Toddler

I think I forgot how much fun the emerging toddler phase is.  Owen's sweet personality is continues to warm my heart.  He is nearly walking, talking (giberish) with quite expression (he does try to mimic some words with success--perhaps he'll be our first early talker?!), exploring every cabinent, surface and nook.  He loves to play ball and can 'throw' it to us.  Owen likes to make others laugh. He'll balance his spoon in his mouth and giggle, he'll show us silly faces or make funny noises. 

 

His tender spirit at times leaves me breathless.

Air Force Ball

Hurlburt Air Field just hosted their first ever Ball in honor of the Air Force's 65th Anniversary on September 18.  This was the first AF Ball we have attended.  There were 1200 tickets sold and it was held at the Emerald Coast Conference Center in Fort Walton, FL.  Ryan looked so handsome in his mess dress!  It was exciting to get dolled up and my dress certainly made me feel quite glamorous compared to my 'day job' of changing diapers, cooking, cleaning etc.

 

While I was getting ready with my robe on Logan walked into the bathroom and asked me if that was my 'fancy dress?"  I told him it wasn't and I'd put it on soon.  When I walked out with my dress on Logan stopped in his tracks and then fell over onto the floor!  Hayden put on a nice shirt and wanted a picture with me.

Go Eagles!

Logan played his first soccer game recently.  He felt so proud to be wearing his own jersey/uniform!  The game is divided into four five minute quarters.  Logan loved to go after the ball...as did all the boys and girls on both teams!  It truly was cute and comical to watch them all cluster to the ball, forget which goal to run towards and stop to dig in the dirt.  Every few minutes, Logan would stand in the middle of the field and turn to us with a big smile and wave.  He's just SO happy to be playing soccer!

 

 

 Owen was clapping and cheering!

 Tuckered out!

Buddies

Logan and Owen are starting to develop a sweet relationship.  Tuesdays and Thursdays Logan does not have preschool and while Logan's usual best bud (Hayden) is at school, these two are playing a lot together.  It is a great opportunity for Logan to shine as the big brother!

 

 

A Hint

I think I probably mention every September how much I LOVE autumn!  The crisp fresh air, coloring of leaves, shortening days, pumpkins, mums, festivals, soups, football gatherings.....  Certainly, fall will look and feel different this year.  I need the seasons.  I crave the seasons and the change they bring to the landscape, weather and activities.

With the temperatures in the upper 80's (and still humid) Labor Day came and went without that first whisper of fall which usually brushes my soul. (On the flip side, we spent Labor Day at the beach building castles and splashing in the water)  So, when I awoke Sunday morning to temperatures in the 60's (minus humidity), I didn't waste a moment!  Ryan quickly opened all the windows to air out the house and I (after a delightful morning run which at last, was not running into a wall of humidity) took out all our fall decorations and got to work.  There is such a coziness the warm colors of autumn bring.  It fills me with such joy.


We traded out kitchen table centerpiece of seashells....

....for gourds, pumpkins and pinecones

 

I will not bore you with pictures of all our decorations but rest assured, not a room is untouched. :)

So, while it still feels like summer outside at least I have the embrace of autumn inside.  I suppose this year that will have to be enough.

School Drawings

Logan is enjoying preschool.  He'll tell me almost every morning before he goes that he'll "...be a little sad because I will miss you."  But, thankfully, when I pick him up he has a huge grin and assures me, "I was a good boy.  No hitting. No shouting.  No running.  And I wasn't sad. "

I am used to knowing/participating in every moment of his life.  The separation is certainly healthy for the both of us but I do sometimes feel 'sad' because I miss him!  Logan is such a sweet boy.

Here are his first couple of drawings he did at school. 

The teacher wrote what Logan told her about the picture: "It is a catepillar with 10 eyes and 3 surf boards, by Logan"

Logan's favorite thing at preschool is playing outside and he drew a picture of him flying a kite.

70 Years!

                                     (This picture was just taken at their anniversary dinner)

"The novelists never told us that in love, as in other matters, the young are just beginners and that the art of loving matures with age and experience."
-- Isaac Bashevis Singery

My grandparents (my mom's parents) celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on September 2!!!  .  They built a life for themselves on hard work, determination and sacrifice.  Together, they raised three daughters and started their own trucking company which grew to be a great success. Their love is visible and endearing.  They are the cornerstone for our extended family.

Happy Anniversary!

Birthday Boy!

I truly cannot wrap my head around the fact that today Owen turns 1 year!  While there are moments that I long for him to be a bit more independent so I can participate in activities with all three (rather then tending to baby and watching the big boys), I also want to cling fiercely to his baby days.  When I carried the 1st birthday balloon up to the register, a lump grew in my throat and tears blurred my eyes...our final baby becoming a toddler.

Owen is sweet, charming, sensitive, affectionate, silly and playful.  He is generous with smiles and warms our home.  Recently, he has started to stand unassisted for a short time and cruises along the couch. Whenever anybody starts singing Owen claps his hands. He loves to be with his brothers and part of their play.

