Lesson 41: Once Again, It's Fall Y'All!

I love fall, I always have.  There's so much to do!  And so many chances for great photo opps :)  Ryan, Liam and I have been having a good time supporting the cousins' soccer teams.  Jeremiah and Benjamin are both good players and it's been really fun watching them run their tails off up and down the field.

I absolutely LOVE the way Jeremiah runs... he pumps those arms really hard back and forth!

Such a proud player!

Did I mention that Jodi is the coach?

These two cousins are like two peas in a pod- if only we had brought another chair.

Liam was a very involved fan... cheering and jeering as needed.

Messing with Grandma's glasses.

Glamour shots of Liam and Daddy, Jeremiah and Coach Jodi. 

Hi five Coach!

Benjamin's final game was about a month later.  We went last season to watch him play and he was so timid and he fell down a lot.  But this game was totally different!  Benjamin has a confidence now that is so wonderful to see, and he has clearly made a lot of friends on the team.  

Benjamin, social butterfly.

I'm ready for my close up!

Hi guys... I'm Benjamin.  I don't care if you are on the other team :)

Liam came to see Benjamin's team, but had to represent Sporting KC as well.

Acting as self-appointed goalie :)

My soccer guys.

And then, it was time for the pumpkin patch!  I absolutely love the pumpkin patch and this year we found on in Gardner, Kansas called "KC Pumpkin Patch" that was really a day long adventure.  For $10 you gain entrance and get to partake in jumping mats, trains, lots of slides, petting zoo, barn games and other activities. And then, of course there is a pumpkin patch with a hayride to and from.  

The boys in the BIG chair

All of the cousins found their favorite thing to do. 

Benjamin was a wonderfully protective cousin on the train.

These two funny guys rode in the caboose!

Ryan hates to ride bikes, but apparently doesn't mind helping Liam.

Look at my little guy being so big!

Pure joy from Dominic!

Benjamin led the pack on the slide

Ryan had as much fun as Liam

This train cost $1, but at least it went a little faster and these two loved it.

And then the boys found the Pirate Ship- and pretty much everything else didn't matter after that!

Captain Benjamin welcomed all to come aboard.

Some of the crew found sneakier ways to come aboard.

Some dangerous pirate cousins!

But it IS a pumpkin patch after all, so while the other guys went into the corn maze (and apparently had a little bit of a problem getting out- yes, I mean the adults too), Liam, Grandma, Jenny and I hung out with the pumpkins. 

They make great chairs too.

I'll take that one over there!

I got this.

The hayride back was a good time for family photo opps.

Jodi and her little man (the big man was home studying).

The Margherios had fun getting silly (especially Mr. Benjamin)

We got a little silly too.

And in the end, I tried to get a posed pic with Liam and a pumpkin.

But he was more interested in the gourd instead.

While weekends at the pumpkin patch and scheduled soccer games are a lot of fun, sometimes fall is best enjoyed in the little moments, like a quick ten minutes in the front yard playing in the leaves with Daddy.

On Thursday 18th, West held their Safe Trick or Treating event for Harvesters.  It is a crowded but fun event where various clubs and organizations set up booths for kids.  We went with Stacey and Vivi (the cutest pumpkin ever), and everyone loved seeing Mrs. Flurry's little Elvis.  The four of us had a great, while chaotic, time!

The four of us as we arrived

Posing for a photo opp while hoping for the candy nearby

Well thank you, thank you very much

Stacey and her little pumpkin

What, have you never seen a mini Elvis before?

On October 19th, the Writer's Workshop classes held its annual Writer's Walk.  It was a chilly day, so Liam wore his comfy monkey outfit.  Becky brought him and he had a ball!  Especially when he saw the hay game!

Me and my comrades in arms- Lauren Scholtes and Dylan Carter, fellow WW teachers

Dramatic Readings are my favorite part of Writer's Walk

My student Haleigh helps Liam write on a pumpkin.

But he was more interested in the hay.

Which got all over him!

My favorite picture of the day- my happy monkey!

Lauren's little guy Reid is just 5 1/2 months younger than Liam... she had to get her fix.

And then we found the rake.  And nothing else mattered.

Playing in the hay with a student.

Being goofy with Mommy.

Finally, it was time for the Real Deal- Halloween!  We had a great time in the Prairie Village shops from 4-6.  It was a beautiful day, so Liam went as Elvis again.  By the way, everyone seems to wonder how we got him to wear the wig for 3 hours.  I just told him it was his new hat, then Ryan wore it a couple of times, and we reminded him that when we go outside we need our hats on.  And that was that.  Plus, I like to think that he just knows how cool he looks.

He was very popular and even got his picture taken for the Prairie Post, the online paper.  It was posted by the next morning.

