the haps

So truth be told, I have never actually experienced fall before.  I lived in Arizona for as long as I can remember, and then in Dominica, and then shortly in Miami.  All three places don't do fall.  I kinda dig it!  Our street is lined in trees that are all turning red,  our A/C has been off since mid September, and I am starting to think my long sleeve shirts are not going to be enough to keep me warm come November.  I don't even own a winter coat.  This is definitely going to be an experience.  luckily, the weather in Atlanta is more mild then NYC, or Chicago so I won't have to deal with driving in snow (which I have never actually done either).

The kids are also digging the weather, and are loving playing outside.  Especially Brooks.  I can leave our back door open, and he will go in and out all day long.  He loves it.  Now I'm on the hunt for some good backyard toys.  In Arizona, Ella had a kitchen outside, and it kept her busy for hours.  She made mud pies, "cooked" us meals with dirt and leaves and garnished them with flowers.  You know, the good stuff.  Maybe I'll hit up craigslist to try and find another.

Bryce is 2 weeks from completing Pediatrics.  If you're keeping count, that is (almost) 3 core rotations down, and 3 to go!!  Next up will be internal medicine (think House, the TV show, not the dwelling.)  And this will be a LONG rotation.  12 weeks.  He'll start before Thanksgiving, and end after Christmas. Fun.

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I am also 'back in school'.  I am doing an online BSN program, and wow...sometimes I wonder what I was thinking.  Gluten for punishment, I guess.

Brooks can now say "Touchdown", along with some other simple words.  He loves to eat, even though you wouldn't know it by his runty appearance.  He is still as sweet as can be, and don't worry folks, he still loves his sleep.  And I love it too.  I recently tried to cut him down to 1 nap a day, but he would just go to his bed every day and point to it and cry.  He'd look at me like "Mommy, why? I just want to take a nap and snuggle with my blankies and my elephant!"  So, really, how am I supposed to say "No" to that??

Ella had picture day at school.  The pictures are darling.

The prices of said pictures?? Not so darling.  I really am struggling with this, because usually, when we ask her to smile it looks like this....

I don't know.  How much is too much to pay for school pictures???

*In addition to getting out when my parents were here, we have also been able to do some fun things as a fam.  We went to a Grayson High School football game not long ago.  Football is a BIG deal here in GA.  There is a 16 year old defensive back on the team who is 6'8" and 268 lbs.  Watch out for this guy...I think he is NFL bound.

We were also able to score some really sweet tickets to the Georgia Aquarium!!  It is the biggest aquarium in the country, and thanks to my friend Becky,  we were able to enjoy it for free!!  Becky has her masters degree in Marine Biology and works at the aquarium.  Thanks Becky!! We all loved it, but I think Ella loved it the most!

Now...who's ready for Halloween?  We're working on it.