Fall is in the air

Yesterday was a little rainy and chilly, which meant it was the perfect pumpkin farm day to ensure limited crowds. Boy, were we right :)  It was a lot of fun, and we didn't have to race to score a wagon; in fact, each kid got one to keep the peace!

After we chose our two big pumpkins and played around the hay bales, we went over to see the farm animals that were outside and the ones that were in the barn. We were so glad they moved the pony rides --- actually huge horse rides! --- inside the barn. We didn't think Collin would be steady on the big horse, and he didn't seem all that interested anyway, so we opted to pay the hefty $10 ride fee for just the big kid :)  I think she may want to ride as she grows up, and our piggy banks are not going to be happy about that. Ha!

Check out how much our two cuties have grown since last year! Our visit to this same pumpkin farm last year was the week after we moved. It turned out to be a great choice; I think this will be our annual destination for pumpkins and ponies.

Following our damp fall adventure, we went to Target and added two small pumpkins to our porch display. Sydney insisted we get one to represent each of us, and the farm didn't have any kid-sized ones. We are just about ready for Halloween!

Peanut Festival Fun

In late September, we traveled to our hometown for the 51st Virginia Peanut Festival. I had not been home for this event in many years, and I must say, we had a ball. Not only did my mom have all her kids and grandkids together - a rare thing these days - but we caught up with old friends and really enjoyed seeing the kids have fun.

We started that Saturday with a 5K "race" --- a term I use loosely since our family pushing the double jogger came in dead last. I, technically, was dead last. It was pretty sad, but then again, no one else was pushing a total of 65 lbs in a stroller :)

We then changed clothes and went to the parade. It's so nice that we can walk from my mom's house to all the activities --- the parade, the rides, the crafts - it's all right there. Collin danced and danced at the parade. I think he may join the band when he's older. The drum line was calling his name!

I love this photo of Sydney and Collin with their cousin, Aidan. Stealing goldfish is an important stage of every relationship :)

We then went over to the petting zoo/craft area and then the rides. Because she was a tad too short, Randall had to pay off a carny so Syd could do the big slide by herself, but it was totally worth it. She loved it! I

It was really awesome to have the whole gang together, and I look forward to getting everyone together again sometime during the holidays, and definitely for my mom's 60th birthday in January. And what would the Peanut Festival be without a little Peanut LOVE?!

20 months

Collin hit the 20-month mark last week!! He has changed so much lately, and he's such a loveable, funny boy.

All of the pictures in this post are from our Labor Day weekend trip to Myrtle Beach. It was a last-minute decision and we found a little room right on the beach, which was our only requirement. We had a blast at the beach, pool and walking around Broadway at the Beach. We kept the kids out late, and we all had a great time. We get to go back to Myrtle in just two weeks to spend a couple of days with Uncle Mike and Aunt Muzette!

This week, we are going for a consultation about getting tubes in Collin's ears, so if we move forward with that, I hope it will mean less infections (if any!). He's currently recovering from his 6th infection since November. It's miserable, and we're ready to be done with that.

At 20 months, Collin:

• is wearing 24-month bottoms and 2T and 3T shirts
• has a wonderful appetite and will try most foods
• is talking more and more --- common words are bye-bye, juice, shoes, Mama, Daddy, Sydney, no, uh-oh, mine, not nice (when Sydney gets in trouble)
• started riding Sydney's little tricycle just this morning, and he's got the idea pretty well figured out
• loves to be outside at a playground, in our yard, going for walks, anything
• is a dream at school - the teachers definitely favor him
• still bites, unfortunately, thought it hasn't been as much lately
• has had his first few experiences with time out; it's heartbreaking
• has been 100% bottle-free for the last few weeks! That nighttime one was hard for mama to take :)
• loves to have his shoes on; even if we just have him in a diaper and t-shirt around the house, he wants his sneakers on
• favors all toys that make noise, especially music of any kind because his favorite thing in the world is dancing

Ready to dance!

I took dance for 15 years ... from 3-18 years old. I love, love, loved it! Ballet, tap, jazz and even some clogging and hip hop. It was one of my favorite activities. I never wanted to quit, and there were several years where I took classes at two different studios.

I always knew if I had a daughter, I'd encourage her to consider dance as one of her activities. If Sydney's excitement during open house at her new studio is any indication, she's going to have so much fun with it. And the new shoes were a hit when they arrived this week!

Her ballet/tap combo class starts next Wednesday, and I always took classes on Wednesdays. It's a sign of good things to come! ;-)

Miami favorites

We had the most wonderful vacation in Miami Beach this summer! We went with my mom and step-dad, and it was the perfect set-up. We were in the same building with condos right near each other, so it was very convenient, but it also allowed for some separation when needed (nap time, etc.). It was great. And the kids loved going back and forth between the two places. We walked out of our building and there was the pool. A few feet beyond the pool was the ocean. You can't beat that with a stick, people!

The weather was perfect, and it was actually cooler in Miami than in N.C. and V.A. We were so lucky. There was a delightful breeze every day. It rained the day we started the drive home. Speaking of the drive, it was about an 11-hour trip, and we stopped in Jacksonville, FL overnight each way to break it up. The kids were rock stars. I guess we've always been an on-the-go family, so they do great with travel. Having the DVD player didn't hurt, either. :-)

While in Miami, we spent most of the time at the beach and pool, but we also spent one day at the Seaquarium (where it was really, really hot) and we drove the few miles further into South Beach for a couple of nice dinners out as well. It was just the right balance. Randall and I even fit in a date night which was my favorite thing - a walking culinary tour in South Beach. We stopped at 6 or 7 different restaurants. Mmmmmm So delicious; I could do that every weekend!

Here are a few favorites from the trip.

18 months

It's been one and a half years since we welcomed Collin into the world!! I'm not exactly sure if the time will ever slow down, but I'm sure soaking up this precious age. We could not possibly love him more.

At 18 months, Collin is starting to talk a little more, though it's still not his favorite activity. His voice is sweet and small - not what you'd expect from this 95th percentile boy! He is super loving and laughs all the time. He LOVES his sister more than anyone else in the world, but I think Mommy is a close second. Sorry, Randall ;-)  We are starting to see signs of his toddler temper, which was going to come along eventually. Right now, he loves Sydney's toys the most - strollers, dolls, jewelry. He loves to wear my shoes as much as Sydney does --- I tell Randall it's just because he loves to copy Sydney; it's not a sign of what he'll be doing when he's 15. Or maybe it is... whatever. At least he's in an accepting family. :)  He loves to eat -- healthy stuff, unhealthy stuff, he doesn't discriminate. He does still have a bottle at bedtime. I know, we're awful. And I do intend to lie to the pediatrician at his check-up, but I don't know if I'll be able to stay strong when she makes eye contact. Ha!

We love you, sweet Collin, and we cannot imagine our lives without you. You are the BEST son we could ask for, and we can't wait to see what you do next. Our house brings a daily adventure, and you and your sister are the best kind of fun. xoxo

America the Beautiful

I have been slack with blogging lately!! I hereby pledge to do better.

Today, we've had a crazy busy 4th of July, but we've had fun! We leave for vacation tomorrow, and packing a whole family is work. I'm sure it will be worth every task when we get to the beach for a full week of sun and sand.

Here are our all-American babies today. We decided against fireworks tonight since they don't start until 10 p.m., and we're hoping to hit the road early tomorrow. The neighbors say there will be no shortage around our area if we just sit outside, so that's the plan. Sydney is excited; she doesn't know if we're at a big show or not :)

Here are our firecrackers' comparisons over the years. I love seeing how they grow!!!!