This Week

This last week had some chores in it

Some tears

Some early mornings

Some naps

Some waiting for Grandma at the top of the stairs

Some baking

Some excitement from picking up Halloween costumes at the post office

And some trying on Keldon's costume

Some dancing

And summersaults

A surprise date from Brad to see Mary Poppins at Tuacahn

A day of cousin fun

lots of sidewalk chalk

Some smiles

And sunshine

Some hoarding the blue chalk on Kal's part

Some bike riding

Some Halloween preperations

Some time in the sandbox

Some time spent working on Grandpa's super secret birthday present

And a perfect picnic with sandwiches and soccer and lots of making the boys laugh

Neverland

My children are obsessed with Peter Pan.  Like really obsessed!  They watch it all the time.  Clark often tells me that he cant wait to find a fairy one day so that he can fly.  He told me that his "happy thought" would be going on bike rides with his Dad.  To be honest, I am very okay with this new found love for this movie.  It is one of my absolute favorite stories of all time!!  I loved the movie as a child and then when I was in college, I read the book and oh I fell in love.  Its a wonderful story when you look at it simply, but I just love all of the symbolism and messages throughout.  I know that there is a lot of controversy surrounding J.M. Barrie, but one thing is certain;  he is a gifted writer!

The other day Clark came strolling out of preschool holding the hand of a sweet little girl that's in his class.  He's liked her since the first day of preschool.  After we got home, I overheard him telling his Grandpa that she was his girlfriend.  Guys, he's 4 and he is saying he has a girlfriend!  I know that its nothing, but at the same time its not nothing.  When I saw his adorable little face beaming as he waved goodbye to this girl, I just wanted to cry, because it was like I could see him all grown up all the sudden.  I could see him, tall and handsome and independent from me and Brad, going to college, going on a mission, getting married, all with his childhood far behind him.  He has so few years left of innocence and wonder.  He has so few days left of nothing to be afraid of and nothing to worry about.  His childhood is slipping away so fast.

I worry so much that these years aren't being treasured like they should be.  That I'm not doing enough to prepare our boys for the futures that await them, but even more, that I'm not making their childhood as wonderful as it needs to be.  Childhood is for most people, the thing that they long for.  That they get the most home-sick for.  That they think about and remember and carry with them, because it feels like home and comfort and safety.  I want my children to be strengthened by their first 18 years.  I want them to look back on years of happiness and togetherness and laughter and peace.  I want them to associate all feelings of love and joy with growing up.  I want time to slow down.  I want to move our family to Neverland.  Just for a little while.  Just so I can enjoy this all a bit longer.  So I can read more stories and sing more songs.  Snuggle and hug and eat animal crackers just a little longer. 

In the story of Peter Pan, Peter runs away to Neverland because he never wants to grow up.  He spends his days doing fun childish things, but is also in a constant battle with Captain Hook, who represents adulthood.  Captain Hook is deathly afraid of the crocodile who took his hand, and forever follows him around, trying to eat him.  The crocodile, who also swallowed a clock, obviously represents time.  And let me tell you, when I saw Clark walking out of preschool the other day, I felt that tic toc croc nipping at my heels.

But as much as I can relate to the fear that Captain Hook has for that crocodile, I'd rather take from other points made in this lovely story.       

Like for instance, that darkness and shadows are always driven out by light, and that darkness is necessary for us to fully appreciate the light. 

That every child needs a mother and a father and love, to be whole.

And that childhood is irreplaceable and so very precious. 

Sick, But Happy!

This last week started out great!!

Monday was all sorts of busy and fun

We drove up to Mesquite and surprised Brad for lunch.  We picked him up and had a picnic at the park and enjoyed the lovely October weather.

I was feeling so on top of everything and all motivated to get so much done.  I was even planning some fun Fall baking.  And then.... the kids got sick.

So the majority of the week looked like this

And this

But after a trip to the doctor and some much needed meds, we bounced back and went out to the Agg Farm on Friday to pick out a couple pumpkins.

They boys found the ones they wanted pretty quick

Brad and I couldn't resist some farm fresh melons

On Saturday we ended up having to go into Vegas, because of some complications with our local pharmacy.  So, we decided to make a day of it.  We went and got the boys' Albuterol from our old pharmacy, picked up some food storage at Costco and went to lunch at our favorite restaurant ever... Macayo's!

It was as delicious as ever!!!

After lunch, Brad was sweet and took me to see the Bellagio Fall garden.

Obsessed!!!

Its pretty every season, but Fall is my favorite!!!  Its gorgeous!!  I absolutely LOVE seeing all the ginormous pumpkins!!  I have a serious addiction to pumpkins. 

I dream of having a huge pumpkin patch in our yard one day!!!

This talking tree was the boys favorite thing there.  They were sorta freaked out by it, but really liked it too.  haha

It was such a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Maybe one day my yard will look like this.....

We thought that while we were there we would walk out and see the water show

The kids were very impressed.

Although, Saturday night after we'd been home a few hours, I asked Clark what his favorite part of the day was.  I thought that he would say 'eating at a restaurant' or 'the talking tree' or 'the water show'.  But no.  He said his favorite part of the day was when he got to come home and play with Kate.  haha  Why do we ever take him anywhere! ;)

It was quite the week.  Maybe this next week I will actually get the laundry done and bake a little something.  No promises though.