Hugging trees with Daddy

Family shot hugging the tree- well, I'm bigger than the tree, but you get the idea.

After the Village, we stopped by Pam and Tony's and then met the Margherios out in their neighborhood.  Peter Pan, Bob the Builder and Elvis sure make a great trio!

It's been a busy October, but a fun one.  Once again, as Marcia would say, "It's fall y'all!"  Lesson well learned.

An Amendment to Lesson 40

I completely forgot to tell a funny story about my birthday dinner last Tuesday night.  As I mentioned, it was a gorgeous night and we were able to dine outside.  Ryan did an amazing job setting a nice table and grilling the steak and lobster.  Conversation was lively and the wine was flowing (except for me, of course).  But Liam began to get tired and cranky, so Ryan put him to bed in his room, as usual.  

So we continued the festivities while he "slept." But during a lull in the conversation, we suddenly heard a faint crying coming from the monitor (I thought).  But when I picked it up the monitor I realized that the sound was off and that we were actually hearing the little guy crying from his window on the back of the house.  Back to the monitor, and we saw this...

That's right... our Liam John was peeking out his blinds, clearing seeing us on the deck and crying because he was missing the party.

It was hysterical!  And yet, I felt bad too because he was missing out- and we all hate missing out.

It was getting late anyway, so we packed up the leftovers, blew out the candles, and turned out the back yard lights.  As soon as they were off, our little guy put the blinds back, got horizontal once again, and fell fast asleep, probably dreaming of steak and lobster, wine and lively conversation.

Lesson #40: Special Celebrations Make for Great Memories!

Lily one month before her due date

I haven't posted a new blog in awhile.  I have started many entries, including this one, and think now that I will be posting several more before little Lily arrives in just 12 days just to catch up .  There are lots of reasons for my procrastination (fatigue, overwhelmed at school, grading piled up, getting the nursery ready, etc. etc.)- but as I tell my students all the time, "Those are reasons, but not excuses." So here goes.

This blog is all about special celebrations:  a sprinkle and three birthday parties!  Two weeks ago, my beautiful friend Jessica Brooks Bryon threw me a sprinkle.  A sprinkle is a small baby shower that is thrown for a second (or third, or fourth, or so on) baby.  Several friends and family members joined us at Blue Bird Bistro on a lovely Saturday morning for brunch and celebration.  It was a very special couple of hours and I couldn't have had a better time.

Jessica made these gorgeous centerpieces herself!

Mom and Jodi toasting with brunch cocktails!

That weekend, several of the women invited were out of town, including all the "Flurry" women except my lovely sister-in-law Jodi.  She represented Ryan's side of the family with charm and grace, and was the social butterfly of the day.  Thank you Jodi for representing the other women so well!

Marilyn, Stacey and Vivi have been mentioned in many other posts in my blog.  But this is the first time in awhile that we all could be together for a photo.  Marilyn, as many of you know, is someone I call my "Fr-om" (friend and mom) and Liam knows her as "Franny" (his friend and granny).  I am so lucky to know her, to have her in my life and to know that she will always be in Liam and Lily's as well.  Stacey (with her gorgeous daughter Vivi pictured) has seen me go through it all- crazy boyfriends, first time home ownership, more crazy boyfriends, and all my highs and lows.  And I feel grateful for all of the times she and Marilyn have been there for me.

Marilyn calls my sister Amy, me and Stacey her "Fraughters"- so it was a wonderful opportunity to grab this photo opp with our From and two of her Fraughters (and grandfraughters)!

Marilyn, Me, Vivi and Stacey

And then there are the exceptional friends I have met through education in some way.  Tammie Sinkler and I have known each other since KU, where we were Tri Delts together.  We eventually joined each other in English Ed classes and even donned stripes to work at TGIFridays during our student teaching years.  Eventually, she came to her senses and began teaching at SM West with me for many years!  Carrie Parazin and Krissie Kiehne joined the SM West staff years ago as well and I miss them every day in our halls... fortunately, we have book club and play dates and movie nights together these days.  I respect these women for all of the fabulous roles they balance so well every day, especially the commitment they have made to their families and children.  Finally, there is Cathy Sheridan, my dear, dear friend, who I met almost (gulp) 20 years ago when I was student teaching at West and she was a first year teacher there.  I knew from the moment I met her that she was another sister to me, one that continues to show integrity and grace in absolutely everything she does.  Cathy is my rock, plain and simple, a woman who I continue to admire every day.  Thank you ladies for being such a dear part of my life.

