Cuddling

Meg woke from a late nap and all she wanted to do was cuddle Daddy.

Apples in the Attic

Pip and Viv learned this song from Mrs. Steiger's music class and taught it to Meggie tonight.  Don't think they incorporated the bouncing mattress portion in class.

Frog

Pip's gotten pretty good at frogging.  Even found a local stream around the corner from our house.  This was the first he caught there of many.  Since the aquarium we got is now cracked and does not hold water ...

And since the frogs can jump out of this huge bucket and scare the crap out of me while I an trying to work!

I implemented a new catch and release policy at the Balas house.

Heartbreak

I was unloading groceries Monday morning when a truck pulled into the driveway.  An older man and a middle aged man got out and approached.  At first I thought it was a paving company coming to give us a quote we requested.  Wrong.  "I own the property behind you", he said.  And my heart sank.  His tone made it clear this was not a negotiation.  "Yeah, it has to come down.  I can see you put a lot of work into it. We feel bad.  We just can't take the liability".  I think I just repeated "This is heartbreaking" over and over.

I cried about this more than I would have expected.  It feels like a part of my kids childhood has been stolen.

Soccer Woman!

Vivie brings it every Sunday at soccer.  You wouldn't believe how this gentle soul transforms on the field.  She's after every ball and focused like a laser!

Gearing up for Halloween

Not sure this fits Pip and more.

But Vivie could easily rock this Cinderella!

Meg likes the purple butterfly!

Harvest Fair

This year I stepped down from a co-chair position at the Harvest Fair and had a much happier fall!  I did do a bit of volunteering at the even itself and, of course, we brought out angry birds again.

Always a line!

Lots of great changes at the fair this year.  Pip impressed me at the fun run

Even though Vivie was nervous to run in her heat, she practiced some running with Daddy afterwards.

They played lots of games!

Practiced monkey bars

and they all loved the pony rides.

Have I mentioned Meggie loves dance class!  Every morning she wakes up and asks me, "I go dance class with Julia today?"  Only one day out of seven she gets the answer she is hoping for.  Then I hear "I SO SCITED!!"

Afterwards Jess and I enjoy a nice lunch at the new Market Street shots, Boloco, and the girls play with the frogs and turtles.  The kind of day you imagine in your dreams when you think about being a mom.

Ouch at 19 seconds

You can't perfect your spins without a few falls.

Blanket train

All aboard!

Poop!

Meggie is starting to potty train.  Yay?

Weekend mornings

Ice cream breakfast and toys.

Tree house nearly complete

Just a few more finishing touches and we are ready for the ladder!

Mom and Vivie!

She's trying to help me look good in pictures.  Somehow I am not getting it right!