Autumn comes with the traditional

There are certain events that indicate Fall in Indiana for our family, and it seems they all came and passed this month.  We had Grammie visiting for the welcoming festivities of fall: apple picking.  Our friend's tree that we pillaged for fee last year was on an off year so we had to go to a 'commercial' local apple orchard to pick.  The name of this orchard gave us many laughs: "Tree Technology."  Yep, that's new technology - getting small kids with baskets on a stick to pick apples.Josh, the kids, Grammie and Aunt Jill picked 5 bushels of apples that we processed within that week to have plenty of applesauce and apple pie slices all through the winter.  The kids are always involved with smooshing the apples through the Victorio Strainer or twisting the peeler/corer/slicer, which makes the process move swiftly.

When the apples are on, we also know it is time to honor the man who gave us all this lovely harvest: Johnny Appleseed.  Fort Wayne claims the burial of Johnny.  We have a gravesite, although I am not certain, with many other claimants on to Johnny's burial, if the site is not just a relic containing maybe teeth or other random bones.  Ether way, all the community gathers for the fantastic festival in his park and celebrate the handiwork of many who still create without technology (ha, tree technology orchard).  Each year we heard the kids past the vendors to the settler's area and learn some new skills.  This year's skills were:  clay wheel pottery, woodworking (mostly for Josh who still dreams that he will have a wood shop some day), wood carving, copper smithing, and tinkering. 

This fella gave the kids a bit of a science lesson by carving back the stick and then pulling out the worms that were the cause of the great maple to fall.  Josh admired the lacquering.

Because it was the very end of the day the tinkers let the kids play with all sorts of machines and gave them lots of tin trinkets to play with.  They gave the kids a math lesson as to why you need to know geomotrey. 

 Another fall time favorite - the annual Fort4Fit race.  This year we worked with the kids through the end of the summer to run 25 miles, all building up to the Kids Marathon for Fort4Fit.  The kids had gotten the racing bug when we did the Spartan Race in the spring and were mostly willing to do the training.  We were amazed by how well they did on the actual race night!  With Jill, we had one adult per child to run with the kids during the mile long course.  Viv ran hard with Jill, Faith stayed consistent and long strided with her dad, and I ran with Danny.  I was most impressed with Danny.  Throughout the summer he was the least enthused about continuous running; often stopping with side aches.  However, for the race, Danny kept a steady jog the whole time.  We talked about Captain America, of course, to pass the second half mile and he made it the whole way without walking!  All three were so happy to have their medals!  It is so nice to have this family friendly race so close to our home, it is really too easy to do I would be ashamed if we had not involved the kids in their own race.

Start time was 7:30am this year instead of 8am.

The next morning I woke up and walked up to the race start for the 10K race.  Some friends joined me for the start.  To my happy surprise, Jill rode her bike up and became my support through the whole race.  I certainly wasn't in my favored shape for the race, but I made some goals and kept them, only missing my goal finish by one minute (should have followed Jill's advice and had faster turnover the last half mile rather than trying to lengthen my stride, lesson learned).

Josh and the kids made it up for the finish so they could steal my post-race snacks and then go to the library.  It is a fun race because it ends in the Parkview baseball stadium and they have the racers on the jumbo-tron and announce their names so the family can be more participatory in the end.

A new fall tradition for us, thanks to Jill, will be going to a college football game.  We are still learning to enjoy the event, so it was super nice to head over to a small university in town, St. Francis, and watch our good friend and old babysitter Jason "Big Guy" Gardner play as defensive center.  Danny was intent not he game.  Faith brought a book, which suits her personality after watching some of the game she was happy to read.  Viv spent most of her time watching the cheerleaders evidently to figure outs why they had blue and black pom-poms (which she finally figured out about the 3rd quarter and announced to the rest of of that it was to match the team colors on the football uniforms).  It was a very good thing to broaden the horizons of the kids to some of the best parts of fall sporting events.  Jill and I also took them to watch IPFW men and women's soccer.

Suzy Diaries

On a lovely afternoon Suzy, Faith's new favorite doll took a stroll in the neighborhood, which was documented by Faith. Photography and placement was all done by Faith.

When you are small, perspective is everything.

Piano Recitals

This may be more time than you are wanting to waste looking at the internet, but here are the videos of the kids' first piano recital.  Only a parent can really be excited about these pieces because they represent so much progress.  Everyone else in the room is really just waiting for the kid to do something silly, or get too nervous, or otherwise be entertained by the kid itself and not the performance.  A parent also appreciates the value of a kid having to practice and follow through with performing a piece in front of other people, and that is why parents attend these things, so that their kid will get the same nervous fear and hopefully overcome it because like minded parents are doing the same thing.  It is a harmless version of group think.

