Changing Times and Seasons

Audrey and Violet cheer Eden and Andrew after finishing the Chicago Marathon last weekend!

It is one of those Sunday mornings where there are things to do..yet they may also be things to put off.  Lesson plans, newsletters, laundry...they all seem so much nicer when I add them to my agenda later in the afternoon as opposed to right now.  Sam and Oskar are up with me, and we have just finished breakfast.  Coffee is next, then a walk around the neighborhood. 

The fall season is here, and the leaves are turning.  The reds and oranges and yellows remind me to make sure we all have our hats and gloves at the ready, for when it really is time to dress for the weather.  The nips at my nose and ears from the cool air feels refreshing, and the trees and grass are slowing and finally considering a longer slumber before photosynthesizing anymore. 

As the seasons change, so do our lives.  Audrey is a "big kid" now, and she is really operating in her own world.  I am proud of her, and she seems to be handling the stresses of fifth grade well, and having some good laughs with her friends.  Violet continues to work at her taekwondo, but has slacked a little these last couple weeks.  She may or may not be ready for belt testing next month.  Either way, she continues to persevere.  I am very proud of her, also.  Sam is really starting to talk, and continues to be as active as ever.  He is wearing T5, even though he won't turn three until December.  He is a happy kid, and is always on the move.  After this blog, I will be taking him and the dog on a long walk. 

We are looking forward to Virginia again next month for Thanksgiving.  Until then, we are content to take part in the day-to-day activities in our lives...and I guess that includes a dog walk...as I now have a two year old and a dog looking at me expectantly....

Here are a bunch of pictures from the last few weeks:

Audrey and Me at the orthodontist office.  No braces...yet.

Aunt Eden visited on her trip to run the Chicago Marathon.

Violet won a Geico Gecko at the marathon expo.  

Audrey checking-out the Run Disney medals.  So much bling...so little time.

The Boston Marathon Medal...sigh...one day maybe.

Aunt Eden and the girls at the Chicago Marathon Expo.

Aunt Eden and the girls visiting Lake Michigan.

Audrey and Violet enjoying a sunny morning on Lake Michigan.

Visiting the tiny model rooms at the Chicago Art Institute.

Violet doing a Ferris Bueler imitation.

Dad and his girls...Violet was not excited.

Both Audrey and Violet loved this armor and sword.

Last cheers before Eden headed out to start the Chicago Marathon!

Girls cheering-on runners at the Chicago Marathon!

Grabbing some lunch with the Flamingo in Downtown Chicago.

Bundled-up and cheering on runners at mile 24.  

Sam inspecting the new order of Turkey hats for our annual Richmond Turkey Trot next month!

Sam.