Fireman Small

Happy-but-you-don’t-know-it face

fall flashback

A photo review, from Labor Day through early October.

(did I mention that I have a full-time job? one where I stare at the computer 95% of the work day? and so, this poor little blog, has taken very last place on my list of computer-based activities)

Before my students started school, we were blessed to escape to Avila Beach for a Labor Day retreat, thanks to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Ernie. I didn’t want to come home (and that was before I knew how crazy my job would be!).

I think Jack took this one.

We beached, barned, and breakfasted while in Avila. Delightful!

Are you planning a trip to Avila Beach anytime soon? We ate breakfast at the cutest little general store (they also serve lunch). I can’t wait to go back with someone other than Andrew who will share one of their amazing baked goods with me

The Avila Market has a fun outdoor sitting area; we preferred the cozy leather recliners inside. And yes, we’ve become THOSE parents who let their kid play cell phone games while they eat out at restaurants. You win some, you lose some, right?!

Next up, Beau’s 30th birthday party in October.

Beau and his friends like to play music together. For Beau’s birthday party, they had a group sing-a-long with lots of instrumental accompaniment. The next photo is blurry, but notice the Mr. in his little rocking chair, smack in the middle of the group! Jack LOVED the music and we stayed way past his bedtime because he was having so much fun. (Special thanks to Beau for inviting us and his friends for being gracious with a three-year-old among them!)

At this rate, I’ll get to Thanksgiving by January

review

Until a couple weeks ago, I spent lots of time in the company of these two (four?) friends.

And then I got a full-time teaching job (working from home), and Jack started preschool four days a week, and Andrew moved to a new unit with an awesome 12-10pm schedule. Phew!

September has been a month of huge transition for us. These are really good changes for our little family; as with any new season of life it’s taking us a while to adjust.  Andrew & Jack are forging new routines together on weekdays while I am holed up in our office. They make breakfast for all of us, then play until time for preschool. On Fridays,  Andrew is usually home and the boys run errands, visit “David and Janet” (as Jack calls his grandparents!), go to the park, etc. It is lovely for me to be able to check in with them throughout the day… or listen from the office while Jack sings along to silly songs Andrew plays on the guitar.

I’ve just got to learn to set some boundaries with work and stop checking my email at 11:30pm, and then I’ll be set!

camping in mammoth

I wonder if the people reading this blog think we’re nuts for doing the same things over and over. Like vacationing every summer in Mammoth (and for the second year, going up twice in the same summer). Then again, if you’ve ever spent time with my dad – or Jack – you will see that this practice is a sort of personality trait. Once you find something you like, you should try to do/experience/listen to it as much as possible, according to them.

This round we changed it up a bit by camping near the cabin where my parents stay. Though the “squitoes” tried, they could not dampen the spirits of the most enthusiastic little camper around. Mr. Jack LOVES everything about camping!

Also new this trip – we were joined by “uncky beau & andi andi”, as well as my parents. We took them on a favorite hike we discovered last summer to McCleod Lake, where we found piles of snow, another thrill for Jack.

Another new experience for many of us was swimming in the extremely saline (alkaline?) waters of Mono Lake.

Little man discovered the joy of going out in the canoe with whoever was willing to take him.

I guess we all just really, really like it up here!

gal pals

Jack is one lucky guy to get to play with so many cute, FUN girls!

Here he is on a recent playdate at Ava & Juliette’s house, with Noel & Micah also joining. The babies rolled, the “big” kids rough-housed, and we moms tried to string a few sentences together in between.

manhattan beach

While tia Teby was in town, we hit the beach with Andi, Nan, and Aunt Kathy.

The weather was perfect, the water was gorgeous, and Jack had plenty of fun ladies to keep him entertained!

I am three and quite unreasonable

Lest we forget and envision a hike longer than a quarter mile…