Isn't Fall Great - Squeezing in a Little More Sun

September seemed like an extension of summer, but October was true to it's season. There was a dramatic temperature change at the first of October, we definitely knew fall was here! With that change, we grabbed jackets and hit the parks as much as possible, trying to get our most of the time we had left.

Here is Kate's first preschool field trip. She felt SO GROWN UP! She had gone on a ton last year with Carson, but this was HER field trip. We went to a Fire Station, and here she is giving the fireman a "high five".

Kate has learned how to get on the swings and pump herself this summer. The other day I heard her outside singing to the tune of "It's a small world" - "I'm a big girl after all" and she pumped herself really high in the air. On this cool fall day, she and Cinderella Bear are bundled in pink and about to swing together. She really is growing up!

One of my favorite mornings as a mom was a few weeks ago while Kate was at preschool and it was just Carson and I at home (he has afternoon kindergarten). We packed our bikes and drove to the Jordan River Trail. He and I went on a bike ride together, exploring places that he hadn't been to before. When he wanted to stop for a break, we sat on a bench together and he just hugged and hugged me. I thought to myself - this is what being a mom is all about.

Audrey is learning to cook. She has been Easy Bak'n for her friends very often, but for the activity days talent show, she perfected the skills of mixing and baking her own cupcakes. It was very fun to teach her to measure, crack eggs, use a mixer and the oven - and then let her do it all her self a couple of times to get confidence. The kids actually got bored of eating the 75 pink cupcakes she produced in a weeks' time, but Audrey was quite pleased with learning her new skill.

We visited a small fall festival at Engh Gardens one sunny fall afternoon this month. The kids are always excited to do something together for Halloween - and this turned out great. Here they are on the pirate ship. They spent time in the straw maze and various fall displays. I also was glad to do a little perennial shopping - something I have wanted to do the last 3 years of living in our house. Hopefully the ones I picked out and planted this fall will add some color to our drab spring flower gardens in a few months.

Well, the school parties have begun and Kate had her preschool party with Mrs. Sue today. She loved being dressed up princess style and playing all of the fun Halloween games. I got to help out with the party and that was a treat.

Happy Halloween!