Fall roundup and Happy Thanksgiving!

September can be really full with school starting and routines back in place. But it's also a relief, at least to me. It's nice out, but not hot at night. I can also stop watering my flowers and not feel bad because, people, I suck at taking care of plants. I was totally sick of my garden and general yard care around my house around the middle of August. But I didn't kill all my plants and flowers as early as I did last year, I waited til at least the first week of September to let it all go. So that's an improvement. 

But sometimes between Wren's school (M/W/F) and me working (T/Th evenings and some Monday evenings) and then Kenton doing woodworking on the side...so like on evenings when the girls are in bed or on weekends..things get so crazy. I don't even know where September went. 

And can I just say that with all that, how does one fit in a social life? ha. Big problem, I know. But even a little social life is good to maintain, but not easy. 

However, I like our life at home, because when we are all here it doesn't move that fast. We have our routines down pat, it's just a matter of squeezing in any extras into it. 

So here is our September at a glance (and a bit of October!)...

Ellie is starting to think books are not so bad and will sit for 1 minute to listen to one. She calls them "bucka-bucks". 

Wren likes "climbing trees". No offence to Wren, but Ellie is 2.5 yrs younger than her and she blows her right out of the water for any kind of climbing in general. But that's okay. Wren can step up onto a low tree branch...

We've spent many afternoons in the park across the street. It's fun to watch the girls just run around and explore and roll down the hill. As I write this, Wren is outside in our yard picking out acorns from the grass and putting clover she picked from our..ahem..weed garden out front, and asking me to put them in some water. 

Wren occasionally poses like a diva.

Wren also changes her outfits 27 times a day.

Ellie still shovels dirt and sand into her mouth like there's a shortage. She actually took a tumble head first into the wet garden while reaching for a juicy dirt clump I'm sure.

Ellie tries to be a big kid and do all that Wren does. Don't all younger siblings? 

This year I have tried to be more on the ball with buying weather appropriate clothing before it's all sold out. I found this hilarious kitty toque at Superstore for winter. 

Wren sort of likes her hat, although it irritates her that the pom poms can't be tied up under her chin and that they're mostly there for decoration. 

Ellie doesn't care. But every time we get in the car she immediately rips off her boots, socks and toque. This kid is so different than Wren was at this age!

The weekend that Kenton and I took off to Calgary, Nana and Papa watched the girls for us and took them for a special treat to Galaxy Land. 

They love love love going, and they also love this red firetruck that they get to roll around in.

Driving cars on the ride. So cute!

A few months ago my mom had bought her and Wren tickets to go see Dora at the Jubilee. She totally loved it! We didn't tell her until half an hour before my mom came to pick her up. We have realized that  you save yourself a lot of sanity in life by NOT telling your kid about something as exciting as a Dora concert until minutes before. Parent trick #390. 

Our friends, Bryan and Sarah, were in town (from Brooklyn!) and came over for some family brunch as well! 

Ellie had an afternoon where she was in LOVE with Wren's Totoro backpack.

She is squeezing her little fists in glee over wearing this thing. 

I can't even wait for pumpkin pie this weekend, and I'm happy to say the girls are fans of it too. We are also going to try and clean up our yard tomorrow- with these two stinkers around I'm not sure how far we will get! But we have lots of dead plants and such to dig up so hopefully they are into it. :)

And finally, at preschool, Wren's class made "turkey buns". Little bread buns that in the shape of turkeys- the kids got to stick the "feathers" in it's butt. Their crafts are the best. 

Happy Thanksgiving!