Roller Boogie

Disco balls.  Music Pumping. Florescent decor.  Ten feet. Twenty wheels. 

We were invited for roller boogie, so we strapped on some stinky
(quite possibly worn since the 80s)
skates and set out for adventure.

Huge shout out to our tribe of littles who did.not.give.up. 
They fell, giggled, and got up.  Fell, giggled and got up. 
(Sequence repeated for two hours!)

Big fun was had and another first was crossed off the
"introduce the littles to the world bucket list". 

PSA:  Holy moly!  Roller skating with preschoolers is some craziness.  Don't even think about trying it unless the rink has these ultra helpful, overly expensive rental skate trainers.  Proceed with caution and a "can't keep us down" attitude.

3 Families, 7 Kids, 3 Continents, 1 Pool

Mebrate is home.  The gang is all here. 

(Well, littles round two that is...)

We just can't get over the sight of them.  Each beautiful child such a gift.

Each with a story and a funny, individual personality.

With this sweet little one finally home,

our pool play date was extra special.

We snacked, we swam and we caught-up
on all of our globe-trotting life change. 

Most of all, we acted silly.

And when the lifeguard packs it up for the summer is away,

the littles will play.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

A CORN-ucopia of Photos

 Our posse has developed quite a few fall traditions.  This past Saturday was our third year visiting a local corn maze.  Man, how things have changed.  Year one we had pudgy faced little ones that rode in strollers and wagons.   Year two the babies were toddlers, but they could still be contained.  This year?  Total mayhem. There was no lingering to consider which direction to go.  We were ON the MOVE!   Kids ran in every direction, and the parents just tried to keep up. 

 Claire just soaked in her first round of maze-ing with the cutest little puzzled look on her face. 

 Jay had the girls flying high with his mad bouncing skills. 

The force was so intense that even Tymm couldn't keep his footing. 

 Next year, Claire.  Next year. 

 Our little lightening bolt moved through the maze at warp speed with no hesitation at any turn. 

 Despite her confidence, even she was a bit thrown off by the rows and rows of identical corn. 

 So what did she do?  She made her own way.  Path-shmath.
Who needs 'em?

 Nate thought the toddler girls were a bit silly for fighting through tangled webs of corn.  Clearly the easiest, most logical method was being carried by your wise father. 

 When we finally fought our way through the maze, we celebrated our deliverance from the corn with a little pony ride. 

Apple Picking, Post Tres (from Sophia's Perpective)

Apple picking was one of my very favorite memories last year.  I've talked about it ever since, because it was one of the most fun times I have ever had.  I couldn't wait to go again this year!  We went again last weekend, and had a super day.  Everywhere we went, I munched on apples and acted crazy.   My friends did too. 

 My sister, Claire, LOVES animals.  She looks at them with a big smile, and then points at them over and over.  I am a little scared of them this year. 

 Last year I milked Buttercup and got a sticker!   On the way up to the orchard this year, I asked all the cows that I saw if they knew Buttercup.  (Most didn't.) When I saw that she was there again, I was so happy!  (Not happy enough to milk her though...) 

 We celebrated NC Granny's birthday with cupcakes.  My pal, Laney, thought they were delicious, and hoped for a second one.   

 Meron and I went down the slides over and over, giggling the whole time. 

 Since we are big kiddos this year, we got to go down the BIG slide.  We rode down with our mommas and daddies,

 by ourselves,

 flat on our backs,

 and even on our bellies.  We were very brave, and extra silly. 

 NC Granny pulled out all the stops and made us fall cowboy hats. We thought they were really funny.  Just the way we like them.  While we waited for all the other kiddos to be wrangled, my pals, Nate, Meron and I waited, munched on our apples, and made weird faces. 

 The mommas and daddies ALWAYS want to take our picture.  They think it is special that there is always a new kid joining the group. 

 We think it is cool too, but it is really hard to stand still and smile for the camera.  Don't they know we are toddlers?!  The new kid didn't even end up in the photos.  She was too wiggly and ready for a snooze. 

We all tried really hard, but it didn't work very well.  Our mommas and daddies kept laughing and telling us to say words like, "Buttercup!"   


Eventually, they gave up and we headed home.  I talked about apples, slides and Buttercup all the way to the car.  By the time daddy pulled out of the parking lot though, my sister and I were fast asleep.  I hope we go again next year!

Picking Memories

"Picking Memories"

by Scott Scherr

Among those limbs that bore much fruit

Extending downward toward my youth,

To grant me red, delicious dreams,

And sunny days we hoped to gleam.

 I picked from sweetest memories,

 Where life, so ripe, spoke tenderly.

 And love, like apples all around,

My mother’s arms so safe and sound.

 We laughed so carefree in our way, 

 As orchard branches danced and swayed.

 I’d spot a bright one in those trees,

As Father held me up to see.

 It mattered not which ones were best

For where I climbed my heart found rest. 

 My father’s shoulders, broad and strong

And I, his apple, hung there long. 

 We spent those Autumns in the trees,

And whispered like the apple seeds.

 What joyful memories we’d made,

As we ate apples in the shade.

How sweet it is to make these annual memories with special friends.  Look back with us at apple picking in 2009.