LEAVES!!!

(or, this blog may be more aptly named - the tongue)

Regardless, these kids had fun.  Oh how I remember the years when all we needed was a pile of leaves for hours of entertainment.  Wait - it just happened again - watching them!

Can you spot ALL the kids in the leaves?

 

It's Just A Phase

As parents, we often survive periods of time chanting that phrase.  Multiple nighttime feedings.  It’s just a phase.  Messy self feeding.  It’s just a phase.  Into EVERYTHING.  It’s just a phase.  Tantrums.  It’s just a phase.  MINE!  It's just a phase.  Potty training.  Whining.  Screaming.  It’s just a phase.

While recently visiting with a very wise friend (with older kids and a ton of perspective) she reminded me that every “phase” of raising children comes with it’s challenges.  But the fun things are just a phase too.  TRUTH spoken.

It was a good reminder to live in the moment with my kids.  To soak up all the wonderful - and try to find a little wonderful in the not-so-wonderful of every phase.  When we're knee deep in a tantrum or power struggle, it's tough to see that this is just a fleeting moment in time.  But the time does pass quickly.  


When they’re pleading for your attention.  It’s just a phase.  When they leave snotty slobbery stains on your clothes while trying to snuggle.  It’s just a phase.  When they cry because you left the room.  It's just a phase.  


They won’t always squeal with delight at the most ordinary things like chickens, big trucks or kitties.  Learning to walk or clap only brings great happiness for a brief time.  And before I know it, they won't want to give hugs or kisses - much less be willing recipients.


Sydney loves to greet everyone as she - or they - enter a room.  Pure joy radiates from her tiny body when she exclaims "hi Mama" or "hi Grampy" or "hi Kitty" - even if you've only been gone a few minutes.  She makes the recipient feel they are the most important thing to her in that moment.  Because they are.  I could learn something from her.  It's genuine.  And hard to believe that before I know it she will be a sulky teen.  This too is just a phase.

My friend's wise words were a good reminder to try and live in the now.  To appreciate those sleep deprived nights, the sticky kitchen floor and toilet paper unraveled for the hundredth time.  The affection and smiles and infectious silly laughter is all just a phase too.

Family Photos

Oh the dreaded family photo shoot with young kids!


You've all heard me complain a lot lately about Sydney's aversion to the camera.  She is next to impossible to capture - unless completely distracted.


A few weeks ago, while visiting in Louisiana, we threw caution to the wind and asked a very talented friend to snap some photos of our family.  I knew it would be utter chaos and Syd did not disappoint.


The setting was a big beautiful park along the lakefront in Mandeville.  The perfect place for a run.  And run Sydney did!  Thankfully we brought reinforcements... it takes a lot of people to corral her!

Although this is what most of the shoot felt like...

Thanks to the talent and quick feet of Stacy Drake I think we did manage to get a few keepers.    Here is a sweet sampler.  Notice Sydney is well contained on her daddy's shoulders (didn't last long) - and if you look very closely, you'll see a slight grass stain on her right knee from all the running and falling she had already done.  


That's our girl!  

All photos courtesy of Stacy Drake.

Slippery Slope

Oh, I have so much blogging to do.  So much to catch up on.  Thanksgiving and Cousins and general Fraher fun.  But it will have to wait.  First a confession.  


I have committed the ultimate betrayal of my heritage.


I should have known I was headed down a slippery path of no return when I first used instant mashed potatoes.  It starts small and innocent with things like starchy foods but sure enough you slowly start to chip away at the essence of you. 


My confession?  I bought an artificial Christmas tree today!  GASP!  Oh the shame!


Think I'm being dramatic?  My family grew Christmas trees from seed to sapling for most of my childhood.  For me, the classic fir tree is as pure to Christmas as Jesus (almost).  I truly grew up believing that fake Christmas trees were a reflection of ones commitment to the sacred holiday.  This action is nothing to take lightly.


But after too many years beyond the borders of NC, in barren fraser fir land, spending far too much for far too pitiful trees - I joined legions of other fake Christmas tree celebrators.  I started thinking about it a week or so ago - afraid to actually verbalize my sinful thoughts.  But I never imagined it would all happen so fast.  I saw it on Craigslist and - BOOM - the next thing you know it was mine.  Remarkably, I wasn't struck with lightning after my purchase.  And the kids had a ball helping us put the whole thing together.  Hmmm.  Doesn't feel so fake after all.

