October

October is probably my favorite month of the year. Okay, maybe my second favorite of the year, with my first being April (my birthday month). I love spring. I loathe summer. I tolerate winter until the parties are over. I absolutely ADORE fall. The season just feeds my soul, and October is the pinnacle of its splendor for me. I look forward to October basically all year but especially as the summer starts to draw to a close. I have precious (and few) memories of fun fall festivities spent with my family, one of those was always spending my sister's birthday (October 15) in Shenandoah National Park along Skyling Drive. We'd take a picnic (often KFC), find a nice place to enjoy our meal, then my sister and I would run through the leaves, climb trees, and pose for pictures. Even at the tender age of ten, I knew I would some day have the same tradition with my own children. And I do. For the past three falls now we've taken the boys (Philip at first and then Philip and Andrew this year and last) and recreated that annual ritual that I loved so much for our own family.

Because Phil works every other weekend, I knew our October was going to have to be carefully scheduled if we were going to fit in all the family fun I had planned. I filled the calendar early and we stuck to it almost as planned. We started the month out with a trip to Cox Farms. I had been itching to take Philip to a place like this, pretty much since he was born. There's tons of big slides to slide down, farm animals to pet, an awesome hay ride, a corn maze, plus enough junk food to keep any sugar-starved three year old happy for at least a few hours.The weather was cloudy and gray and it really seemed like it might rain the entire time we were there but it never did. It actually turned out to be a great day to be there. Andrew was pretty sleepy from not taking his morning nap and looked pretty out of it all day but I think he still enjoyed being there. Philip had a great time, tackling the big slides and getting up the courage to pet a cow. It was our first time visting Cox Farms but it definitely won't be our last!

The following weekend, we went to a local winery with some friends for their annual chili cookoff. We went last year too and it was a great opportunity for the kids to get together to play on the spacious grounds behind the winery and for the adults to enjoy some conversation and, most importantly, delicious wine!

The next day we made our aforementioned annual trip up to Skyline Drive. We are fortunate in that this fabulous destination is only about thirty minutes from our house and it's such a beautiful drive! We picked up our KFC and headed up the mountain. We normally are lucky enough to be able to schedule this trip during the week on one of Phil's days off and don't have to deal with the crowds. This year we ended up going on a Sunday and OMG was it busy. I swear, the whole of Northern Virginia must have had the same idea. We actually had to drive around to find a picnic table. Crazy. We finally found one though and had a great time on our picnic. The boys loved tearing around in the leaves and I did my best to get some cute pictures of them having fun. Afterwards, they were both pretty cranky so we only stopped at one overlook for a photo op. I'm looking forward to spending more time there next year when Andrew is big enough to really run around and have fun!

The next weekend I took the boys to Philip's school for their Halloween Movie and Trick-or-Treating night. We left the house at 6:30 which is normally the time I start getting Andrew to bed. I had planned to just go, have Philip walk in the costume parade, get a goody bag for Philip and head home, but we ended up staying for the whole movie and the trick-or-treating afterwards. We didn't get home til 9:30 which was so crazy late for the boys (and me!) but miraculously there were no "I'm up too late past my bedtime" meltdowns! I'm glad we went. Philip had a great time running around with friends. He was the only Tigger in a sea full of tiny superheroes. :-)

That Sunday the boys and I met my mom, my sister, and her boyfriend in adorable Sperryville for lunch at the Thorton River Grill to celebrate my sister's birthday. It was a gorgeous day and we had lunch on the outdoor patio. After that, we headed up to Skyline Drive again to take in more of the beautiful fall foliage.

We didn't end up making it to the pumpkin patch this year to get our pumpkins. Too many time constraints, illnesses, and bad weather days, so we went to the local "patch" set up in front of the hardware store and spent and outlandish amont of money on two gigantic pumpkins. The boys still had fun while we were there. Any opportunity to run around outside is appreciated by them! Next year we'll make it to the patch for sure.

Phil took off on Halloween in order to go to Philip's Harvest Party at his school. Our friends watched Andrew for us while we were there and my mom up to attend as well as she had not seen school before. It was a nice party. The kids had a festive snack in the classroom before heading out for a hayride on an awesome decorated covered wagon that took them on a ride around the school property before taking us to the fields behind the school where dozens of small pumpkins had been left for the kids to run and claim. It was so funny to see the looks on their faces as they staked out their pumpkins and made a beeline for them! After finding their pumpkins, the kids all participated in several games and activities that were set up in the field.

That night neither of the boys were feeling all that hot (more on that in my next post), but Philip still wanted to Trick-or-Treat so we headed out for a quick tour around the neighborhood. About three houses in, Phil suggested to Philip that he try going up to the door by himself to say Trick or Treat. I had suspected (hoped) that he would refuse but to my surprise he said "Okay!" and marched right up to the door all by himself. The rest of the night was split between him going it alone and wanting my hand when a spooky kid in a skeleton mask would walk past. I was happy for that scary kid.

Absent from my October recap is our annual apple picking trip. On a whim, I decided we should check out a new place in Charlottesville instead or our usual place in Markham, VA. That was a mistake. The whole trip was a waste and we won't be going back there. We had the best intentions to try it again at our usual place but never found the time. Oh well! Until next fall!

Philip: Three Years Old

I can't believe how much Philip changed in between his second and third birthdays. It was a big, busy year for him and for all of us. There were so many changes and milestones along the way from two to three. Moving from the crib to a big bed, potty training, preschool, and countless other events, big and small, in between.

