should i be concerned

Lia and I were out running errands today. One of our stops was Hobby Lobby. I saw a cool trunk displayed but it was too high for me to see the price. One of the friendly Hobby Lobby stocker guys got a huge ladder, climbed up and found out the cost for me. Now I need to find the 40% off coupon in the weekend paper!

So, as we were walking out of the store Lia says, "I want to marry him." What?!

I replied just to be sure I really heard what I thought I did, "What did you say, Lia?"

Lia: "Oh, nothing."
Me: "I thought you said something."
Lia: "Well, I did. I want to marry him."
Me: "Why would you say that?"
Lia: "Oh, just because."

Hilarious!!! I wonder what Wilbur (Jacob) would think about this.

name change

Lia informed us last night that she and Wilbur have changed their names. She would prefer for us to now call her, "Olivia" and Wilbur, "Jacob"--they don't like their old names anymore. Also, all of their children (it's up to 25 now) are all named Olivia and Wilbur--this could get confusing.

We were also informed that Lia is done with Pre-K and would like to move on and go to Zach's school with big kids. Her teacher said she is very ambitious and she loves that about her! LOL! Really? She is starting to read a little.

Zach and I have been looking for a dog. I always had a dog growing up and would love for the kids to. Zach wants a buddy and perhaps having a pup will bring a little comfort to him. He is wanting to grow his hair longer--something about that's how Indiana Jones had it when he was young. This is hard for me--I like his hair short but it's his hair and not worth a battle--there are definitely bigger battles to be fought--hair is not one of them. The only requirement that we have given him is that he must brush it! If he doesn't, we cut it! :-)

I'm enjoying these mornings while Lia is at school. I went grocery shopping today--alone. I'm going to clean the bathroom--alone. Simple pleasures.

Fall. Here.

The past few days have been beautiful. Fall is one of my favorite seasons and we are experiencing here in Kansas the first signs that fall is approaching. I've spoken to many who are not happy about the approach of fall because it only means that winter will soon follow. I'm not thinking about that. I'm enjoying the cooler temperatures and how the landscape will soon be painted with reds, yellows and oranges. I'm looking forward to a visit to the corn maze, hot apple cider, hay rides and carmel apples.

I'm sitting outside watching Lia ride her bike. The breeze is calm and cool, the sky is overcast--it is simply a beautiful day. I was thinking about where I like to be on days like today and each place I thought of was in Columbia. Sitting outside Memorial Union at Mizzou, Flatbranch on the patio, sitting under our big tree at our old house, sitting on the couch when the tree outside our front window turned an orangish red color and the sun shined through, luminating the room and making me feel like I was being bathed in sunlight.

I do enjoy being here. Here on 82nd Terrace in Kansas watching Lia ride her bike and waiting for Zach to arrive home from school. It feels odd though, even on such a beautiful day that this is where I am. Here I am.

Lia's in school

After two days of school, Lia proudly announces--"Mom, I know everything!"

It was raining her first two days of school so I didn't get pictures. I'll try to post some this week--her backpack is almost the size of her. She loves school!

Art by Lia

I went to tuck Lia into bed and noticed some new "artwork"--on her leg!

Me: "Lia, Daddy and I have told you that you are not allowed to draw on your body. I'm going to take your pen away--that's only for your drawing pad."
Lia: "Why?"
Me: "Because we don't draw on our bodies with pens." (that seems like a lame answer really but I didn't know what to say in the moment)
Lia: "Mom, it's just Sponge Bob Square Pants!"
Me: Sigh. Smile.