October Traditions

Lately we’ve enjoyed some of our favorite October traditions.

Aiden participated in his school’s annual Walk-a-Thon during which students do as many laps as they can in about an hour to raise money for the PTA. Aiden got a few sponsors and was tickled pink to think that the more he ran, the more money he would earn for his school. Last year he ran 22 laps, and his goal was to run more this year, maybe even 27! Each lap is a tenth of a mile around the blacktop. There are sno-cones, water bottles, popcorn, teachers and community volunteers blowing bubbles and spraying them with water… It’s quite a fun event.

He started off running with a friend, but when the friend got distracted eating and talking to his brothers, Aiden kept on running. He LOVES to run.

He even walked/ran with his food when he “took breaks.”

After 30 laps, he told us that he was about done. Then he jogged two more before turning in his card. He wanted to play on the playground with Landon for a little while before we left. His energy amazes me.

We went to the pumpkin patch, and each kid got to pick out a pumpkin he/she could carry back to the car.

We’re looking forward to more holiday fun as the month (and eventually year) comes to a close!

September

So, we’re all busy with school—Isaac, Becca & Aiden. *sniff sniff* However, we’re enjoying the fact that Isaac is usually home evenings and weekends for the first time in our marriage.

Over Labor Day weekend, we took the kids mini golfing, and the boys camped in the backyard.

The third weekend we enjoyed dollar night at the Newark Days fair and the Saturday morning parade.

We went to a 50th Anniversary Beautification Day at a local elementary, run by Danielle.

 

Isaac and I planned a multi-ward youth Fear Factor Night. The Drinks of Doom were foul, but I think the kids secretly loved it.

Aiden is liking first grade and gearing up for this year’s Walk-A-Thon, which is one of his very favorite school events. He thinks it’s hilarious that if he does more laps, I pay more money to the PTA. His goal is 25 laps this year (each lap is .1 mile; he did 22 last year). He drew this picture of our family (Charlotte is crawling).

Landon is quite the little talker and regularly says things that make us laugh. He is very opinionated. We’re looking forward to his third birthday in about five weeks!

Charlotte has figured out walking over the past few weeks, but mostly she would still rather crawl. She is making some sounds approximating words. She has seven teeth now! She loves to eat and remains a smiley baby.

She’s ONE!

At one year old, Charlotte is starting to get into trouble! She stands on her own pretty solidly, and although she won’t really take steps yet, she loves to reach for anything she can get her hands on while standing and pull it to the ground, tear it apart, or figure out how it works… She is also learning how to stand up in her highchair and bathtub, so she requires extra supervision lately.

She loves to watch and follow her brothers, playing alongside them whenever she can. Both of them dote on her for the most part and are usually great helpers.

She’s generally smiley and likes to play peek-a-boo, “dance,” and crawl around on hands and feet.

She is a little petite for her age, wearing size 9 month clothes and size two shoes for the most part. She weighs about 18 pounds. She has just five teeth so far, but the fact that she has just one on top doesn’t stop her from eating whatever we’ll let her have. She and Landon could have eating contests someday if she continues at the rate she’s going.

She says “Mama,” “Dada,” and sometimes “up” or “done,” but she’s not much of a talker yet. She signs “please” sometimes.

She was a BIG cupcake fan, digging right in and chowing down faster than either of her brothers.

She got pretty gross, actually.

Charlotte makes everyone in our family feel extra loved with her smiles and attention, and we couldn’t imagine life without our little sweetheart. Happy first birthday!