It's begining to look a lot like fall

We have been in the new house for about two months now. All the boxes are unpacked, pictures are hung on the walls, and although there are still many projects to do, it truly feels like home now. The weather has started to turn cooler and a jacket is definitely in order when taking Paige to school in the mornings, but the afternoons are still warm and we are enjoying eating out on the patio as often as we can, especially since we know that soon it will be too cold. The changing seasons, left me wanting to spruce up the front door. We haven't done much to the outside since we moved in and I thought that a pretty new fall wreath, might do the trick for now. I started with a plain grapevine wreath and just started adding fluff and stuff until it looked about right. This is what I ended up with. I think it dresses up the front door. I would love to hang it with some sage green ribbon I have, but haven't figured out just how to do that yet, so for now the green wreath hanger works.

How big is Collin....

He's SOOOOOO big! 9 month check-up (two weeks early)
27.5 inches long
20.11 lbs

Dancing Queen

Paige started tap and ballet lessons today and I think that she really liked them! Her teacher is Miss Nicole and she said that Paige was a little shy at first but seemed to warm up quickly. I think that it really helped that her friend Hannah from school was in her class too. Miss Nicole said that Paige was so funny because she would ask her to do something and Paige would reply, "I can't do that, it's too hard" and then she would do it. So, they are going to work on not using the "can't" word. After class on the way home when asked what she learned Paige told me that she learned to "plies", not a bad start for the first day of ballet. She also told me that she knew which foot to use since one had a pink dot on it (I'm assuming that they are working on distinguishing the right from the left). It should be a fun year, I can't wait for the recital at the end.

Back in Bussines

Hey there! I bet you thought we had forgotten all about you. I know that it's been forever since we have posted an update, but we've been a little busy around here. So much has happened since we got back from our summer travels that it's hard to know exactly where to begin. We have moved into the new house and have satellite internet, it not quite a fast as cable, so I won't be posting ever picture that I have taken over the past two months, but here's a quick catch up on what's new with the Wild Bunch!

We are moved!!! We moved out of the townhouse in Falls Church on August 1 and into our new home which we couldn't love more. We are so blessed and excited to have lots of room for the kids to spread out and play outside. All of the boxes are unpacked and most of the rooms have been painted thanks to lots of hard work by Noni!!! I still have the guest room, the office, and the entry way left, but am hoping to get them done in the next month. If I can keep my house clean for more than 30 seconds, I will post some pictures of the house and all the projects that we have taken on.

If you ask Paige, one of the best things about the new house is the swing set in the back yard. We spend most afternoons after naps outside playing. Paige loves the slide, she goes up and down, up and down, up and down.
Collin is perfectly content to hang out in the swing.

Collin continues to grow like a weed, we are now eating lots of table foods, which he really prefers to the pureed baby food. He will still eat it most of the time, but he has his moments where he just spits the baby food back out until you give him something that he can do himself. So independent!

Other happenings this past month included Paige's 3rd Birthday!!! Hard to believe that she is already three, although some days she acts like she is about 14:

"Paige, what did you do at school today?" "Nothing!"

"Paige, how was your nap?" "FINE!"

No, she's not developing an attitude at all. I think that we are going to be in trouble when she actually is 14!

We did have a birthday party for Paige. It was mostly family and a few of our friends as she hadn't started school yet. But she had a blast opening presents and soaking up all the attention.

Paige also started Preschool the week of her birthday. She goes three days a week from 8:10am until 12:30. She wears the cutest little uniform, khaki or navy pants or skirt and a blue, white, or red polo. So adorable. She is usually a little timid when we first get to school and tells me that she doesn't want me to leave her at school by herself, but once I'm gone she seems to have a blast. She always has lots to tell me when she gets home. Her teacher called the other day to talk about how she was adjusting and we both decided that besides being a little shy, Paige is doing great and starting to make some good friends.

So grown up! She is also going to start ballet and tap next week after school. Her teacher tells me that she loves to sing and dance so I hope she will like the dance lessons.

Collin is now 8 months old!!! Hard to believe this one too. He's looking very mischievous in this picture. Have no fear though, it's not just a look - he is very mischievous. I can tell he is going to be one to get into way more things than Paige did!

The weather has started to turn a little cooler this past week, so we have really enjoyed playing outside in the afternoon. Paige loves to take Collin for a ride in the wagon. Sometimes I think he likes it and other times, he looks at me like, "mom, come and save me"