We had some friends over for a bbq yesterday and celebrated Owen's birthday with cake after dinner.  At first Owen was skeptical over the party hat, curious over the birthday singing and cautious with the cake.  He actually started to fuss a bit in his highchair until I helped him taste the cake.  Suddenly, a huge grin spread over his face and he dug in for another bite.  A few minutes later, at Hayden's request, Ryan played a song on his phone which prompted Owen to now clap and cheer.
            (ice cream cake)

 The party hat wasn't worn too long

Love how excited Logan is for Owen

 

Happy Boy!

Hayden and Aubree were in the same preschool class last year in Ohio.  Her family just relocated to FL this July!

 

 

Owen and his buddy, Treyson

                                     

Happy Birthday sweet Owen! 

No Chair

Hayden has played soccer for three seasons.  Each practice and game, Logan faithfully sat on the sideline, desperate to play.  He would always dress in soccer clothes and wear Hayden's old jerseys, soccer socks and soccer shoes.  He would always ask if he could go on the field but we'd have to say 'no' and lure him to pass the ball with us between soccer fields.

The local YMCA here has soccer teams for 3 year olds.  So, this season, Hayden and Logan are on a team.  Logan is SOOOO excited!  He has been talking about soccer practice for weeks.  He proudly told our neighbor, "We're going to soccer practice and I don't need a chair."  At last, he gets to play on the field...a long wait when you are 3 and a half.

At the end of practice, the coach called the kids over for a huddle and told them that their team name is the Eagles.  They did a quick cheer and out of sheer delight and joy, Logan threw his arms around the coach's neck!

Isaac

Watching the weather updates with Hurricane Isaac initially predicted to hit land between Pensacola and Destin, FL ( which = our house) and with Ryan out of town I decided it best to leave with the boys.  So, I packed the van with our photo albums, baby books, personal files and a few other sentiments.  I debated if I should stay in a hotel a few hours inland or drive 500 miles to my parents house.  Ultimately, I decided it would be much more fun to spend some time with MiMi & PopPop vs. a couple of days in a hotel with three little boys. 
The boys were really great during the near 12 hour drive.  Of course, upon arrival, I learned that during the day Isaac's path appeared to be moving west taking our house out of it's direct path.  We arrived on Sunday and with Hayden's school closed Tuesday and Wednesday we decided to stay a couple of days.  What a fun couple of days it was!!!!!

The weather was gorgeous on Monday!  We started the day with pancakes on the screen porch and then PopPop took the big boys on a hike up the hill to watch some construction taking place and throw rocks (aiming for a tree).

Look closely and you'll see the boys half-way up.

Mid-morning we left to visit baby goats at Carl Sanburg's home.  We had to hike up to the barn. 

              MiMi & the big boys during the hike 

               PopPop had the toughest job of pushing Owen up the hill.

Logan was timid at first and decided it safest to remain outside the fence with MiMi.  Hayden though, went right inside.  The goats were so sweet!

            Notice Logan behind the fence feeling a bit nervous.

Owen was delighted

Eventually, Logan felt it safe to pet the goat through the fence.

 

I thought for sure I snapped a picture of Logan inside with the goats but I don't seem to have one.  Logan allowed me to carry him into the area with the goats and after a few minutes asked to be let down.  He was cautious but felt proud that he overcame a fear.

 

Logan walked around with holding his nose declaring the barn was 'stinky.'

After our visit with the goats, we hiked back down and went into Hendersonville for a pizza lunch and ice cream.

Other highlights....Chinese Checkers.  MiMi taught Hayden to play in March when we stopped there as our half-way during our move to FL.  They played some more in July during our visit and this time, Hayden won his first game!  He's getting much better at his strategy.  Logan is a little young to grasp all the rules, but he enjoyed trying.

PopPop taught the boys to play pool. They were SO excited!

Ryan was initially scheduled to fly back to FL on Tuesday afternoon, exactly during Isaac's arrival.  His flight was cancelled and we decided it best (for my sanity) if he were to redirect to S.C. and then drive the 500 miles back to FL with me.  He landed Tuesday at dinner time in S.C. and we left early the next morning.  We did manage a little birthday celebration for Owen complete with cupcakes!

The two days passed quickly.  After feeling stressed from preparing for the storm, then evacuating for the storm, it was lovely to not think about making, or even cleaning up, dinner.  I could focus on the boys and not juggle it all on my own...phew! 

Hayden was especially sad to leave.  Through tears he said, I hope there is a storm that lasts for 3 weeks!  While we'd love another visit, we hope it is a planned vacation and not a devastating storm that brings us to town. 

Here is a picture of the pier in Navarre during the impacts from Isaac.  Typically, the water is calm (we don't really have waves) and the pier is tall.  Not sure why people felt it wise to stand out there.

Grateful for all the help and fun!

Hoops

About a month ago new neighbors moved into a house on our street.  The boys and I baked cookies and made welcome cards to bring over and introduce ourselves.  Naturally, we were hoping for either playmates or babysitters! :)  As it turns out, the original owners just retired from the AF and returned to their home.  They have two grown boys, both off to college. 

They hadn't lived in the house for 8 years and all this time had a storage shed in the back full of some belongings. Included was a basketball hoop.  About two weeks after we introduced ourselves, there was a knock at the door and she told us about the basketball hoop and how she would love to give it to our boys! Wow!  We were touched and grateful!  We placed it in the cul-de-sac and told the kids on either side of us to use it whenever they please.  Lots of fun already!!!