Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus

So the concern in the house lately was whether the elf (on the shelf) and the tooth fairy might run into each other in the middle of the night. Yes, Evelyn lost her very first tooth, and it was very much in Evelyn fashion.

 She discovered the less than secure tooth one day and since then, was fixated on it’s movement. The thought of it falling out was upsetting to her, but we reassured her that it was a natural process and a sign of growing up. Well, weeks went by and she stopped talking about her loose tooth. I figured it wasn’t as loose as we thought and that it still had some time before making it’s exit. 

However….one night from the bathroom, I heard a blood curdling scream. Evie ran out of the bathroom, blood dripping down her face and a little space in the front of her mouth. Levi  came running after her, screaming in absolute terror as well. “I had the washcloth in my mouth and Levi came and yanked on it...and my tooth fell out!!!!!!!!"

Evie was screaming because her tooth fell out. 

And there was blood. 

Levi was screaming because Evie’s tooth fell out. 

And there was blood. 

And they both really didn't know what to make of it.

But to me this was just another marked milestone for the eldest Patton child. The reminder that a lost tooth meant a visit from the tooth fairy seemed to make everything right again, and Evie decided that this was a good solution to her tragedy. 

John and I debated awhile about how much is appropriate for a tooth fairy visit. When I was little, I got $1.00; I also got paid $2.00/hour for babysitting. I held firm on my position of $3.00.  But John thought we should pay her more. We had to consider inflation he said. 

So we settled on $5.00. 

SO I started doing the math on how much this whole loosing teeth thing is going to end up costing us. 

If each child looses 20 teeth, we are paying them each $100 for a new set of chompers. Times  that by four, and we will be out $400.00  at least by the end of this all... That is if by the time they are done loosing teeth there isn't anymore inflation. 

Furthermore,  if we consider braces and all that orthodontic work that is deemed a necessity for most children these days, we are talking big bucks for those pearly whites! 

Well, then while our dear daughter slept peacefully, we doled out our first installment in this process, $5.00.  

Christmas vacation happened and every year it makes me consider and stress about summer vacation because I realize what a luxury it is to have some sort of semblance of schedule and activity for my kids. But alas, we are all home, and against my better judgment, I broke down and took my kids one day to one of those germ infested jump houses. 

Thirty hours later, James was up half the night vomiting in the toilet.

 Luckily, the virus stopped at James, but I got a horrible respiratory infection which even now as I type burns my chest. 

My parents arrived from Chicago at the end of the week for Christmas. 

I always have these beautiful ideas of how exactly our family Christmas will unfold. Don't get me wrong, Christmas was great, but there are always things (ie. illness, exhaustion, moods, unforeseen obstacles..) that cause us to recalibrate occasionally. 

For example, the night before Christmas Eve I had the brilliant idea to pack out our mini van and drive all the way to Portland International Raceway to look at the light display. I didn't consider just how packed the mini van would feel after the 25 min drive there, the 45 min wait in a car line to get in, the snails pace drive around the track, and the accident on 1-5 on the way home that completely shut down the road and created a complete stand still  for about an hour. All things considered, the kids were really good, but in the stand still traffic jam, Levi suddenly cried out that he had to go potty. After several minutes of debating what to do and realizing that we were going no were quickly, John tossed back his stainless steel coffee canister and my mom and I guided Levi in how he may empty his full bladder into the mug. The mission was a success, but the mug went promptly into the trash when we got home. 

Christmas magic was in its full glory this year. All four kids fully believed, embraced and anticipated Santa Claus. I savored all the moments of Santa sightings in the sky, reindeer noises on the roof and elf mischief around the house. With every year that goes by the veil is striped away a little bit more and this year was so so magical for us. 

Cookies, Carrots and milk for Santa and crew

Right to bed. They didn't want to miss Santa....

The boys got new bikes from my parents, remote control cars from Santa, and Evie received her first chapter books. 

