Happy Second Birthday, Meghan!

It's hard to believe it but it's been two years since Mega-tron-T-ron-rick-a-doo came into our lives. 

Birthday breakfast of Pop-pop cereal.

When at first pass she refused to smile, I was worried it was going to be a long day of unsatisfying pictures.

Luckily she perked up right away.

Too cool.

The movie star herself pauses for a quick picture. She looks so tall.

After preschool pick-up family photo-shoot on the steps.

Later on after Meghan's non-nap, we went to the park to celebrate her birthday with our after school park group. Meghan showed off her big two-year old skills on the climbing wall.

Meghan and Emmy waiting patiently for cupcakes.

Things looked like they may take a turn for the worst when we pulled up to the restaurant and turned around to this in the back seat. Luckily Meghan rallied and enjoyed her hot dog, fries, and shake at Chuck's.

When we came home, it was time to open her present.

Happy Birthday to you!

Fall Festival

This past Friday we celebrated the arrival of fall at the Fall Festival! It was lots of fun and crazy to think how far the kids have come in a year and how comfortable we as a family have become at the elementary school. We're old hats now.

Like last year the blow up rides were a favorite. This time, however, we purchased wristbands for the big kids which gave them unlimited access, and they took full advantage. First up, the mega-slide, truly a family affair.

Then on to pirate ship.

After awhile the kids did take a break and played on the playground. Everything is more fun when you've got kids ages 2 - 12 running at top speed around the equipment.

Clara and Rosalind had a relaxing time see-sawing.

Meghan did her best to knock her teeth out on the pogo stick.

The other highlight of the night was Locopops! Meghan played her new favorite game of "dodge the camera".

Aha! Caught her looking.

Told these two they couldn't have a popsicle until they looked at me and smiled. Even with bribery these are the results.

Cookies and cream, yum, yum.

Anniversary Weekend in Richmond (Sept. 5 - 8)

Whose anniversary you ask? Why Nay-nay & Pop-pop's 39th wedding anniversary! And what better way of celebrating 39 years of wedded bliss than spending the weekend with their grandkids and  (favorite child) eldest daughter.

After a short week at school due to Labor day on Monday and a teacher's work day on Friday, we picked Clara up from school on Thursday and headed to Richmond just in time for dinner! I'm sure after a long day at work, the dean of students was thrilled.

We had Friday morning to ourselves as both Nay-nay & Pop-pop had to work. We filled our time first by heading to Delshay's for Jack to get a haircut. Then we traveled out to the Kropper's to visit Pop-pop at work before Meghan's nap time. The kids had fun briefly exploring the pharmacy. Clara was looking around for snacks since the last time we'd been there, it had been someone's birthday and there was cake in the break area. The girl doesn't forget a cake opportunity. We went back to their house to put Meghan down for a nap. By the time she woke up, it was the weekend for Nay-nay & Pop-pop.

Saturday morning Nay-nay took Clara to the store while Pop-pop & I took Jack & Meghan to Tuckahoe Elementary. The kids had a great time reacquainting themselves with the playground equipment.

Jack goes down the drain.

Showing off his climbing skillz and new haircut.

Meghan navigates the playground just fine on her own.

On Saturday night the Zimmerman/Schaeffer clan came over to Nay-nay & Pop-pop's for dinner and a visit. Other than some poorly thought through "car art with rocks" by Clara & Luke, we had a really nice time dining and socializing. Jack and Anna played really well together, so much so that on Monday after preschool pick-up, Jack announced, "I have  two friends, Orson & Anna." Usually he simply says that Orson is his friend. Now, however, it seems that they had such a good time, Anna is ironclad on Jack's friend list. Meghan and Hal also had fun hanging out on the porch, bonding through head-banging.

Sunday after some shopping and backyard play we said our goodbyes and returned to Raleigh after such a fun weekend.

Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 31 - Sept. 2)

After our first dose of reality with Clara gone all day at school the last week in August, we enjoyed a nice Labor day weekend. For dinner Saturday night we ordered take-out from the Soo Cafe, a new-to-us restaurant only a mile away on Hillsborough St that was written up in Southern Living as some of the best "international"fried chicken in the South.

After our decadent dinner the night before, we decided some exercise would benefit us on Sunday morning. We opted to walk/scoot around Lake Johnson. It had been quite some time since last we frequented this park, at least since Jack was a baby. However, the paved, flat pathway around the lake made it perfect for the kids' scooters. Clara was in kind of a funk for the first half but finally rallied on the return trip.

A quick stop to catch our breath on the swing.

We ate Sunday dinner at Player's Retreat followed by Locopops for dessert. As we were eating our popsicles we noticed what looked like the apocalypse quickly approaching from the southwest. As the kids were finishing their treat, we decided to hasten our departure and ended up making a mad dash to the car to avoid the thunderstorm. We were only partially successful. Clara thought it was fun getting soaked.

Monday afternoon we made a trip to Lacy, and the kids had lots of fun playing on all of the unique equipment at that playground. 

Meghan spinning in the foreground; Jack spinning in the background.

Brec playing basketball with the kids.

Meghan really wants that ball.

Meghan's jumping.

Jack's spinning & Clara spinning Meghan

Clara's turn to walk & spin.