This past weekend was the first seasonable weather we have had yet (plus it didn’t rain!), so we got into all sorts of fun fall stuff. We took a cousin trip to the pumpkin patch, had Avalon’s first & second hayride, visited a farm to pet baby pigs and run through a corn maze, and ate pumpkin pancakes made by daddy. We stayed up too late watching Alabama football, yet thankfully won!, and paid for it when Avalon had a record-breaking night of restless sleep. We made
this soup – so good, try it! – and took a little day trip to an outdoor art show for some inspiration (the hubs, trying to get him to enter!) and face-painting action for the toddler girl.
And now, Tuesday. It’s my week to pick up & take Waverly Maye to school, #sendhelp. She has her first field trip today and I’m hoping that the excitement from that will help cut down at least half the dramatic show of tears we usually get on the way in. Seriously, I think she could win an academy award for her performance, especially during the last moments when she grabs my face and kisses me with the bucket tears & snot running down hers, then turns to do the same to Avalon and says “Just ONE last kiss”, like she is going on the Titanic and we will never reunite again. For the record, she does the same thing at both dance and preschool lately and BOTH of her teachers say that the minute I turn my head and we walk out, she is 100% fine, smiling & laughing with her little friends. 🙂
Hope you all had the most lovely weekend!
XO
PS – For those who asked about the sticker chart we are using for Waverly, it is this one. We love Melissa & Doug toys in general, so this seemed like a great option, I thought about making one but you know, time. It has standard chores on it, some of which we use, but we really love the behaviors, especially listening, no yelling, and picking up toys. Three of the things we are really focusing on right now as they aren’t always strengths for our sweet girl. 😉 I wasn’t sure how much she would really care about it, but she has really taken ownership and loves to look at it each night. Plus sometimes, during miracle moments, she will be in full meltdown mode & will come out of it just by us mentioning her losing a sticker. I am the farthest thing from a discipline expert, we have lots of trial & error, yet we just try our best and hope we are raising our girls right! I would love to hear other tips if you have them!
We definitely need to get on the sticker chart train! We did it for morning routine last year, and it worked great, but we need one for behavior. Like yesterday. Good luck with drop off…why must they make it so dramatic??
Oh my goodness, I have the opposite problem with Kenley. She throws a fit and cries when I pick her up! I feel like the worst mother that my child isn't excited to see me and come home with me! And I feel like the other parents are totally judging me. Toddlers man, they are something else!
I think a sticker chart is a great way to introduce chores and discipline. Threenagers are a beast I'm told, so I'm sending you happy vibes and a big hug. The pictures of your girls are beautiful as always. Hope Waverly starts enjoying drop off more soon!!!! <3
What a great weekend! They have the cutest wardrobes ever. Adorable!
Oh gosh those tearful goodbyes, we went through that phase with our first. The second, we're still going through it! Yikes! But we have a chart too, not a sticker one, I am not above bribery. Usually we have him do something for 28 days and at the end of the 28 days if he's done everything he gets a big toy that he really wants. Works for everyone. Keep at it Mama.
That chore chart is great! Esp just focusing on a couple things. I'm adding that to my amazon. I've also been pondering some sort of good deals jar that when full earns something – early stage thinking =) Aria has upped her crazy game lately and sometimes I am just left staring at her bewildered with how to respond.
I love that sticker chart! I may have to get it for Scarlett, easy listening has been a challenge over here too I think it comes with the age. I can't believe how bit Avalon is getting already!! They grow so fast 🙁
I think soon we'll be introducing a ticket chart for listening and mainly to stop the dramatic melt downs hopefully! Rae lost it over a CUP last night, oy.
Love the sticker chart! We have been doing one for potty training but I'll definitely try one for chores and behavior. Love seeing pictures of your beautiful girls!! xo
Oh my lord! That white cable knit sweater on Avalon is too cute for words!
Oh the threes come with so many tears. Yesterday Liam was laying down in our dirty garage crying just because he woke up in the car. Oi.
All the fall things! And I'm so jealous of your weather and the need to wear something more than a tank top!
Waverly's face paint is on point. It matches her outfit AND Avalon's. LOVE.
As always, your photographs are just beautiful-and your hair?!?!
So glad the weather cooperated with you guys & you were able to have some fall fun!
By the way, three is hard. Really hard. Hang in there, Mama! We got this!
Where is Avalons burgundy bow from? I love the color of it!!!
It looks like you had so much fun! That picture of tiny Avalon standing in the field? ADORABLE!
YOUR sweater?! I am swooning.
I adore the picture of you and Avalon in your matching cable knit sweaters 🙂 Its so funny to see all the fall activities with summer clothing still being worn, this years weather is crazy all over. Sounds like a full but satisfying weekend!
youre wearing PANTS and SLEEVES.
and as usual looking totally adorable!
You look amazing and your daughters are so cute among the fall foliage 🙂
What a PERFECT weekend of Fall fun! (Aside from that sleepless night we BOTH endured ;)) I seriously wish we could come play!
And I'm totally checking out that sticker chart now!
Such great pictures! Love the fall, pumpkin patch photos!
Hahaha, oh Waverly!! haha! Seriously her and Charli were meant to be BFF! HAHA! Your weekend sounded amazing though, hope the field trip was a blast!!
Oh what sweet girls you have! Pumpkin patch fun is always a must this time of year.
Oh girl. I'm sooo glad you mentioned Waverly and the Oscar-worthy drop off performances. Lily has been doing the same thing lately and I have no clue what is going on. I feel about 2 inches tall when she is screaming and dragging her heels we go into preschool and then someone else has to peel her off of me and carry her inside the classroom. Her teachers reassure me, and have even sent pictures, that she plays all day with a smile and cries for only a quick 15 minutes after I leave. So crazy, right? At least I'm not alone! 😉 P.S. We just started that sticker chart! We only use some of the chores but mainly for behavioral purposes and we have just started to include 'no-tears school drop off'. Verdict is still out on how that'll work.
Well that might just be the perfect fall weekend! And I'm dying over Waverly's academy award winning performance…what a little stinker! At least you know she's totally fine once you leave 🙂 And trial and error might just sum up my parenting strategy (if you could call it that)!