Enjoy a hayride if you can.

Last weekend, before the first snow fell, the 3 of us enjoyed the crisp autumn weather at Bendix Woods County Park. The church we've started attending had planned an afternoon of hayrides, hotdogs and s'mores over a campfire, and fellowship. Ben and I were introduced to several church members and DT played with the other kids on the playground.

When we got there, the 3 of us hopped aboard the first moving wagon for a hayride. The loose straw made for a fun trip. Dressed in his winter coat and gray gloves, DT had a great time burying his body. When the wagon came to a stop, Ben got off but DT and I took off again. The second trip was a bit longer and our wagon had more kids DT's age. They laughed and played, not noticing our beautiful surroundings. It was gorgeous.

Loss of an old friend

New truck (blue)......Old friend (red)


Getting a new vehicle is always exciting. Or at least I say it should be. I've enjoyed shopping around for trucks the past few weeks with Ben. It gave us extra time together... something we agree we're consistently shorting ourselves. Something we know we need to do more of. So, even if our time together wasn't a romantic evening away, I feel it was good bonding time as we searched and test-drove truck after truck, in town after town.

His trade-in was a red 2-door 1994 Chevy Silverado. Throaty and stout. A good and trusted friend. A working-man's truck. But it's rust was spreading. The air-conditioning didn't work. It had a cracked windshield.

The "new" truck is a blue 4-door 2004 Chevy Silverado. Clean and well-cared for. Crisp and modern. Family friendly. Immaculate.

Nonetheless, it was sad to see the old truck go. And worse... to hear the dealership say they wouldn't even try to sell it on the lot. They would send it out for auction.

The deal is done. And I'm more than ecstatic about the obvious upgrade, but poor Ben is having to deal with the loss of that old red friend. It isn't going so well.

Good-bye Autumn

Leaves have been dropping by the thousands in our yard daily for weeks now. But a few days ago I noticed that the tree in our front yard, although odd and unwanted, had suddenly lost it's green and become the most spectacular colors of autumn. I snapped these 2 photos not knowing how long I could expect it to last.

Well, this morning we woke up to snow. Enough to have to brush off the car before heading off to work and enough that the roof is still white this evening. It too was beautiful, but I just wasn't ready to say good-bye to autumn.

Sprained Ankle: Day 16

So this is what it looks like now. It's on the mend, but still not back to normal. The ankle is still swollen, but the swelling in the rest of the foot is down. There's bruising on the toes, inner and outer ankle, and above the heel. It's still uncomfortable to walk in shoes, but I'm doing it. I had x-rays taken again on Friday, which showed soft tissue and ligament damage, but no bone fractures. That's good news, right?

A Bear-y Unusual Adventure

At the beginning of the school year DT's kindergarten teacher sent home a letter telling about the class "share bear". It is a small fuzzy teddy bear packed with a journal inside a small fuzzy bear backpack. His name is Duncan and he goes home with someone different every Thursday after school and returns to class Friday. While he's gone, he writes about his adventures in his journal. And on Friday the teacher shares this adventure while the class sits in a circle with Duncan in the arms of whoever took him home.

Ben and I have had our schools' parent-teacher conferences on our calendar since the beginning of the school year. They were Thursday. And yes, it just happened to be the same day that DT unexpectedly was crowned the new care-giver of Duncan the coveted kindergarten share bear.

What a strange day. If I didn't know better, I wouldn't believe the story Duncan told in his journal entry that day. He and DT went home with the after-school care teacher, had dinner, and played games at her house all evening.

Now, I can only think of 3 other times we've used babysitters in the evening. Once when DT was 4 months old, I asked the Fox's from church to watch DT so that Ben and I could go to an employers Christmas party. Once my cousin Carrie watched DT so Ben and I could go see the pastor at church. And once last spring when I again asked Carrie so that I could go out for a "girls' night out" with some high school friends when Ben wasn't going to be home.

I don't feel good about asking people to do things for me. Baby-sitting included. I'm humbled. So, this time I say thanks to Mrs. Moffitt and her daughter Liesa for watching DT and Duncan, and for sharing Duncan's big adventure.

Behavior shaping and Pumpkins

We bought 2 pumpkins last weekend at Thistleberry Farms. The intent was to carve them into jack-o-lanterns and bake the seeds. DT was excited and counting down the days til Wednesday, the day we told him we'd "probably" be able to get to it. And as you can imagine, seeing these pumpkins whole for 4 days was not easy for a 5-year old. But we had a busy week and knew Wednesday would be the first possible day we could even think about them.

We've tried to be very consistent in our raising of DT. If we tell him "no" and he continues with an offense, we follow with some action that we feel appropriate. We want him to know that we mean what we say. So following through is necessary. Not just sometimes. Everytime. Consistency is key.

