Fall is in the Air

...at least in my foyer.  I might have a slight addiction to Glade Plug-ins and my house smells deliciously like apple cider.  I'm saving the exceptionally fall-scented "Pumpkin Spice" for next month.  The weather hasn't seemed much like fall with temperatures in the 90's last week (right after all the pools and spray grounds closed!) and 50's now.  Add in some rain and it's been a pretty icky couple weeks.

We did squeeze in a playground visit:

Some time in Congress Park:

And a 5k that Bob and I ran in:

sitting in a fire truck wasn't as fun as it looked.

With a playground stop afterwards:

But then during the weekend before last, MiniM.E. really wasn't herself (seen here looking utterly unimpressed with everything):

I had one of my worst "Bad Mom of the Year" moments Monday before last when I took MiniM.E. to the doctor after a couple weeks of extra fussiness to find out she had screaming ear infections in both ears.  Arg.  It was a rough couple days nice, relaxing break to lie on the couch with a cuddly, exhausted, sick toddler (even though I felt awful that she felt awful).  Unfortunately, it took her a while to get back to herself (I'm still not sure she's 100%) and we had a couple play dates we had to leave early and a couple activities that we started last week that she definitely wasn't excited about.  Hopefully this week will be better.

Last weekend we drove to NH for H.'s 2nd birthday party.  Remember his 1st?

We didn't plan much for the weekend since I made the cake this year and it took up a lot of time, but we did get to see my sister's new puppy "Crumpins" (named by MiniM.E.).

MiniM.E. helping to bake the cakes

Hi Crumpins!

THE CAKE!!

A playground break 

At the party

Crumpins in MiniM.E.'s kiddie pool

Waiting for the Carousel

MiniM.E. is in love with the carousel.  I'm not talking something she just likes a lot, or a good distraction when we're not sure what to do.  She LOVES it.  She talks about it all day.  She mumbles about it when she's falling asleep.  She demands to go to it whenever we get in the car.

So though we've only been four times so far this summer, I've already spent enough on the carousel to buy a nice pair of jeans... the things you sacrifice for your children.

Today is Monday.  And just like last Monday, MiniM.E. was spoiled from a weekend of extra excitement with Daddy (did I mention we're building a swingset??) and carousel rides, so of course, when I give her a rundown of our day, she looks as though she's pondering our activities and then responds firmly, "go carousel."

And I had to explain, just like last week, that the carousel isn't open until Friday after nap, but as soon as Friday after nap comes, we'll go.  And I'm going to assume, following last week's pattern, that every day this week she will resolutely state that we must "go carousel."

Luckily for us (though not so fortunate for my wallet), at the end of next month the carousel is open daily.  I guess I'll enjoy a few more weeks of being able to get an afternoon coffee before I feed my coffee money to the horses every day...

It's worth it.

Buying tokens

Contemplating the fact that she doesn't have money for tokens (fortunately, Mommy does)

 

Second to riding is getting a sticker every time.  Prime placement...

In other news...

There is a new playground at the Spa Park.  Not very toddler appropriate.  We still like the old one better.

Daddy ran the Workforce Challenge in Albany and we went out to watch.

And MiniM.E. got to pet her first python.  Cool!  She did not want to wear it as a necklace though...

"really, touch it?"

"...okay..."

"wait... did you know that the snake is MOVING?!"

"you want me to WHAT?!!" 

"okay... one kiss..."