september

September has been an exciting month!  We have been cherishing the last gasp of summer and gearing up for our very favorite season, the fall.  There is so much to do, and sometimes it feels like we need more time so that we can fit it all in!  I have always loved the quote, We do not remember days - we remember moments.  These are the special moments that we are remembering this month:

Summer love.  Harper and Hunter are the sweetest little siblings.  We were feeling nervous about officially separating them for Harper to begin preschool this month.  Since Hunter was three months old, he has been "in school" with Harper.  She is his best friend, his mouth piece, his big sister, his partner in crime.  Still, this will be as exciting a chapter for him as it is for her; they will both gain the opportunity to become their own, independent beings--and to hopefully rejoice at the end of the day when they get to see each other!

Ouch.  Some memories leave a mark.  The other day, Harper and Hunter were lying together in Harper's bed looking at stories.  I typically don't let them play in Harper's bed because it sits up pretty high off the ground, and I worry about one or both Hs falling and getting hurt.  But the scene was too sweet to interrupt, and so I let them continue, and I returned to the kitchen to clean up.  Not even a minute later, I heard a crash and then Hunter crying.  I ran in; the little lamp from the bedside table had fallen over and was next to them on the bed, and Hunter was sobbing.  I couldn't see what was causing the tears, and so I asked Harper, "What happened?"  She told me he had hurt his hand on the lamp, and so I figured that he must have burned it on the lamp.  Unfortunately, burns take a little while to surface, and I couldn't figure out where the burn was.  So I asked Harper, "Where did he get burned?"  She looked exasperated with me; "The lamp!" she told me again.  I took Hunter into the bathroom and ran the injured hand under the cold water for as long as I could to draw the heat out.  

Sure enough, the next morning that poor buddy had a big bubble on his little hand.  We are so lucky to have Nurse Mimi to come to the rescue; she checked out the burn and assured us that we just needed to keep it clean and protected.  Not an easy feat to keep this active little man's hand all bandaged up--but essential.  So far, it's healing pretty well, and I have become pretty adept with the gauze and tape.  Pop a "special" Bandaid on top (Thomas the train and Minions to the rescue), and we can keep it in place for a while.  It's so sad when these sweet little ones are injured, but we can only be grateful for wounds that heal.

The next week, Harper finished up her last official day at her daycare, Payson Playmates.  We say "official day" because she will most certainly be back, to visit and for a day here and there, and thank goodness for that!  If it were goodbye forever, I know I would have been crying my eyes out.  We feel deep love and appreciation for Becca and Nicole, the amazing teachers who have become friends, family, second mothers to our little Hs over the years.  They have helped shape Harper into the sweet, fun little spirit that we know and love--a special little girl who is ready for preschool!  We had popsicles with all the little school friends, and Harper gave thank you gifts to Becca, Nicole, and her school friends.

Candles for Becca and Nicole--
to thank them for sharing their love and light!

A copy of one of Harper's favorite books, Corduroy,
along with a special inscription--for her school friends to read in her absense.

Harper with Becca and Nicole

Harper with Becca, Nicole, and her favorite big girl friend, Taylor

The Payson Playmates crew!

That Friday before Labor Day weekend, Mimi stayed at home with Hunter while Harper and I attended an open house at her new preschool.  It was exciting for Harper to see inside her school since it was so long ago that she first visited.  She was able to see her classroom, meet her teachers, and gain some initial familiarity with her new environment.  She seemed like such a big girl!  And in full disclosure, the open house eased my nerves as a parent as well; this is a big transition!  A new schedule, a new place with new faces, more to juggle and hopefully balance…  But we are really excited for her, and this feels like the right choice.  Look at this face!

Preschool open house at the Kendall School

Putting this little man to work!

