Scooter Dude

     Tate had an overnight visit to Grandma and Grandpa's a couple of weekends ago.  When I went to pick him up, he had found this scooter.  It's too new to have been mine, but too old to have been bought just for Tate.   Not sure where Grandma Lori found the scooter, but Tate was a big fan.  He can make it go a bit on his own, but would much rather prefer a push from behind.  It's fun to watch his physical abilities grow, he can "jump" now, never mind his feet don't leave the ground, but he's got all the motions down and can do some good bouncing on the cushions or bed when allowed.

Wordless Wednesday



Just for fun



Park with Grandpa

       A few weeks ago when we were having great October weather, Grandpa Randy came by to go on a few walks with Tate.  This particular day, I tagged along to snap a few photos, with my crappy 3.0 mp phone, pardon the blurriness.
     
       To save my Dad and myself the embarrassment, I haven't included the photo of Dad crawling up onto the slide to wipe the rain water off with his jeans.  It was all sorts of uncoordinated, especially in steel-toe work boots.  If that isn't love for a grandson, I don't know what is . . funny moment for me, but also very precious :)

       Tate went down the slide a few times with a little supervision, and we also went down the big twisty slide and the silver one to the left together.  The twisty one went well, the silver metal one- holy crap- that thing was fast, we came very close to a crash landing on my rear.

     We had a great time and are loving every day we have left to spend outside.  I think this child would nap outside if possible.

    

 

Claire turned 5!



Aaron with all the kiddos on the swingset



    A couple of weeks ago my niece, Claire, turned 5 years old!  So she had a princess party to celebrate the event at Nana and Papa's house.  We had a beautiful day to celebrate, so before pizza, cake and presents all the kids played outside swinging, sliding, driving the pink cars and general mayhem.  Tate tried to keep up with the big kids, Drew watched Tate try and all the girls just kept on playing as hard as they could. 

    Claire gave Tate a ride in their pink jeep, she did a very good job driving.  But this photographer, guilty, distracted her long enough for a photo and shortly after said photo was taken, there was a small collision with the car and the gutter off the side of the house.  The airbags did not deploy, there was no damage to car or house and everyone walked away without crying.  Success.

     After hosting Tate's first birthday and attending a five year old's birthday, I give props to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, they have it figured out.  Pizza, ice cream cake, Nana & Papa's and mostly outdoors, genius.  Serious geniuses at work.  Notes were taken by this first time Mom, that's for sure.



Claire giving Tate a jeep ride


 

Grace, Claire and Ayda




Trying to get on the doll box




Birthday Girl




Make a wish, Claire




Emma-girl




Nana, Papa and a squirmy kid




Cousin hug with Drew



Day at the Orchard, part two

    Continued. . .
     Here are the remainder of the pictures from our day at the orchard.  It was such a beautiful day, 80 some degrees, sunny and a light breeze.  It's been a week since we visited and I still can't get over how much fun we had, maybe it was mostly me, but I really think Tate had a blast.  The place was so kid friendly, he could walk almost anywhere he wanted, there wasn't anything he could break and we got to be outside, which is Tate's number one goal of everyday.  I really don't know what we're going to do when the cold weather arrives, we'll all go stir crazy.

Family photo op

Nice props for photos, even better for Tate to throw

Might be the fave pic of the day

Trying to find the best one

For some reason, Tate really enjoyed sitting in the tires

Who loves the orchard? This kid



Open mouth kisses, every Mom's favorite




Mama and her toddler



It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Great day at the orchard with Grandma