Feels Like Fall

We are experiencing some cooler temperatures here in Birmingham.  Part of me wants to say finally, but I'm afraid that is only because I am tired of my clothes and I want to wear slacks and not feel hot as I get in and out of the car running here, there, and yonder. 

The cooler weather makes me want to enjoy time outside with my children.  Last weekend Frank made a trip to Dallas to surprise his aunt for her 60th birthday.  That left me here with the kiddos, and I wanted to do something fun and out of the ordinary.

For awhile now, I have been wanting to go to Moss Rock Preserve so that was the outing that I planned.  I was met with complete resistance!  They whined, and cried, and complained as I made our picnic.  The grumbled and bickered the entire drive.  No one wanted to go! 

But I did and their behavior was not going to get me to change my mind.  It only fueled my fire that this was going to happen. 

And it did...

at least briefly.

Betsy was ecstatic.  She literally squealed when I took out the baby backpack and started to put her in it.

The boys immediately snapped out of their funk and had fun traipsing through the woods looking for sticks and noticing rocks.  Mary Frances continued to complain but she enjoyed carrying the camera and act as our photographer.

 

Our adventure was short-lived because of rain, but I am looking forward to going back as a family.

Gooey Gunk

I alluded to my girls making concoctions.  Recently, Mary Frances has loved what they have been doing in science.  She has been studying chemistry, and she often comes home asking to mix and make things.  One Saturday, I said yes.  Then I remembered I had this book:

We flipped through it together and landed on Gooey Gunk.  I had all of the ingredients, and it looked interesting.  We made it together.  But for food coloring getting into the hands of a two year old and then going everywhere, we had fun!

 It provided hours of entertainment for all!

 How it works, I'm not sure, but it was quick to put together and does not make a mess.

The only problem now is that MFS has hidden it so I can't pull it out for her siblings when I need some quiet entertainment.

An activity that bridges the gap between my bookends is a huge win in our house!

War Eagle Hey

If Stephen has found his first love in baseball, then his second is all things football.  He loves to watch football.  He loves to play football.  He loves to talk football.  He declared early in the season that he was cheering for Auburn, and he has not wavered.  Honestly, I thought his devotion would wane as the Tide began winning.  However, he stood strong.  Despite heading to T-town for a game under the lights, he continues to root for the team on the plains.  I admire that dedication!  It helps when you have a daddy and good friends who are also cheering for your team.  After Auburn's game against Texas A&M, I think we were all screaming War Eagle!

MIA

Yes, we are missing in action!  Our life is full of action.  Fall is busy.  Winter is busy.  Spring is busy.  Summer is busy.  Yet, I don't love to think of being busy.  Busy is okay, and it is our life.  But I don't won't to be busy for the sake of being busy.  I want our busy to be worthwhile and meaningful.  The fact is, we are a family of six and that means we are busy - always.

Spectators at the MidAm.

We are in a good place.  I feel like we are truly busy, but it is busy in a good way.  Busy that is fulfilling.  Not busy just to fill the time.  It is funny how when I am busy in a good way, more gets accomplished.  I'm learning to use little pockets of time to get things done, and I'm learning that I don't have to be five minutes early to be on time.  One drawback to this busy life is that there is little time to sit at my computer and document what is keeping us so busy.  So what have we been doing...    

 

We've been playing fall ball -

I would say Stephen has his first love.  He LOVES baseball. 

While Stephen is actually the only one playing baseball it definitely involves the entire family.  Playing baseball in the fall is supposed to be a little less involved than in the spring.  And that is true.  It is a relatively short season and we only have practice once a week with games typically on Sunday.  I have to cushion our time at the ball park by at least 10 minutes because Betsy wants to walk up and down each and every step.

Both directions.  Either way we get there.  And as you can see there are lots of steps.

We've been busy spending time together -

My scientists are making something.

MidAm

Playing in the front yard

Ready to hike

We've been busy watching a transformation of our yard -

We've been busy going on adventures -

The boys went camping!

And the girls went to Mobile to meet Baby Harriet!

 

We've been busy with school, watching football, cooking, cleaning, volunteering, and playing with friends -



Pink for Breast Cancer and Blue/White for Cougar Spirit

Give drugs the boot!

We've been busy waiting for it to feel like fall.

"I'm Nocturnal"

Those were the words spoken by this rascal last night as Frank was reiterating that it was time to go to sleep.

Yeah well, apparently his mama is too!