Birthday Weekend

This past week seemed busy, more so than normal. Sue came for the weekend, everyone has a cold, there were a lot of extra appointments to run around to, meals to make for people, just stuff. But in keeping with tradition, we went to Head of the Charles on Saturday and found the perfect pocket in the weather. We ate out a lot, I got to go to the gym alone twice, ate tons of cake, and I think Steve had a nice day (he took it off work).

Hudson is really in to mowing the lawn. He doesn't follow a great pattern, but as he's enthusiastic I think the whole thing eventually does get cut. 

We went to the park and checked out the pond

Lots of friendly (hungry) ducks and geese

Lately he hasn't been napping, and then falls asleep getting Henri. I got him out of the car once we got home, and he made it 5 steps before falling asleep on the front step

Last time we were home Anna picked the wild grapes for me, and I finally made them in to jelly. Only got 4 jars, and I already gave away 2, but they had an awesome deep flavor this year. 

So pretty!

Bought a new cool mist vaporizer. It's been a source of entertainment for the boy

The advantage of living in Boston, is that if something weird physically comes up your pediatrician can immediately send you to the world's leading expert. The disadvantage of that is, we have spent an inordinate amount of time in specialists offices for kids who are overall healthy (all was fine). 

On Friday we took Dad's car to go to lunch so Hudson got to sit in Henri's carseat, his first time forward facing. He was thrilled

My new shirt has thumb holes! So impractical, but they make me so happy :)

Out for Steve's birthday dinner

He wanted a balloon so I got him the largest one I could find. Happy Birthday!!! 

Saturday we took the train. Henri still loves it and is totally comfortable, Hudson still hates it with a passion

The Hamburg (Germany) rowing club, as seen from Elliot Bridge. The oldest (in terms of ages of the members) boat in the regatta. #7 seat is our pastors wife's dad

Watching the regatta with friends

They were headed back to dock. Hi, Klaus!

Started raining again on our way back

He loves a map and to think that he's the leader

Turtle Pond, still low from the drought

It's a fun trail for the kids, and the goats were out this time

Selfies with Sheffie

Yet another doctors appointment. This time I drove downtown in rush hour with both kids, found parking, walked to the appointment, didn't get out until after lunchtime, and didn't lose my sanctification. Many gold stars for me! 

We made "elephant toothpaste" but I put it in too large a container so it didn't bubble over as impressively as it might have.

After a summer of indulgence and the subsequent weight gain, back on the old vegan wagon. Decided to try the protein fad, these aren't too terrible. The vanilla was definitely better than the chocolate. Only 100calories, and it's 6 servings of veggies., and there are no strange chemicals. Just stuff like peas and broccoli and kale. Blended with ice, frozen banana, and almond milk it makes a great breakfast. 

Not much order to the following pictures, but we got to go to my folks last weekend to soak up some color and revel in the fall air. 

Henri spotted a balloon on the trip up

Not peak yet, and of course I didn't begin to do justice to the gorgeous color there was, but I tried getting some shot out the car window regardless. 

There is no rhyme or reason to how these loaded. But, backyard of my folks.

I was trying to get a decent shot of this gorgeous leaf. She was more interested in twirling it. 

The horse waited patiently for his apple but Doppler ended up stealing it to play fetch with. 

The old milk shed

Apple picking. Aunt Sharon and Gram have been working hard to bring the old apple trees back to fruiting, and they are really sweet this year.

So. Much. Color!

Changing top down

The drought has hit pretty hard. Neighbors' wells are empty, and the pond is completely dry.

#nofilter

We watched the tractor parade in Charlotte on Sunday

The boys made their daily appearance, much to the delight of everyone. 

He was a grump getting there, but the minute he saw his first tractor he was enthralled. 

Lots of leaf throwing

Moms teeny tiny crab apples

Our near-death experience of the weekend. Hiked Sunset Ledge with the kids, everyone in just vests and no hats. Felt very cold, it was super windy but we figured we were just being wimps. Got back to the car, 35 degrees. So grateful the kids didn't get hypothermia, it was pretty miserable. 

Hudson was a trooper. He loves to rock climb, and at this size almost any incline is a climb. 

We turned around right before the ledges. Still had the whole hike back, and the kids were shaking. 

Tuesday I hauled everything but the beds out of the kids room and went through everything. Threw out 3 garbage bags, donated 3 Ikea bags worth of stuff. Felt great.

Sheep at Drumlin Farm

Mother Val (sadly currently on hospice) turned 60 on Thursday so we had a small birthday party for her

And then tonight we gathered up a group of friends, descended on an unsuspecting friends house with pizza, and headed over to watch Clemson play soccer. The boys loved it. 

It's been a fairly typical week here despite the holiday on Monday. Playgroup on Tuesday, Drumlin Farm on Wednesday, birthday party on Thursday, helping our neighbor with his meds and playing with his cat today. Hudson and I go to the gym daily except for playgroup days. Unfortunately the permanent teacher for his gymnastics class wasn't a good fit (read; she had no control over a group of very ill-behaved kids and I'm not paying for chaos) so we won't be attending BUT the Y has Tikes gymnastics for half the price so he'll take classes there starting in a few weeks. I don't think I'm gaining any health benefits from attending the gym (actually, I'm gaining weight, oops) but it adds some structure to our days and I think will be really nice to have once the weather turns nasty. Looking forward to a very low-key Saturday. Maybe the kids will sleep past 6???? Ha.