September Small Things

Just another day riding bikes, playing with chalk, and looking nice and sweaty this hot summer.

 We discovered a fun splash pad in Cortland.

 Said goodbye to dad as he left for a conference over labor day weekend. We actually said bye at the curb, but he forgot his headphones, and because I'm an amazing wife, I ran home and got them and came inside the airport (all in our jammies) to give them to him because he could not leave the security area. A nice security guard took them to him. Good thing the Ithaca airport is so small and that we live so close.

 The kids put chocolate chips and mini marshmallows in their pancakes on Calendar Changing Day (the first day of the month) to make them a little more special.

 We ate Little Ceasars pizza while watching the skateboarders do their thing for dinner one day while Darin was gone. It was a loooong Saturday with these two. Sometimes they really like to pull out all the stops.

 Life according to my phone when the kids are the ones behind the camera:

 "Get over here now so I can do your hair," Is most likely what I was saying, definitely thinking.

 Half-birthday waffles for our big 3.5 year old! She got three dollars to spend how she wanted and was so excited to get two little Disney dolls, Anna and Tiana, because "they rhyme!" I may have contributed a few extra dollars in the end because she was so smitten by them.

 She's really in to asking to have her picture taking lately. At Wegmans, "Take my picture with the lobsters!" (Also, can we just talk about how much easier grocery shopping is with just one kid? No more, "She's touching me!" "That's my seat!" or other loud crazy shenanigans--thank goodness).

At Target, "Take a picture of me! I Poppy!"

While trying on bathing suits with me at Target. "Take a picture of this bee-u-tify bathing suit."

 She woke up fine, then had me hold her at the playground during an hour of playgroup before I brought her home and she fell right to sleep on the couch. Clear sign of a sick kiddo.

 Weekend hike up Cascadilla gorge. We hiked it last year and got donuts at Dunkin Donuts at the top, and of course the kids didn't forget that. The donuts motivated them all the way to the top. Needless to say, everyone was pretty disappointed when we got to the top and learned that it was no longer there!

 

 "Take a picture of Shae, okay?" I mean, she sort of did right?

 Hard to tell, but I came out of the back while she was doing quiet time to find her brushing her hair with a fork. Clear sign that we had recently watched The Little Mermaid.

 One day at the mall, outside of Claire's, "Mom, take my picture!"

 "Now I take yours picture." (She pluralizes your every. single. time. and I still think it's so cute). She's gettin' good at her picture taking skills.

 Making her tractor after the tractor themed story time.

 Airport day that the aiport. Although we didn't get to go on any airplanes, just see them from a far, there were a lot of fun firetrucks and SWAT trucks to check out. 

 We finally tried the brick oven pizza at the Farmer's Market! SO GOOD.

 Fun lunch date with this big kindergartner. I loved meeting some of the friends that I always hear about.

 Darin downloaded Pokemon Go to play occasionally with the kids. I may have been just a leeetle annoyed at first, because do we really need MORE Pokemon in our lives? It is all Shae talks about these days. But he uses it sparingly and it has turned in to some good dad-bonding time for them if and when we ever visit campus (one of the few places Darin gets internet service and can actually play it, haha). Although hearing about it all day long drives me bonkers, it really is cute how excited they get about it.

 Listening to Shae sing "Mother Gooney Bird" for the umpteeth time on his stage. 

 Giving dad his bday cards.

 Bday date hike at Buttermilk Falls. 

 And then the most amazing burgers at Ithaca Ale House.

 I am no food photographer, so you'll just have to take my word for it that this Pumpkin White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake and these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Streusal Bars were out of this world good. (I made two desserts because we had some friends over, not because I am obsessed with fall desserts and cheesecake everything--obviously).

 My last softball game, finally! I really enjoyed playing again this year, but the season was supposed to be over mid August, but then there were so many rain outs that it just kept going and going. Most of us were just ready to be done by the end. We came in second place in our division! I'm pretty excited to not have to put on that uniform again. Not the purttiest. 

 When she finds the diaper wipes laying around, this is what you will find. I can't be frustrated at her for pulling so many out though, they are one of her favorite "toys."

 Afternoon apple picking at Grisamore.