Wednesday, September 30, 2015

September is for Siblings

Now that they each go to school, I dare say there is a mutual respect blooming.  Of course, there's still lots of "mine", "leave me alone", and tears, but maybe there is less?
Anyhow, on one beautiful Saturday evening, I took the kids to symphony in the park.  I picked them up from a dad and kids' playdate, so they initially weren't impressed with sitting still in the park listening to classical music.  But they eventually loosened up a bit with some snacks, dancing, playground time, and cupcakes provided by the symphony afterward.  I'm trying to culture them, but it always helps to have some side perks to offer, too.  :)

We made our annual trip to pick raspberries with our playgroup.  The kids did not stay by me at all this time.  They were too busy chasing each other and eating their finds. Since we have so many berries in our own garden, I wasn't too bothered by barely scraping together a pint to take home.  Conspiring in the shrubs...

Here's Hadley's guilty face when I asked her if she'd been eating raspberries off the bush!

We also took advantage of apple picking at a local orchard with the same group. Randomly, Owen had seen apples on our calendar and asked me when we could pick apples, and I could tell him "this afternoon!"  That worked out well, and the kids were excited.

The orchard owners encouraged consumption along with picking, and the kids were happy to oblige.  We were picking Cortland apples, which I was not familiar with, but they were sweet and delicious.  I think we might even try making some homemade applesauce or apple butter.  Fingers crossed!  Both kids were able to examine and pick the biggest, ripest apples, which made for a pleasant and quick excursion.

The kids were happy to pose with their freshly-picked apples!

On another beautiful afternoon, while Daddy was helping a friend move, I took the kids hiking at Cress Creek.  We are having a very mild fall, so far, and I couldn't let the gorgeous weather slip by unappreciated!  It's not the most exciting hike, but the colors were just starting to change, and Hadley wanted to walk the whole thing without riding in the backpack, so this little hike fit the bill.

It still has some pretty areas by the creek that provided a nice setting and some colorful backdrops, but it probably got up to 80 degrees while we were hiking, so we were happy to be in shorts. :)

Some of the trail is definitely going uphill, which leads to some sweeping views of the valley.  I think we get a picture there every trip. :)

I had to include this one, lest you think that our trips are all sunshine and rainbows.  This is Hadley crying because Owen decided to finish his own half-sandwich leftovers near the end of the hike, instead of giving them to her.  (Don't feel sorry for her though - she had already eaten her entire sandwich and grapes.)

Lastly, when we were back in the car on the way home, we saw a moose by the river!

We've also been making weekly trips to the zoo before it closes for the season.  The weather is perfect, the animals seem more active, and we've caught the zookeepers doing tricks with servals and goats on leashes.  Pretty entertaining stuff!

We also went bowling, which I think was H's first time doing so.  She thought it was awesome, and I cracked up every time she yelled, "YESSSSSSS!" after knocking down two or less pins.  This was usually followed by a happy dance, too.  She was also very positive and encouraging for her lane-mates. I would go bowling with her any day.  :)

We still support our team, even when they embarrass us and break our hearts every weekend.  Sigh....  One of these years, the kids will have a winning team to cheer on!

This moment brought tears to my eyes.  These green islands are suspended, but still shift back and forth, and Hadley has struggled on them for the past year or more.  I usually have to help her across because as she reaches for the next one, the one she's standing on drifts away from it, and her legs can't bridge the gap.  As they were playing together, Owen went across first but would stop and push the next one back to her.  Love him!!! (Side note: I'm happy to report that she's either growing or understanding these now and got across on her own the other day.)

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