It Was Chilly

We had fun. They dressed warm. Layers under the costumes. So I only had to carry their coats.
I grew up out in the middle of nowhere. So the fact we can walk out our front door, across the grass and stay on foot the entire evening is quite a joy for me.
I had about 30 seconds to get these pictures.  Haven't been behind the viewfinder much lately.  So I am feeling pretty great about these two.

Introducing,

The Mad Hatter.

She thought the eye makeup was just about the bomb.

 Raggedy Ann,

 with Red Crayola Marker.

Oh Yeah!!!

They had fun.
I had fun.
We got boo coo candy.
I think that makes for one great Wednesday night.



Autumn

And I'm Back With a Tooth

Hello. It is good to be typing in this long rectangular box. Thinking of the things I have missed putting here.
Milestones the Little Women have accomplished.
Milestones we have accomplished.
It's ok. I know that. I needed to do what we have been doing.
Today feels right to share.
Nothing to inspiring.
Just one 7 year old who is sure that when a tooth is ready to be pulled that it is major surgery.
She for sure takes that train of thought from Yours Truly.
Sorry to pass on my complete fear of anything to do with hurting my body onto you the Boo.

She is sure she will do it herself.

He and I know she won't.

We would fall over if she ever did.

(Side Note: Curling your toes gives you strength!)

  

He cheers her on.

He also gets frustrated.

I get frustrated with her as well.

Just not over the tooth thing.

She is getting so big.

So witty.

Carefree in ways.

Uptight in others.

Loves fiercely. 

This one is my favorite.

I love having a photo of my children crying.

There is so much to be said in those faces.  

Pleading to please try later.

He gives in. 

I was proud of him.

I hope to share with you, little by little, our path.
My defeats.
And my victories........................

Good Morning, Mrs. Grismore

At the beginning of the year I went through the process to become a substitute teacher. I love being at the girls school. Honestly, I am there at least one day a week regularly. It is a way to earn money, be on their same schedule, get to know the kids my girls are around, and lastly, be bossy. Which is probably my favorite!:)
So I have been doing it for a little over a month. I am telling you, you should feel good about the substitute teachers that are in the schools. It is one rigorous process. Anyway, here's what I am getting at.
I don't want to have a "real" job. I did that. It was good. I do feel like I missed out on a lot of stuff, though. I want a life with less stress, although, stress does seem to creep in from other places.:) I want to be able to have our summers. No alarm clock. No schedule. Just me and my girls. Swimming. Playing. Snuggling. Hiking. Going to the park. Then waiting for Daddy to come home. Gosh, it just sounds euphoric.
Not to say it wasn't scarey to give up my job. But we knew, we just knew, it was the right thing to do. And we have not looked back.
I suppose my whole reason for this post is............ thankfulness. I just have so much to be thankful for. And knowing that when one door closes on a chapter in my life another will open.
When I trust Him, He will provide.
It may not be in my time, but He will provide.
First, I must trust Him.

These pictures have nothing to do with my post.

Except that this afternoon was one of those afternoons.

Nowhere to be.

No emails to answer.

No stupid cell phone ringing.

Just me and my baby Boo. 

Oh Happy Days:)

What Was I Thinking?

What would blog world be if you didn't put out your embarassing stuff too? Two Tuesdays a month Ms. Blue and I get an hour to spend together. We always find something interesting to do. The last two we have invaded Wildcat Park. Last week I didn't even have my camera in the Loser Cruiser. Ms. Blue, for the most part, detests my camera. I have resorted to pretend upset-ness to get her to cooperate. Unscrupulous, I know. But a mom has to sometimes.........well do things she said she never would.:)
I wanted to share our pictures. First of all. What was I thinking? The train is cute and all, but I only have 10 seconds of self timer time. And then trying to crawl through that little hole.
I hope you all appreciate the "ridiculous" your about to witness!

Lillie was laughing at me. 

This time I am not even fast enough to get in the stupid thing!

Her face is so cute though.

 Got in.

Not enough time to fix my sweater.

Back is slightly hanging out.

 Got in.

Got posed.

