October

October 1

State Fair

My favorite annual birthday activity! This year was even better because I got to "work" at the quilting table for the shop for the day, which meant sit there and sew, and then go play with my family!

October 2

Actual birthday celebrating. Andy and I dropped the kids off at school then had a boozy breakfast and ran some errands before it was time to pick them up again. This is 36.

October 3

Henrico County

Doing what they do. (Andy kept his helmet on so he looks a little taller standing next to Sarah.)

October 4

Cyborg Room

I remember this day clearly. I was sitting on the floor folding laundry while Leena was having quiet time and Edwin was supposed to be napping. He didn't nap so I let them play.  The not napping when you expect them to nap is probably one of parenting's greatest disappointments. I am very, very slowly learning that it's only disappointing because of the expectation I set and to reframe my mindset.

October 5

Kilmarnock, VA

Andy and the kids visiting with his grandparents, their last-remaining greats. This was a while ago, but I'm glad they had this visit. A reminder to enjoy every moment.

October 6

Otter Cove

Still summer in their book! I miss that floppy hair.

October 7

Chiles Peach Orchard

Fall tradition with the Bott's! Though it's always so hot it never feels like fall, even in the mountains. So glad we have our yearly apple picking.

Lloyd Family Farms

Because we did all the fall things in one day. Here's the pumpkin patch portion of it.

October 8

YMCA

Showing off "Mr. Push Buttons" and ready for lessons.

October 9

Sunroom

Well great. He learned to cross his eyes like Leena.

October 10

Front Yard

Cats like to draw with chalk too.

October 11

Cyborg Room

Wedding quilt complete! Love how it turned out! You can't see all the details of the fabrics, but they are there and chosen specially for the recipients.

October 12

Onancock, VA

Long boarding behind Gramps's house. I keep thinking Leena has two broken arms, but those are just her arm warmers.

October 13

Onancock, VA

Sarah and Levi's wedding day. We never take pictures when we look halfway decent so Leena took this one for us.

October 14

Onancock, VA

We stayed in a friend's old house/mansion and it was full of all kinds of crazy stuff. This one man band instrument, a phone booth, and a jukebox, to name a few.

October 15

Baltimore Aquarium

We extended our weekend by heading north and hitting up Baltimore for a night/day. Surprisingly I think the highlight of the aquarium was the sloth we saw walking (do you call it that when they are hanging upside down moving?) in the tropical forest room.

October 16

Belmont Rec Center

Leena's last night of this ballet session. She's in the back row in the purple leotard. She's got her arms up so that's a good sign because usually she gets pretty shy on parent's night.

October 17

Leena's Room

My favorite thing to discover after Leena has quiet time are dressed up animals!

October 18

Back Yard

Edwin just woke up from nap and I sent him outside to play with Andy at the woodpile. Something about that orange vest always makes me want to take his picture and he's never happy about it.

October 19

LGBG

You can't see Mr. Crane very well, but he is perched at the top of the tree. The one in the middle.

October 20

Sunroom

Sometimes it is hard to figure out what to do when parents come to town. Something extra exciting for the kids, something you haven't done a million times with the parent already. Pumpkin carving was a semi-chaotic, pretty fun option.

October 21

National Harbor Ferris Wheel

Drove up to see Bud and pals for the day. Took a ride on the ferris wheel with Randy, ate some food, and went into DC for the Natural History Museum because it was too cold to be outside and we were underdressed.

October 22

Attic

All the laundry. I have an obvious cycle of waiting until all three baskets are overflowing with folded laundry before I put it away. Then I feel like it's an absurd amount and I take a picture.

October 23

Attic

The best of the Halloween prep. My wonky spiky dragon hat. I don't look ridiculous at all.

October 24

Henrico County

Training day on a ladder truck for Andy. Those ladders look a lot taller when you're looking down from the top. Now imagine being on that in front of a flaming building. No thanks.

October 25

Backyard

A new woodpile friend. Also no thank you.

October 26

Attic

Redoing our closet. Can't for better use of the space!

October 27

Schemmel House

Cousin bath time.

October 28

LGBG

Fall festival at the garden!

October 29

Arc Park

Snack time on the bench with Kiki.

October 30

Hilliard

Walking home on a nice fall evening from ballet behind Sydney and the girls.

October 31

Front yard

Woo Halloween! How to Train Your Dragon in full effect!

