Cheerios

Too cute not to post!

Pumpkins

This year's jack o lanterns

I was actually pretty proud of the one on the left. I printed a template from the internet, traced it on the pumpkin, and carved an awesome face. Unfortunately, I did it too early and it turned to mush very quickly. The other two were designed by Nicholas and carved by Pappy. Of course, Nichlas picked the big one for him and the little one for Reagan.

Pumpkin Patch

I went with Nicholas' class to the pumpkin patch. My first time chaperoning was a jaw-dropping experience. It was neat to watch Nicholas interacting with the other kids. In fact, I was shocked! The son I know is shy, timid, and reserved. He stands in the background and watches the other kids. The kid at the pumpkin patch was completely opposite - I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Nicholas was the first kid to run toward the big slide. "Come on guys. Follow me!" he yelled.

Nicholas with his friend, Jada



Love that smile!


Nicholas' girlfriend, Hailey... It was a very important day for Hailey. While she was at the pumpkin path, she became a big sister!

So amazed by this brave kid! I've actually tried to sit him on these tires in the past and he screamed.

On the hay ride to pick out our special pumpkins

I am so grateful that I can take time off work to enjoy days like this.

I am so grateful that Nicholas has great friends at school.

I am so grateful that Hailey's baby sister and mommy are doing well.

I am so grateful that Nicholas has a fun, let-loose, leader side to him (still shocked that I had never seen it before this!)

First Redskins Game

A couple of weeks ago, Nicholas went to his first football game... Packers vs. Redskins. It was a beautiful day!

Nicholas with Daddy and Pappy

Mike and his dad have season tickets. Actually, this year they have two sets of tickets... one set in the lower level and one set in the upper level. The original plan was that Nicholas and Pappy would sit in the lower level seats. Mike and I would sit in the upper level. Well, that lasted for a few minutes. Mike's dad called him because Nicholas wanted one of us. So, I told Mike that he could go and let Nicholas sit on his lap. So, I sat in the upper level seats by myself (I actually kind of enjoyed it!) Anyway, Mike called me at half-time. Nicholas was ready to leave. He was hot and tired (and I think he was intimidated by all the people yelling.

So, we listened to the game on the radio on the way home. I turns out that it was a great game... The Redskins won 16-13 in overtime! Oh well... we had a great day and I'm sure that it is an experience that Nicholas will never forget.

Old Toys

Look at these old toys! Mike brought them out of storage for Nicholas to play with. They were Mike's when he was a kid (Wow! They're like 30 years old!)

Crawling

I've been such a bad blogger.... Reagan has been crawling for a month and I'm just now writing about it!
Here she comes! She loves to try to get the camera.

Now that Reagan is on the move, it's easy to get Nicholas to pick up his toys. He thinks that Reagan is going to ruin them, so he rarely leaves anything on the floor anymore (sweet!)

She also likes to touch the electrical outlets. I used outlet covers when Nicholas was a baby, but I never really needed them. Reagan is much more curious (and defiant). She actually looks at me and laughs when I yell at her because she is too close. Oh my :(

More Soccer

Here are a few more soccer pictures...

Doesn't he look so tough here?


Half-time = Snack time!


Go T-Rex!


Future soccer player

Deep in thought...

Zoo

I had this great plan that we would see Thomas on a Thursday and then go to the Baltimore Zoo the next day. Well, after the exhausting trip to see Thomas, I decided that it was probably best for all of us if we stayed closer to home. So, we went to the Catoctin Zoo instead. It's nice for small kids, but Nicholas keeps asking me when we are going to go the the Big Zoo.

There aren't many large, exciting animals at the Catoctin Zoo, but they do have a couple of lions and tigers. This lion kept staring us down.... I wonder if he thought we looked yummy!

Here's Reagan's favorite part of the zoo trip!

Thomas - Take 2

I remember that one of my first blog posts ever was about our trip to see Thomas last year. Well, we had so much fun that we decided to do it all over again. Nicholas wore his same Thomas hat, we sat in the same open-air car that Thomas pulled. One main difference though - Reagan! Reflecting on the past several years is so strange to me. It is impossible to remember what my life was like before Reagan and Nicholas... What did I do with all my time? (Oh yeah - I cleaned my house, went to the gym, pulled weeds, and bunches of other things that have gone by the wayside!)
Anyway, back to our trip....



Nicholas wasn't scared of Sir Topham Hat this year. Reagan was intrigued by him... She couldn't quite figure out what he was!


Nicholas and Mike riding the mini-train (Ha! Look at the lady in the background... she's cracking me up!)


Nicholas watched and watched while other kids rode the "Cranky Cars". However, he was too scared to do it himself. Finally, Mike and I made him do it...

... and he had a blast! I think he got in line three more times. We couldn't pull him away from those "Cranky Cars".

Reagan missed lots of the fun, but she was such a trooper. How sweet!

Bye Thomas! See you next year?

First Soccer Game

September 11 - Mike has been waiting for this day for almost four years... Nicholas' first soccer game. Nicholas is still only three, but Mike 'stretched the truth a little bit' and told the league organizers that he was four so that he could play this year.



Nicholas with his friend, Brooke. (Actually, Brooke's dad stretched the truth a little bit too!)


The Green T-Rex's... Brooke, Danielle, Caden, Nicholas, Christian, Dillon, and Jerrick with Coach Mike, Coach Craig, and Bob

New situations make Nicholas very nervous. It generally takes him a long time to 'warm up' and feel comfortable. This was no exception... notice where Nicholas is (#3) compared to the rest of the T-Rexes and Red Dragons. During the entire game, Nicholas was sure to keep his distance. He stuck to Coach Craig's side. He did, however, kick the ball twice during the game (which he was so proud about)!



Much to Mike's dismay, I think Nicholas' favorite part of the game was the snack at half-time. Go T-Rex!!