Singin' in Church

The Sunday School kids gave the congregation the gift of song this last Sunday.   Pardon the guys' heads in front of us in the video.  Ha!

Early Snowfall

I guess I'm turning into a "weather nerd", keeping track of each first snowstorm of the new season. 

Last year, October 10th was the first snowfall.  This year, October 10th was ice, slush, sleet, and rain.  I had to take Ramsey to the doctor (again) and there was about an inch of slush on our driveway at 9 AM.  Ugh.

Then, on Friday, the 11th, it turned to snow, starting with small flakes, then huge flakes.

 Then, the wind came up like mad.  Oh joy.    Every one of us was sick and not planning to go anywhere anyway, so the timing wasn't awful (just too EARLY!).

 I don't recall a year where the grass, [most of] the trees, and the standing corn in the fields were still green when the snow started to fly.

We were more fortunate than my more northern-living in-laws; they got around 20" of the white stuff! Yikes.

"The Numbers Guy"

We have a Kindergartener who is obsessed with numbers lately (and germs/viruses also, but that's another story!).    His favorite numbers right now are "centillion" and "googolplex".   *eyebrow raise*
Though he can count by 7s and 60s and whatever else he can dream up, we're still working on perfecting the art of physically writing them.

One afternoon, after school, while focusing on writing 8's and 3's, Ramsey had written five 8's all over the page, in different sizes.  He said, "Mom, look, this is the number eighty-eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight!" 

Curious as to if this was a fluke or if he knew how to read larger numbers, I wrote random numbers down and put him to work.

Five-digit numbers:

Six-digit number:

Tonight, I am going to throw a 7-digit number at him.... just to see!

I was surprised to say the very least.  This means... he did NOT inherit my math skills.  ;-)

Visit to the Pumpkin Ranch

Oh, how we look forward to our yearly trip to the Pumpkin Ranch!  This Saturday, it was cloudy, a bit chilly, and really kind of "blah".  Mid-afternoon, we loaded up for the pumpkin haven.

On the way, Eric stated that it was supposed to rain.  I said, "It won't rain today... it's not supposed to rain until tomorrow."   Within three minutes of my weather notations, raindrops appeared on the wind shield.  Meh.

After we arrived, I grabbed my umbrella and we got out to start the family fun.   In the drizzle, Ramsey ran to the horses first.

Due to the precipitation, we opted not to go on the hayride.  Unknowingly at the time, that was the smart choice.  After a few minutes, we saw that the tractor and hay rack had gotten stuck in mud in the field.

We trudged along a bit, in the rain and chill, checking out others returning from their excursions to find The Great Pumpkin, noticing the embedded tractor wheels and muck, then reassessed.  Um... nope.  We're not going to search endlessly for or pick our pumpkin this year; we'll just see what they have inside for sale!

Of course, we had to get our photo opp in with the Fall decor (can't see the rain in the pic!) before venturing into the barn to take a peek.

There weren't many pumpkins inside.  Oddly, others weren't asking if the display pumpkins were for sale, just assuming they were there only to look nice.  But... I asked!  (...didn't want to leave there empty-handed!)  "Everything is for sale!" the lady said.  So, we grabbed a large perfect pumpkin (right behind Ramsey's left leg in the pic), another smaller cute white pumpkin.... and that was that!

Ramsey reminded us that we could not leave without having our usual cup of hot cocoa!

Now... time to conjure ideas for what to carve on the perfect pumpkin.   Ramsey thinks something Minecraft.  Daddy thinks Darth Mal. 
(The next day, I went and purchased another pumpkin at Walmart, so we can do both. *wink*)

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Have you ever heard that phrase "Take it all in, Momma!"?   I used to breathe, smile, and say it to myself frequently.   I am starting to repeat those poignant words even more lately, as if to remind myself to make small things memories.   While Ramsey leaves for school each morning, I wait until I can't see him anymore and ingrain the vision.   It's just all so bittersweet.

Time passes by swiftly.  Our kids grow up right before our eyes.  One minute they're just born and we're doting over them in their first hours.  Then, you blink and they're 5 and leaving for Kindergarten... and another blink and they're Seniors in high school.

These moments.... these are the moments that are forever deeply-embedded in my memory.  They are precious, though they seem mundane and ordinary.

Love every minute.  

Don't blink too fast.

Love, you, Ramsey Doodlebug.

Love you, Connor.

Should We Be Disturbed?

Each day, when Ramsey gets off the bus, I greet him and we excitedly run into the house to talk about his day and look through his school papers.   We typically have quite a few colorful stories from the day's happenings.  Some, I sigh and shake my head (and then discuss, of course).  Others, I laugh and give hugs in appreciation for a good tale. 

One particular day, we were sorting through his school folder, I found a drawing.  I... uh.... wasn't entirely sure what to make of it.

You can come up with your conclusion first, though I'm sure it is similar to my original inclination.  When I asked Ramsey what he drew a picture of, he told me it was a knight, holding a sword in one hand... and a "mask" in the other.    Momma's eyebrow raised.   We had a little chit chat about drawing appropriate things. 

"He's learning," I keep telling myself.    This parenting thing is already getting harder!

Cub Scouting Kiddo

 We officially have a Cub Scout in the household! 

Following in the footprints of his Daddy (Eagle Scout), Grandpa Orin (Eagle Scout), and Grandpa Mike (Boy Scout), Ramsey has joined the scouts as a Lion, in a den of similar-aged little boys.

They had two meetings this week; one at the rural fire department and another at the den leader's home.   

And, popcorn sales have begun.  Eric and I have already done some pre-selling.  Then, one of us will take Ramsey door to door in the neighborhood to learn the art of salesmanship.

In order to succeed into being a "Bobcat", among other things, Ramsey needs to learn the Cub Scout Oath:

"On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."

During the Wednesday den meeting, the kids were challenged with an obstacle course.  Good thing the oath doesn't speak of "walking straight".

That evening, when we were saying our nightly prayers, Ramsey gave thanks for Cub Scouts.  He's having a great time, meeting new children, and will learn so much in the upcoming years.  Yes, thank you God for Cub-Scouting.  :-)