- Getting a huge tree removed from our front yard and having a landscape makeover done out there. Huge bushes were taken out and new ones were put in. Oh, and expletives were said when the deer destroyed several of them just one week later.
- Painting the kids' bathroom, changing out the light fixtures, and making two framed art pieces to go in there.
- Retiling the downstairs bathroom ourselves including demo, laying new tile, grouting, and caulking. We still have to change out the fixtures, but hopefully that'll be done this week.
- Replacing our front porch light fixtures.
- Cleaning the garage blinds and windows, inside and out and vacuuming up approx. 257 species of dead bugs in doing so.
- Cleaning the trim and windows on the front porch.
- Replacing the front porch light fixtures.
- Having the backyard aerated and over-seeded.
- Putting together a huge art arrangement on our two-story family room wall.
But lest you think us boring, home improvement wasn't the only thing that occupied our time. There was also sorting, pricing, and selling nearly 100 items at a consignment sale. And running a half marathon. And volunteering twice last week at Audrey's school. And Halloween (hopefully a separate post coming soon.)
I'm not going to lie - I'm ready for a break! Especially because we got back from Savannah on Sunday evening and our house is in a complete state of chaos because our hardwood floors are being refinished.
But y'all, it's going to be worth it. SO WORTH IT. When I'm sitting by the lit Christmas tree on December 13th celebrating our one year anniversary in our house and looking around at all we accomplished, I will thank the Lord a) that I'm not unpacking boxes and frantically decorating twelve days before Christmas and b) for the gorgeous house that we have made our own.
Now to the good stuff...the kids:
Audrey is loving life right now and we are, for the most part, loving this stage she's in. Potty training is almost a distant memory, sleeping through the night occurs 99% of the time, vocabulary and reasoning skills abound, naps can be skipped, fun adventures require little planning or supplies, food can be consumed in whole pieces, consequences are understood, and boundaries are typically respected.
Then there is Luke.
Now obviously we love him just as much, but he still requires a lot of work. He wakes up at least once a night most nights (or in the wee hours of the morning) for a pacifier/repositioning/etc. He's frustrated with his lack of vocabulary, his inability to do things completely independently, and, often, with his bossy sister who isn't always the best at sharing. He's not the best car rider and often fusses and complains the whole time unless he's watching a DVD, which I try to avoid for trips under 30 minutes. Because he can't structure a proper sentence, he just repeats the same word a million times until you comply. This can be especially tricky when that word is "DRIIIIIIINK" and you're driving down the interstate at 75 miles an hour while trying to find the stupid thing that he chunked in the floor five minutes earlier because he'd been yelling "TBBBBBBBB" (TV) and pitched a fit when you said no.
So we're kind of in a sweet spot, but still a few years away from the "rocking chair" years between surviving infancy and toddlerhood and before preteen hormones kick in. The good news is that we're still in that adorably cute phase, which is undoubtedly God's genius design so you don't kill the little darlings.
Luke, for instance, says "okay" after just about everything you say now, whether he gets it or not. He loves hide and seek (and counting "19, 19, 19, 19" while he's waiting to come find you), and has the best slow jog I've ever seen. I love his tender heart and how he often shows concern for other people. He is still a snuggle bug and has started saying "hold you" when he wants to be held.
He is getting into TV a little more and likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Barney, and Elmo DVDs. He's also learning some popular kids' songs and will attempt to "sing" along with a few when rocking out in our minivan.
Audrey, as I mentioned, is doing very well. To balance out my griping about Luke, I will point out that she gets a little "mouthy" with me and is very big into "that's not fair...he got more/did more/had a longer turn" business right now. She's moody and temperamental when she's tired or hungry, but I guess that would apply to 99% of the human population. Still, she is my rule-following, careful-to-a-fault, Type A mini-me. She absolutely adores school and her teachers and is excelling at everything they throw her way. Her memory is still amazing and her reading skills are improving by the day. She still loves all things crafty, any book she can get her hands on, and making up silly songs. Her attention to detail is noticeable in everything she does and every question she asks. She is my conversationalist, my shopping buddy, and a really great helper.
A few quips and quotes from the month...
- AJ: "Mom, I'm bored. My book about whining says that if that happens, I should ask you for some suggestions of things to do. Soooo?"
- We started implenting time-outs for Luke as a consequence for bad behavior (usually hitting his sister when he's frustrated.) One Sunday afternoon, Audrey and I were at the grocery store and David texted me a picture of one of Audrey's dolls in the time out corner. He said that Luke had come flying out of the playroom yelling "TIME OOOOOOUT! NO HIT!" and put the doll in the corner. Well, at least he gets it I guess!
- Audrey was talking about how much she loved Luke and how she was so lucky to have him. Me: "You wouldn't trade him for a million cupcakes, would you?" AJ: Silence, then "Uh...well, could I have both?"
- While I was in the shower, Audrey came running in and said, "Mom! Luke got a hold of some M&Ms and it got all over his hands. But don't worry, I helped him wash it off." Me: "Great job, babe! Thank you!" Fast forward 20 minutes as I notice something on the floor of her room. "Audrey, what is this?" Audrey: "Oh yeah. He crushed them up and smeared them all over my bedroom carpet." Sigh. Way to bury the lead, kid.
Happy November, y'all! Try to enjoy it a week or two before you get your Christmas decorations out. :)
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