I Get It.

It is no big secret that growing up Amy, Jenny and I had moments where we didn't get along. As I am sure is true of siblings in all families. When I think back to the arguments, particularly between Amy and I, a large number of them were because I felt our parents were stricter on me (being the first born) and were much easier on them. Irrational and overblown or not, that was how I felt. And at some point I vowed that when I had kids everything would be fair and exactly equal at all times.

Well, you know what, I have quickly learned that despite best efforts it is just not that simple. As we were leaving the Dr yesterday after flu shots the girls each picked a lollipop as a treat for being brave (no crying!!). It hit me that when Maya was this age, I certainly didn't allow the lollipop treat and just let her pick from the stickers. She was none the wiser. Yet, here I was, letting Laurel pick a lollipop out for herself. Yes, it was going to be a big sticky mess and no, she really doesn't need the sugar, but could I allow one for Maya and turn her down? Nope. I sure could not.

"Fair" has taken on a different meaning. It is not easy to balance the needs of two kids with different ages and do things exactly the same way you did the first time. Life is different, circumstances are different and children are different. The lollipop is certainly not the only thing Laurel has been allowed to do that Maya wasn't at this same age.

Mom and Dad, I am sure you explained this to me many times along the way, but I finally get it.  It is all about balance.  Pick the important things to set age limits and boundries on, keep consistent on the things that matter most and let the rest go. Maya is too young to care about this now, but as she and Laurel grow, I hope to be as successful at this as you were with us.  My biggest hope for my girls is that despite any rough patches, they grow up friends because the support of a sister is an amazing thing. I hope I can help them along the way, but they are already off to a great start.

Winding down together before bed time.

Go huskies!  Laurel was so excited to be wearing the same kitty shirt as Maya, she kept pointing at them both and grinning.



Halloween

The Halloween season was so fun for our family this year.  Maya fully embraced it and loved every minute and every activity.  Here are some pictures from our adventures.

Maya's class took a field trip to Remlinger Farms.  The kids had a blast, the train ride was the definite favorite.

 

After a failed trip to the pumpkin patch with the whole Knowles family, which included cars getting stuck in the mud, we found a break in the rain and made the trip to a local patch with just the four of us.  The girls spent a lot of time wandering around to find the perfect pumpkin (well, Maya did, Laurel just wanted to take them all home) and enjoyed riding in the wheelbarrow.

Carving was not a big hit this year.  The girls spent about 2 minutes helping us and then became much more interested in the birds at our birdfeeder.  They did enjoy looking at them lit up in the dark after we were done though.

 

And they both LOVED trick or treating.  Maya requested a mermaid costume, specifically an Ariel mermaid costume.  Grandma Jean made the perfect mermaid tail and Maya helped pick out the red hair and crown.  She was a bit disappointed to have to wear a shirt since Ariel doesn't, but I was able to convince her that a shell necklace was even better than a shell bra.  She helped make it all, and was kind enough to hand me a picture of Ariel so I was sure to "have the directions".  Laurel had fun in her kitty costume, but she was really more interested in the treat part.  At first she had no idea what was happening, I didn't really plan to have her collect candy, but once she figured out that people would give her things she had no interest in stopping.  She would hold a piece of candy in each hand and wouldn't dare put it in her bucket until another one was handed to her.  Such a fun day!!