Mom's a Bore and Other Stories

Gentlemen Who Dine (And Then Take a Refreshing Post-Noodle Dumptruck Constitutional around the Dining Room)

What a Turkey

Laying out, er, wearing the placemats.

Setting out, er, playing the spoons.

What do you mean there's no pumpkin pie this year?

Between firsts and seconds, a rousing round of bubbles.

Un-laying the table cloth.

Sneaky tryptophan.

Farmer Boy

We took these on John's phone, which is at fault for the lousy quality, but I wanted to post anyway because they were snapped on one of Freddy's favorite days EVER when we took him to the J. Razz and Tazz farm in Gibsonville.

He got to drive and climb on many tractors. In this photo, I kid you not, he is saying "Not this one. Want John Deere." Just like his GranPete.

And then there was this contraption. A train of cow-painted carts pulled by a tractor around a field. Parents couldn't really fit, so FRD had to ride alone, which made me all teary as he pulled away.

Needless to say Freddy didn't mind in the least. He was in a complete trance the whole time and when it stopped and John went to pull him out he said "More. Again" and so we let him ride it again.

Freddy also got to sit in a corn silo, climb through a hay-bale tunnel, and take a hay ride. He got stung by a yellow jacket in the midst of it all and didn't even cry, far too busy staring at tractors. Then he came home and slept for 3.5 hours.

Phew. Back on the "green one" with GranPete.

The Amazing . . .

Spiderman (and his pluggies)!

Spidey plays house with his school pals.

First trick-or-treat house. You can't really see FRD here, but he's behind that adorable little pumpkin girl on the steps.

DONE being Spidey.

Big Shoes to Fill

After JD left for work this morning, Freddy followed me around the house in this get-up saying "My Daddy." Awwwww.

Finding the Perfect Pumpkin

can be an arduous and encompassing process. The succesful pumpkin-quester must be
skeptical,

tolerant,

easily entertained,

determined,

and open to advice.

He's Back!

Sorry sorry sorry -- things got a little crazy there for a while, but we're settling in. FRD loves nursery "shule" now. Although when you ask him what he does there it sounds a little like a work camp. His favorite responses are "laundry," "cook" and "sweep." His teachers report he does none of these things. Mostly he seems to eat snack, nap, and ride tricycles.

Recently Nana came to visit, bringing all sorts of wonderful presents that earned her the phrase "Nana, stuff." And she and Freddy spent some great time together climbing in tunnels, captaining boats, and other fun activities that you do when your grandmother is visiting. Thanks for the beautiful blanket (which Freddy pats each night, saying "Nana gave you"), beloved Boots, and the adorable Mushroom shirt in FRD's favorite color.

To School

It's not Back to School for FRD, cuz it's his FIRST TIME EVER. Last week wasn't the most tear-free, smooth sailing week in recent memory, but we survived. Here are some shots from the final throes of summer.

That Sneaky Fox

So yeah, we let him watch a little tv.

Just Freddy being Freddy

Lake, Bees, Waterfall

FRD took a little August family vacay to Lake Lure. It was a beautiful weekend - great views from Chimney Rock, a lovely morning out on the water, and a ball of a time getting covered in yuckies at the beach. A few less yellow jackets and ever-lurking turkey vultures, and it would have been perfect. Of course, Freddy reports that his favorite parts were watching Dora the Explorer in bed and counting the four air conditioning vents in our hotel room. That's our boy!