Pumpkin Patch 2012

My favorite time of the year is here! One of my favorite things to do in the Fall, is go to the Pumpkin Patch.  We have been going to the same, pick your own pumpkin patch, since the older kids were just little, tiny babies. I think it's worth the drive for the tradition of it alone. The kids love it, I love it! 

The past 2 years we've had friends join us. This year- I'm not gonna lie, it was a wee bit stressful for me. Seven kids will do that I guess. Six of which are running in opposing directions at once. Mostly it was Little {L} , TRYING to get lost in the corn field that bordered the pumpkin patch that had me a bit worried.  You'd think with two husbands along with us, that we were doubling the adults, so children could be more easily watches. Lesson learned, ehhh, yeah, no. It totally doesn't work that way. One husband is somewhat helpful, two makes them useless because they talk to each other the whole time, oblivious of those six children dispersing in all directions around them. All in all once all the kids finally got reeled in, pumkins were picked with care, and we had a great time. 

Some yummy apple cider, a little dancing, some hilarious {obscenely shaped} swan gourds, seven happy children, and 12 pumpkins later, made for a great afternoon

Loving

Right now I am loving:

• all the yummy goodness coming out of the garden
• warm sunshine
• Kunklebaby sewing {working on some new products for Craftin Outlaws this year, as well as old favorites}
• watching the kids snuggle & love the new kitten. worth his weight in gold
• that little boy up there. Yep, his shirt says it all! He is also the worlds best unripe tomato picker. He holds the title & everything. 
• having my computer all fixed finally
• pilates
• watching sleeping beauty & the little mermaid in the same week~ and the boys love it as much as me
• ironing piles of new fabric

Summer

A few special moments captured this summer. Enjoy your day!

these little boys of mine

Sometimes I just stare at them and wonder how I EVER got so lucky to be their mother. How lucky I am to have these amazing, sweet little people in my life. They make me smile, and sometimes cry. They make me feel strong and important, beautiful and smart. They make me happy, and warm. I am thankful for their giggles, smiles and hugs. Thankful they come to me and ask for help. I hope it never changes.

They make me... happy.

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in at Soulemama.

Flashback Friday

It's been awhile since I did a flashback Friday, so one is overdue. I came across these pictures the other day. Little {L} is about a month or two older than Baby {J} is right now. SO SO SO very different boys! While Mr. Binks is just working on standing alone right now, Little {L} was running through the house, chaos and messes following him wherever he ran.

I love that his shirt says "I do my own stunts". You can't plan stuff like that. The kid is fearless... since birth!

A little Love...

So glad tomorrow is Friday. Here's a little love to get you through the rest of the week.

The Universes Hates me...

Well...not really, but that's how I've felt the past 2 weeks. In 2 weeks, 2 ever so short weeks we had 2 Emergency Room visits, 3 doctors visits and 1 trip to the Urgent Care. Battled colds, the flu, bronchitis, ear infections, croup, sinus infections, fevers, mystery rash, two febrile seizures and then finally a horrible case of hives.

Everyone of the kids was affected by more than 3 of these things over the course of yes, 2 weeks! I felt like my brain was going to fall outta my head towards the end. Baby {J}'s top two teeth thought this also to be the perfect time to pop right on out. Everyone is on the mend now, but it's been a rough February here at the Kunklebaby household. Lots of medicine, hugs, desperate wishes for the kids to be alright, and tissues. Ohhh the tissues.

During the past few weeks, to keep from going insane I have been knitting. Knitting and knitting, letting my brain go numb and mindless while focusing on the rhythm of the yarn and needles. All the kids got 2 new hats out of the ordeal. The first set I made were these from the new Soulemama pattern as Valentine's Day gifts for the kids. They were SO easy and so cute. Let me also preface that by saying I have never knit a hat before...ever. In two weeks I have now made 7! The next set were made using the book More Last minute knitting. [I'll share those tomorrow]

Everyone was thrilled with the new hats except Baby {J}. His new hat is his new nemesis. arch enemy. new thing to be avoided at ALL costs. Little {L} thinks his is a Spiderman mask [no idea!] and wears it over his face. At this point if it's cold & he's actually wearing a hat, I'm happy!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in at Soulemama.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in at Soulemama.

Reflections

There are so many things I never knew or noticed, until they were gone and I longed for them back. I never knew my kids would sprout up and grow almost over night. That I would look back with longing for the long, sleepless nights with a newborn-just to hold them as a baby one more time. Nuzzling chubby necks, only the two of us existing at the time, while the rest of the world was in a deep slumber.

I never knew to cherish each and every time my children held my hand. I took for granted, their tiny, little fists wrapped in mine. I never knew the pain I would feel the first time they shrugged off my hand or asked to walk "alone".

I never knew that the monotony of each day blending in and out of each other seamlessly, the constant rhythm, of our home, would someday go away. I never knew how much I would miss the boring, idle chatter while doing chores. The peaceful days so alike the last-feeding, changing babes, playing, cleaning. Our summer, flowed right into fall-on and on in the rhythm of our lives together, changing, but also staying so much, the same. Our days are now filled with pick ups, drop off, finding shoes for the 100th time and rushing. Ohhh, the rushing. I never knew how much I would hate the rushing! Predictable & calm, I miss you old friends.

