It takes a village

October weekends have been full of family & friends. 

Visit with cousins over Columbus day...

 ...after school movie time with the friends we carpool to preschool with...

...we had some bonus kids a few weekends ago...

...the next weekend our kids stayed with friends...

 

... last weekend cousin Nico came to visit, and I was so relaxed that I didn't take pictures. Oops!

I love that our kids are growing up as a part of this sweet tribe. 💜

Adara turned 7 (a month ago:)

Seven is old! She is just such a great kid: spunky and independent and intense and surprisingly sensitive as ever. I've been loving watching her learn to read, tie her shoes, care for younger kids. She takes her 1st grade school work so very seriously, and is always making elaborate plans for herself and the rest of us.  She craves the one on one time and special attention that can be hard to come by as the middle child. I picked her up from school on her birthday for a surprise date - haircut at the salon and lunch at Lucky's, and the next day was time with friends and a trip to the corn maze / pumpkin patch.

 

Special birthday present - inspired by her deep love of the Spirit series - horseback riding lessons!!

Happy Halloween!

A frog, a vampire, and a spy.  

They do their costumes pretty independently and it's fun to see what they come up with. 

 

 

 Miss Vicky's house did not disappoint.  Alden was terrified.  Adara loved it.

Some minions came to reverse trick or treat :)

Mt Leb Halloween Parade.

September Misc

The beginning of September was a long time ago. :)  It's been a little up and down adjusting to fall rhythms, but lots of good things...

 Lots of time with this little animal now that the girls are back to school.

 An amazing weekend in Maine celebrating a precious friend's 40th birthday!

 Visiting with the Groves cousins at Mascoma lake

 Adara joins Emily at Friday afternoon gymnastics.  Look at those twin bridges in the bottom left. :)

Celebrating Daniel's late summer and Adara's early fall bday at Mimi & Papa's.
Love those two intense kiddos and so glad they have each other!

 Trying on dresses Mimi made and wore :)

 Nathan's Garden lunch date.

 Last Farmers Markets of the season...

Back to Maine to celebrate Fiona's 7th birthday! So sweet to be included in this family weekend.

 Plus some Sunday afternoon river time!

A friend sent me this of the girls at school.  I guess it's time for jackets. :)

Regular school days...

This little boy LOVES our Friday morning work dates at Starbucks.

And despite the face, this guy was enjoying his girly drink on our Gusanoz date - just barely still warm enough to eat outside!