Weeks of Fall Family Fun

Time for some catching up!  Fall has arrived, and while it hasn't not brought continuous cooler temperatures, it has brought lots of fun that deserves blogging but also steals blogging time.  Our weekdays are usually pretty similar, so I should probably just change to weekend posts, but then I have the anxiety of missing something.  However, it's been two weeks since I've blogged, and I ONLY remember the weekends.  So while I sort it all out, here's what we've been up too.

Ned finished the lean-to off his shed.  Amazingly, or scarily, he did most of the work by himself.  We now have boat parking that's hidden from the rest of the world, which is how I prefer it.

Sam was so cute smiling, and peeing, after I bathed both kids.  That job is usually Ned's, and when he's not home the temptation is great to let them stay dirty.

Last weekend (the last in September) we had our Peanut Festival.  We enjoyed the parade Saturday morning and rides, walking around the park, and fried Oreos that afternoon.  We opted not to try to eat in the park with Sam, so we picked up a pizza on our way home.  Both kids loved the parade, and Avery rode the carousel 3 times.

After church and naps on Sunday, we met the Millers and headed to do it all again.  Most of the things in the park were gone, but the girls rode several rides, and there were fried Oreos again.  Avery was much braver with a riding buddy.

Then, it was back to the week with work work work.

Nothing speeds the weekdays by faster than dreaming of Saturday morning jammie dates, complete with Chester the Raccoon.  We started Chester's weekend with us with dinner at Cracker Barrel Friday night.  We left the house before 10 am Saturday morning but had plenty of time to be lazy.

The fall fun continued with open house at Pineview.  Our beautiful fall temperatures had vanished during the week, and we were left with inappropriate heat for the pumpkin patch.  We crammed a lot of fun into a short amount of time so that we wouldn't melt.  We also crammed a lot of pumpkins and mums onto our wagon to decorate our porches.

We changed the kids into cooler shirts and enjoyed the AC in Walmart while we all got groceries.  We hurried our items home so that we could have lunch at The Palm Tree per Avery's request.  Ned hunted that evening, and the kids and I braved dinner at Yaya and Poppa's without Ned.  Poppa cooked his delicious breakfast which we had missed this summer since they didn't stay at the beach with us.  Avery was just sure Ned would come riding up on the 4-wheeler before dinner as he usually does.  She was quite sad that she could not spot him out of the window, and she spent our whole 35 minute conversation discussing "Daddy in the woods."  She was very concerned that Poppa's woods were so far from home and that she had no money to get Daddy out of the tree.  I tried to tell her big bucks get Daddy out of the tree.

We got home late and I quickly got everyone to bed and had Avery talk to Ned on the phone (out of the tree).

Week in Review ~ 9/21

We had a pretty quiet week resulting in not many pictures.  Avery and I went to Sunday School and left Ned and Sam at home.  I found out Saturday that the stomach virus was running through the sitter's, and Sam had some diaper issues Sunday morning that made me nervous, so I didn't want him passing on potential germs.  He was fine all day and we definitely got off easy compared to some families.  We enjoyed the afternoon and evening at home.

Our week was just a regular week with our regular commitments.  Ned's parents were gone and I prayed hard that the kids would remain well.  Ned can't be out of the office while his mom isn't there, and writing sub plans to keep Kindergartners busy would be a challenge.  Thankfully everyone was healthy.

We ate dinner at home Friday night because I was going to be gone Saturday night.

We started our Saturday off with some shenanigans.  My parents have Instagram to keep up with us, and they thoroughly enjoyed this bit of fun and were so amazed that no one "taught" Sam to do this.  Nope, Sam is pretty much self-taught.

Avery and I went to a Kelly's Kids party at Amanda's in the late morning, and Sam and Ned ran errands and got groceries.  Avery ate a huge pizza lunch at Amanda's then got in the car and asked what we were having for lunch.  The kids napped and I got some things done, and then it was time for my painting adventure.

