Travelingjenny

Maybe it was the 30 degree drop in temperature from Saturday to Sunday, or maybe it was the onslaught of rain, or the fact that I walked on wet leaves this morning, but I have definitely started feeling like fall is here. I like fall, but a new reality set in this afternoon – when it’s cold and rainy, we can’t spend the afternoon outside. That’s a big problem when you have two active children who are used to running down the driveway and spending hours playing on the slide. So, this afternoon, I nearly lost my mind. Here is a rundown of the afternoon’s events:

Good things:

Lying in bed with Gracie just after her nap, singing songs and telling stories (moments like this are rare with her – she is seldom still for long enough).

Reading to Tess while she sat in my lap, and got up again, then sat down again, etc.

Watching Gracie do some painting, and helping her figure out how to get the cat’s smile just right.

Watching Tess try to give Mrs. Potato Head a tongue, and then chasing her around the house with the tongue in her hand (it’s all fun and games until someone pokes an eye out!).

Watching both girls play together with their respective Slinkies, and helping Tess get unstuck after becoming wedged between the chair and the wall (sad, but cute!).

Seeing the excitement on both girls’ faces when Daddy came home – Tess even clapped her hands – and feeling my own sense of relief that reinforcements had finally arrived!

Gracie teaching Tess how to chair dance (actually, highchair dance) and shake her head to the music during dinner.

Not-so-good things:

Realizing that the library is not open on Mondays.

Realizing that Toots (ice cream) is not open on Mondays.

Telling Gracie for the 47th time not to jump off the furniture.

Telling Tess for the 47th time not to climb up the stairs.

Telling Gracie for the 47th time to use her "quiet voice."

Telling Tess for the 47th time not to throw food onto the floor.

Telling them both to stop chair dancing and shaking their heads to the music during dinner.

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Hmmm… I guess this afternoon wasn’t that bad after all. They’re a lot of trouble, but they sure are cute!