...And Then We'll Have a Little Talk

Bedtime has been challenging recently. Daniel is still practicing being noctournal, and Christopher is going through the big transition from crib to bed. This irritating behavior is starting to slip back into the bathtime hour, too. Tonight, I was not going to let the boys spin out of control during bath, so being of mild temper and little drama, I announced that, "you two are acting like you belong in an institution." Maybe not my best pronouncement, but at least I announced it rather than screaming it at them. Well, it made an impact. Daniel promptly inquired about institutions and asked if jail was one. I figured that was about as close of a concept as he would understand, so I said that it was. During bedtime I learned what the take-home message was from Christopher.

"Mommy, if we don't listen or break the law the police officer will come to our house, and he will take us and put us in his car. Then we will have to ride in his car to jail, and we will have a little talk. Then he will drive us back home, right?" He repeated this several times, just to make sure he had it right. Then he announces, "Mommy, I'm not going to break the law and have to go to jail, but I think Daniel will."

So, now I'm second guessing my announcement. Hopefully there's no permanent damage.

Attention Nocturnal Preschooler in the House

My 4-year-old, Daniel, has decided that he would like to explore being nocturnal. A few days ago, he started laying the groundwork with inquiries like -

• If you are not nocturnal, are you tournal?
• You know Mom, if I stayed up all night and slept all day, I would be nocturnal.
• So Mom, do you think on Sunday, I could maybe stay up in the night and sleep in the day?

I really have a difficult time understanding why he is asking these questions. It feels like all I want these days is a bit more sleep. I'm quite convinced that Daniel and I have much different attitudes when it comes to sleep. Sleep comes easy to me, and I really do enjoy it. I love my 7 plus hours of sleep every night, and I'll take a nap any day that I can get one. There is a Nova Scotia exception to this rule. Too much fun up there for naps ;) I have always felt that Daniel needs more sleep than he gets. Recently it dawned on me that, I've had this same thought for four years. Maybe he doesn't need as much sleep as I think he does. Maybe he's nocturnal? Maybe he thinks his greatest thoughts in those hours between being put to bed and falling asleep?

Daniel's primary source of nocturnal knowledge.

Maybe this whole nocturnal thought is just a way to prepare for the dark hours of the late fall and early winter. Maybe he's onto something. So if you see Daniel out and about, you might want to inquire about his nocturnal ways and let me know what he's thinking. For now, I'll just remind him that it's 8:10 pm and it's time to turn off the light.

End of Summer Fun

Our summer has been wonderful. The boys have had a blast. We have done more swimming, biking, playing, gardening than I can imagine. It's so sad that we find ourselves at Labor Day already.This weekend has been a weekend with a little bit of summer and a little bit of fall. On Friday, we resumed our indoor swimming lessons and got haircuts, Saturday makred the start of college football season and apple picking, Sunday was spent enjoying the lake for an outdoor wedding, and today we are headed to the lake to enjoy all things summer. The boys have changed so much this summer. Daniel is becomming more and more independent, and Christopher won't let him get too far ahead without doing his part to keep up.

Growing up in the South, Labor Day had no seasonal significance. Here it really is the transition from summer to fall. This is the first year that we have lived in Wisconsin that we are still experiencing really warm weather on Labor Day. After such a wonderful summer, it's hard to let go. I know that fall comes with so many wonderful things and the boys will enter it with open arms, but a part of me loves summer and the sun and the bountiful fruit and veggies and flowers, and the heat, and the humidity, and the long days. The days are already getting shorter, football is back, and school starts tomorrow. The change of seasons is inevitible; hopefully, I'll slide gracefully into fall instead of going kincking and screaming.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend and a video of the big jogging event. The jogging video is for the true fans out there. Nothing says quality entertainment like some stretching and little kid jogging. One of my finer parenting moments is featured at the end of the video. Usually other people catch those moments, and I did it to myself. Oh well, no children were hurt in the making of this video :)

Refreshing water after the jog.

Caught a lovely wedding during the weekend. Olin Park was an amazing venue. Congrats to Betsy and Chris!

Daniel hard at work Monday morning.

The boys were really enjoying our stop at the beach at Picnic Point this morning.

