We have had quite a run this summer and in a way I am happy for it to end. After all, autumn is by far my favorite season and I'm really looking forward to enjoying the weather and taking some great photographs. I still can't help but feel a little blue at the closing of our carefree summer existence. I'll have to remember for next year to not let the staying up late get out of hand. It's really hard to convert a nearly five-year-old from 10:30 PM bedtime back to the school bedtime of 8:30. Hunter is thoroughly enjoying his third year of Noah's Ark(pre-K). He missed the cutoff for kindergarten by about two weeks.
Gryffin wants so badly to ride Hunter's bike. He tries to climb on it every chance he gets. He is a get into everything kind of kid. Tom and I have no real experience with this since Hunter was so obedient as an infant. If we told Hunter no, he backed off. When we tell Gryffin no, he gets this devious little smile on his face and proceeds with the banned activity. Olivia pretty much does the same as Gryffin so it's doubly hard to keep up.
Olivia and Gryffin are now both walking almost full time. It happened within about a week of each other. Gryffin has been cruising like a pro since July but just wouldn't let go and take that first step that starts it all. When he finally did, Olivia had been getting pretty steady on her feet and followed suit within a week. I'm really proud of her because of all this PT we've done has really paid off. She and I have worked really hard to keep her on track. Although she never preferred to crawl, she could do it and that's what really set her up well for the walking. I expect her to be discharged from PT within the next few weeks which will be a huge relief. It has been a bit taxing on us.
I'm not sure how Tom coerced Hunter into standing next to Kenny at Kennywood because Hunter has alway been terrified of people dressed up in costumes like this but it's a really cute photo.
According to Hunter, it's not summer without cotton candy at Kennywood!
What a handsome looking Amish Family! In June, we went to Dutch Wonderland while in Lancaster for the Day Out With Thomas event. It turned out to be a really great amusement park for younger kids and we are definitely planning a return trip for next year. Hunter got to return to Lancaster over Labor Day weekend with Tom's family to visit with some of Tom's Aunt Kathie's Menonite friends. They have a huge farm with thousands of chickens and various other animals. Hunter really enjoyed it and got a taste of what it would be like to live without electricity, cars, and his precious video games. He told me upon his return home that "Those people have a really different kind of life, mama!"
Nothing like a long day at the zoo to tire out some babies.
This summer, two baby girl elephants were born at the zoo, so naturally we had to go check them out. They are adorable and Hunter, Olivia, and Gryffin were almost as enthralled as I was at the sight of them. I can really relate to the mother here because this little baby would not leave her mom alone, she just constantly wanted to nurse. She followed her around the newly built elephant house and I cringed at the sight of her weaving in and out of the giant adult elephant legs to get to her mama.
On most days, my back yard looks like a daycare. We have a ridiculous amount of cars and playhouses and even a kiddie rollercoaster. Not to mention my three kids, Aubrey's two and my little brother Noah who joins us every Saturday afternoon while Brian is at racquetball. To some it may seem like pure chaos, but to us it's just home.
Hunter started his first year of soccer a few weeks ago. I'm not trying to fill up his schedule and have him be involved in every activity out there, the kid really just needs to get out more. A couple of boys that are in his preschool class also attend soccer, so I'm hoping he'll make some connections. That and I love soccer and I'm hoping to pass the love of athletics on to my son.
At last we've reached the end of summer and this lengthy post with my favorite picture of the entire season. Hunter almost always has a bowl of cereal as a bedtime snack. On this particular night, I let him eat it on the couch and watch an episode of our favorite, Avatar. I didn't even notice that he was asleep until I heard the closing music and looked up to tell him to brush his teeth. He was dangerously close to spilling the bowl, but I had to grab my camera and take the picture anyway. There's nothing sweeter or cuter than a sleeping kid.
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