Dallin was actually out of town at his best friend's wedding in California so he wasn't able to attend the open house, but Harper was excited to tell him all about it.  After the open house, the Hs and I packed up the car and headed out to Western MA for a weekend with Mimi.  We had the best time, soaking up what really felt like the last weekend of summer before the start of school.  Hunter was excited to use his little push mower (pretend), and there was certainly enough grass for him to work on.  We gathered the last blueberry crop from Mimi's blueberry bushes, which we added to the very first crop of peaches from Mimi's new peach trees.  The result: a perfect peach blueberry crisp!  Mimi is the Queen of Pies, but let's just say I'm kind of becoming the Princess of Crisps…  All in a hard day's work--and certainly enough to tucker out these little Hs.  The air was even crisp enough when we woke up on Saturday morning for us to wear sweat shirts.  Fall will soon be falling.

Picking the last of the blueberries

The spoils of our hard work

Play hard, sleep well--Harper loves sleeping over with Mimi.
So does Monkey; can you spot him?

The first signs of fall: sweatshirts and beanies in the morning!

On Saturday during the day, we took a trip to Hunter's new favorite place: the Eric Carle Museum.  We have always loved going there, but Hunter apparently has moved into an age where he can really and truly enjoy it.  He LOOOOVED it.  My heart was so full I felt like it might burst.  From time to time, I am struck with sadness that my beloved Daddy was never able to meet and get to know my children.  When I see them loving art and the creative process, I feel him there with us.  Watching Harper and Hunter painting with water colors in the museum studio, I could feel him smiling down.

On Sunday, the Hs and their Mimi threw me a belated birthday celebration.  They spoiled me with one of our favorite Western MA treats: chocolate mint cupcakes from the vegan bakery.  I'm not vegan, but there is something special about these cupcakes--they are the perfect treat.  Mimi got a bunch of different flavors, and it's a little embarrassing how quickly we polished them off.  And how blessed am I to make a birthday wish with these two sweet little blondies by my side?

Making a wish!

The next week was Harper's big day: her first day of preschool.  She woke up an hour early and announced, "I'm so excited, Mom."  I asked her a couple of questions before we left, including what she wants to be when she grows up.  "A mama," she replied immediately. It was also a bittersweet day, for we had always expected our little friend, Marjorie, to share this special milestone with Harper.  So, along with countless other friends, Harper wore a red bow in her hair to remember Marjorie, to carry our special angel friend in our hearts on the first day of school--and every day after.

Harper was super excited to carry her backpack and lunchbox to school with her, and we put on "Fight Song" per Harper's special request for the short car ride.  She grew a little quieter as soon as we got inside though.  She didn't cry, but I could sense that she was feeling nervous.  She was so brave though, and we had an easy goodbye.  When I picked her up later that afternoon, she was as happy as could be.  On the way home, I asked her what her favorite part of the day was.  "Lunch and going outside," she said.  That was it--but her teachers said she was doing a great job.  She's even learning about Eric Carle right now, which is just so perfect.  One of her first preschool crafts was an adorable Eric Carle necklace with the characters from Brown Bear, Brown Bear on it.  Definitely a sign of good things to come! 

First day of school selfie with Dad!

…And we're off!

Preschool crafts are so much fun!
Harper was so proud to show off her Eric Carle necklace.

Meanwhile, Hunter is doing well flying solo at his school.  On the first day without Harper there, he broke my heart a little bit because he was crying and saying, "I want Harper!" Fortunately, he loves his teachers and friends so much that it was hardly much of a transition for him.  Plus, I pick him up from school first, and so he gets to come and get Harper at her school; it's hard to make him leave!  He loves her school as much as she does.  Several new little babies have joined the crew at Hunter's school so he is now one of the bigger kids, which is a nice role for him to play since he is the little brother at home.  He and our little neighbor, Ian, who also attends school with Hunter, have been enjoying playing together, which is fun. 

I love watching this little man become his own person.  He is increasingly interested in arts and crafts, but sports are still his number one passion.  He bombs around outside with any and every ball he can get his hands on.  He's doing a good job keeping his bandage in place though, as his little hand heals.  Lately he is totally obsessed with his Red Sox hat too.  Even in the evening, as soon as bath time is over and his jammies are on, he is demanding, "Where my baseball hat?"  This kid definitely has Boston in his blood.

Apple painting!

