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"You really don’t understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around – and why his parents will always wave back" ~ William D Tammeus
Complete and uncontainable happiness - Birthday's are a perfect example of that type of joy. I can easily be the one stressing over the party, the goodie bags, making sure the house is perfect for guests, all the details that your kid could care less about. But lately I have relaxed MY kid party expectations and have just sat back and watched as the fun happens (without my help). Jake's birthday went something like this:
Every boy should be King for a day!
Then that same boy should be a superhero for awhile...
He should definietly have a pillow fight with his Mom right after she makes the bed (whether she wants to pillow fight or not, after all it is the BOY's day)
The day can only be made more splendid by your GaGa showing up and taking you to hang out at a pumpkin patch!
Now if you want to go leaf hunting who better to go with than dear old Mom who is up for anything on your day!
A surprise Nintendo game from PawPaw gets a big hug and keep the boy occupied while Mom prepares the party.
MawMaw is missing from the action so the boy and the dog go to tell her of the day's adventures.
"Mom, all these pumpkins just jumped in my wagon. You owe the lady $30."
If it's your 6 year old day, it is perfectly legal to lick just the icing from your cupcake!
Presents and sweet cards make the day complete.
Today after school Audrey and I had to run errands while Jake was in Robotics class. It is a rare treat for us to go to the store alone and I enjoy walking the aisles with her and seeing what she likes. On the way back to get Jake, we were happily riding along when she turns to me and says, "Mom, I wish I had cancer." This didn't really surprise me because Audrey has always been a child attracted to sick or crippled people or people others would consider the underdog. I have watched many times as she has gone over and made friends with someone left out for one reason or another. My heart swells with pride. Anyway, when she said she wanted cancer I thought maybe she was wanting the attention you get when you are sick so I asked her why. Her response proved that I had underestimated her nine year old compassion. She said, "Well I want to hurt like they do. I want to feel their pain. It isn't fair that some people have to go through that and some don't, so I want them to know I care."
After you get married or have kids your own mortality crosses your mind far more than it did when you were single. When I think about the possibility that I could get sick and die, I get overwhelmed with the reality that it would mean my children would lose their mother and maybe I still have a lot to teach them before I send them out into the world. My standard is very high for humanity and compassion to all men and maybe I wouldn't have then drilled in yet! But when my children show me what's already written on their hearts like Audrey did today, I know they would be okay in this world without me.
I did some funky processing on this and it may appear that I "made" Jake looks like a ghost, but in reality he really almost looks like that! With the surname Heath, it is inevitable you are going to be pale and pasty like the Brits. Works out great for Halloween!
So I bought myself this mug on our mini vacation to remind myself when i came into the world! Why is it that somewhere in your 30's you forget how old you are! My kids can tell you dead on their age (months, hours, minutes almost) and I just know I am somewhere between 35 and 38. So, here is my daily reminder that I was established in 1971 (proud to be a twin to Starbucks by the way).
Check this website out and don't be surprised if in the next 29 days you get a gift from me for no apparent reason! And I mean litteraly FROM me- my drawer, jewelry box, bookshelf, etc... I am taking the 29 gifts challenge and will be looking around through my goodies to see what I think I can't live without and giving that cursed mind manipulator away! Twins if you are reading this and decide to take the challenge, please do not give away your car, the money we send you, or any clothes I might want to borrow! other than that go for it!
The cookies above were made by Audrey and Jake and taken to a party this past weekend where they were promptly devoured. I put this here because this picture is a nice example of something you can give, something that would especially be enjoyed by a sweet Kindergarten teacher who would love a cookie to go along with her morning coffee!
So, here's my new philosophy for photographing my children (at least for this weekend) the philosophy is no smiling at the camera! Yep, I am done reducing myself to a beggar when it comes to taking their picture, and I am just going to catch them in their natural state of childhood (which is a frightening thought since Audrey is now riding her bike in 90 degree weather with a wool ski hat on and flip flops). But that's ok! Maybe other people will send their children to me all prettied up and willing to pose!
Which is better B/W....
or vintage...
ps - No begging and pleading was involved in the taking of this photo. This is the creature in his natural habitat doing what such creature would naturally be doing.
October is Jake's birthday month and I can tell he thinks he's too big for his britches! Last night he was backtalking and disobeying and Tom send him to his room to finish his supper. When I went up to release the animal from it's cage this is what I found!
By the way, we really do love and adore our Jakie! and we know he's just a typical boy but sometimes... well, you all know, love comes in many forms!
