Somewhere In the Middle

Our Lucy recently turned a sweet {and spicy} thirteen months old.  This is exactly the time Jack started walking and two months shy of when Maggie took to her feet.  As Lucy is such a mix of these two extremely opposite siblings of hers, it would only seem natural that she will start walking...somewhere right in the middle.

I'll give her one thing though...she is an eager little one.  Due to her demand, {i.e standing on the inside of the friend's entrance door holding her walker all the while squealing}, we spend a lot of our afternoons hitting the pavement.

Back and forth...back and forth...back and forth.  As redundant as it may seem, and it is, I honestly can't get enough of this little go getter on the move.  However, I've found that Lucy's Bigs can get enough of it.  The slow pace is certainly not their style. Lucy and I have discovered that the most opportune moment  is during Jack and Maggie's "screen time".  {which pre-Lucy used to be my "get something done time"}

So come post homework, post naps and pre dinner time, you can most likely find Little Lu and I somewhere in the middle...of the road.

{a very dirty road that is, we've got some intense construction going on our street right now, try to disregard the bulldozer tracks and focus on those sweet cheeks...and thighs...and lips...and big eyes...and...}

Sometimes I'm even lucky enough to get this view.  The one finger walk.  Remember that?  How I love the feel of one of my sweet babies hands clenched around my finger.  Mmmmm... {thoroughly enjoying that I get to experience it for a third and final time}

Once she's done, she's done.  But there is nothing like the culminating activity of pawning all over her shoes.  I've got a shoe lover on my hands...again.

Love you LuLu!  Don't be afraid to slow down the growing up thing.

What Keeps Lucy Busy

If you don't count the getting into drawers, chasing after her bigs, bouncing from one toy to another, get in and out of Momma's arms, and the pulling of every safety plug out of the electrical sockets, there are some actual organized activities that keep my little Lulu busy.  In a productive way.

And my oh my, how thankful I am for them.  I certainly feel like a taxi driver somedays toting three kiddos from place to place {and I imagine it will only get worse, if what they all say is true}, but it's worth it for a bit of productive busyness on my littlest's end.

And just like her bigs, Lu is on a two activity max.  Multiply that by 3 and well, you can do the math.  Mommy's Taxi at your service.

Lucy begins her week with Music Class.  I have been a Music Class Mommy, with the same teacher, for six consecutive years now.  That is not a boast, just a statement of utter shock.  And with each child it has been a completely different experience.

As I always say, my Lu is this perfectly blended mix of her bigs when it comes to personality.  So on one hand I've got this independent busy baby cruising around class and then on the flip side I have this sweet sack of sugar who cuddles up in my lap {for a half a song, that is}.

Just as Maggie did, Lucy loves music.  She dances and bops to the music.  But unlike Maggie, and more like Jack, she is the first to race to the instruments to state her claim.  No one loves a drum like my Lucy.

Our week follows with Gym Class. There is nothing more suited for my bouncing baby girl.  Add that Maggie takes a class at the same gym and it makes for a nice girl's morning {and on into the afternoon} out.

I find at gym that Lucy thinks she possibly runs the class.  She is usually one step ahead of the coach pulling out the next piece of equipment, i.e balls, hoops, etc.  And if she really enjoys an activity, per se the bouncing monkey spring board thing-a -ma-jig, that is where you will find Lucy loitering.  She is very unwilling to accept the concept of an actual obstacle course.

I call this my "balance out sitting in the driver's seat all week" activity.  I am slap worn out when that 45minute class concludes.  And if I'm lucky, she is too.

So that's what keeps my Lulu busy....and my Taxi service in business.

Soccer Season

Another soccer season has begun.  One of the many signs that Fall is arriving.  I always have to remind myself to take a deep breath when I flip my calendar over to the Fall months.  It's is definitely one of the busiest times of the year for us.  Among soccer, we have Fall Festivals, pumpkin patches, Halloween, Maggie's Birthday, and Thanksgiving to look forward to.  Yes, I am looking and in the midst of planning that far ahead.  What choice does having three wee ones leave me?

Two games into our soccer schedule already.  The first game was fabulous, the second only so so.  We will see how the remainder of the season plays out.  Clay and I always find ourselves reminding Jack, "you don't have to be the best, just try your best".   Jack is our perfectionist and Type A to a T. If he's not confident in something, he takes a step back.  A continuos struggle we have.   Luckily he thrives in all things academic, something we have to thank our lucky stars for.

But we continue on with team sports in the hopes of fostering that team work spirit and getting a little exercise at the same time.  Not to mention, my kiddos are on a two activity limit.  And Jack did choose soccer and tennis this Fall.

So onto the field.

The weather has been beautiful thus far.  With most games on our schedule at 12:30 the girls and I set up on the sidelines and picnic.  In true Maggie fashion, she eats a little and socializes a lot.  I'm loving that she gets a bit of exercise in as well.

Maggie's socializing occasionally makes it right to the coach's corner where Daddy is hanging out.  She doesn't quite get the concept of "stay to the outside of the white lines".  And when this happens, I duck my head and get that, "I don't know who that three year old girly girl is on the field" look on my face. To her it's all grass and it's all there for her enjoyment.