Painting the Night Away

A while ago my friend Anna mentioned that she would like to celebrate her birthday by going to an evening painting class, so last night a few members of our friend group headed to Richmond to Spirited Art. Some of the girls had done one before, but I had not. As Picasso is not my middle name, I wasn't sure what to expect other than the fall scene we were to paint.

After a quick stop at Trader Joe's, Anna, Kristen, and I met Julie and a friend and picked our painting spots. Julie and her friend chose to freehand the painting while the rest of us were thrilled to trace part of our image. We also got busy ordering our food. I think Virginia law prohibits bringing food in so you're able to order from The Wine Loft next door. My crab and asparagus flatbread was delicious, and I was slightly sad that I had to split my eating time with painting.

We were lead through the painting step by step, from how to mix colors to brush techniques for different parts of the painting. Thank goodness there is not much competitiveness in me, so I was just happy to go about my business and laugh at what wasn't looking quite right. I did enjoy the painting part and look forward to trying it again. I especially love that our painting can be used for seasonal decorating, and I would love to do some holiday things as well. 

We left Richmond about 9:30 and a steady rain made it take forever to get home. That of course just makes more time for girl talk. Our time away would not have been complete without a few crazy moments including a loose wheel on the interstate, a loud burp, and a breast pump plug incompatible with my car. I'm so thankful for a group of girls to get away and laugh with from time to time.

Week in Review ~ 9/14

We had a busy, full week back in the swing of things.  We had our regular church things Sunday morning, then we went to the Millers' that night for dinner to celebrate Anna's birthday.  We had a good time and the kids played well.  Before we went, Ned turned Sam's car seat around.  He wasn't quite sure what to think at first.  We swapped kids' spots in the car so that I can access Sam better now that he is riding with me the most.

I met Ned and the kids at the doctor's office Monday afternoon for Sam's 18 month check.  He continues to grow by leaps and bounds, his picky dinnertime tendencies are normal and we're handling them correctly, and he went through the finger prick like a champ.  Shots were put off because they were out of one and the flu shot he needed had not come in.  Ned and Avery went to Lowe's while Sam and I were at the doctor, then we all rushed home to eat and get Avery to her first night of Bible Zone.  It took her a few minutes to warm up, but she had a great time.

Daddy allows my wardrobe choices.

Avery had a field trip to a watermelon patch Wednesday.  That was a longer trip on the bus so I had to prepare myself for that.  She had a fun time and brought home her own watermelon.  We did have an issue when I didn't have a watermelon shirt for her to wear.  Then there was the news that she had to wear her Y t-shirt.  She also had dance that night.  Poor Sam is having a hard time with me leaving on Monday and Wednesday nights, even though on Mondays I come right back.  I think he just wants to go.

We went to the Mexican restaurant Friday night, then Ned took the kids home while I went to the grocery store.  We had a busy Saturday coming up and I needed to get that chore out of the way.

Ned had a hunt club workday Saturday, so he left early for that.  He came home in time for us to all get ready and head to a bike-a-thon to benefit a scholarship for a little girl killed in a sledding accident in January.  I did not know the family well but it is still overwhelming to think about.  We enjoyed spending time with Caleb and Camden while Anna was out of town.

It's probably time to mention that Camden is photographed from behind because her parents don't put pictures showing her face on social media, and I absolutely support their decision.

Avery rode 4 laps before needing to try out the bounce house.  Most everyone else was still riding, so the bounce house was calm enough for Sam to try too.  We had to get an older girl to bring him out.

We passed on getting lunch at the bike-a-thon since we had busy Sam, so we all went to The Palm Tree.  Once we got back home, the kids napped and Ned went back to his work day.  That night, we went to my parents' to celebrate my mom's birthday.  I cheated and had Anna make my favorite cupcake, I knew it was one my mom would like too.  We had a good time there then hurried home to get everyone in bed.