Lillie with the hand. Priceless!

OUT OF FOCUS!

Are you kidding me?

Gave up!

Here's to you!
Here's to me!
Here's to doing foolish stuff,
all in the name of memories!


Happy Day.
Autumn:)

Spring Has Sprung?

The day could not have been any better for mid-late February. The weather scares me a little. What will this spring hold? Will Poppa be freaking out during planting season? Oh yeah. He will. Cause well, he always does, but what if this year is worse! Will there be more bugs than we can possible handle this summer?
There is nothing I can do about all of the above, so why worry.
Yesterday was great.
Took the girls to the park.
We brought along our neighbor girl.
Daddy joined us after work.
Pure family fun.
Doesn't get any better.

They love the big rock. 

So fun to climb.

The first jump down of the season is always a little scarey.

Hence, Ms. Blue's face!

 She's just so much fun!

 Don't you love a smile so big 

there are no eyes left?

 Grismore family fun includes Stella 

on so many occasions.

First slide trip.

She told Ainzli she liked it:)

 We are going to attempt soccer this spring.

Wish us luck!!!!!

Autumn:)

Good Eats

So my lovely husband had business to attend to around the Indianapolis area last Friday. I know, I am just now getting to the post. Sad.
So as I said, Indianapolis.
Great City. It's in the Midwest. How could it not be great!:)
He dropped me off downtown.
Monument Circle.
With my saddle bag. My journal. My book. My camera.
There would be nothing else I would need.
I walked around for awhile. Just soaking it all in. I suppose the bustle would get old if you were in the mix on a regular basis. But, I am not. So it was great.
I was meeting my sister for her break at work. She works right on the circle. Pretty cool, I might add.
To be sure I didn't get caught up and risk missing her, I thought I would enjoy a pastry from the bakery directly across the street. au bon pain. A chain bakery. I like to visit independent places if I can. This time it just didn't work out. Good, none the less.

Creme' de Fleur

Sourdough..esk little pastry with cream cheese icing.

Went wonderfully with my bold blend coffee. 

There was just a smidge of icing on the inside.

Just right in the bottom. 

 So after my visit I wanted to head toward the library. It was a beautiful day for a walk. Saw lots of cool stuff that distracted me.
Walking.
Photographing.
Thinking.
Not talking.
Not a care.
It was great.
The thing that pulled me in like a tractor beam was the Indiana World War Museum. It it quite a spectacular building. Plus I am a history nut. I spent a couple of hours in there. So much to learn from our past. So much.
Finally made it to the library. With not much time to spare. Shannon called not long after I looked around. I did get in one chapter of my book. Plus a couple of photos of the library. I think I was alone all in all about 5 hours.
He picked me up and we decided we would have a late lunch.
I saw a cute little pizza place I thought we could try.
He wasn't so sold. So goes our story. I want to always walk out on limbs. He is my go go gadget boy, attached to the trunk, reeling me back in.
Balance. There must be balance.

I won this toss up!
If you ever make a trip to downtown Indy. You must go here. I repeat. You MUST go here.
Coal Pizza Company.
It is independently owned.
It just opened in January.
A week before the Super Bowl.
Their claim to fame. Or it soon will be in my book is: Neopolitan style pizza.
90 seconds at 900 degrees.
This is how they make their pizzas.
They suggest only three ingredients maximum for the best results.

 Appetizer.

Mangia Rolls.

Can't say much about them, but that they are delightful little morsels.

The piece de resistance'!

Tarte Flambe'

Smoke Bacon, Onion, Gruyere' (that's a cheese for those of you who are about as seasoned as I!) 

I do believe I could have horked the majority of this down. 

But you know, being a lady and all, I only horked down a third. 

Paired with a nice little Indiana Microbrewed Pale Ale.

Best late lunch I can remember.

Best one my husband can remember too.

 


Autumn:)

Consistantly Behind

At this point in my life, I am leading from behind. I could try to explain it, but I believe it would be useless. Even though I know it is hard for my co-inhabitants here at the Grismore abode, they are tolerating it. They love me and I them.

We have been living in 

Valentine Land 

for the last couple of weeks.