Still, it will take some time to get used to the idea I'm a fake Christmas tree kind of girl.  I will miss the scent of a fresh tree.  No Yankee Candle will do.  We haven't finished decorating, but it's not too bad.

And we haven't forgotten the true celebration either.

Now just to keep his little paws off.

Hometown Hospitality

It's always worrisome when your child is sick.  But even more so when you're out of town - without the usual comforts and meds of home.


Fletcher woke up Saturday morning (the day we were flying to NC) with a cough.  By that evening it was clear he wasn't feeling well at all.


After managing his fever and discomfort as best we could over the weekend with tylenol and ibuprofen, we realized he needed a little something more.


Although traveling, THANK GOODNESS we were in my hometown with all the advantages of small, southern familiarity.  It's a place where everyone knows your name - and in our case, our mother probably once taught them or their children at the local high school.


As the doors were opening, there I was - at my childhood pediatricians office.  With pleading eyes, I asked if there was any way they could fit us in.  Warm smiles and no hassles ushered us in.  In less time than it normally takes at our regular pediatricians office - with an appointment - we were taken into an exam room.


What's more - I was pleasantly surprised to find two friendly faces from my childhood worked there and couldn't have been more kind.


The same kindness, smiles and service welcomed us at the local pharmacy.


What a huge relief and comfort.  


Fletcher is on the mend and looking forward to his first Thanksgiving meal!

First Haircut!

There wasn't much to cut.  Poor boy doesn't have to look farther than his own baby photos to get some idea of what his hairline will look like at 35 or 40.  Or to his family tree... his dad and both grandfathers are hair challenged.  


But in the spirit of firsts and holiday family gatherings - we took him to get his first haircut today.  Because what could be more fitting than for Fletcher to get his first haircut with his Grampy Fletcher!


Little Man has been under the weather since we got here with a seriously bad cold and minor ear infection.  He wasn't feeling quite himself but put on a brave face for most of the experience.

Getting some encouraging words from Grampy.

He was almost hypnotized at first by the buzzing of the clippers.

He had lots of supporters.

OK, I think I've had enough.

Are we done yet?

5 Little Monkeys Jumping On A Bed

There were neither monkeys nor jumping (maybe a little) involved but this nursery rhyme kept running through my head a few nights ago.  We were visiting friends in Louisiana and, after our midnight arrival, experienced a little trouble putting Sydney back to bed.  She was not at all interested in sleeping in the strange room.  Not even with her mama present.  Nor with her daddy.  She wanted us both.  Given no other option, we brought her into our room - where Fletcher was already soundly snoozing in the pack n play.  

But not for long.

Chatty Sydney soon woke him from his peaceful slumber where upon he stood up and realized he was missing out on the slumber party.

So there we were - all 4 Fraher’s in one bed.  Sydney and Fletcher had the biggest time - poking and kicking and shoving each other.  Bouncing and rolling around.  Laughing hysterically.  Pat and I bounced between utter frustration and fits of laughter ourselves, trying to keep all the little Fraher bodies in the bed and wondering how on earth we were ever going to get to sleep.  Eventually we did.  And although seriously sweet and cute in fleeting moments, I hope to never experience that again.


Once we all caught up on some sleep, we had a great visit!  Our friends have a regular little petting zoo at their house with chickens, bunnies and kitties.  Sydney was in heaven!

Syd and Fletcher escaping to pet the kitties!

Syd getting back to her Louisiana roots.

A true lemon lover since birth, Sydney was really digging their lemon tree.  Look at the size of those things!  And oh they smell so good.

What's a great activity for kids of all ages?  COOKIES!  All the kids got in on some cookie making fun!

And what would a roaring fire be without marshmallows!?!

We had such a great time visiting with our friends (and the animals).  On our last night there, Sydney - fighting sleep - kept repeating... "bunny.  seeping.  kitty.  seeping.  CHIH-kuns.  seeping."

Night Night All!