Summer Bucket List 2015

Since summer is officially over and it got cooler and wetter here this past week, I thought it may be time to take down our summer bucket list. I had this list pinned to our refrigerator for the past 3 months to remind us of what fun things we wanted to do with the kids and to check things off along the way.  

We didn't complete the entire list though since some of the things just didn't happen or the kids were not ready for them yet, but we did most of them. Some of them we did a few times, like going to a free concert in the park and boating on the lake. I think, our favorite this summer was being out on the water. The kids adjusted well to being on the boat and the lake here is just fabulous to ride on and swim in. 

It may has been too hot for an outdoor picnic, unless you count lunch on the patio, but we did have an indoor picnic and movie night. Of course, we ate some SnoCones and the kids loved them. Their newest favorite treat.

Derrick and I even had the chance to go out on a date, thanks to a generous friend who offered to watch our kids for us. We finished that night off with wine on the patio and gazing at the stars. I even tried my luck at catching fireflies but let's just say that catching fireflies is not my best skill.

Amelia attended 4 different VBS this summer and loved every single one of them. She would have attended more if there would have been more. She is my social butterfly who loves to learn and do new things all the times.

We picked berries, made a bonfire, stayed in our pajamas all day and had lots of fun in the pool and under the sprinklers. This summer was truly one I will cherish and remember as one of the best summers we had in a long time. We did so many fun things together as a family of 4 and explored new territories that made this summer pass by way too quickly. But I'm sure that next summer will be as much fun and I'm looking forward to do some of the things in 2016, we have not gotten to do this summer.  For now so: Goodbye summer and hello fall!

Elliot's Day Out With Thomas

My little boy loves trains and cars and everything moving. So I was excited when I heard that Thomas the train was coming to a town near us. And yesterday was the day when Elliot had his day out with Thomas. I told him in the car that we are going to see Thomas and he was so excited and kept saying choo choo. The event was held at the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer and next to Thomas and Percy, they also had model trains and other old trains to look at. 

Thomas, our ride, pulling in to the station. Our train conductor looked like Sir Topham Hatt.

Even though the train ride lasted only 20 minutes, Elliot enjoyed every minute of it. He was so proud sitting in his own seat and smiling from ear to ear.

Afterwards we were able to take pictures with Thomas:

Walking around the train museum's yard was interesting. They even had a roundhouse and turn table there. 

We didn't ride on Percy but were able to take some pictures with his favorite green train. While we were waiting to take these pictures, Percy started to tell a story to the kids. The train's eyes and mouth moved and all the kids were in awe.

 Percy and his cool train carts:

There was also a photo op with Sir Topham Hatt but Elliot was too afraid to go near him. I can't blame him, this guy always looks "crossed" on TV.

Watching Thomas drive by:

In the train yard, they had set-up an imagination station where the kids could play with toy trains, ride on them, get their faces painted and temporary tattoos (Elliot choose a Percy tattoo), see a magic show and get close to the model trains. Lots of fun for my train loving boy. 

Elliot also rode an interactive train simulator: 

I, on the other hand, was more intrigued by the big, old engines and caboose:

Despite the cool, rainy weather, it was a great morning with my little boy. He looked so happy, which made me happy. Day out with Thomas was a definite success and a must for any train loving boy...choo choo. 

Out of my Funk

For the past few weeks, I have not felt like myself. I was kind of in a funk. Always tired, despite sleeping 8-10 hours at night, bones hurting, very low energy, etc. It was frustrating me and all I could do was lay down and rest. I did see a doctor but according to several tests being done, I'm in great health (except for my low blood pressure). This is good news, but also didn't solve my issue very much. Until I started taking my son's iron supplement as we assume that I may be a bit anemic as well. It runs in my family and even though the doctor tested my blood and my numbers are in the normal range, they may not be as high as my body needs them to be to function properly. So, rest, extra supplements and drinking lots of fluids is helping me  to get back out of my funk (not 100% yet, but much improved). I'm not back to running yet and I'm debating fiercely with myself if I can still run the 5K race next Saturday. It was my goal to run a race this fall but considering the circumstances, I may have to postpone it till later in the season or spring. And if you know me, that decision doesn't come easy for me. But I also learned this year that being healthy is most important in life and can't be taken for granted, which means that I should do what is best for my body and not what's on my schedule.

