YAY for Fall

The weather this morning was glorious fall weather. Both boys were so excited to get out in the cool weather. And when Owen looked and saw some leaves had fallen he squealed, "Mommy, let's rake a pile of leaves!" Of course, so we raked a pile, played in the pile and then repeated. It was a blast and I never tire of seeing this every year. Both boys were throwing up leaves yelling, "Yay for Fall!"

Pile Jumping

Aiden mowed the leaves

More pile jumping

"Yay for Fall!"

Throwing Leaves

Aiden Leaf Smiles

Then the boys rolled around the leaves

Owen tossed leaves on his head; Aiden was curious what he was doing.

Then the boys made leaf angels.

Leaf Boys!

Aiden covered himself with leaves

Owen's 5 Year Stats

Our doctor is quite popular in the area and hard to get appointments so Owen's 5 year appointment was just last week. The doctor says he looks amazing and reached or passed all needed milestones. He did well with all the tests, well at least all you could expect from a tired 5 year old. He did absolutely, horrifically terrible with the two shots he got. He was screaming in hysterics before she even cleaned his skin off. I had to use all might to keep him still and I am not stretching the truth when I say it took me over 10 minutes to calm him down. Not looking forward to shots.

Owen still proves to be very tall and slender.

Weight: 39.6 lbs (39%)

Height: 44.75 inches (80%)

BMI: 13.9 (6%)

Just Like the Dogs

The boys love their dogs and love to pet and also play with them. It is very sweet to watch them bond with the dogs.

Callie and Chester love to play tug of war.

Owen was reading a magazine and Chester jumped up and laid next to him

Then out of nowhere Chester laid his head on Owen's butt, super cute.

Owen has a lot of fun playing tug of war with Callie and then catch.

Then after dinner, the laughter began when Aiden grabbed a dog toy in his mouth...

...and then Owen wanted to play tug of war.

Aiden used his hands to try to get the toy.

We could not stop laughing and the boys were playing fair and hard.

Flooded Hike

I went on the hike yesterday and was taken a back by the changes made by the floods. Areas were uncovered and revealed these amazing rocks, roads were washed away, creeks were tripled in size, and so on. It was spectacular, so I wanted to share it with Omer and the boys. So today we all went together and Owen loved it. I mean loved it, and really appreciated the changes. Omer and Aiden were indifferent, thought it was cool but not too impressed. On this hike thought Owen wanted to continue to walk through the creek and so happy we did; it was awesome. We saw frogs, tried to save a salamander, discovered a rock slide, found an old bridge that was under two feet of dirt and rock, etc. It was a great family outing in the woods.

Owen, still my little hiker

Washed up branches

New Rocks Revealed

This trench used to be part of a road which was washed away

This pipe used to be covered completely

Owen with Large Rock, that was moved

Aiden walking through the creek, which is about triple the width as before

Large slabs of rock piled on top that were not there before

New Waterfall, the water is crystal clear

Owen Hiking with Callie and Chester

Hill of Rocks

Owen Forging Through the Creek

Chester, King of the Hike

Owen wanted to follow Chester on the cliff rock

Owen, King of the Hike

Aiden climbing the rocky creek

Aiden wanted to climb on the rock cliff too

Owen decided to make this into a water slide

Aiden wanted to slide too but with my help

Not sure what we are looking at, but they are so intrigued.

Aiden looking at a tree just half torn out of the ground

Look at the size of those roots

First Day of School

Owen was beyond excited to start school again and meet his new classmates and teachers. He is a Honey Bear this year. Aiden was very excited too to go to school "like a big boy" and with Owen. He is a Teddy Bear.

These pictures are from the meet and greet yesterday that went so well. Both boys enjoyed playing with other kids and exploring their new classrooms.

Today was the first day however it is a short day, they start at 2 hours and then next week will be full 3.5 hours. Owen could not get ready quick enough, but I had to push Aiden along so we wouldn't be late. I decided to learn from my mistakes with Owen and just do carline as Owen never had a problem but always did when I walked him in, at least in the beginning. But sadly, Aiden is a different kid and with as excited as he was, he screamed and did not want to get out. The teacher had to just pick him up, I felt horrible. But I called 15 minutes later and right when he got in the class he was fine and loved it.

Both boys told me about their days and I always love hearing what they felt was important, and snack is always in the top three. Owen told me he liked his teachers and played with old friends and made a new friend that he built blocks with. They read a book about a raccoon named Chester ("The Kissing Hand") and he wanted to tell the teacher that his dog's name is Chester but "I knew it would be rude to tell her as she read." They sand songs and Owen got to hold the flag. For snack (actually the first thing he told me) was graham crackers and applesauce. He can't wait to go again tomorrow.

Aiden told me his snack was muffin, not sure what else. He told me they sang songs, he played with friends, read the raccoon book, painted his hand (for a handprint art we got), and washed his hands. I was happy the little guy told me some even if he didn't embellish on much. I also am very proud that he did not have an accident on his first day; he usually doesn't now but still weary in new places.

They were so cute in their raincoats holding hands as I picked them up; and I was welcomed with hugs and kisses from both.

Good Thing About Rain...

...Splashing in Puddles!

As I just mentioned it has been raining a lot, but today it stopped in the afternoon for us to get out and play. The boys were so excited to run around in the water and stomp in puddles. It is such a pleasure to watch kids just be kids.

Watching Rain

Callie is an active girl and really enjoys being able to run hours around our backyard, however it has rained and rained and rained the past several days. There has been long enough, perfectly timed periods that I have been able to at least walk the dogs and get the boys outside but just not enough. We have spent a lot of time playing tug of war and chase in the house to help tire her out. Today as it poured down rain, she perched in her spot peering outside and actual took a nap like this.

Claytor Lake Weekend

At the end of my 10 day's alone with the boys we headed down for the weekend to Claytor Lake with lots of friends. I was honestly hesitant because I was pretty tired at this point of no Omer but so happy I sucked it up and made the drive....we had a blast. Our friend's, Sarah and Matt, family owns a lake front house and invited us all down for the weekend. The house was beautiful, the lake was refreshing and peaceful and the water activities were the best. The boys got to experience so much. I was grateful to all my friends helping out with the boys while I was still on my own. If Omer hadn't arrived that morning at home, we totally would have stayed another day but as you can imagine we were all ready to see Daddy again.

Owen was a true lake, nature, water boy. He loved fishing, swimming and jumping in the lake, exploring the docks, kayaking, jet skiing, and tube ride on the boat. His favorite was jet skiing with me. He could not get enough of it. I got to a pretty fast speed with him and his favorite part was hopping the waves. I squeal a little when hopping waves and Owen told me "Don't worry Mommy, you won't fall off because I am holding you. " What a cutie.

Aiden too loved the lake activities but was a little more hesitant and scared with some of them, which is a little shocking. He loved fishing and exploring the docks. He liked to swim around the lake, but scared to jump in and I had to hold him the whole time, and then he would freak and want out. But he got better. He did enjoy the boat rides but did not like the tube ride at all. He too loved the jet skis, and actually let Sarah take him out for the first time while I had Owen. Then he rode with me many times after and loved it. He didn't want me to go as fast but still enjoyed hopping waves. Aiden's favorite part was the kayaking, whenever I would take him out he could barely wait to get in. There was a couple times he actually jumped off the dock into the kayak.

I had a great time with the boys but also hanging out with several of my friends and relaxing on the lake a little. It was a great trip, and we are sorry Omer missed it but can't wait to go back next year.

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