Memory Lane

Nearly every year growing up as a child, my family went to Idlewild Park (voted the 2nd best kid's park in the world!) and I have great memories of Story Book Forest and picnicking in the park. With our lunch packed and perfect weather in tow, we took P for his first Idlewild adventure. Even though the park is geared towards kids and there are no "big rides", P was still too small to ride most. We did get him on the carousel (cried most of the time), the cars, the teacups, Mister Rodgers Trolley Ride, and his favorite-a real pony ride! After lunch we explored the part of the park known as Storybook Forest that contains all of those well known rhymes-more than you can possibly photograph. This will definitely be an annual tradition!

The Little Engine That Could

Patrick giving his best attempt to free Excalibur

Patrick and the cutest pony ever. He smiled the whole way...

Patrick was not impressed with his fake horse.

Mr. Rodger's Trolley Ride was slightly disappoining, but at least there was no line.

Patrick loved the little car ride-until it started to move. Then he froze (but at least no tears).

Let me tell you-not a lot of room in the tea cups.

We had just walked through the book marking the entry to Storybook Forest when Patrick tripped and cut his lip on a rock. Thank goodness for lifesize distractions.

The Little Old Lady who Lived in a Shoe

Peter Pumpkin Eater's House

The Good Ship Lollipop

Running Out of Steam

While I will miss scenes like these as summer starts turning to fall, this mom is ready for a change of scenery. I have lost that momentum I had when we first began tackling our to-do-list that comes with buying a new house. I lack the will power to unpack another box. I am tired of the ritual of picking up a roomful of toys every night like Ground Hog Day. I am exhausted with trying to feed the world's pickiest eater, who has only gained slightly less than one pound in three months.

But I am thankful for our beautiful house, all of our belongings (even the annoying toys), and the abundance of food so many families don't have. And just in time, God has sent me this fall-like weekend to revive my soul! I can't help but think of pumpkins, and Halloween, and warm sweaters. And just when I think I don't deserve more than what we already have, the most likeable neighbors keep popping into our lives. The first neighborhood playgroup has been loosely organized and with two morning playdates under our belts, I already feel like it will be a lifesaver once we are driven inside for the winter.

Happy Labor day Weekend!
Carol

Boys Rule

Pictures from my trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo with my two sisters and their boys-grandpap and grandma made it too. It was my brother-in-law's (orange shirt) birthday!

The cousins haven't seen each other in almost two years! Henry was slightly distracted by the shark.

Patrick loves his Aunt Karen


Mom, Patrick and Grandma

There must be something to this global warming- the polar bears really are looking skimpy these days :)





There is a below the tank viewing area where you can get some great shots of the polar bears while they swim.

My sister and her kids, Lincoln and Henry, have arrived from Vermont and we haven't wasted any time- Sunday we headed off to the zoo with my other sister and her family, and my mom and dad! What a group... Needless to say we had five very tired boys when we finally made it back at the end of the day. Patrick and I have been to the zoo about 5 times since Christmas and this is the first time we saw the polar bears in the water playing.

Lots to Look Forward to

The summer is winding down, but not before we are paid a visit from P's cousins in Vermont. My sister comes into town tomorrow and we are busy preparing our still-not-unpacked home for their arrival. The weather is supposed to be perfect for zoo, pool, and parks!

On a seperate note, has anyone else had a child who has gone through a licking phase? Lately, when I tell P "No" (usually for getting into my kitchen cabinets), he looks at me then licks the cabinet or stove. Hmmm.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Patrick

Patrick has been taking a second seat to photos on the blog lately, so here are some random shots from the past two weeks. He has been busy making new friends-today we had a playdate with a little girl and little boy about his age from just down the street.



No, I am not a crazy mom giving her toddler icecream cones inside- they are plastic, but don't tell P that.

Giving Grandpap some kisses on his birthday.

Be careful what you wish for...

When Tom and I began looking at houses, we each had our list of demands, the non-negotiable points we were not willing to give up. For me, it was a yard big enough to house a small garden and LOTS of room for flower beds. Well, I got what wished for and God is surely laughing this past week as I sweated outside in 90 plus degree heat trying to wrap up some outdoor projects before company arrives in two weeks. I have tried to do a little outside work every weekend, but there is sooo much to do, some days I don't even think I made a dent. Still grateful for all my greenery, even if it needs some TLC :)

The only reason I am freed up to work outside is because I finished a big indoor project-sealing our bedroom floors. Although we lucked out when we pulled up the carpeting and didn't have to sand, the clear coating proved to be enough of a pain that I am now holding off on pulling up the hall carpet until a later date.

Finished floor = bed finally set up! Tom and I have officially moved out of the guest room.

This is what the far left corner of the house (to the left of the garages) looked like when we bought the place.

And this is how it sat after the huge shrub was yanked out...

...and this is after three days of sweat equity. The small trellis is just temporary until I can convince Tom to build me a custom trellis next spring so my clearance section flowering vines from Lowes can take hold.

A Perfect Match

Tom and I just returned from Gettysburg, PA where we watched with great joy as a dear friend wed her perfect match. Mandy and I have known each other since high school and I have many memories of the two of us hitting the town in our younger years in search of love. Thank goodness those adventures never worked out for either of us... Seeing her glow says it all- she was a beautiful bride. Congratulations Mandy and Scot!