Then at the very end, we sat everyone down on the couch and John played a PowerPoint on the TV, revealing the final surprise from us, to them: Legoland! This Spring we will enjoy our first family vacation together and I couldn't be more excited. 

 I got so animated telling them about it , Evie started crying, "Mom's shouting too loud!" 

We had Christmas dinner (perfectly seared steaks from John), Christmas pie, and then Caleb asked to go to sleep. All the kids were in their beds, sleeping soundly by 7:30, dreaming of their magical day of reindeer hooves and Santa cookie crumbs. 

Christmas Adulting

Sap stained, pine needle embedded, and just plain tired, my super star husband lay under the massive evergreen in our living room, trying to center the thick trunk into the Christmas tree stand and tighten the bolts so it didn't lean. The kids excitedly jumped around him, occasionally landing on his legs, which were still thawing out from putting up Christmas lights in the cold drizzle just an hour earlier.
Sometimes it's hard to keep a positive attitude this time of year. It's the most wonderful time of the year, right?! What's not to love?!
Let's face it, Christmas changes a lot when you grow up; and, when you have your own children, creating Christmas magic for them can be a full time job, on top of everything else going on!
"Christmas Adulting" is exhausting.
It's draining.
It's just a lot. 
         A lot of pulling out heavy boxes with tangled lights and chipped ornaments.
A lot of sticky pine needles, frost bitten hands, and cookie crumbs.

Where has all the magic gone?!

 I start planning Christmas magic for my family right after Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong; I never overlook Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Family Time

Cousin Love

 But Thanksgiving night, after the plates have been cleaned and turkey gravy sopped up, I strategically sneak upstairs and lay out  Christmas 'jammies' on each of my children's beds. Unable to wait for them to notice themselves, I casually mention that "there might be a surprise on their beds."
 Running up stairs, they burst through their bedroom door and squeal in delight, Christmas has officially commenced! The rest of the weekend is devoted to hanging stockings, putting up lights, and making the house a Christmas wonderland.

Christmas started off with a bang. We did Zoo Lights with the cousins the night after Thanksgiving and I have to say, it was magical. The kids were at the perfect age to enjoy the animals and the twinkling lights.

Saturday, we took them to the IMAX to see the Polar Express. Again ,  Magical.

On a completely different note, I had a personal magical experience this November: A trip to Hawaii all by myself to visit one of my dear friends, Kristin. She and her husband have lived on the island for two years in a lovely little house right on the ocean. I fell asleep to the waves clapping against the house each night and woke up to the serenity of a ocean sunrise and a dark cup of kona coffee.
Kristin planned out everything for us. Over the four days I was there, we hiked rocky ridges over turquoise water, feasted under palm trees, rehydrated with coconuts and even became surfing enthusiasts at a surfing competition on the North Shore.
She took me to the best: the best shaved ice; the best white beach; the best banyan tree; the best relaxation!

She appropriately named our collective escapades as "Mom's Big Adventure." It was "Mom's Big Adventure" in so many ways, namely that everything I got to do was without little people hanging on me.
 It was so nice seeing my friend too. Kristin got married to a military man six years ago, and since then, she has lived all over. We haven't had concentrated time together like that since she's moved, and we caught up on everything. There was non stop talking, laughing and story telling.

 It was a perfect Mom's Adventure.

But, coming home to the beginning of the holiday season was really something to get excited about too...
I don't think there is anything cuter and more irresistible than kids in Christmas pajamas. They are at the age when they totally embrace it and take Christmas very seriously. Our visit to Santa was serious business too. I took them one clear chilly evening to the little house at the outdoor mall. In proper Evie fashion, she lined the boys up single file and made sure each one presented Santa with a well thought out list.

 Visits in the past were not met with such enthusiasm as was this year's meeting.
The kids looked Santa in his kind eyes and explained very matter of factly what they desired and why. Santa listened, gave them a candy cane, and sent them on their way.

