America, the beautiful

I kept humming this to myself when we first arrived back in the States and I can't help but think it even more now the Fall has arrived. Fall, what a perfect plum of a word, plopping from your mouth like a big piece of caramel apple. Toward the end of the Summer, Emma and I picked a few cooler mornings to go and pick berries. Her punnet never had any in them as she ate as many as she picked. Then she came after the ones I had picked til her fingers and lips were raspberry coloured. It felt more decadent than chocolate, cake or ice-cream to just pop the raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and cherries of the late season into your mouth whenever you felt like it. I keep buying the strawberries from the shop because I am not ready to stop eating them. In an effort to move onto the Fall seasonal fruit, Emma and I decided to go apple picking this morning. We went out to the farm and it turned out they were having a fall festival. We fed the goats and the three little pigs. Emma said hello to Dorothy, Toto and the Tinman scarecrows. We chased each other around and around the dark straw-bale maze. Then we went on a wagon ride in a bed of straw to the pumpkin patch. It was so fun to pick out two pumpkins and load them in our bag, all the while exclaiming how excited Dad was going to be about our pumpkins. Once we were back in the car and on our way home, Emma shouted from the backseat; "What about the apples?!"

Dear Emma 30th September 2012

Dear Emma, Tonight I lay with you to help you fall asleep. The room smelled of the vicks we put on your chest to help you with your second cold of the school year. We could hear the puttering Autumn rain on the roof outside. I felt your chest start to move in slow even breaths and then into the darkness you said; "Mommy, you are my best friend, ever, ever." Hugs Your Mom.

Dear Emma 20th September 2012

Dear Emma, Today we brought Glynis and Gpa your Gruffalo books and Glynis read them to you on the couch with Gpa looking on. Gpa fetched the Gruffalo doll they had brought for you and had him peek over the books just as the mouse runs into the Gruffalo in the book. Your eyes were shining and you had to explore him to make sure he had orange eyes, a black tongue and purple prickles. Hugs Your Mom

Dear Emma 17 June 2012

Dear Emma, Tonight in your sleep you rolled over and complained that you were just making your bottle for your baby. Granny and I laughed together at how adorable you were. At the lunch table with Granny, Stoney and Aunty Becca, you asked to sing "be unbroken". We all held hands and you and I sang it together with me prompting you on the words. I thought you were very sweet but when I turned around Granny had tears in her eyes. Later Aunty Becca suggested we all have a race to Granny's gate. You loved the idea and got in line with us and we started running together. Aunty Becca and I calling to you encouragingly to keep you running. Then Uncle Stoney grabbed you from behind and laughing just carried you faster than Becca and I could keep up with. Hugs Your Mom.

Dear Emma 15 June 2012

Dear Emma, Today as I look at you sleeping I love you so much I want to explode into a million tiny kisses and hold you so close you will always feel the warmth of my wonder at sharing my life with you. Hugs, Your Mom

Dear Emma 27th May 2012

Dear Emma, This evening Aunty Caitlin came to listen to a story at bedtime. When the story was finished she wanted a kiss. You wouldn't give her one so she snugged you and covered your face with kisses. When you were done brushing your teeth you knocked on her bedroom door yelling goodnight. She opened her door and you ran into her arms and gave her a big hug. Then you gave her a damp kiss on the cheek and she gave you one back. When she was small and I came back from the UK or wherever she used to give me the best greetings. They are some of my best memories. I loved her small strong arms telling me how much she loved me. Hugs, Your Mom.

Dear Emma 28th May 2012

Dear Emma, Today you thought it was hilarious when I tried to feel your teeth. Is it possible that you are ticklish inside your mouth as well as in your ears? You funny, funny kid. I love you so much. Hugs, Your Mom.