We're a soccer family!!!

It's official... we're a soccer family! William's soccer academy started today. The weather was a perfect Fall day and a perfect family day!!

After we checked in, William received his soccer shirt and shin guards... he was not really sure about the shin guard... he wasn't too sure how to walk in them!

William and Daddy do a bit of stretching!

Action shot!

What a quick hour... dribbling, trapping, running, kicking, skipping, etc. Whew... time to call it a day!

What a crew... Ella, Frank, Baby Ben, Jake, and William... sitting on his soccer ball!!

Jogging to the car... ball in hand... what a cutie!!

You know it's Fall when...

I've been hitting the books pretty hard lately at pre-school...so, when I needed to clear my mind I took the ol' folks over to our favorite farm for a little apple picking.

Fall is our family's favorite time of year. We've been patiently waiting for a subtle sign of summer's departure. Well, that time is finally here. Today we were surprised to wake to a brisk, crystal-clear sky.

I dressed in my best Fall football sweatshirt and started the day with a spring in my step. My parents...well...they did their best to keep up.

The clock on the wall at school moved more slowly than usual. I tried to stay focused on singing, story-telling, and snack time...but...my mind often wandered to greener pastures (pun...what's a pun). Finally...school's out and my parents are right on time to pick me up.

My Dad's artistic impression of me waiting to be picked up at school (staged photo)

The family...I'm the one sitting on the ol' man's shoulders.

Note my beautiful mom (pre-stylish new hair cut)

OK...the moment is finally here. I'm all over this apple picking thing.

Check me out!

Having a little quality time with Mommy!

Ahh...looks like a fine crop this year!

Here ya go Daddy. Whatcha doing Daddy? Where are you going Daddy?
Just a few of the many questions I ask each day!

Yum...there's nothing like a dirty water dog on a cool, Fall day.
I insisted on the pumpkin purchase. Makes a good table center piece. Don't you think?

Pushing and pulling up the hill with our loot

First Day of Preschool

William started preschool today... he loved it!!! He had a great time -- seeing friends, singing, listening to a story, eating a snack, and playing on the playground!

Even though Mr. Independent marches to the beat of his own drummer he listened and responded really well when his teachers corrected him for walking around with his snack, banging on the table, and not standing in line!!

He smiled all day long!

Working on his homework... he had to color the construction guy and bring him to class today. The children glued their guys to a "Building Friendships" poster!!!

Arriving at preschool... Mommy looks nervous (she was)!

After chapel, we headed to his classroom. He is hugging his buddy Frankie... doesn't Frankie look thrilled!

Listening to the teacher...

Circle time... William learned to sit like a pretzel today! Miss Marion is giving him a "High 5" for doing it correctly!! Isn't he excited!

Mommy and William walking back to the car after the playing on the playground and getting a special balloon surprise!!

William's friend, Jake, who is also in his class, came over for play and pizza after school!!

Jake and Dave are coloring the parachute together!!

William wants to take Little Ben on a ride on the "bumpy" part of the yard... didn't happen.

After pizza, cupcakes, M&Ms, juice, and playing hard, Jake and William cool down before it was time to say goodbye!!

What a day!!!

Dinosaurs!

William and Mommy tagged along with Daddy when he had a meeting in Connecticut. We found a really fun place... Nature's Art and Dinosaur Crossing. We went to Dinosaur Crossing which has a playground, splash pad, volcano and 25 life size dinosaurs throughout the property!

T-Rex in the parking lot... obviously enjoying summer!

Monty... a brachiosaurus (I believe)... William is in the shadow of this dinosaur's front right foot... not the kid in the foreground.

The splash pad area... everything is dinosaur related! William didn't want to go in and play, but it was amazing... and this is only one angle... it was huge!



A view of the lake, playground and Monty from the path to the volcano!

Every hour on the hour from 11-5, the volcano erupts... there it goes! We started running toward it!

WOW! William yelled!

William, the caveman???

The scale of these creatures... William is counting his/her toe nails... go figure!!

Happy Birthday, William!!

Our very special 3 year old wanted to celebrate his birthday day with a fire truck party!

And, so he did!!

The invitation to his party!!!

An excited birthday boy with his "Birthday Boy fire truck" shirt... he was helping Mommy and Daddy setup for the party!!

We held his party at his favorite playground...and this is only part of it!

Food table is set up and ready for guests!

Is that a fire truck cake for William???

Yes, it is!

He looks stunned! William told us he wanted a fire truck cake... you got it, William!!!


Not only was it beautiful...it was beyond delicious!!

No wonder William was impressed!!


What detail... for our 3 year old!

Our birthday boy sharing a laugh and lunch with his friends!

All of his friends singing "Happy Birthday " to William! He was so excited!! He started laughing after the first verse... it dawned on him what was happening. Recently, we were getting ready to go a party and he asked, "when will it be my turn?" Well, this is your turn, our darling!!

We want cake!!!

Daddy had the task of packing up the gifts when party was over!! What fun!! What a great party!!

Happy Birthday, William!!

Happy Birthday Day, William!!!

What a day our little boy had on his actual birthday day!!!

We woke him up by singing "Happy Birthday", giving him balloons, and giving him a couple of birthday presents... all before breakfast!!

Later in the afternoon, our birthday boy attended a playdate with his friends. Mommy made cupcakes -- baseball themed, of course.

Then, during dinner, William celebrated with "Uncle Ron" and "Bridges" !! It must be noted that William is Uncle Ron's "mini-me." Everything Uncle Ron does, William wants to do... cutting the grass, digging in the garden, cutting rocks, and, yes, climbing on the roof. Most importantly, he wants to play the trombone like Uncle Ron!!!

A happy birthday boy... he can't wait to share his cupcakes!

A satisfied customer!

Sharing birthday cupcakes with the birthday boy!

Uncle Ron surprised William (and Mommy and Daddy) with a Happy Birthday solo!!! So, why was Uncle Ron dressed in his fatigues? Because he and Bridges bought a "mini me" set for William along with a new trombone kazoo for William! (And they replaced his toilet plunger trombone that William somehow broke...hmmm).

Bridges took some great photos of our little soldier.... stay tuned!!

Wet Down!

On a recent Saturday afternoon, our local volunteer fire department hosted a "Wet Down." This is a tradition in the Northeast whereby other departments help "baptize" new fire apparatus. Since our little man LOVES fire trucks, we joined the festivities.

When we arrived, William was excited just to touch a fire truck!!

Every few minutes another department arrived to douse the new apparatus and the firefighters!!

Our little firefighter couldn't take his attention away from the truck or the hot dogs!!

Mommy and William... William touch the truck. Coincidentally, a siren on the truck sounded! We both jumped. When William tells the story, he says he "scared the fire truck"!!!

A local firefighter returning from the "action"!!

After taking this shot, we realized we were in the line of fire... pun intended!!