A Day of Firsts

On Tuesday, our first baby had his first day of first grade. We could not be prouder of Reed and love our boy so very much! We've always told him that out of all the little boys in the whole wide world, we'd pick him every time. Soon we are going to have to start to say that out of all the big boys, we'd still pick him. Every single time.

The Ordinary Moments...

...are sometimes the best ones.  Service-station selfies and spontaneous swinging at King Park were among a few moments that Willa and her mom were able to steal away together during the busy-ness of the past few weeks.

Labor Day

Our Labor Day celebration included the opposite of labor; we spent the afternoon picnicking and slowly exploring Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery. We were in no rush and spent hours playing,hiking and feeding the fish. It was a very peaceful way to wrap up a very eventful few weeks. 

A Fair Day

At the great NYS Fair!!!!

An Apple a Day....

...is part of our plan to keep the doctor away. One of our favorite local adventures is heading across the valley to Beak and Skiff Orchards and we were so happy to get out of the house on an unseaseonably cool late August afternoon for our first, but certainly not last, apple picking of the season! 

The Best Place...

...that we never want to go back to is Golisano Children's Hospital.  However, when a combo of strep throat and a coxsackie infection triggered a sudden autoimmune reaction in Reed, we were so fortunate to have this resource in our community.  Although our sweet, strong boy was pretty sick, he was able to still smile through the illness. We are again filled with gratitude for the people who take such good care of children and families there and for the powerful resiliency of our son and the fact that with time, he is expected to make a full recovery.

A Place in Our Hearts

Reed started at Jowonio, barely 3 years old in diapers and tears.  A few weeks ago, on a Thursday afternoon, he left there as a summer program student for the last time, almost 7 years old and having lost his 3rd tooth there that afternoon.  Reed was in tears again but only because saying goodbye is so hard and he knows how truly magical Jowonio is.  We are so grateful for this special place and the special people there.  We are also so grateful that Willa will begin again there in the fall in Reed's alma mater, the Koala Room!

Picnic at the Park

Reed, Willa and their mom spent a relaxing afternoon a few weeks ago at Marcellus Park.  We shared a picnic lunch, including the first watermelon of the season from Stones Throw Farm. We also were lucky enough to find a cicada that had just molted, and also spent some time at one of our favorite playgrounds in the world.