But I'm glad that I did feel better in time for our monthly Mom's Night Out this past Saturday, especially since I hosted it at my house (or better the backyard). Even though only half a dozen mommies were able to come, it was a fun evening. We had good food, drinks, and a fire pit. And we roasted marshmallows to make S'mores. I think one is never too old for S'mores and backyard fires. It ended up being a relaxing and enjoyable evening with friends, just what I needed. When Amelia heard that I had a bonfire with my friends, she asked to have a fire too. She wanted to eat some of those S'mores too. So on Monday night, we roasted hot dogs over the fire and made S'mores. Just in time for fall :)

My vegetable garden is ready for fall too: I planted broccoli, spinach, bok choi, lettuce, greens, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, radishes and hope to harvest some of these goodies soon.

Two kids and two very distinct personalities: My little sassy girl who loves to dress up and look all pretty and my sweet baby boy who looks all cool (he puts the hat on himself) but really is a gentle teddy bear and lover.

Even though Amelia paints a lot at school, she asked me a couple of times this week to let her paint. So we did and both kids did a great job. Maybe one day I can sell their "artwork" somewhere. Any takers???

Apple Picking and Truck Festival

Even though it seemed that summer came back for just one more weekend, the fall activities are in full swing. On Friday, our MOPS group had a play-date at a local farm to pick some apples and enjoy a hayride. Since Amelia was in school, only Elliot and I went to hang out with our friends. We saw a beehive, took a hayride to the petting zoo and orchard, where we picked apples and had drank some delicious apple cider.

My little guy was most excited about the tractor ride, of course.

He also liked feeding the goats with soy beans and he was a big helper picking some apples.

Mommy and her little boy in the orchard:

Afterwards, he enjoyed the fruit of his labor (literally): a tasty apple and then some apple cider.

Apple picking was a fun outing and I'm sure that some of those apples will make it in to a pie or two.

Since my little boy loves everything that moves (trucks, trains, cars, etc), we decided to go to the Touch a Truck Festival in Huntersville on Saturday morning. This was their third annual fundraiser and they had all kinds of vehicles there for display and to climb in or on. There were several fire/ rescue trucks, police cars and motorcycles, towboats, ambulances, race cars, dump trucks, garbage trucks, a moving truck, and some construction vehicles. 

Amelia liked climbing in to the big trucks and the excavator.

On the other hand, Elliot enjoyed more the smaller vehicles such as this race car.

But both kids loved the bounce houses and decorating a cookie.

Before heading home, we watched an acrobatic/ dance performance by some teenagers, which was pretty impressive.

Despite the unexpected hot weather, the festival was well worth going. This was only the beginning of all the fall activities that are to come this season. It seems that every weekend from now on thru November there are multiple events going on around town and we are looking forward to visiting a few of them. 

Outdoor Fun

While Amelia is in school, Elliot is getting used to being at home without her. The first week, he missed his sister quite a bit but now he seems to enjoy the quality time he gets with mommy or daddy. 

Every day, we have been doing something fun with our little man. We have been mostly outside so that we can enjoy these gorgeous mornings. On Monday, we went for a walk thru the neighborhood (doesn't he look like a 3-year old in this picture here?):

When Amelia comes home from school, she hugs her brother tightly and then they love to play with each other. I guess the saying "absent makes the heart grows fonder" is true. 

In the afternoon we went together to the playground and then had a snocone. It was Elliot's first shaved ice ever. And he loves it as much as his sister.

On Tuesday, we met up with our German friend and her kids at the playground and then visited the library too:

My two men were working hard this week too, cleaning the car and raking the leaves. Derrick believes in training his replacement early. 

Standoff between the bubble blower and the leave blower

No , he is not old enough to drive yet. But if he could, he would:

While Amelia has choir practice and bible study at church on Wednesday evening, Elliot played outside and watched the sun go down with me. 

Dinner shenanigans and bedtime cuddles finish a full day of fun off:

As you can see, we keep our little man pretty entertained and busy and he seems to enjoy hanging out with mommy and daddy while big sister is in school. Everybody is happy that way and when she comes home from school, we all love spending time together.