Danny was first to play his pieces.  He crutched with his teacher in the moment of nervousness, which is his default to completing many tedious tasks.  He had played his pieces at home quite well, as you can tell, they were memorized.  It is cute to see how much concentration it takes to make his fingers move independently. I was really surprised to see Viv be nervous.  As much as her bravado shows that she loves being in the spotlight, it was extremely difficult for her to get through the introduction of her songs.  I was shocked.  Of course my heart went out to her and I was immensely proud that she swallowed down the fear and tears and played her songs magnificently.  She really loves practicing the piano and feeling masterful of her own fingers.  She is the only child that does not groan a bit when asked to practice the piano as part of her morning routine.  Most of the time she practices the piano to get out of doing the rest of her chores.Faith is undoubtedly a natural.  She doesn't have to try hard to succeed at piano.  For her, piano lessons is more about learning to try hard to be better than what is already easy.  While she as playing I could hear her counting quietly to herself.  Playing rythms is the newest part of their learning and she did want to do her ultimate best.  I mentioned to her after that I had heard her counting and was proud that she was being meticulous.  A sly smile slid over her face as she giggled slightly, "You could hear me?  But I was saying it very very quietly."  Mothers will notice everything in the heightened anticipation of their children's success.  She ended her songs and you will see made a quick ballerina curtsey, the exact gesture that the crowd was waiting for. 

I am really proud of my bunch.  They were the youngest and have progressed a great deal in just the four months they have been going to lessons.  I am not the best at keeping them praticing regularly, perhaps that is why we all started young to get better with time.  Originally the idea of piano lessons was an added benefit to having a friend babysit them while I was in class on Thursday, now it is an extremely beautiful blessing for us all.  I am grateful for Jenna's gifts of music and patience that she has shared with us all.  The kids did terrific in their very first piano recital!

Days to Remember

It only takes moments for children to create something which may be deemed disastrous by adults, but to children it is just play.  I am grateful for the mental clarity to remember that I was once a child too and remember doing the very mischievous and creative things that my children are doing now.  They make mud.  They pick forbidden flowers. They build forts all over the house.  They wear five outfits in one day.  They take perfectly organized things and reorganize them.  They play and play and play.  I love them.  Each proud mama moment that is accompanied by a shake of a head and the adage, well, I am sure I did the same thing when I was a kid, brings joy to my days.  These three are more than the 'Three Amigos,' they are perfect partners through every day.  

To accompany their physical shenanigans, there has been a slew of new sayings that have stopped me in my tracks to recognize how far we have come and what amazing individuals they all are:

- While Danny was taking his sweet time to pick out a pair of new underwear from the two packages I had bought for him, and I impatiently requested he move the process along, without moving from his lounging position inspecting the patterns of the briefs he responded "I was just considering which pair I should pick Mom."  Ah. It is something to be considered.

-The latest fad at the Button home as been knock-knock jokes.  I have heard and read more knock-knock jokes over the last month than I had known in a lifetime.  Having tired with the library book versions of the joke format, the kids began experimenting and embellishing their own versions.  Some were nonsense.  Others were variations.  Some had their own sort of satirical humor, such as Viv's favorite for herself, which is a variation on the interrupting cow:  Knock-Knock.  Who's there?  Viv?  Viv who...?  La la la la la.  The satire is in the play on Viv's actually personality - she really does loose interest when asking you a question and diverges into her own singing world before reaching the resolution of the question she first asked you.  Oh my sweet Viv.

- Faith's ballet instructor gave her a mixed CD of music as a gift at completion of the course year.  It contained many of the major ballet music.  Faith was excited to have it played and we popped it into the car immediately.  As she sat listening to the music, poised and relaxed at the same time, she said "Mama.  Certain music makes me have different feelings."  I looked gently in the rearview mirror at my pondering princess and asked how she felt listening to that music.  "Perfectly at peace,"  she responded.   I was happy for the next few moments of the car ride to explore with the children different genres of music and how they made us feel.  How perceptive they are.

-  On a bright afternoon I was doing yard work in the front yard.  Any time I am working in the front yard it is an invitation to the kids to ride scooters or bikes.  This day Danny had tired from riding his bike (he had finally figured out how to get himself started on his own which may have exhausted the mental capacities earlier than usual but I was might proud) and commenced kicking limbs around nearby me as I was trying to de-beard my tree.  Generally my best helper, I asked Danny to please retrieve my pruning shears from the porch.  He casually kicked his legs and said half committed "You've got legs Mom, you get them yourself."  A bit of indignant pride flashed over my nerves a moment before I recognized the phrase, my phrase, as it was repeated verbatim to me.  It was well deserved and I chuckled at my boy for having caught on to my own lazy schemes.  He ended up getting the shears eventually, after we laughed together. 

First Performance

 Spring brings new beginnings and lots of recitals.  For our family, recitals are a new thing.  Faith had her first recital with the Fort Wayne Ballet company.  As we discussed what was coming up, her eyes glowed and she bounced slightly with excitement.  She whispered in hushed exuberance "Mama, this will be my first performance!"  I was likewise thrilled to watch her develop into a very poised ballerina.  In the quiet moments of observation she was precisely as she should be, a ballerina.

 During the dress rehearsal on Wednesday night they allowed the parents to take as many photos as they liked because all electronics were banned on performance night (as they should be).  During rehearsal Faith was focused and lovely.  I worried a little to see that her concentration tongue was still sneaking out from time to time.  However, by Thursday night she had mastered her mouth and preformed perfectly.  We had lovely seats and enjoyed seeing the showcase of all the students from age 3 to 17.  It is a very exciting future for Faith, if she chooses to continue (which I think she will).

