Saturday, October 24, 2020

Someone is 5! Everything else will have to wait...

I haven't even started this post and I'm about to throw in the towel. My tolerance for technological frustrations is extremely low right now and so it doesn't take much at all for me to have strong urges to throw this computer out the window. Our blog is currently a big exercise for me in being ok with not doing something well but doing it anyway - believing that, in this instance, something is better than nothing. It's a challenge for me as I want to include everything, to have this blog give a realistic picture of our life, and for it to be thoughtfully written. I can't include everything. This will just give a minor sliver or snapshots of our lives. And I already hear some kiddo needs blossoming in the background so it may be accomplished with distractions along the way. But be all that as it may, our littlest now needs all the fingers on her one hand to show her age and that is something worth sharing a bit about! Celebrating her life with her was definitely the highlight of this month so far.

It was such a wonderful gift that our whole Tangly Woods family was able to go to wild, wonderful, West Virginia for a few days to soak in the fall colors and celebrate Terah's birthday and introduce Tala to a place that we all love dearly. Getting away from the farm removed lots of distractions, enabling us to give our full attention to being together and loving on our littlest member. We were there for two full days with her birthday being the first of those days. At the end of the day, as I was tucking her into her sleeping bag, she said, "Can I have another birthday tomorrow?" While she was not gifted two birthdays in a row, she did get a birthday coupon of enjoying two bonus days in WV with Grandma and Grandpa after the rest of us had to depart for home.

The first carload cleared out Saturday morning with the grandparents and the youngest gals. The rest of us finished getting the house/farm ready to be under the care of someone else for a few days and then we followed, going by way of Seneca Rocks. It was a beautiful drive and a beautiful hike, though a little unnerving in COVID times to hike with a constant stream of fellow hikers. It seemed many, along with their dogs, had the same idea on that beautiful fall day. So we ended up needing to hike with masks, which was a bit less pleasant. And we were thankful (due to the dogs) that Alida and Terah were elsewhere. Along the way, Jason introduced us to wintergreen berries so we all enjoyed a natural breath freshener.

Following our hike, we made our way back to the Mountain House where we were reunited with these two munchkins. And then the we started packing the hours with lots of fun - game playing, sticker books, delicious foods, more game playing, story reading, and lounging around. A very excited little gal went to bed that night eager for her birthday.
She had planned the menus for her birthday, but was too excited to even eat that much. There was waffles and bacon for breakfast and homemade pesto pasta and chicken breasts for dinner. And then a cranberry chocolate cake and homemade vanilla ice cream. She had also given a very clear list of birthday presents she wanted which were all foods: dried pineapple, dried papaya, cheddar bunny crackers, mint chocolate and caramel chocolate. We all had the list memorized due to the number of times she recited it to us. So she fit some of those snacks into her day - which might be more why she wasn't as hungry for her bday meals! More than the food, I think she just savored having 7 older persons ready to play with her, read books to her, build lego farms with her, do sticker books with her, play outside with her, hide presents for her, hug and snuggle with her, etc... She savored every moment of her day until she could barely keep her eyes open!
Her daddy and her sister, Alida, had made her her own cutting board in honor of growing up and being old enough to use a sharp knife - she even chopped the garlic for her birthday dinner!

Probably the favorite activity of the weekend was jumping off the stairs, especially if it got a rise out of Grandpa if they climbed up too high!
She ended her day with a birthday bath complete with the rubber duckies we had wrapped for her to open when she noted (on her birthday) that she also wanted a rubber ducky. And she noted she didn't even care if they stayed at the Mountain House, so we were in luck! We quickly ran up to the bathroom, wrapped up the ducks, she opened them, was thrilled, took a bath with them, and they remain at the Mountain House.

We didn't stop having fun once the birthday came to an end. The next day Tala, Jason and I enjoyed a morning hike just the three of us. Then it was the chosen day for exploring, so we took a drive, stopping at some beautiful spots along the way including most notably the wild cranberry bog (for picking). The fall leaves did not disappoint. While it was not easy going for her, it was wonderful to have Mom mobile enough to join us! 
On our final morning, Jason and I slipped away for a hike up the mountain with Alida. She fully soaked in having her mommy and daddy to herself. We made it up to the spot that my parents have deemed the "kissing spot" and then I smothered her in kisses before we made our way back down.
A trip to the Mountain House would not be complete without a visit to the labyrinth. I wanted to walk it over and over and over again! The trees surrounding us, the leaf carpet, and a deep yearning for finding my center... I was gifted with a beautiful heart leaf along my path. And I thoroughly enjoyed watching various family members attempt to climb trees. It was very clear who had the most experience in the bunch!
And then, all too soon, it was time for the first carload to depart. I will be the first to admit that I did NOT want to go! It was hard to know that the end of a trip away that had been so long anticipated was coming to an end. I definitely wanted to be a good 38 or so years younger where a little tantrum and resistance to departure might have seemed more appropriate. Instead, we packed up and gave lots of hugs to our newly minted 5-year-old, who was beaming with the knowledge that she got to remain for more time in WV.
But we were a fun carload anyway, and we decided to stop back at Seneca Rocks to introduce Tala to the swimming hole. We had no intentions of doing anything more than showing her the river, but Kali got inspired! After wading across she gave in to the desire for an impromptu and VERY chilly swim! You can see the progression here. The rest of us practiced our stone skipping skills and I found another heart in nature!
Kali was very grateful to be warmly squished between Tala and Alida for the ride home. I think we were nearly back in Harrisonburg before she had fully warmed up. But I feel certain she felt it was worth it!

And there you have it. A glorious fall birthday celebration trip. So many wonderful memories created! I am someone who plans and anticipates things to the point that so often the real thing ends up disappointing. This was not the case. It was special through and through and hard to have it come to an end. Looking through the pictures now helped me realized that the love shared in those days still continues and the celebrating of life and healing will continue to strengthen us. For that I'm so grateful!