olive fingers

I have such fond memories of eating olives this way as a child…

 

leaves and laughter

I raked the leaves out front yesterday into a pile just off the front porch. I’m going to chop them up and add them as compost to my winter garden beds. I strategically located the pile close to the porch so you could jump from the porch into the crunchy softness of the bed of leaves. You could hardly wait for the leaves to make their way into a pile. Once it came time to jump though, it took you a little while to work up the nerve. After the initial jump, you were flying off the porch with abandon and giggles—perfect fall fun!

colder days and nights

The temperatures have been dipping a little lower, with a cold front and the season’s first hard freeze and frost. A couple of days have merited hats and mittens, and when stumped with what to do with darkness coming earlier and nighttime being colder, we decided on a bonfire with marshmallows to roast. Once the fire was raging, you announced that you prefer the marshmallows unroasted. Uh-huh. I guess the fire was for me and the ambiance then.

school report–11.04

Hung out with Afton in books. They had much to discuss about an Arthur book. LOVED playing sounds bingo! Created an instrument out of blocks; he played it for us. At lunch, after he cleaned up his lunch, he said, “Can you help me? My milk melted.” Milk was dripping out of his lunchbox all over the floor—a nice, defined trail.

nap: rested
behavior: wow!—inventive

anticipating an arrival

You are spending a fair amount of time processing the fact that a new baby sister is on her way into your world. While I am certain you could not possibly comprehend what that means for you, I do get some reassuring signs that you are thinking about it. The other day in the car, in a rather panicked voice you said, “Momma, we gotta get a car seat for baby sis, so she can ride back here with me!” It comforted you to know that had occurred to us and was on our list of things to do. You have also announced that you are going to teach her things you know, like how to crawl and play trains. I fully anticipate that part of the processing for you will involve a moment (or two) when you have grown tired of her and want her to go back. I’m eager to hear how you will cleverly phrase that sentiment. All in all, I think you’ll be a fantastic big brother!