The Week of the Pumpkin

Finally! The days are getting shorter, football rules the TV, apples are plentiful, Catoctin Orchard brings out their cider and the pumpkins arrive at the Farmer's Market. Fall is my favorite season. The air smells crisp and it's so much fun to play in the falling leaves. Snuggling with Steve on chilly nights while we watch football or our favorite shows. We planned to have Julia in the Fall but she arrived a few weeks early. We celebrate our anniversary in the Fall. It's just a special time for me.

So far we've purchased two pie pumpkins this season. Julia has never called a pumpkin anything but "pumpkin pie". When they started arriving on decorations she would let me know. "Mama, look! Pumpkin pie!" Although both Steve and I have tried to correct her by telling her that it's just a pumpkin; she still says "Look, it's a pumpkin pie!" She told everyone who stopped at our house that we had pumpkin pies. Oh well, it's something we'll remember and tell her when she's older.

She is still on a birthday kick - singing happy birthday to her animals and imaginary friends. On Thursday it was apparently a pumpkin birthday. She pulled one of them off of the table, placed it on a tea towel in the middle of the kitchen and then adorned it with a crown that she made in school. I had to stop making dinner to sing "Happy Birthday, Pumpkin Pie". We called Grammy to share the madness (or at least have one other adult hear it...so I didn't think I was dreaming). Her animals started to join in the celebration. It turned into a full-blown party for the pumpkin pie. Thankfully when Steve came home he was able to convince her to move it from the center of the kitchen floor back to the table. It was a bit chaotic.

While we were shopping at Target on Friday, she yelled at every pumpkin decoration she saw "Mama, pumpkin pie!" "It's a birthday pumpkin pie!" Thankfully the rest of the Target shoppers thought she was simply adorable. Adorable, yes. Imaginative, yes. Quiet, no.

Yesterday I was finally able to open one of the pumpkins, steam it and scoop out the pulp. After some blending we had some very orange puree and a very curious Julia. So we decided to make an actual pumpkin pie from the puree and freeze the extra. Steve read the directions and I executed them with Julia watching very closely. Then came the polar bear. NO - we didn't start watching my LOST DVD collection. It was the polar bear from the Little People Learning Zoo.

She stood by the bowl I was mixing in and proceeded to tap the bear against the bowl and then pretend to crack it open. Steve and I were successful in hiding our chuckles. She was using the polar bear as a pretend egg! OMG. At least she was able to keep him out of the pumpkin custard. I cannot say the same for the measuring spoon that she was using to dump pretend spices. For a few minutes I tried to figure out where her play eggs were from a cupcake set that Peter gave her for her birthday. Well, they were busy being used for Little People train cargo. Who knew?

Pay For It

"Pay for it" is Julia's word for a cash register. I guess it makes perfect sense to her. When we go to a store she helps me shop, put things in the cart and then throws a fit when we put the items on the conveyor belt to pay for it. So many times over the past few months I've repeated the same thing over and over "Julia, we have to pay for it". And she sniffles as the cashier scans and bags our treasures. She's getting better but she still loves to watch the check-out process.

A couple of months ago we watched as almost any item in the house was turned into a scanner. On those rare occasions that Steve and I were able to sit on the couch; she used Steve's foot to scan her various items from her play cart. She would hand them to us and then ask for them again...only to repeat the process...again...and again...and again. At Grammy and Grampy's it was a neck pillow. But hey, it kept her occupied.

So as her birthday approached I searched the stores for a scanner/cash register. And then I heard some great news from fellow Moms that one of our Target stores was discounting all of their toys to make room for renovations. AWESOME. The Mom and the bargain shopper in me both rejoiced! Thankfully, the cool cash register was marked-down and I snatched it up for J. It was so hard to wait...I wanted to give it to her as soon as I got it! Or maybe it was to save our feet from being scanners...

Anyway, yesterday was her birthday. It was a time to reflect on the little bundle she used to be and the beautiful, creative and crazy little adult she is becoming. She spent most of the day just playing with our new kitty and watching the NASCAR race, as well as the E-A-G-L-E-S (YES. They actually aired it in our area. Steve was on cloud 9). When a birthday call would come in she would announce to the well-wisher "Happy Birthday to You". What a nice gal! One of the highlights of the day was the call from across the Pond. Uncle Eric called from London and she officially wished him a happy birthday as well.