Oh, and did I mention that Hunter is a celebrity?!  This month has been pretty exciting for our little Hunter because he and some of his baby besties made an appearance in the Hanna Andersson catalogue!  We had posted the picture on Instagram during the winter, and the Hanna page picked it up and asked if it would be okay for them to use; they loved the baby pinwheel (who wouldn't?).  This month was the lucky month, and Hunter and his little friends appeared in rainbow pinwheel glory on the inside cover of the catalog!  The baby in grey is definitely our favorite.

Hunter the male model!
He and his little friends sure do make for the cutest little pinwheel.

This time of year means the return to many of our favorite activities as well.  Harper was thrilled to start another season of dance.  We started out our dance journey last fall with a handful of little friends, Marjorie included.  I can still picture all the little girls in their tutus and ballet slippers, though so much has changed since last year.  I am grateful Harper will have special memories of her angel friend to treasure as the seasons pass.  Our love for our friend is forever. 

Harper has moved up to Teeny Dancers 2 from the Teeny Dancers 1 class she was in last year.  This means that she now does tap in addition to ballet; you can only imagine how she loves the click-clack sound of her tap shoes.  Her friends, Holland and Brenn, are in class with her, which is a lot of fun--and she looks forward to Friday mornings.  Once again, Hunter wishes he could join the fun instead of watching.  Someday, little buddy.

Last week, we celebrated the first day of fall!  The Hs and I had planned a special trip to Wilson Farms when I returned home from work so we were thrilled when a bunch of other friends came along.  Wilson Farms is the ultimate autumn destination.  Along with some of our regular grocery items, we splurged up on apple cider and fresh apple cider donuts too.  Lots of kids and lots of treats; what better way to welcome fall?  We may or may not have had apple cider donuts for dinner too.  Just saying.

We live for fall adventures, and we are still trying to come up with ways to use up the ridiculous amount of apples we picked when we went apple picking!  After Hunter did apple painting at school, we tried our hand at it at home.  It was messy and fun.  I loved how Harper and Hunter approached the project differently; Hunter used his apple like a stamp, whereas Harper used hers more like a paintbrush to spread the paint around.

As busy as we have been this month, we have still been finding ample time for one of our favorite treat expedition: donuts!  Donut picnics are kind of our thing.  You might worry that I am not teaching them enough about balanced diets, but we have been definitely been enjoying our "apple a day" (and then some)--so hopefully that counts for something…  And the donuts from our local bakery are just too darn delicious to resist.

Working off all the treats hasn't been a problem for our wild crew, thankfully.  The weather has been absolutely beautiful, and we are enjoying the last of the long daylight hours with as many park play dates as we can.  I feel like we have come into a great stage of park play, where both Hs are independent enough to maneuver the park with little assistance from me, and they just have the best time.  Of course, they love it even more when they get to play with friends there.

Best buddies, taking the road less traveled.

Okay, okay, we do eat a few other things besides donuts--especially thanks to the town farmer's market.  We love heading down there after work/school on Thursday evenings.  They have the best produce, and we can't get enough of the fresh pasta.  Hunter isn't always the most adventurous eater, but for some reason, he will sample everything and anything while we stroll through the stalls at the farmer's market so I take full advantage.  They also have a great homemade cookie stand, but when we walk all the way from our house to the market, I feel like we have totally earned it.

Sampling the farmer's market sweets

Blackberry monster

A few other photo favorites from this month...

The bathing beauty

Enjoying a raspberry lime rickey in Grandpa Nick's honor at Celebrity's--
6 years without him has felt like a lifetime.

Enjoying the last of our pool days in the backyard with friends!

Little cheeser

Nap time snuggles with my little man--
photo by my little H.

Dress up play!

Just another day at the dentist with this cool kid!

Cheddar bunnies anyone???

We love story time with Daddy.

The fall is off to a busy and fun start, and we can hardly wait for what October has in store for us.  Harper has been talking about Halloween pretty much all year, and now that Hunter is old enough to mostly understand what the holiday is all about, I feel like this is going to be a really special year for our family.  Stay tuned!