Togetherness

Lately my kids have become two of a kind. Ryan adores Katie and wants to be just like his big sister. We can't hand ANYTHING to Katie without also giving something to Ryan. They chase each other, they sit together, they clean-up together, the latest trend in our house is the kids doing everything together, or at least trying. The other day they both took naps, this is rare for Katie, she was sick with a cold. I had to get a picture when I saw them together again.
Yes, I'm a sucker mom. Never meant to be, and in my defense they are organic and only natural sugars... see how happy it makes them?! Notice, they are sitting together!

Finally, yep, child labor, but they are willing workers and are again, together!

Disappearing Act

This morning I was checking my e-mail and the kids were playing behind me. After a bit Ryan climbed up on the bench by the window and had a poop (this is his common place so I didn't think anything of it.) It was stinky and so I finished what I was doing and picked him up teasing him, "Common Stinky, let's go get you changed." I noticed that his jammies were a bit damp but figured it was drool from running around with Katie. I laid him down, unzipped his jammies and discovered NO DIAPER. My first thought was, "Where is his diaper!" and as I pulled his leg out, in the bottom of the right leg was his diaper... not sure how he managed that. I turned my attention to his bottom and his left leg and my immediate reaction was, "Oh Crap!" Because there in the left leg and all over his leg and bottom was poop... I dumped him in the tub and cleaned him up, rinsed the stuff and got it into the washing machine. So much for a peaceful start to the day.

Growth

Yesterday morning, for some reason, Ryan insisted on sitting on Katie's lap. At first Katie wasn't so keen on the idea (did I really just use the word keen, reminds me of Nancy Drew or something?!) anyway... she got on board and I ended up with some cute pictures! (The last one is Katie with Ryan on her lap when they were both quite a bit smaller, hence the title of this post.

Autumn Sights

This afternoon I was determined to get some pictures taken of some of the beautiful fall colors around here. As I left the apartment to run errands, with the kids in tow, I snapped this shot just in case nothing else presented itself today.

After a quick stop at the post office Katie convinced me that they needed to go to a park with swings. Here are Katie and Ryan running to the playground equipment.The kids were doing a great job of playing and so I attempted to get a good color shot - um, well, there is some color here!As I was on my phone lamenting to a good friend about how I just wasn't the photographer that she was - I suddenly noticed that I was being watched... I hung up on her to take these pictures.A mother deer and her baby - right there - 20 miles from Washington D.C., at a neighborhood park!The mother watched me and I watched her. I called Katie to come and look at the deer. Ryan noticed them too and was ready to charge, but I wasn't about to let that happen, I knew that mother would defend her baby just like I would defend mine - at this point I was almost hoping they would leave soon (they were between me and my van). I could just imagine making the news as two mothers butt heads protecting their youth.I was reminded of how awesome God makes these animals and nature at this time of year that they can blend in so easily to their surroundings. What a blessed Autumn day I had!

Pictures

Katie and her classmates - Katie's the Pink Princess. Katie and her wand.

Smiley Ryan

Katie ready for school. She loves her tights!

Our Crazy October Ending

Here it is, November 1st. I can't believe that October is already gone. This past little bit has been harried and hectic but here's a rundown of events:
- I finally listened to a couple of my friends and tried Facebook. It's been fun, but how to juggle my blog and facebook - I will try! However if you don't here from me here, I'd encourage you to check there!
- Sunday - We went to church at Community Bible Church and had a relaxing Sunday afternoon... I had every intention of catching up with my blog on Monday....
- Monday - Katie went to school and Ryan caught a tummy bug and was having issues out both ends.
- Tuesday - Katie went to school, my mom and dad started driving from NC to VA, Ryan was still sick. We had spaghetti for dinner and as of now NEVER want to see spaghetti again... Sean and I both caught Ryans bug.
- Wednesday morning my parents arrived - God's provision all the way - Sean and I were both way sick, Ryan was hanging in but still not himself... G'ma and G'pa took Katie to school where she had a program - singing and dressing up in her princess costume. They picked her up from school and took her to lunch. I started feeling better, Sean did not.
- Wednesday evening I took Ryan to a walk-in clinic because he had kept nothing down since Sunday night... I guess, thankfully, he is still nursing some and that sustained him and kept him from getting dehydrated.
- Thursday Sean was still ill but the rest of us were feeling better. We all (except Sean) went to Cox Farms for a fun-filled day of pumpkins, hayrides, apple cider, and slides!
- Friday morning my dad woke up sick. Sean was feeling some better so he, my mom and I took Katie to gymnastics, by the time we got home my mom was feeling sick too. They laid around and slept the rest of the day. Sean and I took the kids out for an early dinner and then to the Fair Oaks Mall for trick or treating.
- Saturday morning - FINALLY, everyone is feeling well (we're still monitoring Katie as she's the only one who didn't appear to feel the affects of this one!) My folks headed home and we're scrubbing everything down...
Pictures will follow in the next post - I hope!
Please, let November be a bit calmer!