Oktoberfest

A little brats and beer..

some polka action...

Lots of fun animals...

and good friends=

another great

Oktoberfest!

love, the rockinryans



It seems like yesterday...

that I

took Big Guy to his first baby play class.

Now he is in the

"big boy" class

and baby

is sitting where big brother sat not long ago.

After our day of rest

it was time to get back out there.

They love these little classes

and I love getting some energy ran out of them.

We also decorated for Halloween.

Thought he would be scared of the

spiders, but

he wanted to carry them around

like pets.

During nap time I was

organizing winter clothes

and came across these old

hand-me-down hats.

When they woke up

and were having cuddle time

I asked if they wanted to try them on.

"Yeah Mommy, and take our pi-ture!"

Have I created a camera monster or what??

glad we had some time to rest

because we have a big

weekend coming up!

love, the rockinryans

our baby girl

turned 8!

She had her very own

pink princess party

complete with

balloon chasing....

and tiaras.

Big Guy

picked out her presents

all on his own,

he did great!

She had no problems

tearing into her gifts

and running away

with them.

Then guarding

her new treasures.

Big Guy

also chose

Cheesecake for her Birthday treat.

Another great job,

we think

she downed her piece

without chewing!

Happy Birthday

Gracie Girl!

We love you!

love, the rockinryans

slowin down

it is

definitely not easy.

There is always

a list

that needs completed.

I am very grateful

that I am home

with my boys

half time.
The weeks I work
are super hard.
Seeing them 2 hours a day
is not adequate.
So, on my weeks off

we have fun together.

Filling our days with classes

story-times

play dates

and so on.

But yesterday

in between

a morning class

and afternoon gym

all I heard was

"Play trucks with me mommy!"

I felt bad

but my replies were often,

"Not now, I am feeding baby",

or

"After lunch is ready".

After nap

Big Guy received

a special treat.

Yes, it was a bribe...

and yes

it worked.

But he was sitting at his table

eating

while I quickly folded laundry.

I zoomed past him

and stopped

dead in my tracks

when I saw this....

I was shocked

and

laughing

and

sad

for three reasons.

1. I found out my son eats his

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

the exact same way as me!

2. I almost missed this little

quark about him

because

I was rushing around.

3. I am lucky

to have this time with my boys.

I want to learn all about

THEM.

Its crazy how these little things

can mean so much

and have such a big impact.

I told myself,

slow down mama!

You are gonna miss it!

Ironically enough

a few hours later

I went to Bible Study.

And guess what the message was....

slow down, rest.

As women we take on so much

which leaves us perpetually

exhausted.

We forget that HE

wants rest for us.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

About a year ago our Pastor made a great

analogy on this subject

that has stuck with me.

As parents there is nothing

more heartwarming

and calming than watching your child sleep.

(We check our boys often

and find ourselves just staring!)

He compared this to

our Father.

HE wants to see us rest just as we watch our children.

I took yesterdays irony to heart

and ran with it.

Today we had no plans.

We stayed home

played trucks

napped

cuddled

had our own story time.

I didn't say "Hurry Up!!"

once.

It was nice.

The best part?

Big Guy told me

"Mommy, you my Princess!"

slowin down was good!

love, the rockinryans

Botanical Gardens

While in Wichita

we also

played and laughed,

Celebrated Daddy's birthday

again!

Stole shoes from Sittie...

Found new friends to sleep with.

And visited

The Botanical Gardens.

They just opened

a brand new

Children's Exhibit.

It was educational,

Fun,

And Beautiful!

If you have the chance,

we highly recommend going!

love, the rockinryans