Fun things that make Philip uniquely three: He loves wearing his slippers all day long. He has Elmo slippers and Woody cowboy boot slippers that he wears all day long and even sleeps in them. He tries to take every toy he owns to bed with him. He likes to run around the house in his Tigger Halloween costume which he calls the "wonderful Tigger" costume. He still doesn't like getting his hair washed in the tub. He likes to tell us he doesn't like something we give him to eat based on appearance alone, before he's even tasted it. He likes to inform mommy when she's being "bad" and needs a time out (lovely!). He has to give Andrew a big, wet kiss on the lips before Andrew goes to bed. He has to sleep with two of his "buddies" (lovies) at night. He rarely takes his nap without some kind of a protest. He would eat Eggos every morning if we let him. He loves to read books. He can memorize one in only a few readings. Sometimes he'll recite them without even having the book in front of him. He loves to sing songs at preschool. He can recite all of the Lord's Prayer. He's become increasingly confident on the playground. He wants to do the monkey bars by himself ("like Caillou"). He loves Sprout. He loves the Little Mermaid and sleeps with a stuffed Ariel doll at night.He loves to swing more than anything else outside. He asks us every time we drop him off somewhere without us (preschool, church nursery, childcare at the gym), if we're going to come back for him. He always wants to know where Andrew is when he notices he's not around (he's napping). He loves to make cookies and pancakes with daddy. He loves to visit Nettie and Cricket. His Papa is his buddy. He already wants to drive. He's learning how to dress himself and prefers to put his underwear and pants on by himself. He's not a fan of having his teeth flossed. He's fine with wearing a knit hat in 80 degree weather. He loves his Crocs. He has to have socks on at all times lately. He could play in the tub for hours if we let him. When he's excited about something he gets to do he shouts "Best day ever!"

He's growing up too fast.

Here's some Q&A we did this evening.

Philip at Three:

How Old Are You: "Fwee"
Favorite Friend: Elijah
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Number: Three
Favorite Letter: "I"
Favorite Thing to Do with Mommy: Play some games
Favorite Thing to Do with Daddy: Make cookies 
Favorite Thing to Do with Andrew: Play trains 
Favorite Thing to Do Outside: Play with Ian and Elijah
Favorite Thing to Do Inside: Play Football
Favorite Thing to Do At School: Some crafts
Favorite Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Favorite TV Show: Caillou
Favorite Movie: Snow White
Favorite Game: Toy Story Memory
Favorite Song: Sing Along with Elmo "Shout"
Favorite Toy: Woody and Buzz
Favorite Thing to Wear: Pajamas
Favorite Place to Go: Wal-Mart
Favorite Snack: Fruit Snacks
Favorite Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs
Favorite Lunch: Grilled Cheese
Favorite Treat: Chocolate Chip Cookies

10 Years in a Post-9/11 World

Today is the tenth anniversary of a day that will "live in infamy" for my own generation, much like December 7, 1941 does for my grandparents' generation. It's been ten years since our country was attacked by terrorists seeking to destroy everything that America stands for. In many ways, I can't believe it's already been ten years. In those ten  years, I've been busy living my life, reminded of the horrific events that unfolded that day on every September 11th that has passed since that time and periodically in between. And I'm grateful that I, unlike so many families, do not have to live with the aftermath of that day in the painful and person way that so many people who lost loved ones do.

The events of that day have weighed heavily on my mind for the past couple of weeks. Like so many others, I'm remembering where I was, and what I was doing during that time. A couple of days ago, I uncovered my college's newspaper that I saved that was published shortly after the attacks while I was going through some boxes from the basement. On the front page there is a picture of the burning towers; and it all came flooding back. I was a freshman in college. I'd only been on campus for a couple of weeks and was still getting accustomed to life on an urban college campus. I remember leaving my U.S. History class that morning and everyone around me was abuzz about something big that had just happened. As I made my way back to my dorm room, I was collecting more and more information. I quickened my pace as I went, anxious to get to a television to see what was happening. I caught snippets of panicked conversations as I walked: "plane crash" "New York City" "terrorists" "World Trade Center." I rode the elevator to my eleventh floor dorm room and turned on the tv. The screen filled with an image of a scene that both stunned and horrified me all at once. I, like so many others, couldn't wrap my mind around what happened. I frantically called my parents and sister. I spent the rest of the morning glued to the screen. Sobbing. Horrified. Terrified.

For many nights after the attacks, I couldn't sleep. I was shaky and uneasy. I was wary of the skies and the tall buildings around me. Even the very ground under my feet no longer felt so solid as I walked to class each day. And yet, I was one of the lucky ones. My loved ones are all here to also share the story of where they were that fateful day. When my boys are old enough, I, like my grandparents, will share my own story with them. And for that I give praise to God. I grieve for those affected by this sad, solemn day. I pray for those who were lost; for our soldiers; for our leaders, and for our country. And I will never forget.

First Day of Preschool!

Philip started at St. Luke's school on Wednesday, August 31st. His first day of preschool went great! He woke up early on his own, as is his new habit, and had a pancake breakfast. We got to school early and took a bunch of pictures. Philip was practically skipping through the halls, he was so excited!

First day of preschool!

 Proud of his big brother!

Classmates and best buddies!

In front of the school sign

His very own locker!

So excited to start the day!

He's in Mrs. Bean's class with his buddy Elijah which I think has really helped the both of them with the transition. Having a familiar face in his class makes drop off that much easier for Philip in the morning.

At the end of the day, I am anxious to get in the car line and pick him up and hear about how his day went. He's such a big boy now; I can hardly believe he's already started his school "career!" We are so proud of him and how well he is doing!