Sassy Cow Creamery Ice Cream Social

We had a great afternoon at the Sassy Cow Creamery Ice Cream Social. Here are a few pictures. Felt a little like a Nova Scotia day here. Lovely warm, windy weather, and we crammed in more non-essential activities in one day than necessary. This ice cream social fell at the beginning of the end. The rest of our day included Farmer's Market with a trip all the way up to the Observatory Level of the Capitol, mowing for Mommy and the park for the boys and daddy, frisbee, lunch and naps, ice cream social, and dinner at Laredo's. And I wonder why I'm tired at 8 pm.

Look Mom baby calves!

Driving the tractor...

"Christopher, it's not working, what do you think?"

Ready to go!

Dad had to get in on the fun, too.

I like this one!

Samples, pedal tractors, farm tours, factory tours!!

Daniel, we are ready...

I just need to feed the goat a little more hay.

Friends

Smile!

Yes, we fed them ice cream before trying to get a group shot.

Amherst Shore 2012

At the beginning of August, we headed up to Nova Scotia for our annual trip. The boys and I were lucky enough to stay for 12 days, Matt had to return home after a week. It was a wonderful vacation. Most of it was pretty sunny and warm, so we spent a lot of time on the beach and playing in the yard at the Farmhouse. I was lucky enough to have all my siblings there for a few days and Mom and Dad around for the whole trip.

The boys loved the beach, having so many friends around, playing golf and badminton in the yard, and the garden. Daniel is a fish and loves swimming in the ocean and exploring the gulleys. I've noticed since being home that they boys really miss having playmates or wide open spaces available all the time. So much freedom at the Shore. They got to go to their first Kool-Aid-Kid meeting and participated in the Sand Castle Contest for the first time, too. Soon enough they will be in the Mini Olympics and staying up for bonfires. No bonfires this summer. It was too hot!

We adults had our fair share of fun, too. A few Famous People games, the Games, and plenty of afternoons spent on the beach. Being there for so long was a treat! Hopefully we will have many more summers at the Shore. Now for a few pictures...

The start of a large collection of beach glass and special rocks, yes Mom those shells full of beach glass in the cottage are grandson contributions ;)

A mini canoe ride for Elliot, Christopher, and Daniel with Uncle Mike and Matt.

Picnic at the Farmhouse with Gigi!

Getting ready for the sand castle contest in their squares.

Daniel was so suprised to hear his name called for a medal.

Bronze medal winning creation ... if only there were a vertical cutout to show the depth of his upside down Christmas tree. The beach glass topper would be stunning.

Near high tide on a lovely beach day.

No trip to the cottage is complete without a simple project...build a new deck in three days...the cottage received a major facelift this year with a new foundation, siding, and a huge deck! It feels like a different place when you don't hear the glassware clink as you walk.

Saying goodbye to Aunt Kelly.

Getting ready for their mule ride with Grampie to start their morning. They saw actual bear tracks!

Last day on the beach, climbing the rocks with Elliot.

They are working in the kitchen of their rock restaurant. They accept rocks for payment. My kind of place!

Brothers

Yoga Bomb the Backyard

Daniel wanted to take some pictures of me doing yoga. I thought it was a great idea ;) since I'm all about yoga these days. Strange doing it in shoes, but that's ok. The boys got in on the action, too. Since I've been accused of never putting pictures of me on the blog, I decided to share some of Daniel's pics with you today. My yoga studio, Dragonfly Hot Yoga, has a yoga bomb contest. Do you think any of these are contest quality? The angle and cropping could be improved, but I guess that's the risk of 4-year-old photographers. I'm enjoying some quiet time while Christopher rests and Daniel attempts to be relaxed in his room. Hence the double post today. I can feel a slight breeze coming through the house and hear the birds chirping. Lovely, lovely right now. After our much needed rain earlier this week, the heat has dissipated and everything is so green again. Ahhh.  

Chaturanga

Updog with a smile

Almost into downward dog.

Crow

Spectating

Reverse tabletop.

Not quite sure on this one, but he looks like he is.

Three legged dog.

Modified lizard and another reverse tabletop

Twist is like you mean it.

Giraffe bucky needed some love, too.

But wait, Mom, I have two giraffe's.

My weak attempt at a shot together, but Daniel has a really sweet smile.