Apple Picking

It just wouldn't be September without a trip to the apple orchard. While Kaitlyn was sorely disappointed that we didn't buy enough apples to fill our bag, we did have fun picking 10 pounds to take home for pie, crisp, and eating out of hand. All of the kids found a favorite tree to climb, and Claire scaled all the way to the top of hers. I am certain that shooting that feat was the cause of me losing our lens cap...but Matt seems to have forgiven me. A fun day (or rather, half hour), indeed!

First Day of Preschool

Claire was very excited to go to her first day of preschool. She's been ready for weeks. She woke up, put on her dress, and sat down to breakfast...with her backpack on! She wore it all morning.

Claire enjoyed checking out all of the toys and books in Mrs. Wheeler's class...and I enjoyed meeting the moms of the NINE other girls in her class. She has a great class for making new friends. But today, she was more interested in rooting through the dress-ups and playing with the pirate ship. She had to be coerced into making a paper friendship hat. "That's silly," she said. "Dad can wear it." That's our Claire...and we love her for it!

First Day of Kindergarten

Kaitlyn is officially a kindergartner! Matt was kind enough to stay home on her first day...not to make sure that she was okay, but to make sure that I was okay!

Kaitlyn bounded right up the steps of the school bus without looking back, which was a good thing, as both Jack and I had tears in our eyes. It's a long school day for a five-year-old, but so far, she's loving it. She comes home every day and shares what's in her backpack as she gives us a full report of her day. Mostly we hear about the lunch line, even though she usually packs. We'll see what she thinks once she starts getting homework!

Cunningham Falls

This weekend we all took a hike to Cunningham Falls, just north of Frederick. Following a short hike through the Catoctin Mountains, the kids enthusiastically scrambled over the slippery rocks (as my heart skipped several beats!) Then we took a snack break at the lake, where the kids plunged into the water, sans swimsuits. Yea, we were totally THAT family at the lake!

The Rossons Come to Town

We were so excited to have Jen, Jack and Kathryn in town for three days. Most of the time we played at home--in the sandbox, at the water table, and around the house in various dress-ups. However, we did make it to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, which was a hit. The kids all got to pick a special plush friend to bring home, and my kids haven't let them out of their sight since!