CSI: Deer...and some screaming, too

Last weekend was very exciting for the Ribclan! For ribB and myself, it was our first 2 nights without children in a year and we were so pumped to have so much time to ourselves. For the kids, they got to have the most time they've had with "grandma honey & buppa Paul" in a year. To say there was a little hyper energy in our household at the end of last week was an understatement.

With a portion of a weekend to do whatever we wanted, we chose to go up to the cabin. For me, it was the first time that I've been there without kids in 6+ years--I could truly relax! For ribB, it meant some hunting and time for us to hang out. We had a blast. We got to have breakfast at our favorite spot (haven't done that since before little B, since the service is charmingly slow), hang out with family & friends (always nice to do without distraction), long, fall walks, lots of pleasure reading, and I got to go on my first "tracking" adventure. Turns out, ribB shot his first deer of the season on his Saturday evening hunt. He was excited! I joined Uncle Bart, Karl and his son Joe for my first "CSI" adventure in the woods. Tracking a deer turns out to be quite a process...walking slowly to search for blood drops, marking the drops, using "blue light" to see the blood, and more. Between the red color of fall and reduced vision of night, it was an adventure. I even made it through the "dressing" of the deer (aka gutting), which was actually a great biology lesson.

Sunday morning came quickly, as Grandma wanted us home by 9:30-10:00 so they could go on a motorcycle ride. With a
two+ hour drive back, it was an early morning. I wasn't sure if I was ready to go back into "mommy mode" after having such a relaxing day. Of course I was excited to see the kids, but boy did we need a break and I hated to see it over. The beauty of kids is you don't have long to be selfishly bummed--their cute, energetic little personalities quickly jump you back into your everyday life. They had lots of fun with their grandparents (and thoroughly exhausted mom & Paul!!!), but were still excited to see us and be home (even when I mandated a nap for Kdee). We spent the rest of the day playing outside and watching ribB cut up his deer...not your everyday event!

Our week has been good, but exhausting. Little B has been going through a phase the past few weeks where he screams before bed/naps and just CLINGS to us (not usual for this easy-going, less cuddly child). Surely, a phase, but a tiring one at that. We believe he's truly nearing "2" and we're seeing him test us more. Tantrums, "NO!", screaming, etc., are becoming more frequent than ever. We've seen his stubborn/determined side in the past, but man oh man, he's really trying it out lately. Luckily, ribB and I are a pretty good team at this stuff and we're just doing the best we can through it all. The beauty of the second child is that you know this stuff is a phase and it doesn't overwhelm you the in the same way it does the first time round. That's not to say we aren't pulling our hair out at 3am or 5:30am when he's throwing a huge fit, but we do keep the big picture in mind more. But, if a bit more sleep could come our way...that'd be great. On a cute note, little B has been obsessed with the number 8 (don't ask us why!?!) and continues to be excited by deer (and "calls" them frequently). He is definitely losing his baby look and body...which slightly breaks my heart. He's growing up too quickly!

Kdee is doing great. She's been a trouper with being patient during little B's fits and has blessed us with sleeping through his moments in the night. She's loving school and has gotten many compliments lately on how well she's doing. As a young first grader (she's one of the youngest in her class), it can be pretty tough for her to compete with the kids in her class that are a year older than her (that's a big difference at this age!). She's so good at making us laugh--she has the funniest ways of telling stories. She is the "Star of the Week" this week and we had lots of fun going through all of her baby pictures, etc., for her to bring in to show her class. On Friday ribB and I will join her in class for the "expert" panel time where everyone in her class has a chance to ask her questions, etc. It should be a hoot!

This weekend will be a relaxing one at home--we might even venture out to a drive-in movie theatre! We'll definitely be enjoying the gorgeous fall colors that are peaking right now...stunningly beautiful! I love fall!!!

**sorry, no pics this time!***