Behavior shaping works when a child knows what to expect. If you tell a child "no" and you consistently (without exception) follow through, the child learns to expect the response. And the child begins to makes choices, knowing that response will follow if he chooses the behavior again. He becomes less impulsive and begins talking himself out of the unacceptable behavior.

For example: DT throws a book. I tell him that's not acceptable behavior and to pick it up and put it where it belongs. Anytime he throws a book, I tell him the same thing. He always has to pick up the book and put it away. Eventually, the behavior is extinguished. He knows that if he throws a book, he has to pick it up. It's a natural consequence and he knows that's what will happen.

Well, there's another side to teaching consistency. If I tell DT we'll carve pumpkins on Wednesday and he's looking forward to it, we need to carve pumpkins on Wednesday. Even though we just got back from the barber shop and DT needs a bath. And even though it's 7:00 and we haven't started making supper. And even though tomorrow both parents will be at school for more than 12 hours because they're teachers and it's parent-teacher conference day, we need to carve pumpkins.

And so we did. And hopefully DT learned that we stick to our word.

Books that will get kids reading

My little boy loves to read. He's 5 and in kindergarten. And he honestly NEVER gets tired of reading. This morning he begged me to help him find a certain book that I had put up because I felt it has recently become over-read (if there can be such a thing... well, I was getting tired of it). When I didn't jump up to get it for him, he moved on. He wasn't going to wait for me...he wanted to read! He got out an old scratch-n-sniff Christmas Bear book that I loved as a child. It was 6:05 am, and before he got out of his pajamas, and before his dad or I had fully gotten out of bed, he was reading to himself out loud on our bed.

I realize this love for reading isn't the case for all kids. Getting kids to read can be hard. Getting them to write can be harder.

Well, yesterday a childrens' author came to the school I work at. He talked about the writing process, and he got the kids excited about writing. The excitement in the room was catching.

The author was Jerry Pallotta, a native of Massachusetts, who grew up in a fishing and lobstering community. His first book was called The Ocean Alphabet, where each letter of the alphabet represented something you'd see in the ocean. Pretty cool. But then he wrote more alphabet books... and more. Every book on a different topic. Jets. Dinosaurs. Bugs. Reptiles. More and more alphabet books. These books were teaching far more than the ABCs... they were rich with vocabulary that kids were interested in. Then, he added math books. Odd numbers, counting by 5's, Hershey bar fractions. Now, he has more than 60 books in print.

After Mr. Pallotta's presentation, I visited his book display where he was signing each copy that sold. I couldn't decide what to buy. Each book was $6. And I had enough money for 3 books. I would've liked to buy so many more. I ended up getting one for my son, one for his teacher, and one for my nephew in Kansas. Below are the 3 books I ended up with.

The Icky Bug Alphabet Book-
This one is full of fun facts, rich vocabulary, and beautiful pictures of bugs.



Icky Bug Shapes-
This is a fun book that shows how shapes can be found in nature, from oval-shaped lady bugs to the rectangle designs on the cicadas wings. It too, shares gobs of interesting facts that make science fun.



The Skull Alphabet Book-
This one is so neat! On each page is a picture of an animal skull, but you have to guess what animal it is. A is for...? The author gives you clues like how many legs it has and where it lives, but kids have to be detectives to figure it out for themselves.

Fall is Here!

Where? At Thistleberry Farms, right here in South Bend, Indiana.


This post is my official endorsement of Thistleberry Farms. Last night we enjoyed much of what this pumpkin patch had to offer. Corn mazes. Pony rides. Corn cannon. Petting farm with a new DT favorite... peacocks. Pedal cars. Cow train. Hay rides. And campfires.

We saw DT's kindergarten teacher and several families who send their kids to his school. In fact, the farm is owned by several of those families. And many others from the church and school were there to help with parking and the activities. It was a grand operation for a family to plan and execute.








Thanks to Kristina for planning this evening and inviting us!

New use for junk mail

Envelopes.

After I bring in the mail, I sit at the computer desk opening each item and recklessly toss 83% of it in the trash can or recycle box next to me.

Nearly every piece of junk mail I receive comes with a self-addressed return evelope so that I may easily reply. They want me to accept an offer for a credit card with a 0% APR for the next 10 months. Or they've made me address labels without my ever asking for them and they want me to send in a donation to whatever foundation funded this guilt-mailing. I open each mailing and toss.

I also find myself tossing the guts of bill mailings these days. Guts: the pieces stuffed in with your bill that you don't want to look at... junk! Offers for a tire-gauge, a mini flashlight on a keychain, or your choice of magazines because "You've been a great customer and you deserve it." Well, we don't even pay by mail anymore! This is the age of automatic payments. We set up with our bank to pay regular bills through them, automatically. It's great, but it doesn't necessarily reduce the amount of any mail I receive from anybody I owe.

Well, I don't want another tire-gauge and I don't need the return evelope!

