Happy Fall! Judging from the flood watch we have in Whatcom County this weekend (true story), fall is here to stay. The leaves are gorgeous reds, russets, gold and yellow and just popping outside for an easy run isn’t as effortless as it was a month ago. We were so happy when sister-in-law Cheriss invited us to spend the morning at a Kangaroo (!!!!) Farm in Arlington, Washington. What a treat! You can see I made a very good friend in the alpaca pictured above. While the dental work on the happy alpaca left something to be desired, her lips were surprisingly soft. True story!
Lily was excited but cautious to visit with the kangaroos. We were able to play with the kangaroos but this little one was a little aggressive so was kept behind the fence. It was awe-inspiring to see the kangaroos bounce around and show affection to eachmother and, us. Of course, it could be that they just loved us for our bread. Yup; the little hoppers ate bread from our hands. I don’t blame ’em. I love my carbs too.
At the risk of anthropomorphizing the animals, the kangaroos seemed extremely intelligent, fun-loving and sensitive. We saw them playing with each-other (up on their hind legs), being gentle with babies and toddlers and even giving humans hugs. There were even five little babies in kangaroo pouches but not one of the babies peeked out long enough to snap a photo.
We also took a visit to the pumpkin patch to … get donuts. We stood in line not one, not two, but THREE times for the apple cider homemade, small–batch, fresh donuts that are made on site at Bellewood Acres. Jamisen waited the ENTIRE thirty minutes one time with me so he was pretty dedicated to holding tight to the bag of donuts (above). That made me pretty excited because, Stanford Marshmallow Study. If he can delay gratification now, that bodes well for him for his entire life. Things like saving for college, training for a triathlon or starting a daily gratitude practice, all take trade-offs in the now for success in the future.
The kids are pretty dang cute together. Jamisen is usually pretty protective and kind of Lily … except when he’s not. They’re developing a ‘big brother thinks little sister is annoying and little sister thinks anything big brother is doing, she needs to be doing‘ dynamic. Any suggestions on how to work on that so they grow up to be friends would be awesome. I read the book ‘Siblings Without Rivalry‘ and that had some helpful suggestions but anything else? Tell me =)
Halloween 2015 with the Family
We did Halloween last night. It was SO much fun. My brother and his family joined us as well as my parents, and my husband’s brother. We were a full crew!
Left to Right: Bee, Watermelon, Clifford, Owl, Cavewoman
Funny story of a 4 year old: Jamisen insisted for three weeks that he wanted to be a flower. Clearly, he wanted to recreate this flower shoot from when he was a baby. Finding a ready-made flower costume was harder than it sounds. So, the team at work got creative and made an amazing homemade flower costume. And sure enough, the night came and Jamisen decided that no, after all of that work, he no longer wants to be a flower for the actual candy gathering time. He wanted to be his costume from last year, Clifford the Big Red Dog. Argh! 4 year olds… His sister and he did have a fun time splitting the costume up and trying it at home though. Team Bramble Berry is so creative!
Homemade Sunflower costume … split up between siblings
Of course, since it’s Washington state, it was cold and rainy for the actual trick or treating part of things so it’s probably a good thing that Jamisen decided on the more warm costume. Even with the rain, we had a spectacularly fun family time. Today, we’re roasting pumpkin seeds and I’m headed to an all-day Mastermind Vision Board workshop while the kiddos enjoy Grandma and Grandpa’s creative and energetic company.
Bellingham Halloween 2015 was cold and rainy
My belly is full of sugar and my heart is pretty full with thankfulness today – ❤ our Facebook and Soap Queen community (that’s you, blog commenters, Instagram and bramble-berry snapchatters). Happy Weekend! =)
Hey A-M,
Cute costumes! Sorry it was cold and rainy but I’m glad you still enjoyed the holiday! Halloween has recently become my favorite holiday. 🙂
I would agree with Kristie on this one. Jamisen has to learn to be patient with Lily, but he’s also only 4 and can only handle so much. Allowing him time to be alone and play with his toys alone can often make it easier for the times when that’s not a choice (like family time). Have him choose some favorite toys he wants to set aside to be HIS and his alone, or find some space he can go to when he wants to be alone. Help him learn to say “I want alone time” or “I need space” and the help Lily accept that (“J wants time by himself now, so what would you like to do in this other room?”). Then work with J for the times when he can’t get away from her- remind him that she’s little and thinks everything he does is so cool- she admires him! It takes some time and work, for sure! My siblings and I didn’t get along at all when we were little and I have no idea how my parents (or how we) survived!!! But some of that is normal and part of learning to be part of a family!
Also congrats on the delayed gratification! 😉
Robin
Robin – I love your suggestions for phrasing just about as much as I love your Messy Play Kits (seriously, they are my kiddo’s favorites!). You work a lot with youngsters right? It shows with that kind of masterful phrasing. I haven’t tried either of those suggestions so will implement those ASAP. I just talked to their (amazing!) nanny and shared those two phrases with her so we are both on the same page. She brought Jamisen to BB today so he and I could have lunch together. =)
Here’s to hoping that the delayed gratification sticks around…. fingers and toes crossed.
Cute photos, Anne-Marie! As always! And I gotta give you credit. I would NEVER be caught dead in that Bee hat. 😀
But is that a skunk purse you have there?? I want it.
