Fall

Mmmm,

fall.

And we got a good dose of the fall weather this weekend.

Boots, coats, hats, 

we dug 'em all out to

visit Uncle Jonah's nursery for their annual Octoberfest.

He was in charge of the hay-maze this year,

which we visited after pausing at the animals,

but once the munchkins found the corn pit,

there wasn't any peeling them away...

(I considered trying to pun something like, trying to shuck them away...but I decided against it...)

But, shucks, we didn't mind.

(Hmm...not sure it works there either...)

However, the biggest hit of the day?

The balloons.

Passed out, tied up, bopped by the balloon man;

the munchkins loved it.

Again,

pretty sure J-man was the most enthused.

All in all,

it was just a good fall day.

October

It's October.

Month of everything colorful, crisp, sweet and beautiful.

--

I tried my hand a something colorful with the kids the other day.

Needed a teacher fix, I guess...

or perhaps I felt a little guilty for the amount of Sesame Street I had been utilizing...

Either way, I took three for a walk to collect autumn memorabilia, managed the passing of the Elmer's and ended up with success for two out of the three participants. 

Majority rules though, and we'll call it all good.

--

And with a little crisp in the air, more time outside, means more stops at the bath for the munchkins.

The good man I have wrangled three wilds in the tub the other night,

took the challenge head-on,

won some major brownie points in my book. 

Love him.

--

October is also the month of my parents' birthday. 

We celebrated the other day with a little brunch and sweets. 

Nine around the table, four littles, four generations

on one birthday boy's day.

I think Judah-man was the most excited.

--

October also happens to be a birthday month for another special lady in our life.

My precious friend, Brookelyn. 

I've known her since she was a "trying",

 a double line on an early morning test, 

a momma's blossoming countdown,

a middle-of-the-night surprise,

a bundle of swaddle and softness, topped with a crafty nurse's jimmy-rigged bow,

now a spitfire of spunk, determination and cuddle.

Funny thing is, her birthday month also happens to be designated 

Down Syndrome Awareness month.

I just like to think of it as Brookelyn Appreciation month.

See, sweet preciousness also happens to have been created with an extra special chromosome. 

She's the perfect reason to celebrate this in October.

Although just one month isn't quite enough for our society, 

it serves as a simple start to the education of remembering to recognize the individuals rather than ignorant generalizations, the contributions rather than a label, the gifts rather than diagnosis, the beauty of each lovely individual.

So when you're among the color, bundled up in the crisp, celebrating with sweet this October, appreciate the beautiful around you,

those who have so many lives to influence, so many to bless and teach so much along the way.

They've got a busy life ahead of them.

Watch out.

See, this little lady has already taught, influenced, blessed so many,

and she's not yet three. 

That's beyond talent;

that ability is a gift. 

Just like her.

--

There's a lot of good reads about Brookelyn Appreciation month. 

One of my favorites is here. And here.

And, if you're up for a listen on the divine power purpose of each individual, check this out. 

Ride

It was just beautiful here yesterday,

almost a crisp in the breeze, and if you watched a ways awhile, the descending dance of leaves has begun.

And so, we designated yesterday to be bike day.

No particular reason, 

although we came up with something bogus to tell El, 

something about how she's been such a good girl lately, had such a good attitude and been working really hard at everything and this was her reward...

We had to come up with something to justify the extra pennies Hello Kitty required as opposed to some monster slime green and black gender neutral two-wheeler. 

Not happening for this chick. 

And so,

the assembling commenced.

I remember my dad teaching my youngest sister to ride a bike,

the ceremony of removing wheels three and four, the practice jaunts she nailed like a champ.

And then, the ascent to the neighborhood's peak for her first solo run.

As she cruised towards us, so proud and independent and flying, my dad must have beamed with triumph in his fatherhood.

Until, she grew close enough for him to notice the the radiance of her independent glory fading quite quickly as she approached a treacherous bump in the sidewalk...

And it equally as quickly occurred to him that the lesson on brakes, the teaching on stopping...

well, that course hadn't been taught yet.

A trip to the emergency room, a certain number of stitches that she still remembers and a solid butterfly bandage reaching across the chin, 

 it all provides a good laugh at my dad's expense for just about every post-holiday meal when the chairs are pushed back and the tales reminisced.

Makes me wonder what our own contributions will be one day...

As life's ride goes on, and the stories are written and recorded and remembered by heart.

When our family's bellies are full, and the desert is being prepared and only the best memories are told...

So I guess last night left me excited for what's to come.

The spills, the stitches, the bandaids, the kisses, learning, the triumphs, the celebrations,

the life yet to be lived.

Soaking it all up

one ride at a time.