Evie is not totally convinced Santa got everything, so she is constantly requesting to take pictures with my phone with the intention of texting Santa reminders a few days before the big night.

Then, of course, there is the elf on the shelf.
Last year, the elf was full of generosity, kindly leaving goodies and treats for the kids in the morning. This year, he is a bit more mischievous, stealing toys and eating candy in the night. He may or may not have caused one or more of my children to cry with his obnoxious antics the year.

 

Now that the house is properly decorated and the lights up and the tree displayed magnificently in the window, I am in no rush to get to Christmas. I'm savoring every Christmas pajama cuddle and every request to drive slowly past the houses with the crazy Christmas blow up reindeer. I am so aware that this Christmas is so very magical for the kids, and I want to hang on to this window of wonder. I love delighting my kids with magic, and the build up to the big day is filled with so many joyful moments.
....And that naughty elf.... Levi wants him to go back to the North Pole early.

I say he stays a little longer.

Halloween and the Aftermath

I've never witnessed a more elated boy as I did Halloween night watching James skip down the street, collecting his candy.
 I believe this is the night James Patton waits for his entire year.

The night of loosely regulated candy collection and consumption.




Like any holiday, the anticipation and activities leading up to the actual holiday is when most of the excitement and fun take place.

Couldn't ask for a better day

We had the most gorgeous fall weather this year in the Pacific Northwest. All of our pumpkin patch days were blue skied, sunny and just brilliant.

The colors still excite me, and I'm always quick to point out to the kids the trees and the swirling leaves tumbling around the parking lots.

Pumpkin Pow Wow

So helpful. 

I want my kids to appreciate the brilliant miracles in life that quickly get overlooked or become ordinary.
I have been absolutely overwhelmed by thankfulness in my heart this fall. I'm bursting with love and joy and gratefulness.

Recognizing the small miracles in the mundane has become something I'm being intentional about. There are so many things each day we come to expect and take for granted. One is the changing of the seasons, the magnificent display of leaves as we transition into another season. This is one example of something that we've grown used to, something that we pass right by in our busy lives.

 It's made me stop to wonder and ask myself, "what else am I missing? What other miracles and blessings am I passing right by as I run around from here to there?"

If I am not careful, these manifestations of  God's goodness have the potential to float past me, swirling around and away like the fallen leaves dancing around the vacant parking lot.

So I enjoyed my Super Heros, my Batman, Superman and Spiderman.
I appreciated their antics, flying around the house rescuing stuffed animals and fighting off evil cats.

The Justice Squad

Weeks before the big event, they insisted on wearing them out and about, three whirling dervishes on a mission!

Look at those abs!

I've heard that if parents "speak into what they want their kids to be" their kids will become just that.
This rings true. Upon being called superheros, they have mustered up more confidence at launching off the sides of my couch and creating more havoc in our living environment.

The day before Halloween, Caleb back flipped off my bed while I was bathing James. Evelyn came tearing into the bathroom exclaiming "Mom, there is an emergency! Come quick." Leaving James in the bathroom, I entered my room to Caleb's entire face full of blood. Being the only one home at that moment, I knew I had to remain calm. I grabbed toilet paper and managed to clot the battle wound above his eyebrow.
Superman indeed sported a Paw Patrol band-ade above his right eye during trick or treating the next night. But that only made him seem more tough, and he gained sympathy from neighbors who slipped him an extra piece of candy to sooth his traumatic experience and any lingering pain.

 This was the first year John and I could just stand back by the sidewalk and let our kids do the work.

Trick or Treat!!!

They understood this trick or treating game well.
When I was a kid, a king sized candy bar was such a rare treasure in a Halloween bag. In our neighborhood this year however, big sized candy bars were the norm!
Our neighbors were very generous, but the  "The Win" had to go to the house who unashamedly gave out boxes of Easter peeps. The kids were very excited to receive this delicacy, and I'm sure the neighbor was equally excited to finally get rid of their stash.