Toothless and Stormfly

Astrid and Hiccup

september: snow globe full of glitter

September 1

Richmond Metro Zoo

Finally figured out what the budgie sticks are for and it's now our favorite part. 

September 2

The Diamond

Finally made it to a Squirrels game for the summer. On Star Wars night!! The kids were pretty scared of all the storm troopers walking around. But seemed to enjoy the baseball okay.

September 3

LGBG

Just a Bea in her natural habitat.

September 4

Attic

Admiring all of my pressed seams. Sometimes the back of the quilt is just as cool as the front.

September 5

Science Museum

Leena calls this her "friendship dress". I'm not sure why. It was Andy's cousin's when she was little in the early 90s. Paired with the underwear she insisted on wearing as a hat, this pretty much makes her the best dressed kid/person around.

September 6

LGBG

Flowers after Five is one of my favorite ongoing summer activities. This was probably the last one of the season. Music, food, friends, fantastic.

September 7

Bathroom

That glorious morning before 8 am when I was going to the bathroom and Edwin wedged himself between the toilet (with me on it) and the wall and dropped a snow globe full of glitter. Thanks, neighbor Ashleigh, for that gift.

September 8

Bryan Park

We spent a warm but blustery afternoon at an event with the orchestra, goats, capes, violins, and face painting! Not bad.

September 9

Front Yard

Their fashion sense is the best. (Leena's got shorts on under there somewhere.)

September 10

Garage Mahal

Family painting sesh.

September 11

St. Matt's

In my mind Leena was going to wear the bird dress I made her and Edwin was going to wear his shirt (which he is), but if she doesn't want to, she's not going to. Either way, they look super excited to be going back to school.

September 12

Attic

I made Edwin a button down with puffins because for a while they were really into Puffin Rock, a little Netflix show. I used a pattern and his measurements, but it is way big and boxy. Disappointing after the time it took. I just now (February) am going to put it in his closet so he can wear it if he wants to, weird shape or not.

September 13

Front Yard

The elephant ears are good for all kinds of things. Like shelter from a light rain.

September 14

QA

Next project in the brain works. A baby quilt for my sister-in-law.

September 15

Van

When you get home and discover what's been happening in the seat right behind you.

September 16

Downstairs

The kids have gone to the river so we can celebrate our anniversary a little early. Part I: we cleaned the house so it's the cleanest it's been in a long time.

September 17

Jiffy Lube Live

Part II: Tailgating in the rain before Van Morrison serenades us.

Kids are doing just fine with their Ducky and Bintner.

September 18

Living Room

Sarah and Levi's wedding quilt ready to be basted.

September 19

Kitchen

Andy went to Chicken Fiesta and got me an alfajore. Ever since my sister studied abroad in Argentina and introduced them to me, there's been an ongoing quest to find (or make) a decent one. And I must say, Chicken Fiesta for the win!

September 20

Neighborhood

Crazy storms the night before. I'm surprised there wasn't more aftermath to see. This tree got struck by lightning and it looked like God took a vegetable peeler to it. We heard the bang and it was loud enough to make both kids cry.

September 21

ZZQ

Celebrating our anniversary again a day early with a first trip to ZZQ for some BBQ. (And Leena is dressed for the Fourth of July.)

September 22

Field Days of the Past

Goochland

I can't resist a fair-like event so the kids and I went for it. Lots of animals, some friends, and a hot hot sun.

September 23

Living Room

Close up of the quilting on the back of the Sarah and Levi Wedding Quilt.

September 24

Kitchen

Special Ducky cookies for Ducky's birthday (which is the same day as our anniversary). The kids were so proud of them.

September 25

Front Porch

Looks like we are having a donut on the front porch?!

September 26

Front Yard

Making Edwin model the latest t-shirt I made for him.

September 27

Cyborg Room

Spot the kid.

September 28

LGBG

Plant sale at Lewis Ginter. Of all the plant sales and all the years we have lived across the street, this was the first one I went to. So much more than just plants for sale! I'm glad we finally experienced it.

View from Andy's training at work. This is probably a dream day on the job for him.

September 29

Powhatan Playground

Our friends told us about this roller coaster swing at this little park in the city and we finally  checked it out. Over and over and over and over again.

September 30

Sometimes when Leena comes out of her room in the morning she's already changed/embellished her outfit. This morning it was a couple headbands.