All Things Autumn

Mali ~

It's October now so, of course, we had to go apple-picking! Unfortunately, it started raining almost immediately when we got out of the car, therefore it turned out to be the quickest apple-picking trip ever. But, we still had fun!

While it dampened our apple-picking, the chillier and rainier days brought more snuggles from GG. Both of you love your snuggly blanket.

About halfway through the month, I went to Las Vegas for a friend's birthday. Since I was going to be gone for a few days, you decided to make me this sweet bracelet to remind me of you while I was away from home. It says "MOMS IS AWESOME" because, as you explained, you couldn't decide between "moms are awesome" and "Mom is awesome". I loved my new bling and believe it or not, it was the only piece of jewelry I wore the entire time I was in Vegas. You are the best kid ever.

While I was out of town, you enjoyed a fun sleepover with your cousins.

You also spent some time riding your bike with Lao Lao, even making it to Easton and Starbuck's for a refreshing drink before heading home. I think Lao Lao said you made it 10 whole miles that day! Wow!

Did I mention how much you love your bed and snuggly blanket lately?

I also finally caved and let you get your sides shaved and a lightening bolt shaved into your hair this month. We added some color once we got home to make it all POP! I was surprised by how much I liked it too and your smiles made it all worth it. My unique, "march to the beat of your own drum", kiddo!

One evening you arrived home after me with Daddy and I surprised you by running out to the car in my new cow onesie (that you hadn't seen yet). You squealed and laughed so hard. It was hilarious. Then you just had to try on your new bat costume for Halloween too! We look cute, don't we?!

taking a drink from Mom's udders ~ LOL

And then I found some great costumes for Suzy and GG...they will be pirates this year! Arrgh!

Abby already had a football jersey from Notre Dame in the closet...an oldie but a goodie.

And then...talk about terrifying! You found this Donald Trump mask at $5 Below...yikes!!

Along with all of the fun fall activities, October also brought parent teacher conferences (by the way, they went fabulously ~ Mrs. Callow adores you!)...which means extra days off from school. Since Daddy works from home now, he is fortunate enough to be able to hang out and take you on adventures on these free days. On one particularly beautiful fall day, you went to Dill's Greenhouse where Papaw got to spend some time showing you around on their tractor, hayride, pumpkin patch, and playground. According to Dad, it was a perfect day and from the smiles on your faces when you got home, I think you and Ana had an amazing time too. 

since Daddy used to work at Dill's during the Fall Fest many years
ago, he was able to use his "street cred" to finagle driving
you around on the barrel train ~ nice perk, huh?

I love those cute nose crinkles!

Another evening, you went fishing with Daddy. Again. Shocking, right?

look at that smile! pulled this little fish
out all on your own ~ yay, yay, yay!!

The weekend before Halloween we finally made it to the pumpkin patch. You cleaned and carved this jack-o-lantern all on your own. Look at that! Fantastic job, right?!

tah dah!

looks great all lit up too!

Finally it was Halloween day and Daddy and I were lucky enough to be able to attend and help out at your classroom party. We handled the "pass the pumpkin" game and it was a big hit. Before the big celebration, the entire school had a costume parade to show off their amazing costumes. This was the first year that Daddy has been able to help out and while I helped the other moms decorate your classroom, he was outside giving almost the entire school high 5's. Ha ha! He is pretty much a big kid himself. I was glad that I got to come outside just in time to see you, Jalysa (Pikachu), and Jude (cheerleader) go by. You all looked adorable.

believe it or not, this mummy is you wrapped in
toilet paper (one of the games)

That night, Lao Lao came over to go trick or treating with us. You decided you wanted to do face paint for your bat costume and did it all by yourself alongside Lao Lao.

Here we are...ready to go!

you (bat), me (Holstein cow), Suzy (pirate), Lao Lao (vampire),
Abby (Notre Dame football player)

you, Ana, and Evie waiting for your treats

Unfortunately, your toe was sore (a mysterious injury from the weekend you slept over at your cousins') and it was pretty cold so we really only lasted about an hour outside. But, you still got a sizeable haul in that short period of time, so yay for Halloween!

And of course, it wouldn't be a usual blog entry if I didn't include some of your recent antics as only pictures or screenshots can do justice.

