Autumn

I suppose I should start this post with an explanation of why it's been so long since my last post.. the short answer is this: bronchitis, a teething baby, a messy house and work.

Moving on.

***

I love September. September is the prequel to pumpkin picking, apple cider and sweaters. September is the encore of evening swims, walks and camping trips. You can have your cake and eat it too. I've been thinking a lot the last week about what I want Kade to get from this autumn. Autumn is really a magical time of year; everything around us is changing. The days are getting shorter, the nights cooler and soon enough the leaves will start changing colors- by far my favorite part of living in Utah. Fall is for the library, for more sit down family dinners, more days spent in the house building tents out of chairs and sheets and jamming to Bob Marley, watching your baby bang a tambourine with exuberance - thanking God under your breath that the elderly woman downstairs is hard of hearing. Fall is perfect for trips to the fabric store. Fantasizing about all the fun pieces you'll make your family for the Holidays, envisioning jackets and pants and big patchwork quilts.

I want Kade to know the magic that is Fall. So, today I went to the store and loaded my cart with all the essentials for long days in the house: play dough, paints, crayons, construction paper, percussion instruments, peg puzzles...

We started off with a Bang. Strawberry Walnut pancakes with milk and eggs instead of water (because my mama says it tastes better), a cap full of lemon juice (because my grandpa insists it makes them fluffy) and a bit of flax seed (because I can't resist). We used honey instead of syrup and Mommy and Kade sat at the table for much longer than necessary- eating slowly and having "small talk." Okay- Mommy did the talking. Kade giggled and nodded and chimed in with a joyous gasp every few words. I've been frustrated with myself when it comes to meal times. Too often, I catch myself setting food in front of Kade and turning around to do the dishes, read a text message or fold the laundry. I'm determined to change that.

They were most certainly the best pancakes I've ever tasted- ever.
Of course, I'm a big pancake person.

Today, we played with chimes and drums and tambourines. We went to church and I introduced Kade to the nursery room.. he was hesitant so I stayed with him but I'm confident that after a few weeks, he'll feel comfortable enough that I can leave him in their care while I go to the chapel for service. My family gathered at my grandma's house for pizza, snuggling of grand babies and of course there were brownies. After a long bubble bath, my baby is crying in the next room. He's screaming his little head off because that top tooth cut through the gums today and the other I expect to be through by morning.. Regardless, we had an amazing day.

***

Because I've been too sick, tired or just plain lazy to blog-
here's what my little family has been up to:

This is my niece, Emberlynn. Kade is extremely jealous of her. I don't have the words in my vocabulary to describe the temper tantrum he threw last time we went to visit her. I guess he's just used to being the center of attention.. But anyway, I adore her.

***

I'm sure that I will be up half the night thinking up fantastic things for me and Kade to do tomorrow... Being a mother is truly the most amazing adventure.