Tammie, Carrie, Me, Cathy and Krissie

And here is Jessica, the hostess extraordinaire!  She put such time and love into this sprinkle (as she does in all she cares about), and it really showed.  I met this woman during the summer of 2007, but it feels like I have known her my whole life :)  Thank you my sweet friend for always being there with an open ear, great advice and a sangria whenever needed.

Jessica and Me

One of my all time favorite moments of the day was when my gorgeous (and fashionable) Aunt Pam walked into the sprinkle a wee bit late, and Vivi looked at her and exclaimed, "She looks just like my Hello Kitty!"  At first I laughed it off as yet another funny comment from the most beautifully verbal 3 year old I have ever met.  But then, as I focused on the huge Hello Kitty doll's sparkling orange ensemble and I looked over at Pam,  I realized that Miss Vivienne was right.

Vivi and her twins

Sisters in fashion

Another unforgettable, and much more serious moment of the day was during the opening of gifts. Designer diaper bags, little frilly outfits for Lily, a double monitor and more were opened.  But the  most touching part was when I opening Pam's gift.  It was a very small ring box, with a pink note simply saying "a gift from Weezie".  And inside was my grandmother's engagement ring.  Simple.  Beautiful.  Lovely.  And the tears flowed.

A big hug of thanks

Jessica avoided silly shower games, but came up with a great way to get everyone talking. She had them all write down phrases that Lily will eventually say to me (good and bad).  It was great- the ladies' responses ranged from the word "Whatever!" (I hear it all the time at school) to "Can I get that on the side?" (the inevitable response to my food weirdnesses) to "I love you oodles and gobs" (which is what Weezie always said to us and the way I say goodnight to Liam every evening).

The rest of the sprinkle included bloody marys and mimosas, a fabulous brunch, yummy cake and ladybug cookies, and great conversation.  It was a perfect day.  Thank you to everyone who came to help celebrate and to those that couldn't make it but sent sweet wishes and gifts our way. 

3 of my favorite women ever- Rosemary, Anita and my beautiful mom

Aren't the cookies adorable?  I love a good theme!

Just two weekends before the sprinkle, we got to celebrate Vivi's 3rd birthday with a fun fairies and treehouse party at Stacey's house.  Ryan built the treehouse and I styled it.  It was a blast to see how much this little princess loved trying it out.  The day was really beautiful- perfect weather, great cupcakes, several little ones running around enjoying themselves, and lots of adults there to share the love.

Mommy and Vivi in the new treehouse

The completed treehouse

Even the treehouse got dressed up for the party

I love this pic of the birthday girl

The sandbox was Liam's favorite

I love this caboose!

Vivi and Lily D. flitting around in fairy costumes

Favorite pic of the day- future couple perhaps?

Trying out the treehouse for himself

The adults enjoyed time in the treehouse as well!

Liam with his Mimi and Papa

Swing time, just us guys



First juice box



Tea time with Daddy

Our little goofball

With the guest of honor

In more birthday party news, Liam attended his first Luau earlier this school year.  It was Lily Donakowski's 2nd birthday party (yes, his "girlfriend" from the treehouse) and she and her mommy Emily and daddy Jough invited the whole family over for the festivities.  Liam loves the water and was really happy to get to swim in the little pool.  He was not as happy, however, to have to share it with Viiv and the birthday girl! 

But of course, he came around.

And he REALLY came around when the cupcakes were served and the drums were found.

 It was a really fun day, and men (boys) and women alike even embraced the luau theme!

Actually, they both look kind of mad to have been forced to dress up!

But the ladies loved it!

I turned the big 4-2 last Tuesday, October 16th.  I figured it would be a little anticlimactic since I am nine months pregnant and we have so much else on our plate these days.  But my amazing husband Ryan would make sure it was anything but dull.  On Saturday, he arranged to have Grandma watch Liam while he surprised me with a room at the historic Hotel Phillips, an in-room massage, a lovely dinner at Lidia's and tickets to see Norah Jones at the Midland.  The next morning we slept late and topped it all off with a waddle around the Plaza and dim sum at Bo Lings.  I couldn't have asked for more.

Breakfast at Hotel Phillips

And yet...

The day of my birthday at school my 2nd block Writer's Workshop students threw me a surprise baby shower, with a cake and everything.  What a wonderful job I have!

And then, on the evening of my birthday, we had steak and lobster on the grill and enjoyed dining outside with Aunt Pam and Uncle Tony, Grandma and Papa.  Even Marilyn stopped by for a bit prior to dinner to celebrate with us!

I love my Franny!

Ryan, the chef, was very focused.

Pam and Tony were special guests.

Uh oh... I think he likes the good stuff!

It was a wonderful birthday, just 3 weeks shy of having Lily join our family.  Special celebrations really do make for great memories.  Lesson well learned.

A snuggle for the birthday Mommy.