home with a full bag everyday. on a positive note, the work days fly by now and I am enjoying the kiddos.

so, if you were wondering where I've been, now you know. despite the increased stress and time away from our boys, we're having a great fall. it's definitely my favorite season. I think there is something magical about a season that is so short. the cool, crisp days when we can walk to the park under a blanket of falling leaves are few and they are beautiful. I just adore having pumpkins on my front step and adding a layer of clothing, but still being able to wear flip flops if I want. we have busted out the yummy fall scented candles and I'm headed to the store to get some candy corn tomorrow. I'm excited for pumpkin pie, our annual trip to the orchard, halloween costumes, apple crisp...this list is endless. more oohing and ahhing about that in future posts.

for now I will share with you some of my favorite family moments from early september. the boys are growing up too fast and I would be lying if I didn't admit that there is a split second every morning that I'm scheduled to work when I contemplate calling in sick. these two have me wrapped around their little fingers and I miss them so much when I'm gone all day. don't get me wrong, I am grateful for my job as a teacher and I definitely know that I have the best of both worlds. believe me, I know.

drinking milk like auntie jen

we are taking time to stroll around in the wagon and look for the rain clouds. I can't think of a better way to spend a fall evening. can you?

henry bug is working hard to learn how chase after his big brother and puppies. it's hard to believe that our little peanut is quickly going to become mobile. and for the record...I'm not ready.

we headed to a small local zoo on a beautiful saturday morning in early september. the animals are all native to this area and the size of the zoo makes it easy to get up close and personal with all of them. a little too close for this mama's comfort. there are hand sanitizers around every corner for you to use after visiting, say, the bison. riiiiight. but the zoo was lovely and both henry and miles seemed to enjoy the short trip there. I foresee many a return trip to this zoo in the years to come. bring it on.

we paid to sleep on the ground

when kyle and I were married in 2007, I insisted on registering for camping gear. mind you, we had never actually been camping, but I was convinced that we would become avid outdoor adventurers in no time. riiiight. three and a half years later, our friends the harms' and bansemars invited us on a camping trip to northern wisconsin. sure, why not? it's as if camping with a two year old and an infant would somehow be better timing than going as a young newly married childless couple. but whatev. we had to wipe the cobwebs off of our camping gear to inspect just what in the world we had registered for in the first place. and of all of the boxes (a camp stove, sleeping bag, tent, and air mattress), we had used precisely one - the air mattress. I know what you're thinking...this is going to be good.

we had already outgrown our never-been-opened tent, so we had to borrow one from my sister and her husband...along with just about every other piece of necessary camping gear. I wasn't about to convince kyle that we should run out and buy a bunch of stuff that may end up housing spiders in our basement for another three and a half years. we packed up everything but the kitchen sink and headed out on our four hour trip to council grounds state park.

having grown up camping many weekends of every summer, this was like a flashback to my childhood. minus the part where I had to think of everything we would need to survive for three days and be the one to pack it and keep it organized during the trip. apparently all of that did NOT magically happen while my brothers and sister and I ran around the campground...my hat's off to you, mom and dad!

as we drove into the park, miles proclaimed, "look at the trees!!" and then laughed hysterically. city kid. the campground was very nice and we were happy (read: relieved) to look across the road and see our good friends all set-up and ready. a special thank you to them for bringing along all of the necessities that we forgot. why were we across the road from them?  two words - electric site. city kid, remember? anna planned a menu centered around all things campfire or should I say all things pudgy pie. so isn't it fitting that all three families forgot to pack the pie makers? figures. oh well, anna, melissa, and I left the five little ones with their daddies and headed to town to shop for the groceries (and pie makers). hello piggly wiggly...it's been years. we even stopped at the wood shed and brought back a van-ful of fire wood. eat your heart out paul bunyan.

the kiddos were all loving the great outdoors and miles and henry slept like rocks. I'm not sure that was the case in the other two tents, but they were wrestling with teething and flu-ridden little ones. poor parents...er, I mean, poor babies! I did manage to remember to pack a few things to keep the big boys busy. who knew that the dollar store could hold so many treasures? (and for the record, yes. real men have tea parties)

I think what I love best about camping is how life slows down. it gives us time to enjoy the little things in life. we can sit and snuggle with babies, stay up late at the campfire, play umpteen games of t-ball, try out a sippy cup of water for the first time, and spend hours preparing and eating a meal. lunch at 2pm? why not? another added bonus - daily showers are (somewhat) optional. oh yeah, I said it. everything already smells like a campfire and continues to do so for days, but I will admit that the warm shower did feel amazing and I managed to take henry there all by myself. how's that for crafty? actually it was probably more of a strategic move on my part. you see, henry giggles in the shower. miles screams bloody murder. have fun daddy.

don't get me wrong, it wasn't all wonderful and sunshiny. there were oodles of mosquitos, a few well placed temper tantrums, a screaming baby on the way home, and a flu bug that managed to wipe out our entire family after we arrived home on sunday night, but we had a fabulous time!!!

we stopped at the nelson cheese factory on our way home for some ice cream. miles has never once wanted to try it. preposterous, I am aware. but on this particular day he opted for a taste of daddy's cone and LOVED it! I knew he was my child.

kyle is still a little perplexed at the notion of paying money to sleep on the ground, but he'll come around. I'm already shopping the end-of-season clearance sales at rei and we're scoping out a place a little closer to home for a quick overnight this fall. who could resist another opportunity to unpack this?

seven months = seven teeth

to say that henry is changing every day would be an understatement. it's more like every moment. his personality has blossomed these last few weeks. he is happy-go-lucky and this boy loves to smile. if you scroll back through the pictures from his first few months, you might not recognize him as the same baby in these pictures.

and speaking of changing...you might remember from the six month stats that they were a bit concerned with his growth...or lack thereof. well we returned for a weight check (and an ear infection...boo.) and (drum roll please) he has gained a pound!  henry now weighs 16 lbs 8 oz (the 18th %ile) and is 28 1/2 inches tall (the 88th %ile). I guess the introduction to solid foods has paid off. phew. our little henry chews on everything. did I say everything? oh yeah, I do mean ev-ery-thing. and the drool. wow. it is nothing to go through a half dozen little bibs in one day. and by "go through" I mean soaked to the bone and usually his shirt underneath too. apparently all of the chewing and drooling have paid off though, because as of his seven month birthday he has seven teeth! check it out:

this little bug is also a bit of a comedian. he makes silly faces and talks in his deep loud voice "ahhhhhh" - adorable. he keeps us laughing and seems to know that what he's doing is funny. a regular bob hope.

but mostly he is sweet. he gives great slobbery kisses, cuddles into the crook of your neck, and has made our lives so much more complete. he is innocent and snuggly. his bright blue wide-eyes are captivating and his soft toes and fuzzy hair are heavenly. we love our little henry bug.