The Patch

We had a gorgeous day at the pumpkin patch this year.

We saw farm animals...

... walked the corn maze...

...rode the barrel train...

...and took the annual wheel barrow ride with Papa.

Two buddies in an orchard.

Apple Festival

We've had a spectacular fall here this year. It's been clear, dry and gorgeous. And the Cloud Mountain Festival marked one of our favorite events and times of the year again. It's so neat doing this things with kids as a way of enjoying and honoring each season as well as the girls' growth. Last year, Phoebe was just sitting up and Stella was an exuberant and defiant dance machine. This year, we have two little chuckleheads who adore one another and are ready to explore and investigate at the drop of a hat.

Stella loves the cider press.

Caramel apples are pretty much bliss on a stick.

I love that kids allow us to drop our jaws and laugh at the coolness and hilarity of a mountain of gigantic pumpkins.

And this is perhaps my favorite picture from the day. It totally sums up the girls right now. Stella is so focused and engaged. She's creative and inquisitive and so willing to soak everything up in this world. And Phoebe? She's right there beside her. Despite the fact that she can't always reach the table - literal or not - she's ready to give it all a go. She really is one going on four.

Cyclocross

Brian is currently competing in his second season of Cylcocross. Since he had to take last year off because of his accident, it's been really great seeing him train and compete so avidly. (And if this was a blog about him, I'd mention he's doing extremely well!) Well, Stella is not one to simply watch in the wings. Yes, she's a cyclocross racer. Here are photos of her first race. She was totally whooped by the end of the race, but she was so proud of herself. She told me that night, as we were saying our goodnights, "I'm just so wiped out, Mama. It's from all that cyclocross racing."

Oh, yeah. Did I mention that Stella has learned to ride her bike? Yeesh. These last six months have raced past me... as has Stella. She mastered the balance bike around her birthday and then quickly moved on to riding like a champ with pedals. She even biked all the way downtown this last weekend. Although I suspect she'd find a way to fly there if possible since the market always holds the promise of a honey stick.

A Girl and Her Cat: Part II

Many of you may recall Stella's early adoration of Vinnie, our beloved orange Tabby. Well, the torch has been passed on with Phoebe. Essentially, Vinnie is our version of a dog. He's affectionate and silly while packing a punch in the personality department. And he's so very sweet with the girls.

Phoebe now calls every cat she sees "Vinnie" and seems to gravitate to Vinnie when she herself needs a little break and cuddle.

And yes, she set this scene herself. She usually arranges the chairs in the kitchen just so and then pats one chair saying, "Eat, Mama. Eat." Now she's taken to doing this with Vinnie. Thankfully, he happily obliges.

Happy

It takes very little to make this girl happy. How lucky are we?

Dance

We're very conscious about not over-scheduling the girls and our family these days. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the modern parental mindset of having to expose your small children to every creative opportunity known to humanity all in the first five years. We are taking our time in this family and enjoying every moment. Having said that, sometimes a child leads you to an activity with clarity and... well, flamboyance.

Stella has started a creative dance class. Pretending, leaping and twirling - she loves it.

My favorite moments aren't actually during the dance class itself. It's when we return home and I catch her sashaying across the playroom or gracefully leaping to the bathroom when she thinks nobody is looking. I so remember believing I was Clara from the Nutcracker, and it's so sweet to see Stella enter a whole new world of imagination and movement. And now that she's asking me to teach her French (from what little I remember), she now does all this while saying, "Bonjour!" and "Je t'aime, mon cheri!"

Plus, how cool is this tree? After every class, the kids run outside to the gigantic tree in the courtyard and climb like monkeys.

Rhythm

As Stella has happily found her groove at school this year, Phoebe and I are finding our own rhythm in the mornings. Last year, Phoebe napped while Stella was at school. And while that Mama break was fabulous, it's been lovely having several hours each day to ourselves. It reminds me of the time with Stella before Phoebe was born, and it's such an honor to watch Phoebe develop into such a charming and precocious little girl.

I swear you don't really need toys. A sink full of bubbles? She spent an hour and a half playing with suds here. I love it.