A Fall Festival Dilemma

For almost a week now--ever since I received the costume catalog in the mail--I have been debating about what my little cuties will be for their Fall Festival (in less politically-correct times, known as Halloween) parties at school.

(As an aside: While I see the viewpoint of those who decline to participate in these festivities due to the nature of the holiday, I can't see the harm in--and for that matter can't seem to resist--dressing my girlies as princesses, insects, or flowers and letting them eat a little chocolate candy. But, I digress.)

The real purpose of this post is to solicit help on the great dilemma of our day: Which Costume To Choose. I'd really love any suggestions. So, feel free to email me suggestions or post your comments here. Also, please remember two things: (1) Sara is highly unlikely to be amused by this whole deal and therefore even less likely to keep on any hat or headgear; and (2) I have zero desire to spend my life's savings on said costumes. Right now, I'm pondering the below possibilities...

Choir Lake Party

We enjoyed a party for our church choir at the lake yesterday. The girls loved it, and Hallie keeps asking when we're going back to the lake.

Afternoon at Aldridge Gardens

The weather has been so beautiful that we went to the Gardens down the street from our house last Sunday afternoon just to walk around. Hallie just loves to be outside, and she pushed Sara around in her stroller--even up the big hills. She did not want our help; we kept getting the typical two-year-old "I do it myself." (But for Sara's sake, we kind of insisted on the downhill parts.)

Standing on the Promises, When I'd Rather Lie Down and Go to Sleep

I am finding work hard to do today. Not because I'm tired, although I am. But because I am overwhelmed by the task of parenting my sweet girls.

We did not have an easy morning, to put it mildly. Hallie woke up whiny and it went downhill from there. When I dropped them off at school Hallie and Sara had a competition to see who could scream the loudest. I couldn't help but feel like we had singlehandedly disturbed the peace of the entire hallway.

I don't say all of this to whine myself (although maybe that's where H gets it....hmmmm). But I find myself wondering how long it will be this way, this having sweet children one day and tired, whiny, disobedient ones the next. And I'm overwhelmed because I hear a loud answer in my head: Forever. Not because my children are particularly terrible, of course. But because they are children and human, and this is our state. Having been a child myself, I can pretty assuredly say that I never woke up one morning cured of my willful, sinful ways. And I know that Scripture reminds us that we all "fall short" (in the present tense) on a regular basis. I'm reminded of this fact by my own quick temper and harsh speech when I am frustrated with them.

So, where's the hope in all of this exhausted discouragement? How can I continue to trust that this parenting thing will pay off when it feels like we have the same conversation with our toddler on a daily basis? (You know the one--"don't push your sister," "obey Mommy," "please stop pouring your cereal on the floor...")

By God's grace I am hoping in His promises today, even though I'm tempted to throw in the towel...trusting that when we "train them up in the way they should go," they will not depart from it. That Jesus is "mighty to save"--to save me and my children. I'm increasingly amazed by God's willingness to "rejoice over me with singing" despite my sinfulness that must seem like a lot of disobedience and whining to Him, and I'm praying that He would teach me to do the same when I'm more tempted to lose my temper and show my all-too-apparent frustration.

Thanks for hearing my heart on this. Now if I can just focus and get some work done...

Juju's Rollers

Hallie got very quiet this morning, and when she and Juju came back upstairs I learned why. They had been playing with Aunt Juju's rollers.

My Daredevil

Hallie and Mommy went to a big kid birthday party yesterday. One of the little boys whose mommy works with me turned 5 and had his party at Pump It Up! in Pelham. I was a little concerned that Hallie wouldn't really want to do any of the big slides or obstacle courses. Boy, was I wrong! She headed straight for the huge slide first thing and absolutely loved it. She played on every single inflatable thing in the place and when we left proclaimed it all "Fun!" Stealing the birthday boy's throne for a breather.
In line with the big kids.

On her very favorite part...the big slide. I estimate she did it at least 12 times.

On the moonwalk.

Watch her go (and catch a glimpse of the huge grin at the bottom)!

Where the Boys Are...

I've said lots of things about Hallie, but I'm pretty sure I've never called her a "troublemaker" before. But I think it's a fair description this week.

Last night, Jason asked Hallie for a kiss. She gave him one and then announced proudly, "I kiss Joe." Joe, you may remember, was her cute little boyfriend in her class last year. (I note that the continual, present form of "kiss" doesn't necessarily mean she kisses him regularly or anything--we don't do past tense yet.) Anyway, Jason was a little taken aback. I asked Hallie about it this morning, she confirmed it, and then I asked her what Joe did when she kissed him. She said he pushed her. Trying not to laugh, I explained that we really weren't supposed to kiss at school and that she should probably just hug him next time. She did not seem at all moved by this explanation and continued to say that she wants to hug and kiss Joe. I dropped it.

Well, when Jason took the girls to school this morning, he asked Miss Malania about the incident and Malania told him that Hallie actually kissed her friend Drake on the playground yesterday. This is interesting to me for several reasons: (1) apparently Drake kissed her back---aaagh!, and (2) Hallie was very convinced that she had kissed Joe and he had pushed her in response, which makes me think that perhaps she kissed them both! Oh, dear!

So, I have not yet decided whether to continue the anti-kissing dialogue at home or to drop it completely, since discussing it may make Hallie all the more inclined to kiss the boys. But in any event, I miss my little girl who ran away from a little boy trying to kiss her a couple of weeks ago. And where in the world did all the kissing toddlers come from? They seem to be on the prowl!

We need to get to the "boys are gross" stage, and FAST!

Playing with Uncle Ted

Deep in Discussion.

Guys Trip

The "kids"

The crew

The driver

The guys in my family went on their annual baseball trip this weekend. They always visit a major league baseball park, and this year it was the Braves game in Atlanta. They also took a Segway tour of the city and visited CNN headquarters. I also understand they ate burgers for every meal, so they had a good time.

(The girls also had a fun weekend. We went to the mall yesterday, where H and S rode the carousel. And Aunt Iss lobbied for Aunt of the Year by spending the night last night and going to get doughnuts with Mommy and the girls at 6:45 this morning. As anyone who knows Melissa is well aware, getting up early on the weekend is a true act of sacrificial love for her.)

Dawson Family Picnic

Granddaddy was the event emcee.

These are old pictures too, but they are from my parents' church picnic. Hallie absolutely loved it (as she does any excuse to be outside...not sure where she got that!).

Making Playdough with Daddy

These pictures are from a while ago, but Hallie and her Daddy made some playdough that she loves to play with.

The New Look

The blog has needed an overhaul for some time, and what better time to update it than the middle of the night when I have work to do?

Enjoy the adjustments, even if I did manage to lose my link list, age tickers, and a few other little things. I'll recover them some other evening.

More Cookeville Cuties

Determination.

Who needs expensive hair products? Sunscreen does wonders for a 'do.

Rub a Dub Dub, three cousins in a tub.

Cookeville Photos

Jon Jon with Charlie's sunglasses on.

Snuggling with Nana.

Hallie and her friend Brady "driving the car."

Swimming in the kiddie pool...