A brother's love . . .and a Father's love

I have SO many cute fall pictures to post; from Trunk-or-Treat, Lawton's class party, and other excuses to wear the Halloween costumes, but I need to post this tonight.

Let me just say that Lawton is a very busy boy, very smart (which equals manipulative) and VERY high energy. Some days I find myself exasperated at him because he is well, just a typical three year old boy (I think). And then I feel like a failure for not being patient enough or attentive enough or just, well, enough. And then I feel like a failure for not being tough enough. And then I feel terrible for being too tough. Does anyone else feel this yo-yo in parenthood? Anyways, I want to share with you (and hopefully him one day if he ever reads this) that I am so thankful that he is mine, my precious son that IS so full of energy, so full of life, so smart, so funny, and yes, even so manipulative.

The other day Lawton and Chad were riding together and Lawton just randomly started sharing with Chad. "Daddy, I just need to be patient. I just need to be patient for Carolina to grow bigger so that she can play." "Daddy, I just need to be patient." He stated this several more times during the course of the car ride. I don't think that we have ever out right said he needs to be patient (for this particular reason). However, it might explain why he is constantly trying to pat her cheeks (while I am about to jump out of my skin telling him to quit for the thousandth time), kissing her chubby hands and kissing/sucking her cheeks, shaking her toys 1/1000th of an inch away from her face and saying "GAAA-GAAA GOO GOO DA DA BOO BOO!" in her face. sigh. He wears me out getting in her face, but surprisingly she very rarely cries and she LOVES him. (He even "bear hugged/tackled" her this afternoon and she just smiled) But you know, he is just dying to play with her. (and I won't blame her one bit when she whacks the fool out of him . . . he has it coming) And he truly ADORES his baby sister. And I am so glad. Chad and I joke with him when she is crying/fussing that she needs a "pop on the leg". And every single time we have said this since Day 1, he has ALWAYS taken up for her and defended her and said "No. She is just a baby! She doesn't need a pop on the leg!"

All the above explains this picture:
Carolina was sitting in her crib playing with Minnie and one other book the other day. She can see me getting ready in the bathroom from her crib, so she is very happy and content. I noticed that Lawton was busy doing something quietly and thought I had better check on him. He had piled a ton of toys around Carolina for her to "play"! Ha!

She was a little overwhelmed, I think!

(see her perplexed look here?)

And then, I could have kicked myself for not thinking of this earlier! Well actually, this stroller just came in the mail for free when I ordered a car seat. But anyways, Lawton made lap after lap around our house pushing Carolina. They were both happy and occupied for a while!

And this last story just confirms that I do have a sweet, precious boy. After we got home from his Halloween party at school today (for which he thanked me five times for coming and helping at his party - it was worth it- and I wouldn't have missed it for the world anyways) I had to feed Carolina and put her down for a nap. I told him to play by himself (which he is TERRIBLE at) while I tended to her. Surprisingly, he stayed in the playroom the entire time and when I was done I could hear him talking and I thought he was playing with his toys. I walked in and saw him just sitting on the love seat. He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I'm just talking to God. I'm just talking to Him." To which I replied, "Okay. You can always talk to God wherever about anything can't you?" He then proceeded to say "Well, God . . . and then just proceeded to have a conversation with God. He then asked me if I would come sit with him and talk to God with him. So I did. And we took turns just talking to God and having a long conversation.

God, I am so thankful for the son you have entrusted me with as a mother. Please help me have the patience each day to give him what he needs and deserves just as you are patient with me as I exasperate You. I am thankful that you have given me a son that loves life with fervor and is thankful for all the little things that you have given him, like his Buzz Lightyear costume and his Happy Meal toys. Thank you for using my son to teach me how to have a conversation with You. I love you, Father, and I love you, my son.

(Here's a few Halloween pics until I can post again after the weekend.)

Walden Farm

Yesterday spent the morning at Walden Farm. It was perfect fall weather and Lawton was sooo excited that we had a hard time keeping up with him . . .

Lawton didn't want to sit on this pumpkin at first because there were flies around it because it was starting to rot. My little OCD boy - just kidding. He did have a hard time picking out a pumpkin, though, because they were all "dirty". I had to convince him that we could clean it off at home. Seriously. Is he really a three year old boy? :)

Lawton took this picture. He loves to use the camera and be the photographer!

On hay mountain - I couldn't get either of them to look because of the sun. . .

