September

Now that Fall is officially upon us, I'm feeling the need to do all sorts of autumnal things. I love the pull towards home that this season brings - fewer weekend trips, football Sundays, the smell of something yummy cooking slowly on a weekend afternoon. And of course, one of the quintessential fall activities - apple picking! Many Maine orchards are suffering from apple shortages this year due to a May frost that nipped blossoms in the bud, but we were able to find one close by at which to pick last Sunday. It was a warm day, and we had so much fun wandering around this scenic hilltop orchard.

"Why do we have to pick apples? Can't we just buy them at the grocery store?"

Ethan picked a whole bag of apples himself, and Adam....well, he ate a lot of apples (or I should say, a lot of apple - he devours the entire fruit, core, stem, seeds, and all).

He wouldn't even stop eating to pose as a sunflower.

"If I look at you already can I get back to devouring my apple in peace?"

This time of year also brings back memories of being a kid, when September meant the start of a new school year. I loved that - the ability to begin with a clean slate, new teacher, whole different set of classmates, so much hope and anticipation for the year ahead. Although Ethan and Adam are in year-round daycare, Ethan just started up preschool again after a summer of more "camp-like" activities. His teachers asked that we list three goals for him for the coming year. This is one of those daunting tasks that first-time parents struggle with - how am I supposed to know what an appropriate goal for a 3-year old is? But we managed to come up with three:

1.) Learn how to get dressed and undressed completely independently (we have been close for awhile, but Ethan still needs help pulling off his shirt, buttoning his shorts, etc.)

2.) Master more letters and numbers (both recognizing and writing)

3.) STOP WHINING

So I am happy to report that we are now three weeks into preschool and tonight, for the first time ever, Ethan got himself completely undressed for bath, and then into his jammies, all by himself. He even got Adam's pants and diaper off (not ideal - not sure we want to encourage that). Check one.

I am also happy to report that Ethan was working on a puzzle this afternoon and called me over to look at what he'd created:

Check two.

Now if only we could make some progress on number three.... but I guess it is only September.