Fall Is Really Here

We've had a lovely fall in Pennsylvania. Even though it's only been a few weeks since the weather started getting chillier and the leaves starting changing colors and raining to the ground, it's almost hard to believe that not too long ago the world was greener than green and we were running around feeling so completely summery and warm. But our street truly is breathtaking when every tree on it is blazing yellow and gold. We can't get enough.

This fall has definitely brought some big changes to our family as well. The biggest: Madeline started first grade! This is the first time she's been away from home all day, and for the first few weeks she was so exhausted when she would get home. She just absolutely adores school though and says that every day is great, so I'm happy that she gets to be there. But I still miss having her at home.

One thing that has been a big adjustment is just getting used to such a regular schedule. My kids aren't super early risers, thank heavens, so getting Madeline up at 7:00 on the dot every day has been big. I have been pretty content for the past six years to just sleep as long as my children will let me and then have a leisurely morning with them---and I'm glad that I've always been relaxed about it because those days are definitely gone. Once Madeline gets up we have to be super efficient to make sure she gets her treatment done before the rest of our morning routine.

But a definite upside to all of this efficiency is that the other kids and I suddenly have so much time in the mornings! Once we wave good-bye to Madeline, we've got the day ahead of us with no treatment or breakfast in sight. And that means we can actually go places earlier in the day without it being a completely ridiculous feat. It's a good change.

I also have to admit that it's fun to have just the Jacob-Violet dynamic. They play together differently when it's just the two of them, and they have a ton of fun---as long as Violet isn't harassing him with too much love. I don't think it's a coincidence that the first two-word phrase Jacob uses with regularity is, "No, Violet!" But she still totally has his heart.

And the feeling is pretty much mutual all around. I can't get enough of this boy. He smothers me with lip-smacking kisses all day long, and he is still so squishy and huggable. A girl couldn't ask for more.