 Her class was larger during the year but only 4 girls could participate for the recital.  The ballet company does a wonderful job of keeping things professional and cost effective.  They have the girls be in leotards and tights and then supply the tutus at the performance.  They slide tutus from one group of kids to the next and clip flowers in their hair as they are ready to go out.  No costly costumes or extravagant sequins.  It was simple, and simply lovely

 Faiths sense of importance was heightened by the fact that she was to dance on the very same stage that I had just finished performing on.  We had several conversations throughout the week about what 'wings' and 'flys' and 'green room' all meant as them became more of a reality for her.

Getting better

While going to sleep Saturday night Josh asked me if I ever used to play with my dad.  I paused to go back through the years and recollect the games and giggles that I had with a serious seeming papa.  Two things stuck out: Family Home Evening and pinching.  Thank heavens for the Gospel in our home growing up that guided the interactions I had with my Dad.  

I remember most the mandatory FHE monday nights.  We had to sing, have a lesson, a game, and a treat, no exception.  Most of the games were home made and there were some mad favorites.  I remember the receding light of day on our front lawn casting shadows over an elaborate obstacle course that Dad had built for us.  Each of us lined up on the sidewalk and anxiously awaited our turn.  I don't remember all we had to do, but it was a good competition, and lots of laughs.  I think for weeks thereafter we tried to make a better obstacle course than Dad but no one really mastered it.  

We frequently cleared the coffee table and pulled out a quarter to play 'slapsies and creepsies.'  In turn we would secretly pass the penny underneath the table until the opposing team determined our fate.  I believe this was the beginning of learning the 'poker face' when you were so excited as a child that the penny actually landing silently in your hand - at least until they called 'creepsies' and you had to slowly slide your fingers out onto the table without letting the quarter clink.

Dad truthfully came up with the best games and then we copied the until we were bored of them.  He often brought in scout tricks and laughed at our expense when we couldn't figure out his riddles.  More than once I sat on a wet rag playing 'Unga Bunga' or had my nose attached to a broom.  Dad just laughed inside and wouldn't give the answer.  It was fun for us all.  Although, it was hard to have to sit next to Dad during the lessons of FHE because he was notorious for pinching your leg to keep himself awake and watch the girls jump.  Those Monday nights were a haven.  I realize now that it is because of our parents' persistence that we all learned how to sing, play the piano, and teach the Gospel at a young age.  Those are miraculous skills!  And we did have fun.

As parents, Josh and I are getting better.  I am glad that we constantly evaluate and try our best to become better.  We determined that we would both like to play more games as a family. We want to fill our house with good old fashion fun and music.  THe influence of reading "Little House on the Prairie" series to our kids has been tremendous for us as we remember how simple it is to have a solid family.

 Sunday we set out to create a pattern despite being sick and tired (very literally).  Kids don't care how you feel as a parent, the just know what you are doing is lame.  Right after Church and lunch we sat down to a game of Memory.  Danny is particularly good at this game and Faith has extreme luck.  Viv just likes the attention she gets at her turn and strangely will turn over the same cards turn after turn after turn, but gratefully she has gotten out of the sulky stage of worrying about winning.  We played through twice, though we should have stopped at one since the attention on the second game waned fast; Josh and I both just wanted to prove that we weren't as rusty at Memory as we had been the first game.

The kids picked out Legacy for our afternoon movie/nap.  We piled on top of each other like a family of gerbils.  Danny and I slept through most of it and then on for a more drug induced sleep (me) while Josh took the girls out on a walk around the neighborhood.  When I decided to get up I found cups full of dandelions and other precious weeds on tops of loving notes from the girls.  Josh was sitting with the girls in the front room reading books.  Danny gravitated to the reading and I moved to the piano to fill the room with music.  Viv, our natural singer, was soon found at my side and I delighted in hearing her soft little voice mingling in and out with mine.  She just likes to hear the melodies and doesn't care that she doesn't know the words.  We played a bit of 'name that tune' and Viv was working on reading the titles so she didn't have to guess (she still really resents being wrong on an answer) and I was pleased that she new she could read well enough to work it out.  We sang and sang until Faith joined us and then my singer was out.  I continued to play the piano for practice, and an example to the kids who are now taking piano lessons, while the girls danced. 

Josh had disappeared with Danny and the girls soon found out where they were as they peeked through the front window.  Danny is a very analytical boy and is masterful at playing checkers.  Josh and I have been sad that most of our checkers pieces have disappeared - yet the simplicity of invention saved the day!  Josh created checkers on our porch and they used light and dark colored rocks.  I insisted the girls stay out of the game for at least one game before they ran outside in glee.  While I made a late dinner Josh taught them how to play four-square on the sidewalk.

The day ended peacefully together as Josh finished putting in the hanger rail in the kids' closet (part of our Saturday projects) and I read to the girls.  Josh stayed in the room to listen with Danny since we are all involved with the story.  Family prayers, kisses and goodnight.  Definitely better.