The Smith Family Adventures

Because of all of Nathan’s traveling and some other family activities, we are pretty much solidly booked until the last couple of weekends before the baby comes. So…when I realized that we had a free Saturday morning I jumped at the chance to take our family to the pumpkin patch. The weather cooperated and the boys were excited so it was a recipe for success.

The boys enjoyed picking out their pumpkins, although I think Simon liked pulling the wagon more (to Nathan’s discontent).

After choosing pumpkins, the boys really wanted to go on the barrel train ride. We went to buy tokens, and waited in line. When Elias realized, though, that Nathan and I were not going to ride with them, he totally freaked out. He was crying pretty hard and was NOT going to get on the train. Luckily, Simon was still excited to ride and went all by himself. He was so proud!

Then, Simon decided he wanted to go on the “horsey ride.” (pony ride). We’ve been to Plumper pumpkin patch since Elias had just turned one, and I’ve always wanted my kids to do that. I was super excited that one of them suggested it, and we decided to get some tokens for Simon to do it. I thought he might get scared and back out at the last minute, but decided we’d go for it just in case. Seize the day!

As I bought the tokens, Elias had another breakdown because he decided he wanted to do the pony ride as well. I thought for sure he would never actually do it because he is usually afraid of larger animals. However, I bought the tokens anyway to give him the chance.

As it turns out, both of the boys really loved the pony ride. Neither of them were nervous at all. The just had the time of their lives riding around in a circle over and over again.

So…all’s well that ends well. The boys had a blast at the pumpkin patch despite some tears along the way. We’ve got two great pumpkins to carve some time soon, and the boys have now both ridden a pony for the first time!

Nathan was in the wedding of his friend and coworker yesterday afternoon. Originally, I thought I’d be left behind at home once again. However, the bride and groom graciously allowed our boys to come even though for the most part kids weren’t there because of a lack of space, and because frankly, the place was really really nice and not really fit for 2 and 5 year olds. I was excited to get to see them tie the knot, and to not have to spend more time solo parenting.

We drove up to Lakewood, WA on Friday morning. Believe it or not, this was Simon’s first time to Washington state ever. Only 20 minutes to the state line in good traffic, and he had never been there! The wedding took place at Thornwood Castle. I learned it was built in Europe over 500 years ago, taken apart and shipped here, and rebuilt on the grounds. It was truly a beautiful spot.

After arriving at our destination, we fed the boys lunch in the back of the van and got them dressed. They were excited to be there.

We had an hour or so before the wedding was to start, and Daddy had to get ready and take pictures with the rest of the groomsmen. The boys and I explored the grounds and the gardens. They had a blast running around. Elias managed to get himself pretty filthy just in time for the wedding to start.

The wedding began at 1:00, just when Simon is usually getting ready to go down for his nap. Knowing this, I was slightly worried, but he seemed to be doing ok. Then the ceremony started. And Simon decided that was an opportune moment to start throwing a fit. At one point during the vows he did yell out “I want to go back home!” It was super embarrassing since there weren’t many kids there. I gave him my phone to look at, and he was quiet the rest of the ceremony. Phew!

After the ceremony, the boys got to run around and enjoy the grounds some more. We also watched the wedding party take some photos. Here is one of all the good looking groomsmen with the happy couple. This really is a great group of guys. They are all Nathan’s coworkers. Sorry about the poor quality, but I was trying not to get in the way and was standing quite far back.

The boys also got to play with some light sabers that one of the other groomsmen brought with him.

Then it was time for the reception. We had afternoon tea. How many people can say they’ve had afternoon tea in a castle? Everything was super nice so we tried not to let the boys touch anything. The bride and groom had provided coloring books for us. This picture is for Nana: It’s Nathan trying to get Elias to color in the lines.

(There is a family story that when a teacher told Nathan that he didn’t color his school projects well enough, he told her that “coloring is not education.” So I thought it was funny that he was impressing the importance of nice coloring on his son).

After a lot of fun at the reception, it was time to head home. There was horrible traffic in I5 South so we decided to stop and eat at Red Robin to let the traffic disburse. While it did still take us 3 hours to get home instead of a little over 2, we were glad we had taken it easy. Plus, the boys fell asleep in the car right about their normal bed time, and we were able to transfer them to their beds when we got home without incident. A perfect end to a great day. Congrats to the couple. It was one of the best weddings I’ve been to, truly!

Yesterday we went to the airport to pick Daddy up. He went to Baltimore for a work conference and was gone for several days. The boys missed him, and were excitedly waiting as close as they could to the exit from security. Waiting was hard for them.

We’re sort of in a holding pattern these days. Waiting, waiting. It’s less than seven weeks until baby number 3’s due date. (Although judging by my first two that doesn’t mean much). Sometimes I just want to burst with anticipation. I just want him to come now and quit all the waiting.

But I do have some anxiety about it as well. Life is going pretty well for us right now. I mean…parenting is never easy, and we are reminded of that every day with our five and two year olds. But all in all we really are in a smooth section of life.

Elias is loving school, making progress in pretty much every aspect of his life. Swimming, basketball, reading, social skills, independence and responsibility, faith and more. He has been working on a rocketship lego project for a few days and finished it this afternoon while Simon was napping. He really did it pretty much on his own (with Nathan looking on to double check his work).

He was so proud, and kept commenting on how long it took to build. Then he played with it, and took the astronauts inside on missions to all the planets.

He amazes me every day, and while another little brother will be a huge blessing for him, it’s going to mess up his life and routine for awhile, and change his life forever. It’s odd to be so excited for the little one, and yet be sad because things will never be this way again.

And Simon. He teaches me every day how I can simultaneously love someone so much while also be driven crazy. He’s got so much spunk. So much will. So much love to give. He’s got a lot going on right now with learning how to play with friends, giving up his binky, and all the other transitions. He wants to grow up too fast. He’s in an art class right now one day a week. He made this rainbow necklace and told me to take a picture. This is his “cheese” face.

I love these boys to death, and I feel we are just playing the waiting game. Waiting for things to fall apart and become crazy and different and hard. And waiting for our new little blessing to arrive and make our hearts unfold and expand for all the love we’ll gain.

Maybe it’s just the pregnancy hormones making my moods swing wildly. Maybe it’s just nerves. The waiting place is a hard place to be.