Lainy-girl. Every night after dinner we let her choose a book. We help her brush her teeth, dress her up in her pajamas and help her say her prayers. And then, basked in the purple glow of her night-light, we close the door and hope that she falls sleep.
But she doesn't go to sleep. When the door closes her evening has barely begun. We hear a stream of chattering as little stuffed animals are gathered on a blanket for a tea-party or are pranced around in a little dance. We hear made up little songs that seem to go on forever. Every half an hour or so we watch her crack open the door and try to sneak past us to more interesting places in the house. The moment we call out her name she shrinks back into the doorway with a harrumph and stares morosely out in hopes that some kind, passing soul will come back and play with her. After enduring her imploring gaze for a few minutes one of us cold-heartedly scoots her back and closes the door.
As the hours pass by, the noise behind the door becomes more sporadic as sleep finally pulls down on her eyelids and she reluctantly drifts off to sleep. And that is where we often find her. Sprawled out next to the door or haphazardly stretched out on her bed. But she is no longer cozy in nightclothes. Instead we often find her redressed in some crazy outfit down to her socks and her most favorite black church shoes.Night after night the interesting outfits are carefully taken off of a sleeping baby-girl and pj's are once again put on. Every once and a while it is obvious that Laina has hit a frustrating realization that many of us experience...a closet full of nothing to wear...and we find her stark naked. Apparently she is not one to compromise her style just because her mother has yet to buy her anything up to her standard of chic. She'd rather go naked.

Now that, I'm not going to blog. But here is another doorway picture. She has been favoring the grey skirt and black shoes these nights.
Last night we thought she was asleep and went in ready to capture the night's escapades on film and instead this is what we found.What makes this picture funny is what the flash made impossible to see. She was laying here, silently, nose to the door frame with only her night-light on...just waiting for someone to open the door. And here is a better view of the fashion du jour.She's ready for the boy to honk his horn so she can sneak out the window and PARTY! She's just about 11 years early. Can anyone say, "trouble?"

Fall is in the air. The temperature has been settling in the mid-70's during the afternoon which has made for some pleasant outdoor activities. I love this time of year despite the gnawing feeling that winter is quickly approaching. Unless it is a Hawaiian winter, I'm not so keen on that season. But Fall always amazes me with its colors and perfect coolness. And there is no better place for our orange pumpkin, Indian corn loving months than here in North Carolina. Crisp, clean-aired mornings, warm sunny afternoons and cool evenings. I love it.

A few days ago conditions were perfect for an afternoon stroll. There is something about kids pulling a red-wagon down the street that makes me smile.

And of course, Princess Alaina could be found bird-watching or volunteering for the neighborhood watch or checking out the cute 6 year old that lives down the street. I'm really not sure what her actual intentions where, but she was quite insistent on 1. being pulled and 2. having her trusty binoculars.
Of course, Austin was quite happy to oblige her highness...as always.

A few nights ago I was throwing together a pretty great dinner. We had meatballs, salad, watermelon & apple crisp. While I was making dinner I was also trying to keep the three monsters in line which got harder with every passing minute since they were dying of hunger and practically withering away before my eyes. (Ah...the drama!) All I remember after that is doing a quick clean up and throwing dinner on the table.

As fate would have it, dinner proved to be a bit hit with the kids and the hubby. In fact, I didn't think twice about it until the next day when Robert opened the freezer and started laughing. Apparently I lost my brain somewhere about 5 years ago, 'cause I don't remember doing anything this silly before I had kids.


Apparently you can freeze eggs. Just usually not with the shells still on. ;)