We ended October with a trip to VT so the kids could stay with my parents while we had a few nights off in the area. It was the kids first time ever sleeping away from us, and by all accounts it went well (except for the 4:30am wake up time..) although I think the folks were glad for the quiet once we left. Payte came home with us to experience (the suburbs of) Boston and I think she had a good time. Unfortunately the time change meant the kids were up for the day at 5, and that was pretty rough on everyone. She braved the subway system on her own on Thursday and made it home safely, and then Sue came on Friday for a long weekend to celebrate David's birthday. We "hiked" on Saturday, ate out, made David buy his own birthday cheesecake, played games. It's been a busy but fun few weeks!
Pretty typical this week although Steve had today off for Veterans Day, and then the weekend is taken up with a conference at church (all are welcome to attend! they're always fantastic).
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| Hiking around Arlington Great Meadow. Perfect for little legs |
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| Some really pretty swamp views |
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| Family selfies |
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| Getting ready for a Sunday School object lesson |
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| Still adore my LilleBaby. The AGM trail has a portion on the road and the kids didn't want to walk at that point. Never expected I'd be the granola crunchy extended breastfeeding, baby-wearing mom, but here we are. And it seems to be working out fine. |
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| Attended a Days for Girls sewing event. Most awesome organization ever, I won't go into it here, but PLEASE check it out and support in any way you feel led. Days for Girls International |
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| My role; trimming the liners and flipping them to be ironed and topstiched |
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| The thrift store has been very good to Hudson the past few trips. Hard to resist a $1 digger. |
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| Just cozying up with a friend at church. Hudson is the youngest of the 2013 group, and they are so much fun together. There are 6 of them, and they're all talking (except Hud) and their conversations are hysterical. |
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| So the thrift store in October is also a great time to stock up on dress up, Henri fell in love with a Tinkerbelle costume which has been on her pretty much every day since, and Hudson was unreasonably attached to the Wonder Woman one. |
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| Stopped at Happy Valley Farm for our annual splurge of cider donuts. They didn't disappoint. |
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| Gorgeous weather |
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| And then there were two, and we pretty much just reveled in the silence. And being able to wander wherever we wanted (which meant cemeteries, because we love them...) |
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| Finally got to try it! And was a bit sad. The portions were small and my burger tasted mostly of the over toasted bun. But again, silence. Or at least, we didn't have to attend to anyone else's needs during dinner. Bliss. |
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| Then we played mini golf in the dark and freezing and came back to read.....and were asleep by 9. It was great. |
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| Up bright and early on Saturday to not waste a minute of our time, we headed out to hike and had the waterfall trail completely to ourselves. |
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| As always, much more impressive in real life |
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| And then we went up a mountain in Stowe that the website said was only 2.5 miles but ended up being 3.5 which was demoralizing when you were only halfway and discovered this |
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| The view at the top more than made up for the icy climb |
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| Incredible views of all the mountain ranges |
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| Did I mention it was cold and we were a tad underdressed? |
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| Then out to dinner where I blended with the locals in plaid. Seriously, there were folks wearing plaid shirts with plaid shirts and jackets over that. |
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| Oh Burlington, how far you have fallen |
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| Had the waterfront to ourselves on Sunday morning. Grabbed some donuts and coffee, and picked up the kids at 10. Who weren't in the least enthusiastic to see me. When I told Henri I'd missed her, she patted me sympathetically and said "That's OK, Mom. I didn't miss you.". Kids, |
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| Room progress. Found a side table for Steve in good shape that just needs a paint job, need new shades and mirror for the North wall, working on a art project to go above the piano. But it's coming together. |
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| Payte enjoyed the scooter |
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| We had perfect weather with some gorgeous sunsets |
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| Checked out all the playgrounds |
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| Haircut! She looks like my mom so much it was scary. |
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| Went to the Aquarium. Normally the eel hangs out in crevices and just peeps out, but this morning he was seriously pissed at the diver and kept charging her with open mouth, She'd play dead and he'd back off, but I'd be terrified if I were her! |
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| Identifying the fish |
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| They were actually having a great time, they were just focused on snacks at the moment |
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| Tried a new Italian spot and brought the pizza down on the wharf. Ended with dessert at Mike's. |
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| The garden stakes got a good workout. Hudson was golfing, and Henri was "churning butter" like Ma in Little House in the Big Woods. |
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| Steve had this made for me :) |
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| Boxes are the best |
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| Hung out for a bit at David's so the boys could play video games |
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| Treated myself to a mani/pedi. Nothing fancy about the place, but they did a great job. |
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| Probably our last picnic lunch of the year. It's been so warm for so long! |
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| Headed to the parade today |
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| Hudson took his job of flag waving very seriously, and clapped for all the veterans who paraded. |
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| Veteran's Day selfie |
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