But, now that I have a son in kindgergarten, I've found myself going through envelopes more lately. Milk money goes in an envelope. Wednesday "Pizza Day" money goes in an envelope. And after-school care payments go in an envelope. I used to buy a box a 70 regular white mailing envelopes only once every year or two. But with all these new reasons for using up envelopes, I see my shopping list including envelopes more.

No longer.... I'm re-using these junk mail envelopes.

This week I saved all the return envelopes from our junk mail and bills that we pay automatically. As I sit looking at them now, there are 8! And that doesn't include the 2 I already re-used this week. A return envelope from Woodworkers Journal (soliciting for a renewed subscription) became a milk money envelope, and a student loan return envelope (that we don't need because we pay automatically) became a pizza money envelope.

Cheap? Yes.

Green? Yes.

Sprained Ankle: Day 5

My fall from the curb in Kansas has rendered me useless. I still cannot drive, climb stairs, wear a shoe, or walk without crutches (and pain). I don't mean for this to sound like a poor-me story, but I feel like a recluse...missing work, staying inside, staying down once I'm seated (with my foot elevated and on ice). I can't imagine what my emotional state would be if I were truly wheelchair bound permanently, because I'm losing it now--after just 5 days.

Well, Ben has been the only one to see my daily progress and "improvement." So, I took a few more pictures this morning. I don't think the pictures do it justice...it seems the bruising is bolder and more colorful in person. But, here it is on day 5.

The Reunion

It was great to see the places and faces of McPherson College!





We got back last night from our trip to college homecoming and our 10th year reunion. If there was a 5-year, we didn't go. So, this was our first time back.

Here's the run-down:

Thursday Arrived about 7:15 pm. Fed a hearty meal of pasta and homemade red sauce at Pete's house.

Friday Liesurely got ready for the day. Toured my brother-in-law's work place (see my next post for more details). Brought home lunch from Sonic Drive-In, one our favorites in McPherson. Fed another hearty supper at Pete's house. Left DT with Pete & Sara and enjoyed the college theater production "Leading Ladies." It was hilarious (especially under the influence of pain killers)!

Saturday Hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon at Pete's. Headed to the college for homecoming festivities... car show, kids' activities, class photo, bookstore, tailgate lunch, football game. Left the game early. Napped at Pete's. Headed to Lakeside Park to watch an ultimate frisbee game and let DT play. Headed to the beautiful home of Darren & Sarah Hendricks for a class reunion including dinner. Enjoyed finding out what everyone's been doing. Dropped DT off at Pete's for the night and went to the Fanny reunion where a slide show of pictures were shared and stories were told.

Sunday Got back in the car for another 13-hour drive to head home. Ben had to drive the whole way because of my injury, so I tried to keep him awake and entertained. We commented on the stupidity of 2 motorcycles that flew past us somewhere in Illinois, likely going 90 mph. Passing everyone on the left and right, pulling in front of a semi next to us only feet in front of it. Reckless driving for sure, without helmets. Men drivers with women on the seat behind them in skimpy tank tops. Shortly afterward, traffic stopped. An accident 4 miles ahead. Traffic didn't move for 20 minutes. A motorcycle with 2 riders were airlifted away.

We got home last night around 9:30. It was a great trip...despite my injury.

"Trip" to McPherson

Ben and I took 2 days off of work at the end of last week to drive out to Kansas for homecoming at McPherson College and our 10-year college reunion. We headed out early Thursday morning and pulled into his brother Pete's driveway 13 hours later. It was a nice,uneventful drive. DT played his Leapster in the back seat while Ben and I took in large quantities of caffeinated beverages to stay awake.

We stayed at Pete's for 3 nights and got to see their baby girl for the first time, who's now 6 months old. What a beautiful and easy-tempermented baby! Her 2-year old brother was pretty cute too.

Unfortunately, before any of the homecoming festivities began, I wound up in the ER. Pete took us on a tour of his work place and their gym across the street. He pressed the pedestrian crosswalk button and as I stepped off the curb, I twisted my right ankle and fell to pavement. It HURT! I tried to get up on my own, but couldn't bear weight on that foot. Pete went to get the car, and Ben drove me back to the house (after stopping at Java John's for the tastiest, richest, praline hot chocolate of my life).

Here's what my ankle looked at that point, within half hour of my fall.














At the house, Ben and DT assessed my pain and the outward appearance of my ankle. The swelling to the outer ankle looked like a baseball was stuffed under my skin. Ben suggested taking me to the ER. I resisted. It was a sprained ankle. What could be done for that? He called and they too suggested I come in.

They took x-rays and said it didn't look like a fracture, but that I should have it re-x-rayed when I return home after 10 days if the swelling isn't down or if it's still painful. They sent me out in a wheelchair, with an air cast and pain pills. Pete and Sara had crutches that I could use, but standing and walking was horribly painful.

And here's what it looks like now, 3 days later. It's puffy, discolored, itchy, and seriously painful!