Little moments

We live at the dance studio on Saturday mornings, in this Fall, 2014. 

She may be the smallest in the class, but she is more than keeping up with her classmates. 

 Adele dances first, and she's quite insistent that it is HER dance lesson, and Miles is only allowed to dance after her. We are playing along, because we sense it's important she be able to be first in something.

He still hugely enjoys his own lesson:

Here he is, learning to shuffle step:

What even is this pose, Miles?

We got such a delightful dinner invite just by happening to run into our friend at Kroger (running into people we know at Kroger having been a bit of a running gag this weekend; Miles says, "Isn't Blacksburg great? We always see people we know!"). The other great thing about small towns: proximity. We walked to our dinner party! And walked back under the stars! What good fortune.

Sunday morning was one of those mornings that makes me so grateful for my church.

First, we had an Adult Forum that preached when our high school pilgrims presented on the pilgrimage they planned and took in Alabama this summer. It was a Civil Rights themed trip, and it seemed profoundly transformative for those that went. I know it was transformative even for those of us who saw their presentation. Hardly a dry eye in the room. I'm so thankful for a church that lets young people lead and speak.

A little pre-church Mr. Rogers, so parents can get dressed. 

There was a baptism at church, too, so my eyes never got a chance to fully dry. They always bring the kids in to watch this entrance into the family. Adele loudly observed, "Oh, the baby is baptized!" at the crucial moment. It reminds me of a couple weeks ago when we passed the font an she said, "That's where I was born!" Kids recognize spiritual power when they see it.

Adele's improving her portrait skills. No finger in the lens this time!

Miles is in Godly Play, Children's Chapel and Choristers. It's amazing to me how many more activities he qualifies for between last year and this.

During Choristers, Adele & I did some free play in the Chapel room.

Mary & her toddler smiled down on us. 

She can't wait till she's big enough to process in to Children's Chapel.

That's still about another year away.

I grabbed this shot of a church member stepping up to read to the kids and keep them busy while Jon & I socialized. It's a representative moment for how our church shows us hospitality: when we're there, the kids always have many eyes and arms to attend to them besides ours.

It looks so much like Adele is about to pour tea on Miles. I almost hate to tell my readers it was only water, and she only drank it.  

At the evening social at church, we were the only one who brought kids, but we were no less welcomed. Miles' meltdown was lovingly ignored, and lots of hands helped our kids to eat and stay out of trouble. I hope to extend the hospitality I've received at church to other people in other places.

Hoorah for the end of Indian Summer! and may the brisk morning air of fall thrill you all as it does me.