Apple Picking Time Again...

With the fall temps appearing, it was obvious it was time to visit the apple orchard...

Instead of treating it like something totally new, J fell right into step with me on picking apples. 

It was like it was yesterday, instead of last year that he did this...

We had so much fun...

Although, he tried to eat everyone he picked...

J really wanted to drive the big tractor, since Aunt Char's book has him fascinated by them these days...

In the next blog, I will share his time at the farm with friends & the big red tractor, but I'm exhausted, so that will have to wait...

Snagging the last of summer

I recently posted that we'd said good-bye to the pool for the summer.  However, with the warm weather on Monday & Tuesday last week, Mr. M got it going for one last dip...

He'd hoped we'd have more, but fall seems to have set in with some strength, as we've seen the cool 60's here this past weekend.

J had a blast swimming with him, as I packed his bag for his overnight with Grandma & Grandpa M while Miss Angie was on off for surgery.  Nothing serious, but she still needed time off for it.

J jumped.

Asked to be thrown..

AND counted to 3 before pushing Daddy under water...

They had a blast & moments, neither would trade.

Loving these stolen moments of summer.

We have a bike rider

J has really mastered his tryke this summer, and with his height, I decided to try his bike.  Mr. M & I bought it at the beginning of summer, when we got our bikes & bike cart for my birthday.  I think by next summer, I will have a partner for the ride around our subdivision's lake, as opposed to a passenger.  :)

I was really shocked at how quickly he got the concept and how easily he mastered the bike mechanics. 

These were from Tuesday...   When it was a wonderful 80 degrees.

He looks so old.

He really cracked me up this weekend, when we put him on his bike this weekend, he would just take off for the park, and tell Mr. M or me, depending on who was with him, to run faster.  

He was very good though.  When it was time to come home, he rode his bike back, unlike the tryke, which, I ended up carrying...

Odds & Ends...

Enjoying these warm fall nights, J & I have been playing after daycare before dinner.  Tonight, he'll be staying with Grandma & Grandpa M, as daycare is closed for Miss Angie to have surgery. 

J is getting so tall that riding the tricycle looks uncomfortable to me, and it must be getting there for him too.  He rode it a few houses, then wanted to head home to get his bike.  This is a new thing, as it has been beyond his skill set so far this summer.  While he's still a bit away from taking off down the street on it, he is getting 4 or 5 rotations before hitting the brakes by peddling backwards.  He ended up riding 2 houses down and back last night, which got all kinds of cheers from mommy & Mr. Joe who lives next door & was coming out to collect his boys for dinner.

Potty-training has had some major set backs since the big pooping in the potty.  He's great at daycare or when he doesn't drink a lot of liquid at once.  When he does, you can pretty much guarantee that he will wet his pull-ups.  I tried putting him in underwear, explaining how he has to pee in the potty or everyone will know.

Right... He's now scared of wearing underwear... Mom of the Year material right there... :(

However, preschool is in session again, and yes, I totally missed the first day picture taking.  I was so good about having his playpack ready & being excited, etc... Then I blew the picture taking opportunity.  J has been coming home and being serious when we work on colors or letters or numbers.  He's really taken to his Leap Frog Blackberry.

But Monday night he stole my breath...

"I pwedge allegiance to flag of United America ajsklfjajfdajdfljkj" trailing off as he lost his word memory.

When it dawned on me what he was saying, I stopped & said it with him.  I really wish I could convey the smile that appeared on his face. 

It was priceless.

He Likes It...My cooking that is...

I've been making an effort to offer J more home cooked meals, and less toddler fare... Due to our schedule, his need for sleep is a top priority, but I want to also ensure he is eating good meals full of whole grains, and organics when possible.

Recently, I made pasta Alfredo with low glycemic pasta (Dreamfields, available at Meijer right by all other pasta) and homemade sauce.  The sauce was ridiculously rich.  I really needed to grocery shop, as in I hadn't been the previous weekend, and it was Thursday, so we are talking scrapping the bottom of the barrel in options here... I mixed cream cheese with Boursin cheese, added butter & shredded Parmesan cheeses, then thinned with pasta water.

It was decadent.

And the best part, J ate his entire bowl.  I love how he is starting to eat food so full of flavor.  And he's starting to ask for fruits.  Bananas, grapes & plums to be exact.  It is such a great start towards a healthier future, which is what was my main concern.

I even got J to eat 2 green bean stalks last week... 

Okay, so maybe I had to bribe him with a M&M for every bite he took, but at least it is a start...

Fall bagel morning...

I HAVE to get J & I back in the habit of attending Mass.  I miss it.  J, however, has never been a weekly attender like I was, so he does not miss it one bit.

I get it.  Really I do.  And it's why I haven't killed myself this summer.

But... Summer is over... Real life begins anew with each school year, and his early introduction to Mass is important to me.  So back we must go...

And the reality is, we could very easily go on a Saturday night, I just have to get motivated to attend with a child who has the attention span of a 2.5 year old.

However, this Sunday we enjoyed another missed Mass at Great American Bagel.  We have gotten into the habit this summer of grabbing a bagel at least one of my day's off.  It is our morning together.  It is time for J to get spoiled with attention, as all the girls (including the owner) gush over how inquisitive he is, how well behaved, and just so darn cute. 

not that I'm bragging or anything...   Okay, so I am...  Big deal!  I'm mom & totally entitled...

He has especially loved this since I've decided to make it fun, as opposed to keeping him on the whole grain, whole wheat bagel.  As I found he spent more time eating the cream cheese off than the actual bagel.  We started with cinnamon whole grain whole wheat with butter.  J was doing wonderfully eating this.

Then Grandma & Grandpa P were visiting during the summer & Grandma decided try the Cinnabon look-alike.  A frosted bagel.  Full of cinnamon & butter.  Full of delicious goodness.

Now, J & I share one.  It is that good.

And it makes him so happy... It is our Mommy & Son time that I wouldn't trade for the world...

Especially on a wonderful fall day that could be enjoyed outdoors in the fresh air.

So yes, it looks like we will have to start attending Saturday night Mass, as I am not giving up these moments.  Or possibly, we'll attend the 7:30 with this as the carrot to behave during Mass...

Happy News...

J -

You are getting to be such a big boy.  Yesterday you pooped in the potty at daycare.  Miss Angie held going outside over your head and that was just the carrot you needed to go take care of business.  You had tipped your hand to needing to poop by letting of several stinky toots.

I could not be more proud of you for this step towards adult hood.  I'm certain we will continue to hit stumble blocks until this becomes a regular activity for you.  And that's okay... It's normal.

But yesterday you proved to yourself that you could do it and it would be all good.  We celebrated it with calling everyone.

You melted my heart with your comforting of my sad heart.  As a result, I've decided to take your blog private.  I've invited some people, either family or close friends, or mommy acquaintances because I've posted pics of their kiddos, and because I love sharing your stories...  

The blog was always for you.  My letters to you.  Snapshots into your childhood.  I hope when you read it in the future you find all the good memories I have of your childhood.

Love - Mom