Where is time going? Each week seems to fly by. Someone wise once told me that life with kids, particularly stay at home moms, means days are long but years are short. I am living that right now. Lucy is a peach - getting bigger everyday and full of smiles, especially first thing in the morning. We had our first snow. Elliott and Dutch both loved it.
Sleeping peacefully in a sweater Coco knit for Elliott. 11/12/13.
Elliott waking up to the first snow of the year.
And more from downstairs.
Poppy got the sled out for a quick trip around the driveway when we stopped at their house.
Smiley girl.
Reading with Daddy.
The next day, still smiling, in a sweater Holly knit for Elliott.
I can't get enough of her smiles! 11/14/13.
With a little help from Mama, Elliott wore Coco's chicken tea cozy as a hat.
Cool kid.
That weekend (11/16/13), we went for a hike at Hunters Creek Park with Tim and Ned. Holly, Laura, and another friend ran while we hiked.
Ned posing for a snapshot.
Elliott rode in the pack most of the hike but walked for a short time. It made for slow going. Dutch was thrilled to be outside with other dogs.
The speedy hikers.
When Ned got tired, Tim carried him and his muddy boots.
Elliott loves reading books. I was putting both kids to bed one night when Jesse was out with friends and took this video. I could not hold the book while nursing Lucy so Elliott read me stories for a bit. I love watching him. If I had the skills and free time, I would love to add subtitles to this video.
Late that Saturday night, I got a text from Claire asking if they could come over for breakfast the next day. We love Bills home games when they fly up from NYC!!
Elliott builds trains out of anything and everything these days. This train included legos, animals, and tractors.
I am particularly fond of the fish between the zebra and the cow. The boy has a great imagination.
We got together with the Ortmans, Auerbachs, and Rugnettas a couple of weeks ago for our Four Family Dinner. We vowed to do this monthly but this was our first dinner since August due to the arrivals of Benny and Lucy. After the kids ate, they were running around like crazy - to be expected with 8 kids under 5 years (at least Benny and Lucy don't move but they do raise the noise level). It a moment of pure genius, someone put a movie on and we enjoyed a few minutes of peace and quiet.
Unfortunately, Jesse missed the dinner by a matter of hours but we are so happy to have him back home. Elliott gave Jesse a big smile while he was laying over in Chicago.
Lining up his cars, tractors, and trains.
We went to Joann Fabrics to pick up supplies for one of my projects. I showed Elliott the section of John Deere fabric and he insisted on carrying the bolt around the store in his basket.
After the bolt tipped out of his basket several times, he opted to carry it under his arm.
Meg, Charlotte, and Benny came over for dinner last weekend. We had a lovely time. Charlotte and Elliott played together beautifully. We kept hearing "your turn, your turn" from the playroom. We swelled with parental pride. Lucy and Benny finally got a decent photo session since we forgot the last time they came out for dinner. Snuggling in.
We had to put the pillows close to keep them from tipping over.
These big siblings are so excited about the new babies.
I have no idea what Elliott was doing.
And then Charlotte joined in.
Alright, time to get the babies out of there!
Diego, Rachel, and Elisa came over the next night for dinner. Once again, we heard nice play coming from the other room. Elliott and Elisa also engaged in a hilarious game of peek-a-boo on either side of Elliott's kitchen.
Our days are busy with a little of this and a little of that. Lots of play at home, fun playdates, time at Coco and Poppy's house, etc. Here are some shots from the past few weeks.
11/1/13. Lucy and I are doing a great mommy and baby yoga class on Fridays. Benny and Meg are taking the class, too. We love seeing them every week - and really love the bakery dates after yoga!
Benny smiles!
Elliott likes to organize things, creating row of cars or stacks of books. I posted this before when he would organize his cards. He likes to line up his animals at Coco and Poppy's house, announcing the name of each animal as he puts it in place.
So proud of his animals!
11/3/13. Smiles are starting! Is there anything better than tiny baby smiles?
11/5/13. Lucy's awesome plaid socks.
Lucy and I met Emma and Danielle for lunch on a walk around East Aurora on a balmy November day last week. It's so nice to have warm days this late into the fall. We loved seeing the girls!
Elliott with his panda from Grandpa Nick and his ladybug bag from Coco.
I am now that mom who asks the mounted police officers if I can take a picture with them to show my son. Yes, that happened.
The fifth member of our family, Dutch, letting out some of his ample energy. He is a nut!
Elliott has been talking about cyclocross since his last race at Knox Farm. "Another bike race?" was a frequent request during the three weeks between races. On November 3rd, his request was granted at the Delaware Park race. Knox Farm was warm and sunny. Delaware Park was cold and muddy. The temperatures peaked in the upper 30s and about half of the adult riders dropped out of the race due to broken bike parts from the mud.
Elliott and Ned played on their bikes while we watched the adult races.
Lucy and Penny napped for most of the morning. They were the warmest people there.
Elliott was thrilled when Poppy showed him how to ring the cow bells.
Testing out the podium.
Heckling is common practice in cyclocross. This horse is used to dangle one dollar bills in front of passing riders. People also pass out beer, donuts, and other hilarious items to distribute at an athletic account.
Mike and Ted both finished their race and then it was time for the kids' race. Ted put Elliott up on a tall perch before carrying him up the hill to the little kids' course.
Lining up at the start.
Getting ready to go. Uncle Teddy is in the background getting ready to push.
Ned at the start.
And they're off!
A video of the action. (Elliott just watched this video about 30 times in a row since I showed him the play button on my phone.)
Video of the finish.
A big thank you to Uncle Teddy for pushing the little man!
Lucy cooperated and slept for most of the races. I took her back to the car to feed and change her but needed to set her down while I got situated. It turns out she fits perfectly on the dashboard of Coco's big car!
All that action was exhausting. Elliott fell asleep quickly on the drive home, still wearing his medal and holding his books.