No, she didn't get a cake. She wanted cookies. So we had cookies and opened presents - FINALLY she had her "pay for it". She scanned her other gifts (Tinkerbell box, Sandra Boynton books and a monkey watch) and used the play money to "pay for it". Steve got in the action with the credit cards. It was a great family moment. (She is currently scanning our couch pillows, blankets, my school papers and lesson plans - hence why I'm able to write!) Now Steve will have an opportunity to teach Economics to our little shopping champ.

Unfortunately, I had to "pay for it" yesterday as well. As many of you know we adopted a sweet dog on July 9 and named it Phoebe. As much as I wanted it to work it was putting a strain our household...the constant attention, making sure our errands/outings weren't too long, keeping Julia from playing dentist with her and trying to keep her from chasing the cats. Although Steve grew-up with dogs he has always proclaimed that he is not a dog person and that he enjoys our cattitudes much better. He tried to make me happy by letting us adopt Phoebe. But it wasn't working. Last night Phoebe went to another family for a "vacation". If it works they will permanently adopt her. They have two beautiful boys that will certainly give her all the attention she deserves. It's hard. Especially since all of our friends and family welcomed her with love. She's a special dog that deserves a family who can shower her with love.

Now for the funny part. Julia and I were at the Farmer's Market and there was a woman with a huge box in front of her. Marked on the box, in big blue letters, was "Free Kittens". At least Julia can't read! HA HA HA. She ran right over and picked-up a cutie and stated "Mama, birthday present?" Are you kidding? Another animal? After a quick call to Steve it was determined he should be a part of our home. So, we are now a three cat family. Jimi is his name. Why Jimi? Two reasons - 1. Steve loves Jimi Hendrix. In fact Willchenzo was almost "Hendrix" until we witness his silly-willie antics. He was then christened Willie (Willchenzo when he is being calm); and 2. While watching him play with a longer cat toy (laying on floor, front paws around it and back paws scratching it) Julia yelled "Mama, Papa, baby kitty playing guitar!". And that was that - he is now Jimi. Chloe just watches him and Willie hisses and then runs under the nearest piece of furniture. Ah, yes. The Haney House is finally back to "normal".

On My Sleeve

We've all been there. We meet a person who intrigues us and we want to know more. The more we know, the more we fall in love. They become our soul's best friend and we cannot imagine life without them. They compliment us. They help us grow. They help us become better people. My someone is Steve.

The same can be said about individuals we meet as we go thru life. They just fit into our lives. They know our good and bad sides. They're honest with us when we need a good dose of reality. It doesn't matter how long it's been since you've spoken to them. The conversation starts at the place where you left it. My individuals are Jess, Steph, Luci, Leigha, Melissa, Sandy, Teri, Bob and Nancy, and Grammy Sandy. They represent every step in my life. Grade School, College, Professional and now Motherhood. It's comforting to know they are part of my life.

Then there are the siblings. When I was 11 1/2 years old I became a sister. I was an only child until that time. Of course this was a major life change. But I wouldn't change it for the world. He grew-up in front of me and I hated to leave for college when he was only 6. From then on, my little buddy who I watched grow daily, grew in flashes - visits to Shippensburg and home over holidays. He's now taller than me. An adventurous 20 year-old who just started his Sophomore college year in London. I'm glad I only blinked and not shut my eyes! The years just flew past me.

Three years ago this Sunday, God introduced someone into my life. Her name is Julia Grace. The pregnancy was rough, the labor/delivery very long and painful. But she arrived safe and has forever changed our lives. I might not always like her...but I love her with every fiber of my being. Steve and I were fortunate enough in our marriage to travel the country and the Mediterranean. But after everything we've witnessed, nothing compares to this little person who is living proof of the love and respect that Steve and I share for one another. We love being parents. We love watching her learn. She never fails to make us laugh. And everyone needs a little laughter in their lives.