I just really hope the duct tape doesn't

peel the white paint off the ceiling.

Mailboxes for my Valentines.

Got the idea here.

I really like this holiday.

It comes the time of year I really need a pick me up.

This year especially.

HVD.

Yes. That is what Ms. Blue mentioned.

Writing Happy Valentine's Day was too long.

I convinced her maybe HVD wasn't such a great idea.

It just sounds like something you might NOT want!:) 

So, HVD!
A day late.
And a dollar short.
But with no less love.

Bending My Rules

We were stuck in traffic on the way to visit my sister. Like stand still traffic. I do my best to lead by example when it comes to my phone and my automobile. I never text while I drive. NEVER! Not even when my kids are not in the van. Scares the crap out of me. No joke! I am diligent about not talking on it too much either.
But this circumstance was different. We were basically parked.
So away I snap.
What else is there to do when you are surrounded by semi's?

The below pictures were originally to capture all three of us. Just something fun. Silly. Goofy. All the words that tend to describe us on a regular basis.  After a few looks, they prove the awesomeness of my Ainzli. 

Her picture.

This look is one I am getting more and more often.

She is starting to call me out on some of the odd things that come out of my mouth.

We then laugh.

Miss Lillie's pictures.

She is focused on the box van in front of us.

She is convinced I am going to hit it.

"Here is my teeth smile, Mom. That is the best you will get."

  I told Ainzli she was slightly in the frame.

This is the look she gave me.

It just makes me laugh.

 My picture.

Look at her! 

More on the actual visit with Audri later. :)

Have a lovely one!

A Nickname With Swagger

......Lillie Joel.....

It was coined. By none other than Rod (Uncle Rod, but the girls don't call him that?). He said it right before her Christmas recital. This was the first recital she really noticed was a recital, so the nerves were on high alert. She looked at me with even bigger black eyes and a paler face. 

He said it again later on in the holidays. She told me she wished he wouldn't call her that. In the back of my mind I am thinking, "I love it. It fits her. Thank you Rod for this awesome nickname.!" 

I use her new nickname occasionally. It is growing on her. 

 Practicing in the hallway. 

On the little pink keyboard her Papaw gave her.

She is learning about Beethoven right now.

The fact that he was helping support his family at 12 blows her mind.

Mine too. 

Autumn:)

Playing Hookey

What do you do when you know your child could/should go to school, but in your heart you know they are just tired? I did something I never thought I would do. I let her stay home. After all it is just kindergarten. I would never say that in front of her, but it's the truth.
I did feel guilty on the way to take Ainzli to school. I know she was tired too. But cripes, missing in third grade is completely different than kindergarten.
Like night and day!
For goodness sake, Ainzli has to do a science fair project this year! What the ......!!!!!! That packet came home and I was dumbfounded. That's a whole-nother bottle of wine story! Obviously I am a little sore about it.

So what exactly do you get to do at home on a day you play hookey? Sort of played hookey. She did go back to bed and slept till 10. Not anything too exciting. Except play Guess Who about a million times. That's always very exciting.

You do have to get your picture with your mama. 

And you must be agreeable.

You do have to pose so very sweetly.

With large, black as coal, eyes. 

You also realize just how much you miss your big sister.

And apparently the day is so much longer at home than at school.

And the bus never gets here quick enough.  

Autumn:)

I Want to Remember When

I want to remember how my Lillie Blue would make her bed in the morning. She would set a scene up. Her stuffed animals would greet her when she arrived home from school. Blankie front and center.

Melt my heart my little Lillie Blue.

___________________________________________________________________________________

I want to remember when my Ainzli Isabel finally took the initiative and did her hygiene without prompting (most of the time!). She does it because she wants to. She is now aware that if she doesn't do it.......well she wants to do it. :)  And yes we call it the "hygiene basket". Face wash, astringent, melaleuca oil, oil free face lotion and deodorant.

My sweet and responsible Ainzli Isabel.
Much love Sis.