In the corn pit - he loved it!

Boy, the pictures of him playing at the farm tables sure has changed a lot over the past three years! He's not my baby anymore! :(

Daddy and Carolina on the hayride

Mommy and our "little pumpkin"

Lawton was waving to the people that were getting off to go through the corn maze and yelling "Good luck!" Ha!

This is the best picture we could get of the two of them. I knew that I should have made these pictures when we first walked in, but Carolina was comfy in her stroller. I could have kicked myself because we have some PRECIOUS pictures of Lawton when he was 6 months old among the pumpkins. In my mind, I had imagined getting the same "pose" with Carolina. Instead, we got the one below. :(

She was asleep in her stroller within three minutes of this picture. Seriously. I'm such a mean mommy.

And the crowning moment of a fun day at the Pumpkin Patch - a giant iced sugar cookie!

Fun times!

October = Fall Fests

Library Fall Fest We went to the Downtown Library Friday for Fall Fest. This is the hat that Lawton made . . . do you think he is proud?
Just thought I would add a token Halloween picture of Carolina in here since these next few (okay, maybe slew) pictures are of Lawton. . .

BOO!!

Cole School Fall Fest

Chad's school had their Fall Fest last night. Sadly, this is the only picture I took. . . I was too busy chasing Lawton and talking to all the staff and parents. Chad was off making sure that everything was running smoothly. It was a big success!

Music and Molasses Festival
Last weekend the Music and Molasses Festival was at Ellington Agricultural Center. This is the first pony ride Lawton has ever taken! He loved it!

Old Farmer Brown and the Mrs. :)

Here Lawton is painting (with water)

Oktoberfest in Lebanon

Lawton spent the night with my parents last weekend and they went to Oktoberfest in Lebanon. They had lots of cool things to see and do (especially for a three year old boy!)

(Do you see Lawton way up there in the tank?)

This boy is not afraid of anything - loves a thrill!!

Here he is with Dandy collecting eggs.

"This tickles!!"

Lawton and Dandy in their matching Co-op hats. Lawton LOVES fire engines and firemen!

Noni and Lawton (as I'm sure he tried out EVERY SINGLE tractor!)

I'm not quite sure why a rusted out old lawnmower made it to Oktoberfest - but Lawton liked it! Isn't that funny?!

Trouble . . . 12 years from now!!!

Can you imagine this sight twelve years from now, except in a real car with a real engine? TROUBLE!

This is probably what heaven will be like to Lawton and Hunter - I mean, what could be better? Eating a bakery sugar cookie, getting to ride in the CAR CART at the grocery store, AND doing it all with your favorite cousin in the world!

Emily and I both had to go to the store after we had been somewhere together. I think I should go with her more often! She pushed them both around and I could shop in peace. Have I mentioned I love my sister-in-law? :)

Confession: I am usually a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market shopper, but on those days when Lawton is with me (and of course Carolina) and I just can't handle Lawton hopping, skipping, running, talking, and trying to help me shop, I will go to Publix or Kroger and pay more money just for the beloved car cart (and to keep my sanity) . There. I just had to get that off my chest. Does anyone agree?

It's been a busy fall . . .

Radnor Lake

One day after school last week I took Lawton and Carolina for a walk at Radnor Lake. Lawton had the best time collecting leaves and finding "treasures".

What a gorgeous view. God is so good!
Making a haunted house
We bought a kit at the store and had fun making a Halloween Haunted House. Lawton loves to bake and decorate things with me!
Soccer party at our house

Walker and Carolina hanging with the big kids!
Go Yellow Team! I have to say, I'm glad soccer is over. It was fun, but seven games and practices is more than plenty for three year olds. Len was such an awesome, patient coach. Thanks, Len and Christine for heading things up! Left to right: Jamie, Lawton, Jackson, Cole, Anna Kate, Brody, Tyler, Ford and Will.
They were ready to tear into the soccer cake!
Visiting with Karie

Carolina, Daniel and Hudson playing in the balls at Karie's parent's house
Carolina(5 months), me, Karie and Hudson(8 months) Karie has been my best friend since fifth grade. She came in town and I went to visit her one day last week. Lawton was in school so he missed out on good playing time with Annie and Daniel. I wish they lived closer, but it is always good to catch up!
Hudson, Annie, and Daniel, her three beautiful kids (and Carolina:)

This doesn't even include some of the other things we have done lately! Stay tuned and thanks for visiting our little lives!