We had to coach our kids on saying "Thank you", and we had to continually remind them not to ask if they could take more than one.
 Halloween actually became a great exercise in etiquette.

Evelyn wore out first. A full day of school and a lingering cold had her surrendering to her home after an hour of walking the neighborhood.

The boys, on the other hand, could have made the rounds all night.

And now, my friends, we are left with buckets of sugar and kids who hound me every hour to indulge in one more piece. I  know there are different philosophies on what to do with all the loot. This year I think mine is just get it over with. I'm more liberal with my distribution and consumption than I have been in the past.

But as the post Halloween days are wearing on, the candy pile doesn't seem to be shrinking fast enough and I'm slightly panicked on how all this candy is going to disappear.
My kids are becoming obsessed and addicted to it.
 It's intoxicating.
It consumes their thoughts constantly.
They monitor it meticulously.

I've decided that my new battle plan is to slyly throw away a few pieces each night.
I just want it gone. I want it gone by Thanksgiving so that we have at least a week before my battle with Christmas sweets begins.

Our pumpkin family

Pumpkin Spice

My neighbor from Australia told me that one of the things she and her family have found amusing since moving to the United States is the absolute obsession with pumpkin spice during the fall season. She said in Australia pumpkin is a "potato like" vegetable. That's it.
There's no spice to it.
It's not sweet.
And it's definitely not made into a latte.

It's true. There seems to be an obsession with pumpkin spice; and, every year this "little spicy orange potato" seems to pop up in more places. This year I've seen it in facial scrubs, breakfast cereals and protein powder. There are no limits to what  pumpkin and spice can be added to.  😀

Speaking of PUMPKINS....

We had the most picturesque afternoon at the pumpkin patch last weekend. It was one of those moments where I just stood back and remained fully present; I soaked  every aspect of that experience in. I didn't want to miss one moment of this gorgeous, pumpkin day.
My kids are all enthusiastic about pumpkin patches and all the activities that are included with such a trip.

Pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors dotted the expansive field with Mount Hood in the background.

It was a perfectly clear fall afternoon.
Overhead, flocks of geese flew in an organized arrow formation against the blue sky.


The  canopy above us was absolutely illuminated in full fall glory.
The air was a bit chilly, yet patches of sunlight gave a comforting warmth.
Families played and enjoyed being with each other.

 That is what I love about pumpkin patch time. It is simply an opportunity for families to just play together, something that I don't do enough with my kids.

I love seeing dads act goofy with their kids in the hay.  I love seeing moms take a pause from the rigors of keeping a neat little family and simply embrace the mud. It is truly "good old fashion fun."

We visited our favorite pumpkin patch, Fir Point Farms. I love this particular patch because there are farm animals and lots of room to roam and play!

And play we did!

The cow train, a painted milk bucket line pulled by a crazy tractor driver, is always a very anticipated activity.

He really gave us a ride to remember as he pulled us all over the farm, through mud puddles, around trees and bumpy corn fields. He chuckled and smiled the entire time, delighted that he could provide such thrills.
Evie and Levi wedged themselves in one of the little carts together.
 I sat in front of them with Caleb ; I kept turning around to make sure they were ok, and the smiles and giggles of delight reassured me they were having a good time.
John and James sat in front of us.
Everyone was a bit cramped but cozy; and by the end of the ride, we were all bit sore too.

Then there was the giant potato sack slide.
 I stood at the top, trying to maintain order as herds of anxious children threw themselves down the shoot on top of empty,  itchy potato sacks.
My kids couldn't get enough of it! Over and over they rode the slide.

A perfect afternoon to play in the hay maze.

Then it was pumpkin picking time! Each of the kids wandered the field and picked out a pumpkin; I realized  that each of their selections perfectly aligned with who they are.
Caleb confidently held up a white bumpy pumpkin. He insisted this was the perfect pumpkin, and that was that.

