Fall and the New Only-Child

We are in the full swing of fall around here....the weather may not have quite caught up with us yet....but nonetheless, fall has arrived to the Barr household. Gracie is in school. Michael is in school. Michaela's speech school has started back up. And, my teaching at the preschool has resumed. My Ladies' Bible Study at church started this week, and our small groups start next week. Sunday nights are now going to be full....Gracie will be practicing for the Christmas program at church, and we will be attending one of the Building U classes offered for adults about Sharing Jesus with Other World Religions. And, I am already looking forward on the calendar to planning trips to the pumpkin patch, craft festivals, and other "fall" activities.

Fall is my favorite time of year...and spring....but since fall is around the corner, right now fall is my all-time favorite. Jeans are finding their way back to a prominent spot in my closet, hoodie jackets are going to school with the girls, and my windows are open.

Along with fall has come my little Michaela having a major adjustment period of being the "only child" in the house for 8 hours out of the day while big sister is at school. All in all we have fared quite well. She is slowly but surely learning how to entertain herself; although I hear "Mommy, play wish (with) me" a gazillion times a day. She's learning that Mommy has to get certain things done during the day and has figured out the old saying, "If you can't beat them, join them." She has adopted the former role of her big sister in being "Mommy's little helper." If I am busy and can't play, she just pitches right in to get it done. How we miss Gracie though during the day. In my perfect world, there would be a half day Kindergarten option available, but since there's not I rest in the fact that she loves school and can't wait to go every morning.

Michaela's speech is coming a long ways. She has been practicing words ending with the letter p and m. She gets easily frustrated but is learning how to keep practicing. It's exciting to hear her correctly pronounce words like hop, top, name, tape, etc.

A new tradition has been started in our house this fall....Family Pajama Party. The girls get to pick out a movie. We spread blankets and pillows out all over the floor. And, the highlight of the evening is that the girls get some popcorn and their own little glass of soda. They are loving it! We are going to have to make this a regular event....