Why am I being so sappy? It's been a long emotional (but a good emotional) week for me. My brother turned
20. Two days later he flew to London for the semester. Our little girl is turning 3 on Sunday. Steve and I are planning a small trip to celebrate our 9-year anniversary in early October. Whew, all this while going about the daily fun of parenting and housekeeping (if that's what you call it). In the middle of what I thought was a crazy life, a friend sent me a link to a blog. Suddenly I was grateful for all of the emotions I felt this week. Why? Simply because they involve the people in my life that I love - not because I might lose them.

Stay-at-home-moms have a strong network out here in Manassas. Our husbands are involved in professions that require travel (some are stationed in Iraq), long hours, weekend hours, hellish commutes and riding the train to and from the District. We all band together and help one another when a day has gone awry. We frequent parks and activities around town...sometimes I think it's more for our sanity than for the kids social experience :) Most days I'm exhausted and wish for some alone time, or a less busy schedule.

However this blog introduced me to a family in a neighboring town that is desperate to get back to that way of life. On September 11 a stay-at-home-mom was rushed to the hospital - leaving a preschooler and an infant behind at home. She hasn't regained full consciousness yet. Here is their story:
http://www.hyatt911.blogspot.com/
My heart cried when I read this. Here is a family that just wants their crazy life back. I said a prayer thanking God for everyone in my life and asking him to provide strength to the Nolan family. I'm asking everyone to find a moment and say a little prayer for this family and for those that you love. It's not often that I wear my heart on my sleeve. But right now I need it there.

Snap Bead Soup

*Disclaimer* yes, I know I said I would try to write almost daily but the past few weeks have been a bit wild with Steve out-of-town and working on weekends; then school started and I had an order for 90 baby announcements...excuses, excuses :)

Nope, that's not a typo...I'm currently enjoying Snap Bead Soup made by Julia. Obviously she's been watching me freeze beans from the Farmer's Market. Last night it was Snap Bead Salsa. Again, obviously watching me can salsa after our weekly trip to the Market. We haven't been served Snap Bead Pickles yet...but she may never want to see pickles again after we pickled 20 pounds of cucumbers! Lately she's been expressing her culinary abilities since I've been spending so much time pickling and canning our treasurers from the Manassas Farmer's Market.

Julia has also started making cakes and pancakes. She enjoys watching Steve make chocolate chip pancakes on the weekends and watching me make the various cake orders that come in. Two weeks ago I had two cakes to decorate, both for girls named Molly. One was Cinderella and the other was an electric guitar. Julia sat in the chair next to me and watched me carefully ice the cakes with homemade buttercream icing. I wish I could say that she was quietly watching, but no, she was telling me how to decorate. Now we all know her love of "Lowly" but this was sweet. While I was putting the icing strings on the guitar she clearly stated "Mama! You put Lowly on the cake!" "No," I said "Lowly doesn't go on cakes" "No, Mama, Lowly is on the cake. Yes". Well, that was that.

For weekday breakfasts she loves to eat waffles with peanut butter. So much that we buy them in bulk. Yes, she loves her 'awfuls and peanut utter'. While walking into school we step over a man hole cover that is in the middle of the sidewalk. I never really paid attention to the cover. Most mornings I'm just trying to get her to walk faster so that I can get into the classroom to set-up. She loves to watch the squirrels in the trees and sing about something or other. Last week she stopped on the cover and proclaimed "Mama! It's a 'awful!" HUH!?! My first thought was to tell her not to pick it up, thinking another child dropped their breakfast waffle on the ground. As I turned to look at her, she said it again and pointed down to the cover she was standing on. Sure enough the cover has a grid pattern, just like her waffles.

Although this morning was a little different. She had yogurt but I have to share with you what she said to me. Yes, last night our beloved Eagles lost to the Dallas Foulboys. But we still have our pride. I put her Eagles shirt (brave here in Redskins Country) on and as I was helping her with her shoes she said to me "Mama, I wear Eagles! I love my Papa's Eagles" Now that's father/daughter bonding at its finest. Fly, Eagles, Fly!