I never knew that I would one day wake up and feel old, wondering when the hell did this happened? Was it not yesterday that I was in high school, college... young? My skin young & supple, now wrinkled with age and signs of babies. I never appreciated being young, not the freedom, my body, anything! I wish I had known.

By looking at all the things I never realized, the things that seemed to pass by all too quick, helps me open my eyes to the things I am likely to miss now. Things that otherwise might seem a nuisance, will one day be looked back on with longing and a sense of love. Someday I will miss seeing my babes at dawn each morning, not grumble like I often do now. When they are away at college, or beyond, I will long to see their faces as I wake to an empty home.

Someday I will miss cooking for my brood, and long for their little "helping" hands in my kitchen. By taking the time to realize that I have so much in my life, makes the day pass happily, a smile cross my face more, and the peace & rhythm-I so long for- to be seen. It's been here all along, just changing and morphing into different patterns.

I am so lucky.

Nature Walk

We spent the day on a nature walk with friends! It was really nice to get some fresh air and sunshine. Although I can't say a day at the park with six kids is actually "relaxing", it was super fun! While we only spotted a few birds and spiders, the kids were on the lookout for wolves & deer. [and Little {L} was desperate to avoid any snakes]. A quick trip around the playground and a little picnic capped off the afternoon.

Team Edward vs. Team Jacob-grrrr! haha just kidding!

This cool tree reminded me of a giant octopus coming to the sea surface to snatch up ships.

New friends-best friends!

Cricket

They caught a big cricket to "play" with. [which included coloring his antenna in white chalk, hmmm?]

And Little {L} caught a big brother!

[did I ever mention on badly crickets creep me out. I can't stand to be around them. Silly, but true. This has been a Kunklebaby special report-lol]

More Fair

We were able to convince Daddy to go back to the fair. Yay! His mother was coming into town, and what's better than taking Nani to the fair? With all of our family living out of town, it's rare that the kids get to spend time with their grandparents, so we take full advantage when we can. Things that a lot of people take for granted are hard to come by for us. Finding a babysitter, playtime time or reading with grandparents, dinner with grandma or grandpa's are rare occasions for us! We are always excited when Nani come to town!

A few things had changed since we last visited. ALL the pregnant animals had their babies. There were three little sheep, chicks, and several calves. It was so fun to watch the new little creatures trying to walk, visiting with the children and just having fun!

Yeah...every year they make these huge sculptures made of butter. My husband loves them, I think they are so silly! He loves them because of just how ridiculous they are!

Sunshine & Smiles

I'm excited to say the novelty of the baby has not worn off yet. You know what I mean, one day the kids are arguing over who can hold him. The next they are rolling their eyes if you ask them. So far, we have not gotten to that point. The kids actually argue about how many times the baby smiled at them that day--and then try to beat the other. They are smitten with their new baby brother.

Every morning, after I drag myself out of bed, I am greeted with, "Can I hold the baby?" then, "Noooo, me first!". Little {L} quickly follows that with, "milk, milk, please", which has more the tone of "Milk, NOW LADY!".

With such a smiling, happy baby, I can't help, but feel less grumpy at 7:30am. Baby Unicorn always wakes up smiling and ready for a new day. He's so sweet and giggly in the morning that I sometimes forget how much I hate mornings...sometimes.

Ready for Action

After a fun day at the zoo, Little {L} was anything, but ready for action. He is the funniest child! He will wear anything on his head, but a hat. Everything can become a hat-bowls, old coffee containers, scarves. The possibilities are endless. I actually made him an orange, Yo Gabba Gabba hat and he prefers the Folgers container with a ball cap underneath. Shoes can be worn as accessories for arms and ears! Boots are a must have even in 100 degree heat!

Little {L} often runs & runs so he won't fall asleep. He spent the last part of the day racing against sleep. Once he was contained to the car, it was all over. I love that he fell asleep with his "hat" on still!

Flashback Friday

This flashback Friday takes us to 2008-not so far in the past, but it sure feels like yesterday! Mr. {D} [with the help of his Daddy] decided he NEEDED tattoo's.

I love when the kids are sporting little fake tattoo's. I only have one, and wish my husband would wake up one day and decide he needs several. [I like tattoo's and managed to marry the only guy in our old high school crew without a tattoo. Actually everyone else is working on sleeves+ at this point. Haha!]

I remember Mr. {D} mentioning something about tattoo's and saying "MMMMhhhhmm, whatever baby". A few minutes later he comes back with his entire chest covered! It was so fun, I LOVE IT, was all I could say laughing! We had several weeks to annoy the grandparents with that one! [His mohawk is the current disdain for them]

This other picture is of Little {L} and Daddy. I made that skull outfit special for him. That child was forever in skulls & flames. The funny thing is how much it matches his personality. He grew from that smiling, little, sweet baby into a bad-ass toddler. He's one tough kid!

Baby Unicorn fits into the same outfit right now. He's worn it once, but it just seems wrong on him. He's going to be the sweet boy in the family-he's just so laid back, calm and well...sweet! Funny how different their personalities are even when they are tiny little creatures. He'll still be tough though, he has to be to keep up with Little {L}.