Don't worry be happy birthday to you

Ken: Pedal bike!

A helluva fall, I say. It's been a helluva fall. Note: This helluva fall might mean a set of 70 degree days through October. It's possibly interpreted as that mean spill that lands you a fat and bloody lip. Even still, your helluva fall may define the progression of a relationship -- a downgrade or an upgrade -- a falling out or a falling in love, if you will. Whatever your definition of helluva a fall, I'm here to wish you a graceful falling, a decent landing and a speedy movement to the upright.

Hello, dear readers! We've had a stretch of a season this fall - with a slew of 70 and sunny all the way through October. It's as if the Almighty said, "Here -- I know I handed you a sub-par spring, a delayed summer. And that most of you slipped into a slow depression this past winter. Enjoy this glimpse of wonder -- free of charge." The leaves, the colors, the sun, the crisp. We're soaking it all in.

Sam: Age 4

You'll recall that I recently turned five. Well, Sam turns four today. TODAY, I tell you! Four! He's forever the sweetest part of our Halloween celebrations -- we opened his first birthday present over Cheerios this morning, as his true birthday party will likely happen a day or so after the Trick or Treat festivities. Nothing like clustering the cake, frosting and small gift-wrapping indulgences all into one season. Happy birthdays to us. The quick ditty on the Trick or Treating: We've taken full advantage of Target's BOGO costume offerings this season. And with Georgia's recent inheritance of cousin Greta's dress-up bin, we're proudly touting a Super Mario Bros. trio: Mario, Luigi and a dragon -- or maybe a princess with her "tune-tune." (She hasn't quite decided yet. That's tutu, for those of you less familiar with toddler talk.) Ready or not, here we come!

Georgia: Age 2

In other news, the three of us are in the business of climbing slides. That's right -- at the park. Climbing slides. Who needs the ladders, the plastic stairs, the rock wall? Sam and I prefer to start at the bottom, dig our feet in, and step up -- one foot at a time. And you know the best part? Reaching the top, crouching sideways, and sliding all the way back down again. Weeee! Georgia's following along, learning as she goes. While the slide trick may have landed her a couple few fat lips, I do think she's enjoying the challenge. I think.

Of course, this relatively harmless children's activity has me thinking a bit. Because Sam -- Birthday Boy Sam -- is the best of all of us when it comes to climbing that slide from the bottom. He inherently has the grit,the gumption, the why-wouldn't-i-give-er-hell-because-i'm-not-sure-what-else-there-is-to-give in him that so many of us have to learn as we live. And yet, as we embark on each climb, we often hear phrases: "Don't climb from the bottom! Take the stairs -- it's easier. Use the ladder; you won't get hurt. Why are you doing that the hard way?"

And I wonder -- why this type of encouragement? For, trying is half the fun. In fact, trying is really

Sam: Climbing slides

all it's about. Why do something if it's easy? Why work at something if you're going to reach the same finish as the next person? Trying and failing -- trying and falling -- doesn't feel good. (Take a look at Georgia's latest fat lip.) BUT, trying, learning, adjusting, moving against the grain, setting up your system in a way that works for you -- so that you can give it all you've got and reach your own finish line -- that's it's about, I tell you. So, the next time someone gives me a ribbon for finishing -- parades a trophy because I participated -- I'll say no thanks. Because, there really is only one reward. And that is the knowledge that I did it. I started slow, fell a few times, wanted to stop, but learned and kept going. And, I did it.

And so, here's to the slide-climber in you. Whether you're just beginning, the climb, picking yourself up after a mid-slide fall, or reaching the top and ready to enjoy the slide back down, keep your grit. Keep you spirit. You can do it. And when you've done it. Step back. Be proud of yourself. Call it enough. And enjoy the slide.
Until next time,
Ken

I think I can, I think I can you find the pattern?

Ken: Age 5

Ken here! To report the latest fall festivities. The mild chaos. The lessons we're learning. And the good, clean fun.

A variety of September life events have passed at the Corrigan-Conrad abode. And yes, it's high time to document them: We've started school. Mom launched into a new job at good ol TGT. Our summertime nanny returned to her full-time fall gig. (We miss her, but schedule regular dinner parties with her -- just so we don't lose touch.) Dad brewed 10 gallons of home brew -- 5 gallons of an IPA and 5 of an ESB -- from the hops grown in the backyard. The annual Conrad Brew Review ensued. Regular visits to Grandpa Conrad's are beginning to heal our hearts.

Most notably -- My fifth birthday coasted to the curb and stayed just long enough to celebrate with a

First day of school

few gifts, pizza and cupcakes with the cousins. Thanks for the party, gals!

That's right! The big oh-5. To which I declare permission to embark on the following challenges:

1. Learn to ride a pedal bike (training wheels optional).
2. Visit the Mall 'Mur-ka (a.k.a. the Mall of America) to ride the bumper car ride.
3. Eliminate all whining from my repertoire when asking for things. (Truth: Mom suggested that one.)
4. Learn to tell time with my cool new Lego watch. (Thanks, G-ma Corrigan!)
5. Begin the count-down to our next parish block party. (I missed this year's block party due to an unexpected fever and weird cold virus. Only 327 sleeps till the next block party!)

While these challenges may seem a trifle minor relative to the scheme of life in store for me, I contend that each is important in its own rite. For with each challenge, I learn something new. And, new is exciting. New is hard. New requires being not-good at something for a bit -- until you figure out a routine. Find your voice. And discover a pattern.

Georgia: Age 2

Dad scored a handful of new coloring books last week. As Sam and I
settled into the business of deciding which pages needed the most work, Sam declared, "Look, Ken! A pattern!" He'd arranged his coloring tools into a row of neatly organized shapes and lines. Impressive.

Georgia's also into patterns. Checkered, spiral, floral, striped -- you name it, she loves it. Her best days entail a mixture of patterns -- ones that she has hand-selected from her collection of articles sized 2T. For an example of the completeness of her patterned paraphernalia, see attached photo.

Sam: Almost 4

Much like little-sister's love for eclectic combinations of patterns, the cadence of our days this Fall are eclectic, new, and not-so-easy. But, we're discovering new patterns together. And I'm finding that with each new challenge, you sort out what's important, arrange your pattern, and weave it all together -- one step at a time. Soon, you're flexing your new muscles, not repeating your mistakes, and rising to the occasion of this not-so-new-anymore pattern.

For now, dear reader, may the patterns of your life be readily arranged and full of enough challenge and color to keep you honest, grateful and striving for even better.
Until next time,
Ken