Fall Yard Work

We love living in a place that enjoys a true "fall" season . . . and we love having a yard with plenty of beautiful trees.  We've had quite the color display in our yard and neighborhood this year!  But, now comes the seemingly endless task of clearing leaves - we've learned the hard way the importance of clearing leaves to maintain lawn health.  Kolpin has been especially hard at work this week, and we'll all need to pitch in this weekend.  In the meantime, the large piles and blowing leaves sure are fun for our littles.   Magic!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween, Happy All Hallows' Eve!  

In our town, the kids got to trick-or-treat in the neighborhood the Sunday afternoon before Halloween (while it was light outside and people were home to pass out treats).  The kids had been counting down the days for the past month, excited to dress in costumes and go door-to-door.  Several of them had a few different costumes they used for dress-up celebrations at scouts and ballet classes.   

Only Kolpin and under actually went our trick-or-treating.  Kolpin and Maclaren joined a group of neighborhood friends and covered over 5 miles together.  Our littles stayed together with mom and dad.  Alarie was a bit uncertain about her lion head, but warmed up to it quickly when she realized candy was involved.  With her little 3-year-old legs, she often lagged behind the group, but as soon as she heard a door opening to their doorbell ring, she'd start running.  She'd call out "Trick or treat!" on her way up the driveway, and then worm her way to the front of the pack at the door with her bag held open.  So cute!  

We're thankful for our community!  Trick or Treat!  

(tiger, jasmine, shera, lion, alien, vampire, cat)

Pumpkins

 

We returned to Richardson Farms pumpkin patch for the third time (our third fall) in Ohio.  We're so thankful to have found this special farm to visit in October.  

Our pumpkin pickers quickly filled our wagon with 3 large pumpkins for carving and 10 pumpkins for painting . . . plus one for pumpkin pie!  

T-ball

Besides our high school and middle school cross country runners, our only official summer activity this year is Dukes' U7 T-ball through the YMCA.  He is really enjoying his second summer sports season and is quite an all-star on the field.  He is incredibly focused, makes smart plays, has a crazy accurate throw, runs hard, and swings for power hits - and loves every moment!  He's having a ball!   We have enjoyed hanging out at the park two nights a week, cheering for our slugger!

Summer

 

As usual, summer is passing much too quick.  It's hard to look at our calendar and realize we only have a month left summer break - not to mention we have two kids moving out over the next three weeks.  This next month our household will see some major changes!  I have to keep reminding myself: "this is good, this was the goal, this was the plan" . . . and then I try to squeeze in some fun, and treasure every moment of this fleeting time.  

I am thankful for these littles.  I am thankful for simple trips to the playground.