Step into fall

An accumulation of leaves under this tree beckons the children to step this way and get a little kick out of the rustling!

It was a nice stop-and-gaze moment for me as well, after picking up the boys, before picking up our pace again.

Pace yourself, was the thoughtful advice from a blogger-friend during this season of Vern's frequent work trips. In the last two weeks alone, he was away four times. That was hectic for him, buried in work still after this week's trip, while I felt the strain of being a parent 24/7 more than if he were working late.

When the weekend came, the children also felt his absence: Why is daddy away every day? I drove us to this park, before they drove me up the wall! At that leaf festival, below:

An even bigger pile of leaves screams to Ben to jump right in! Cannonball!!!

"Pace yourself" was also what Ben said to me, and by the second cross-country meet, had added, "And don't give up!". Referring to what it takes to complete any stretch of long-distance running. It speaks to me also about the daily grind, and hanging in there with the nonsense that's not as easy to pare down as it is to play up the little joys.

But better I not harp on how much the children have been fighting, and focus rather on what consequences to give them that they will take seriously. Here are some of their antics instead, I'll try not to miss when they grow up too fast, too soon. Hopefully, prayerfully, they will be more sensible and responsible.

Homework is anything but dull...

The eldest thinks himself clever when he suceeds in flying off the stairs, and also for thinking it's easier to get his schoolwork done by asking for my help every other sentence and problem. That's why he's left his seat again.

He lands right in front of the youngest! She is thankfully also too distracted to give me a "monkey-see monkey-do" replay of his daredevil act. But she is turning the wooden pieces from the puzzles she knows how to fix into a discus-throwing game!

By which time, the middle child has not sat down to read together. He is not quite done throwing a big fit over his little Lego Star Wars guys decapitated by the little sister earlier in the day. That, while this mom was getting a headstart with dinner prep before heading out with the li'l girl to fetch the boys.

But see, I can really use their cooperation not to make homework out to be a drag drag homework past dinner. Especially during those busier "seize the day" days with extracurricular activities and more zipping around to do, and we really have to STEP ON IT!

(Written earlier, rolled out with pictures finally).