Thankful Thursday

I’m thankful for my boys, my health, my family and friends, and the gorgeous season surrounding us. Fall is my absolute favorite season. I love the cooler weather, changing leaves, football, soups, sweaters, and calm that it seems to bring. Today I am especially thankful for a jog on the Kal-Haven trail next to my 2 wheel riding boy. My boys took me on my first run since my surgery in August. It felt GREAT!

Today, Alan is thankful for the perfect plate of nachos that he made himself for dinner. Really, he asked me (half jokingly) to take a picture. Never mind the fact that the taco “meat” is really soy….

A Bike Riding Update

DAY 2: Road rash.

DAY 3: A pro. A pro wearing elbow pads.

He is now pretty independent on his bike. He can start himself most of the time and is still learning how to turn, but I think the training wheels are off for good. Going up and down our driveway is a new favorite activity.

Hide and Seek

Playing hide and seek with an almost 4 year old is bound to put a smile on your face. Thomas typically hides in the same 2 spots (behind the couch or under the table in the office). When I am done counting he jumps out of his spot and proclaims "I'm hiding under/behind _____." Not much seeking involved. He has branched out to more adventurous hiding. Can you find him? Hint - we don't store the blankets in the dining room....

BIG Summer!

This summer has been a fun one around our house. Thomas has been really active and kept us on our toes. He's been growing (1.5 inches in 3 months) and learning (most things) faster than ever. He's accomplished a few kid feats that kind of surprised us. He can now "pump" himself on the swing, swim about 10 feet by himself, and is now learning how to ride his bike without training wheels. Gross motor activities have always been his strength. Now, if we could only get him to count correctly past the number 8. He counted the buttons on the remote earlier. This is what he said, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 14, 16, 16, 6."

Heaven on Earth (for little boys)

Tractors, tractors, tractors as far as the eye could see. Big tractors, little tractors, red tractors, green tractors, steam tractors, gas tractors, antique tractors, and new tractors. We ventured out to the 27th Annual Flywheeler's Antique Engine and Tractor Show today. This place has a bit of a cult following and you don't really get it until you visit. It was awesome. This is a weekend long event that celebrates everything with a motor. If you want happy, smiling pictures of Thomas - set him in front of (or on) a tractor. There was so much to see. It was cool to see people driving around the exhibits, flea market, and campground on tractors, golf carts, quads, gators (the list goes on and on), etc. Many had homemade trailers with benches for their family.
Some people camp for days at Flywheelers. It wasn't uncommon to see a full sized tractor (or 2, or 3) sitting in front of a camper. Much like you would see at a campground with boats. It is like a whole other world at Flywheeler's. I'm thinking that we'll need to camp next year as well. We won't have a tractor to park by our tent, but I'm sure we can still conjure up some fun.

Rob finally got to take Thomas for a ride. He has offered to take him in the past - but Thomas was afraid to go. Today was the day. He had a blast. They drove around the exhibits and had some good man bonding time.

Pretending to drive Rob's tractor.

We met up with Cal a little later in the afternoon. He was nice enough to take Thomas for another tractor ride. I'm not sure who had more fun - Thomas or Cal. Upon their return, Thomas was able to talk about the differences between the red and green tractors, which brand was which, and which one was the best. It was a very informative ride.

Wordless Wednesday

Labor Day with the Lucius Family

Our friends, Ralph and Kristine, threw an end of the summer bbq on Sunday. It was originally planned as a pool party - but the weather didn't cooperate. Instead, they had lots of other fun activities planned for the kids. Ralph (below in the background) designed and led the kids through an obstacle couse. He even timed them! The kids had a great time - despite having to wait AND take turns. Romy just edged out Dorian to be the first through the hay tunnel.

Joshua and Sydney in action during the hippity hop portion of the course.

Emma Grace won the dirtiest child award. She had so much fun painting and it showed. As a result, she had a spur of the moment bath in the middle of the barbecue to wash off her masterpiece. Romy, Sydney, and Sasha also had a great time in the paint.

Go figure - Thomas is riding in Joshua's tractor. He and Max had fun tooling around the yard. We tried to overlook the fact that they were drinking (capri sun's thank goodness) and driving.

Savannah found some eggs! Ralph and Kristine live on a farm and have lots of animals. They have chickens, goats, horses, and LOTS of kittens. Almost like a petting zoo - just cleaner, more humane, and more fun!

A great day, with great friends.

Family Photo Shoot

My family humored me and participated in family pictures this morning. The humoring me part comes in because we had to be at the beach at 7am. Pretty early for a Sunday morning. It was cold (48 degrees), windy and early. Quite the trifecta. We did get a few good shots though... (I'll edit them later for cropping)