Autumn:)

Having Trouble

We seem to be having a serious issue with getting back on track at bedtime. This is nothing new for us. When we have a break bigger than a couple of days the bedtime just goes right out the window. Last night was no exception. Although the culprit was something all together different.

 This note was taped to Lillie's bedroom door.

I noticed it this morning. 

I suppose Ainzli just wanted to cover all her bases, 

you know, in case we couldn't find Lillie.:)

Their minds! Their minds were playing terrifying tricks on them last night. Ainzli is about to finish the second book in the Harry Potter series. That can be a little scarey in its self. Her National Geographic magazine came in the mail yesterday. There was a spread in it about Voldemort and Belatrix (?). She was leafing through it after bedtime. Lillie joined her after sneaking down the hall. They had a night light on looking through the pictures as Ainzli is reading the article.

I hear a noise coming from that end of the house. I bust Ainzli getting out a pillow and a couple of additional blankets from the linen closet. She is startled. She starts rambling. Like she always does when she is busted! So cute!

She explains to me that they are scared (or s carded. I LOVE IT!!!). I can see it on their faces. Lillie's eyes, laying in the dimly lit bedroom, are as big as silver dollars. Ainzli made her bed so they could sleep together. I let them. No harm. I told them no complaining in the morning of being tired. They didn't. Such good girls.

I asked Shannon if he remembered being scared at their ages. He said no. I told him I was scared all the time. Paralyzingly scared. My mind would race. The sounds in the old farmhouse out in the middle of a field would warrant me begging to sleep with my parents. They would make us sleep on their floor. Hey, it was better than having to return to the room that surely had someone in it who was going to steal me. I was afraid of someone kidnapping me. It makes me laugh now. Kidnap me. HA! They truly would have brought me back. No doubt in my mind. That little girl was a force to be reckoned with.

Kids and their imaginations running wild. I wished that mine would run wild like it used too. Oh the stories I could conjure up. !



Autumn:)

Back In the Saddle

I loved my holiday season. I truly did love it. It was spent with family. It was not rushed. It was worry free. It made me realize that I have so much. Just so much. :)

So now we are back in the saddle again. The daily grind. Getting up to an alarm clock. Ugh!!! Trying to get one little woman up is like trying to tame a creature from Where the Wild Thing Are. Ms. Blue told me she hated school this morning. We don't use that word here. But apparently I let it slide when the little women are super tired. Picking my battles. Always picking my battles.
This school year is half way over and people are talking of Spring Break plans. Wow! And exciting!


So the real reason for this post. As I have made apparently clear in previous posts, I struggle with my Ainzli getting older. Not in the case of "oh I miss her being a baby" but, "oh crap, there is so much going on out there and how do I prepare her for all of it!".
She has an iPod. She has access to the internet on it. As of right now she is very responsible with it.  There are perimeters, but enough give where she feels a little freedom. We feel this is important for the years to come.
There is an App for everything under the sun! Seriously, everything.
Finally, Shannon is a techy person. He loves it and apparently always has. Hello Mr. I Had A Cell Phone in 1994!!!! Seriously!

All of this is leading to here................

We downloaded an App for her that allows her to text. (Please hold all judgement until the end!)
I was completely against it at first. Then we discussed it. We, as in Shannon and I. He pleaded his case. I pleaded mine. Me against. Him for. We found common ground. Finally, I agreed.

1. Only people we approve and know.

2. It cannot go on after bedtime. 

3. Mom and Dad are always aware of who, what, when, where and how.

She mainly texts with her closest friends. 4 little girls, Ainzli included. Two of them have their own cell phones. The conversations are that of 9 year old girls. They are quite cute. Very short. Very basic. Oh, to be inside of the head of a 9 year old girl!:) The other friend has an iPod too. The iPods can only text when they are connected to WiFi. This is a big sense of relief for me. She really only does it while she is at home. And she does not do it very often at all. Yippee!!

There is a sense of letting go a little, but also the reassurance that if you don't freak out all the time, they will know you are a rational parent they can come too. I believe Shannon and I are, at this point, achieving that balance. I pray everyday we are that balance.


Oh yeah, by the way, Happy New Year from the Grismore abode.


Autumn:)