I love messaging with you

this is a random list I found...I guess
Pipsqueak is the only innocent. haha

Love,
Mama

Quality Time, Mid-Autumn Moons, and a (belated) Family Day Party

Heeeyyyy, M ~

It is officially the month that autumn begins! Woo hoo! Between the leaves changing colors, pumpkin patches, apple picking, Halloween, chrysanthemums, and cooler temperatures, it is one of my favorite seasons of the year. So, without further ado...here is our September.

this month, Lao Lao began taking Fridays off work until the

end of the year and decided to come over to give Daddy a break and wake

you up, make you breakfast, and see you off to school

each morning...this makes for one happy kiddo!

the cooler temperatures mean it's more comfortable to have coffee

on the deck on weekend mornings and I have had quite a few bug

friends join me...this lady bug's face reminds of me an angry panda

OSU is back in session and so we have enjoyed having Courtney and Sam's

company again ~ you kids LOVE time with these two college students!

a busted lip and a bruised eye ~ play time got a little crazy

On one of the hotter days, I took you and Ana over to Creekside and let you play in the water, feed the ducks and swan, and just enjoy getting really wet and sloppy.

sleepy, cuddly, sweet kid

On one particularly stressful day, I just had to get out and play. Remember what's important in life. So, you and I hit the trail with our Y-flyers, got silly, and had a blast. It was just what I needed.

even our shadows had a ball

Then Pipsqueak helped me keep it real the next morning too. Aren't cats great?

thanks, Pipsqueak

did I mention how little personal space I get at home?

Then, this happened. I couldn't believe my eyes.

I can't remember the last time you fell asleep

for a mid-afternoon nap, but here you are

(very tired kid)

And more play time with Ana. The usual around here.

you asked me for some flannels because you

wanted to play cowboys with Ana

buds

(glad you two live so close to each other)

And a trip to Target for only God knows what...

I always knew you were a unicorn!

We also celebrated the Mid-Autumn Moon festival a little early as well with our local COFCC group. It was a gorgeous, warm night with lots of yummy food, fun crafts, and of course chatting with all of the local families that look a lot like ours. I was so happy that you actually wanted to attend it this year. It's been a toss up for you in years past. As you get older, it's neat to see you grow and evolve in your understanding and perspectives of your life story and birth heritage.

moon cake! (you didn't really like the
taste but enjoyed the detailing on the top)

beautiful moon that lit up the night sky

while we marched in the lantern parade

one of the crafts you made

And when we got home...we found this.

I don't think Suzy is very comfortable. Do you?

On another evening, we went for one of our moonlight walks. It's something that we have started lately where you and I walk around our neighborhood after dark with the dogs and it gives us a perfect opportunity to talk about our days and share whatever is on our minds. I love any chance I get to hear about your life and thoughts and feelings. It's one of my favorite things. This particular night you brought up something significant and so I turned it to our friends and family on Facebook when we got home and they gave you some awesome advice. See for yourself below...

Pretty cool, huh? Sometimes social media can really suck, but other times it can be pretty great.

a text I got from Lao Lao on an evening when she came to watch you

and made you dinner...evidently you wrote to the author of this

book and she even wrote you back! so cool!

On another night, one of my friends at work gave us a heads up on the International Space Station that was going to fly right over our house and it was pretty neat to see. (see for yourself below)

You and Daddy have continued your fishing adventures. I love, love, love that you have this hobby that you can share. It's absolutely adorable and the quality time spent making memories together is truly priceless.

text that I got from Daddy

peaceful and serene at sunset

Another big happening this month was combining our Family Day party with a (belated) birthday celebration for you. We decided to postpone our annual Family Day party from July until now to wait until it was much cooler weather and fortunately, it worked like a charm. It was perfect and the whole celebration went off without a hitch.

in searching for some mums for the party, Daddy, Courtney and I

had fun in a haunted house that was part of a local greenhouse

the dogs enjoyed supervising party set-up

a little Facebook love from Lao Lao on the day of the party

Pipsqueak came to check out the annual flower bouquet that

I get from Lao Lao ~ for some reason, Pipsqueak LOVES

flowers...it's the weirdest thing

the calm before the flurry of guests arrive

you and your friends getting ready to

whack the heck out of that piñata

(L to R ~ Zoe, Ana, you, Jos, Jeffrey, Dylan, Jalysa, and Addi)

Uncle Flint was the brave piñata holder

birthday cake time!

you insisted on cutting it yourself

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to get a group photo of everyone like I usually do. It was a very fluid party that stretched from 2pm until probably about 11pm so it was nearly impossible to find a good time to get a photo with everybody. I wish I could have gotten more candid photos of the party, but sometimes you just have to be in the moment. And so I was. Trust me, it was a great time. I love that you give us this reason every year to bring the people that we love to one place and celebrate sharing our lives together. That's what it's all about, kiddo.

Love,
Mama