Fall clothes make me happy

Maybe it's not a glamorous life, but a weekend that thrills me is one where I have the perfect combination of productivity, family time, and personal relaxation. That includes gardening with Adelaide, chores around the house with my helper, family walks on the new trails by the river... This weekend I did the Fall clothing clean out. I went through Ade's stuff and got rid of everything that doesn't fit, and went through the "future" drawer and got out what will now fit. I took note of what was needed, and stocked up. Since she has grown a real spurt lately, that meant new jeans and shoes mostly.

I can't believe what a little grownup she is. I am amazed by her maturity and intelligence and creativity. Lately it has been striking me exactly how grown she is when she speaks so conversationally, "I'll have apple juice please. (pause) Actually, what else do we have?" She loves helping, and we play a game where she does missions to earn Reeses Pieces. When she sees dog hair on the floor, she gets the dust buster, cleans up, and goes back to playing like it's nothing. I am treasuring this phase, because even as a biased, optimistic mother, I know my child will not always embrace cleaning.

Ade continues to be a true artist. Every day when she brings home her copious artwork, I see new progress and techniques. Today for the first time her drawing had a thought bubble, and she explained the mama hippo was wishing for it's baby hippo. I especially like this fox and pig drawing.

This month Ryan and I celebrated our 7th anniversary by seeing a (non-animated!) movie, and then having a crab and cake feast at home.

This past weekend we hosted Hurricane Irene refugees from Virginia Beach, when Ryan's friend Matt brought his family to stay Saturday. They have a daughter similar in age to Ade, so Isabelle and Ade had fun playing princess tea party among other things. On the other hand, Ade does not care for "babies" so 1.5yr James was of little interest. If anything, he stirred Ade's inherited OCD as she asked to put "back where it belongs" every object we put up out of his reach.

Tonight she hugged me and told me, "YOU are my wings and my song." No idea where she comes up with some of this stuff, but she amazes me. She caught grandpa on a time-space continuum technicality the other day when she was discussing how Harold can draw things with his purple crayon that becomes real, and what they would each draw. Grandpa said he would draw himself coming to visit her, and she said, "No, but then there would be two of you! That wouldn't work." And, of course, she is right.