Son and Daughters: All About the Kids....

MEA weekend is coming to a close (if you don't live in MN, you would not know about MEA, a break kids get each October from school for teachers to attend meetings). Because both Darin and William were going to be off, I briefly considered a little trip somewhere warm. Too little time and too many autumn chores put the nix on that idea. Maybe a trip this winter, when we REALLY need a break from the frozen tundra. ANYWAY----It was a fun 'staycation' here in the northwoods. We enjoyed lots of time together and lots of time outside. Here is a little ditty about each child---

WILLIAM

My eldest child has spent the week pretending....about everything....It is so entertaining! I listen and get a glimpse into his inquisitive and expansive mind. This kid is a thinker. He has been a train engineer and a construction worker this week, complete with appropriate outfits and equipment. But most of his time has been spent talking about hunting, getting ready for hunting, getting Martha ready to 'get my ducks out of the water' and 'chase the deer to come to me so I can shoot them for meat.' Darin's family hunts, so I think he has picked this up from them. William understands that you hunt for meat to eat. He has been sighting-in his pretend gun (2 pieces of wood he put together with a string because we don't have toy guns), and telling everyone he is 'Papa's hunting buddy.'

This kid cannot get enough of being outdoors. Here he was climbing rocks in our field.

Running. Always running.

King of the Rock.

A family portrait by William. The extra family members are the neighbors who are at their cabin this weekend. And Martha is also in the picture.

AUDREY

Sweet Audrey Bea is busy dancing, singing, and playing in her dollhouse. She has deemed herself a princess. She won't wear pants unless she has a dress on too. She wears glasses 'to see better' which is so entertaining because her vision was perfect at her 3 year well check, and her glasses are really sunglasses! Maybe too much influence from Daddy, and all 4 grandparents who use cheater glasses to read?! Audrey and Nora have been enjoying each other's company a great deal this week.

Princess Audrey.

Doing a jig on the hay?

Skaudis Women!

Rockclimber.

The glasses mentioned above!

'CHEESE!' This girl is hilarious! I am always surprised at what she comes up with!

NORA

Nora is about 19 months old. She has made huge progress socially in the past 2 weeks. For the first time in months-literally---8 months, she did not cry the whole time at childcare at the Y, and actually enjoyed herself. Same thing at church, she happily played with the other children in Nursery. This new independence has me so happy! Nora enjoys playing with both her brother and sister, and is always up to the challenge of keeping up with the big ones.