I thought Lily was a strawberry. A pale strawberry. Like the Strawberry Shortcake Girl. But if you say she’s Watermelon Girl, okay then. I can accept that. *sniff* But a pale watermelon is a relatively tasteless, flavorless thing, you know? Just sayin’… Not sure about pale strawberries. I’ve never really seen one. Well, except SSG.
Sibling rivalry? Well, ALL rivalry is rooted in selfishness. It originated with the TOTAL JERK who first said, “I will raise myself above the clouds, etc, etc, etc…” I want everything MY WAY, ya see!?! And then he got the boot. Ahh, budding control issues…we’re born with them. Nip those suckers in the bud every time they appear. Usually daily. You don’t want to raise a selfish control freak monster, right? It’s an ongoing struggle. Teach them the only person they can – and should – have control over is themselves. A good guide will raise up another good guide. You KNOW how, I do believe. Because you don’t strike me as anything but unselfish. Sharing is caring and all that. You have the “cure” for this ill – inside you. Since children mimic their parents, observing every action, just keep on demonstrating it and explain why you do what you do.
So anyway… I went to the Home Depot tonight at around 6:30 – dark already due to “Falling back.” I was wearing a tank top, Bermuda shorts & sandals. A balmy 78 degrees. And yes, it IS cooling down here in So. Cal. Finally. And here you are…wearing a down jacket over a Bee costume. And that funky Bee hat. o_0
Well. At least your ears stayed cozy. Wanna borrow my new sandals?? CAN’T HAVE THEM!! THEY’RE MINE!! AND HAND OVER THAT SKUNK PURSE AND NO ONE WILL GET HURT!! 😀
(This has been a brief demonstration in the act of selfishness, brought to you by your local sponsors. [My shipment from you arrives tomorrow – yay!] And now…back to our program…)
Haha. It takes real style and flair to pull of a bee costume, doesn’t it? =) I wore it most of the day and bonus, it kept me warm! =) I can’t believe that your temperatures in So Cal are still so warm! Crazy. That’s one of many great reasons to live in California. =)
The kids really had a great time trick or treating; and so far, they’ve only had 5 pieces of Halloween candy each. Getting them to NOT eat copious amounts of sugar is such a challenge.
I love your insights into parenting. And I totally agree; I do not want to raise little selfish children that aren’t great citizens of the planet and our community. Also, I’d like to enjoy hanging out with them so it’s a constant battle between “Oh, they’re 2 and 4; they’re still learning how to regulate their emotions.” And, “Hey, I’m pretty sure you can and be better than this.”
Thank you for being a Bramble Berry customer – and for your most recent order =)
How very precious, what great moments to remember. Simply beautiful.
Thanks Diane. Everyone always says it goes by so quickly, and, it does! I can’t believe that this is our 4th Halloween with Jamisen =)
Sibling Rivalry…tough one! It has alot to do with individual needs I would say. Identity crisis we could call it. Sit your kids down together and ask them about all thier favorite things. Then remind them of it when a fight erupts over certain things or toys. Yeah right reason with a toddler! Fond the things they both like and they can share those times and other times make it perfectly clear that it is brothers time and you have your time with your toys. It all just boils down to setting boundaries and the sooner the better. And the middle ground is the things they have in common. Say a DVD movie, going for a walk or playing outside. Those are musts for getting along. But whom I to say. My family thinks I have raised perfect children. I just let them think that. Haha! I hope you figure it out. Sincerely,Kristie
And by the way the flower costume gets 5 stars! it is absolutely adorable. You could use that in a school play.
Thank you. Haley spearheaded the design with some help from George in the warehouse. I’ll let them both know you love it =)
Ha ha, Kristie. I think that you have perfect children too =) My parents know that mine are not!
I love the idea of getting them to express what their favorite toys are to me so I can work on that. When we have play friends coming over for Jamisen, if he’s having a hard time sharing, we have him “hide” those toys so it is not stressful for him to navigate that little emotional landmine.
You will be extremely proud one day! Being a major buisness owner can take alot out of you. Those ages can be the hardest. But something completely magical happens when they turn 8. They become calm and so independent that you almost feel as though they have given up on trying to win you over. But that’s not the case. It’s just something magical. So the difficulties you are going through now you will miss one day. So remember to stay calm and even try to laugh through it and enjoy those little fights. And let them just be. I hope I lit a light for you to see that it’s all worth it. Sincerely Kristie
I have heard that magical age number from other parents as well. They said that it’s great from ages 8 to about 13 and then you wonder where your perfect child went. Haha. =) Maybe it’s just the break we need to gear up for the teenage years (!).
My teens have been great and so will yours.😊
What fun times you have with the family! Kangaroos always remind me of Sylvester the cat, but I’m glad that none of the kangaroos you encountered were that punchy. 😉
Love all the costumes! Your team is very creative, as proven by both the costumes and the soaps they make.
The Kangaroos were such a great experience. I hadn’t ever been close to one before and as funny as this sounds, they really struck me as a gentle and humorous creatures. =)
I am really luck to work with such creative, passionate people. They all have interesting hobbies outside of work and then bring that sparkle to work too. It’s awesome. They make me happy =))