Apple Picking

This is such a crazy busy season for me right now and it's not any one thing. Just a lot of little tiny stuff that requires my constant follow-up (mostly work). The blog is the first to slip off of the to-do list, so apologize for those waiting for updates.

This past weekend we went apple picking! Cooler fall weather is just now starting to peek out with consistency. Meanwhile, the trees are turning colors and the grass is dead because we've had scorching heat and no rain. 

But, alas, we have festive fun to check off our list so we sweat through our semi-fall clothes for the sake of fall photos and sweet apples.

It doesn't take long for five people to collect more than enough apples. We were at the orchard for less than an hour before purchasing our bundle and promising the kids we'd come back for pumpkins in October. We've been to several apple orchards in NJ over the years and the adults like this one the best because there isn't any of the overpriced entertainment and crowds. Just basic apples.

I'm saving the super cute family and sibling photo for the Christmas card.

We went to the kids favorite playground after the orchard and for the FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS, all three adults were able to sit on a bench and just supervise the kids playing. Since Ivy started school she finally figured out how to be independent on play equipment. We no longer have to tail Kip to keep him from careening off the ledge without noticing OR being within one inch of Ivy to reassure her of our presence. We've made it ya'll and the freedom is amazing. Now, of course there were three sets of eyes following them like hawks, but not having to run around and climb and slide with them is a big step for us.

Weekending it

Hey, hey did anyone else get a second summer this past weekend? We sure did and we LOVED it!

It was in the 80s nearly all week and we had a perfect day at the beach on Saturday. Warm and sunny skies, no humidity, no sticky awful oppressive heat. Fall beach day is where it's at. 

On Sunday we had church and took care of chores and spent as much time outside as possible. Maybe the appeal of fall is that it is tolerable to be outside?

Summer Bucket List Recap

We are slowly settling into the school routine here. It was nice that the first "week" was only two days and this first full week is warm and sunny - very much summer weather. We are all sad the season is changing and our long carefree days of playing and pool are over. So I might as well share our summer bucket list recap while I'm mourning. 

We hit nearly everything on the list this year and the one we missed was something Kip added and not one of our typical summer occasions. So it's okay that didn't end up happening. We were far to busy doing other stuff to fuss with hotwheel tracks.

Cape May

We got our beach vacation in the weekend before summer break even started. It was a perfect way to kick off the season and we're hoping to go for a bit longer in the future. 

Park hop in the city

Dan and I had a great little day-venture with the kids when we hopped along the playgrounds on the west side of Central Park.  

Rock N Air

Mandy and I took the kids to the Rock N Air on one of my summer Friday afternoons off from work. Kip loved it and Ivy loved to cry about it.  

Legoland

We all had a blast at Legoland. It really was a fun excursion and unique and new experience for us.

Pool and Splash Pads

We lived at the pool this summer and definitely went more times then we every have before. We especially loved going in the early evening around dinner time once Dan and I got home from work. It was super simple and super fun. 

Dan and I never ended up getting to a splash pad but Mandy more than made up by taking the kids to a different one nearly every week of summer. She won the gold for that. 

Hasbro Arcade

We squeezed this one in just under the wire. It was fun to check it out but it wasn't any different than any other arcade (except the cost). We came, we saw, we are unlikely to go back.

Storybook Land

We tied our summer visit to Storybook Land into our Cape May trip and it was bliss, like always. We're looking forward to a fall visit in the next month. 

Camping

Oh camping. So many dreams. So many expectations. So much rain. But, we did it!

Kansas and Colorado

I think the kids would say our trip out west to visit family was their highlight of the summer. They really got treated to so many fun experiences and it really was a "vacation" for them. We're so grateful for all the family we got to see and time we spent making memories.

 

We hit our list and so much more. Frozen treats were consumed, Chuck-e-Cheese was explored many times over, birthdays were celebrated, the library was visited, tractor and lawn mowers ridden, fish were caught and eaten, fireworks were seen, Joy Jumps was melted, mini-golf was played, playgrounds were climbed, and swim lessons were accomplished. Kip learned to ride his bike (more on that later). Ivy rode a Subway for the first time. Our skin was sun-kissed and our bank account was drained. 

But we loved it. Every single second. 

So long summer! It will be an agonizing wait for your return.

First Day of School

Yesterday was the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL and we're off to a great start.

I've been nervous about Ivy starting school since forever. She is our little shy pandemic babe and not terribly social. I learned just last week that I would not be able to accompany her into the classroom on the first day since the district shifted the policy since 2021 when Kip started. Ivy would have to walk into the school solo and have a full first day. We had prepped her all summer with the thought that I could go with her on her first day (like I did with Kip). When we heard that wouldn't happen, we consoled her with the news but letting her pick a first day gift. Kip got a Lionel on his first day of school because apparently everything is an occasion for a gift in this house. Eesh. Anyways, she focused on that anticipated toy and didn't seem to care one bit that I couldn't come to her classroom. 

To help me (more so than her) I ended up getting this cute little mom and me bracelet set which I gave to her the night before. It worked remarkably well. She was really happy to have something special and something to remind her of our love. 

I tried not to cry when I put her to bed that night. Starting school feels like such a huge milestone.

It was a relatively smooth morning which we started with a minor surprise celebration for the kids for completing their summer workbooks and participating in Mandy's summer reading program (lol). They both worked nearly every week day during the summer on their workbooks with relatively good attitudes and we ready every night. 

They each got a certificate, mini trophy, and a small toy. 

These toys ended up helping occupy their time in the morning instead of getting anxious and flustered for the start of school (mom took care of that herself). 

Both Kip and Ivy were very compliant for our porch letter board photos (always a stresser for me).

And shout-out to Kip who was tremendous with Ivy all morning, giving her attention and comfort and all kinds of tips as we headed out the door and waited for drop off.

First day drop off is always CHAOS since everyone seems to bring the whole family and kids are wailing and/or hyper. We got Kip into his line and then Dan and I took Ivy over to her door. Thank goodness, she has the same teacher Kip had so Ivy was familiar with her and marched right into the building. I was sad and worried but her confidence really helped to perk me up and be proud for how brave she was headed off into a new world. 

Dan and I didn't know what to do with the quiet empty house. We ended up going for a bike ride and took care of some chores before I got to work. In the afternoon Dan and I parked the car by the playground and got to spot Ivy with her class. Ugh, my heart. She is still so itty bitty and she was SO adorable out there making her own independent choices about what she wanted to do instead of just following Kip. When we picked her up her teacher said she had a great day and Ivy was super chatty with us while we waited for Kip to get out. She said she got sad at nap time and wanted to cry but she looked at her bracelet and remembered Mom. She ate all the lunch we packed her and she said she went potty once. She did not recall the name of anyone in her class and said she didn't make friends because no one waved at her. HA! Also, our play kitchen is "way gooder" than the play kitchen in her classroom. Lol.

Kip had a great first day as well. He has so many friends in his class including his best bud from his Pre-K class. His teacher seems really fun and has the entire classroom and schedule themed around Harry Potter. The kids earn coins throughout the week and can spend it in the classroom Honeydukes. Kip is not very familiar with Harry Potter so I sprung and got the illustrated books that I've had on my list for us to start reading this weekend so he knows what's up with all the names and activities. Apparently they all got put into their tables/houses with the sorting hat and he is in Slytherin. It should be a fun year!

After school we surprised the kids with their favorite flavors of Rita's Italian ice for snack and Ivy got to open her much anticipated first day toy (a Hatchimal tree house). 

The second day went just as well as the first and now we have the weekend to chill out and try to squeeze just a few more drops of summer.