And in true Lucy fashion, she eats a lot and explores a lot.  This girl is busy and so on the go.  Crawling and cruising to anywhere, anything, and anyone she can find.  I'm pretty sure my sweet little girlfriends look forward to Saturday soccer just as much as Jack, if not more.

But, this is what it is all about.  Or at least what we are trying to teach Jack...good sportsmanship and team work.  {The after game snack isn't so bad either.}

Go Stars!

On My Nightstand: The Kitchen House

I know I've fallen short on my book sharing responsibility.  Finding time to read presents a challenge in itself, but finding time to write about it is a whole other trial.

However, I could not let the opportunity pass to share my latest and greatest read.  And though, I have read at least a dozen great books since I last shared with you.  This one could not be shelved {no pun intended} until I could find the time.

So if you remember, I prefer a good historical fiction novel.  I'm not sure what draws me to these reads, maybe the literal escape to a time long ago, but the reality of it at the same time.  Whatever the reason, I have found that some of my favorite novels are from this genre.

So shall we add another?

Goodreads writes...

When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family. Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin. 

Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.

And lest I note, that I have become a giant fan of Goodreads. No more hounding my friends for new titles. And in addition to that, my husband so graciously gifted me with a Kindle for Mother's Day this past spring. Wasn't sure how I was going to take to it. {I'm always last on board with change}. However, about three novels in I become quite acquainted with it . Love the portability. Although I do on occasion miss turning a real paper page, I have been able to let that go in exchange for the less cumbersome gadget. 

So not only does The Kitchen House earn a place in my favorite novels EVER, it earns the title of my favorite novel read on my new Kindle. It was one of those books that had me counting down the minutes to my bed time...for more reasons than one. 

 Seriously, a must read.

Little Labor Lotta Fun

We spent a very labor free holiday down in the sunshine state.  I can't lie the trip seemed daunting to me at first.  All that packing and then all that driving {I think I've been scarred by my solo drive up to GG's two months ago}.  And not to mention Jack's sobbing episode, because he didn't want to be checked out of school a whole hour and a half early on Friday, didn't help.  I quote "this is my best year evvver, I don't want to go".

I am happy to proclaim that it was all worth it.  Jack would even agree.

It was one pleasant surprise after another.  The drive was unusually easy {minus Lucy's bouts of fighting sleep}.  We escaped the rain to find plenty of sunshine and appropriate August humidity.  We saw all the family and the kiddos loved every doted on moment. I was able to catch up with an old friend.  And then to top it all of, the drive home was surprisingly pain free as well.

All in all it was an A plus kind of weekend away.

We hit the beach after Lu's morning nap on Saturday.  We weren't sure how it would go considering I was very ill prepared for such an activity.  Totally didn't even think to bring the pool bag, duh.  Between scouring and scrounging from Grammy and Aunt Scrub we were set to go.

The kids had an absolute blast.  Lucy more than any of them I would have to guess.  She is fearless.  Turn your back for half a second and that little one will have already crawled her way out into the blue unknown.  She is nuts, I tell you.  This is my first experience with an adventurous baby and I'm having to learn the ropes real quick.  I am so thankful for her overprotective big brother with an amazing watchful eye.

Now my other sweet baby girl spent her time collecting seashells in the sand.  *sigh*  How I adore my Magpie.

We lucked out on a great little lunch shack right behind our set up.  We walked up to find more luck...a play area perfectly ideal for the kids.  They were way excited since the announcement of "time for lunch" didn't elicit any happy responses on their end.

My dear Aunt Scrub and Grammy met us for the tail end of our beach play and lunch.  More pleasant surprises to be had.

We followed the sunny afternoon with a Cibula cook out.  My girls could not get enough of the attention.  They were both all smiles up until way past their bedtime.  Jack spent his time chasing his big cousins around.  Hence the reason there are no photos of that crew.

Maggie woke on Sunday morning and donned her "flower bonnet" so she could go to the "garden".  Yes, she is that precious.  She came back in with her pjs on, a serious case of bed head under her hat, and a handful of flowers {sorry Grammy}.  I couldn't resist catching her on camera before we went over the "no picking, just smelling" rule.

Later that morning I did some over due catching up with one of my dear high school friends and old "in my twenties" roommate.  It had been a while.  This was the first time she had met Lucy.  Last time we saw one another I was about to pop.

Our kids had a short reacquainting period, but quickly followed it with some serious play.  Don't let this picture fool you.  They were just mad because they had to stop their shenanigans for the camera.

After that, we said our goodbyes and hit the road.  Homeward bound.  And are you ready for this?...Jack didn't want to leave.  Imagine that.

Once we got home, we just couldn't leave well enough alone.  With still another free day in our weekend, we took Lucy on her first visit to the Children's Museum.   She adored it.  Clay said, "this was Lucy's best weekend ever".  Hands down the most smiles in one weekend from that wee one.

Needless to say, my little ones slept hard Monday night.