Levi on the other hand, went back and forth between pumpkins. His sister's influence had him second guessing his selection; he finally settled safely on a traditional round orange pumpkin, just like Evie.
James immediately gravitated to the small greenish warty pumpkins. I voiced my opinion that I thought they were ugly; James thought they were perfect.

It is the middle of October already. It truly has been a gorious fall here in the Pacific Northwest. We ended our pumpkin themed weekend by shooting off left over fireworks from the Fourth of July. 😃😃
And of course, indulging in some pumpkin spice ice cream.

Uphill and Onward!

Our neighborhood is called Fox Hill, but it never really occurred to me how much of a hill we are on until I had children trying to ride bikes.

Biker gang is on the loose!

The boys are really into their little plastic red tricycle bikes, but oh man, a mere trip around the block can take well over an hour with all the assists, screaming, crying and frustrations that comes with trying to pedal uphill.

One of the things I love about our neighborhood is that it's right next to a river path. However, when you go down to walk on it, there is a steep uphill on the way back, no matter what way you go.
 Evie and I have managed to make it down to the riverside path, and we barely make it back up again.
Between tears, sweat and the intense labor of hauling our bikes up the hill, I coached Evie step by step.
Trying to be intentional and embrace the struggle, I tried to infuse it with life lessons which may or may not have penetrated through her agony. I, in this moment, was determined to be her "life coach" and get her through this struggle whether she liked it or not!

"In life Evie, there will be trials, and hardships and so many hills! You need to preserve, keeping going, never give up! Onward! Upward!" 

Through sobs and tears and, "What are you talking about mom.....I can't do this....I'm too tired..."
we did make it to the top and the feeling of accomplishment made it all worth it.

Riding next to Evie one lovely fall afternoon I had a moment when I had to pinch myself to believe it was actually happening.  How is it that I actually have a little person next to me on a bike, talking to me and enjoying life with me?! Where did this relationship come from?! Can this really be my little girl?!! 

There have been so many moments lately where I have stopped and just soaked in the present moment because its surreal, and its passing quickly. Maybe it's this whole starting Kindergarten thing but Evie just seems to all of a sudden be truly a little person who thinks deeply, shares openly, helps willingly and engages in life and relationships.

 I have the urgency to make all these family memories and enjoy all these moments, like really enjoy these moments. Soak them in. Throw my phone across the room. Stare and just absorb and feel my children and who they are. I'm obsessed with just being present.

I've been drinking too much coffee and eating way too much chocolate because I want to be alert for everything! I'm running poor John around, planning these family outings and experiences...
I think I am so enthusiastic about all this because we can finally do it! For so long I feel like I've just been keeping my head above water and getting through moments (and I still do get through many moments!) but all of sudden I'm enjoying, really enjoying, my family life.

 

And I'm realizing how fast seasons pass, and how precious life is, and how we are not guaranteed next year, or next week or even the next hour!

Our fall so far has been packed with memory making opportunities.......

We watched the swift birds swirl and dance in the sky above Chapman school downtown Portland and dart into the chimney to nest.

We had our first family Salt n Straw ice cream experience with friends on 23rd!

We played on the beach!  John was the master sand castle builder while I encouraged the kids to chase sea gulls.

We've been loving watching and cheering on Evie during her Saturday morning soccer games. She scores goals and has so much fun. 

I chaperoned Evie's pumpkin patch trip to Sauvie Island (on the most gorgeous fall day I can remember!) 

We met other families and kids from Evie's class at a picnic in the park!

We had our annual family photo shoot at the park. Most fun one yet!

We've been enjoying our friends and community. 
Despite the hills, we do live in a great place. ;)

Life is precious, and beautiful and too magnificent to just pass through.

                      The trees are too radiant to just drive by.

And my kids are growing up too quickly to just get through it.