Falling Leaves - Live From Our Backyard In New Jersey!

Fall is quickly coming to an end. We have been raking the leaves in our backyard and instead of throwing them in a bag for pick up the kids put them in a pile and have leaf fights and jump in it! This moment truly reminded me of their first leaf war years ago when we first moved to Jersey. It's a good thing these are fresh leaves that have fallen off from our tree in our backyard and not from a park. It brings me so much joy to see them get along and have fun with whatever they do as siblings. They are five years apart and these three are literally "three's a crowd." If I could write a sitcom I would call it "three's company-siblings of New Jersey." Sure Noah can be a pest sometimes to these girls when they want "girl time" but for the most part they will include him in any outing whether it's going to the library, bookstore, skating, going for a walk, or to the movies. These kids are always together 95 percent of the time (except when Lexie is in college) and that makes my mama heart so happy seeing that they all get along no matter the age difference. I captured a few photos (mostly blurry) of them tossing leaves up in the air and it probably took five takes for me to get the perfect shot of them throwing the leaves up in the air, but alas I got it! When photos don't look clear and precise it's ok. It's always the blurry, random ones that are the happiest! You can watch this little reel of them on my instagram and on my TikTok here. 

A Season Almost Over.

After all the snow we've had I am officially longing for warmer temperatures, and even though we've had quite a few this week it's still not enough! The smell of spring is fast approaching, but not fast enough. We are itching for warmer temperatures, and even though it's still a bit nippy, and windy outside we don't care. These kids of mine are not one to wait until temps are in the 50's to play outside. Luckily temps have been pretty moderate because the hardest part about having a long winter (which in our case is not too long unless you live further north) are when the kids have no recess at school during the winter months! None! No matter if they're bundled up with ear muffs, gloves, and a warm coat the faculty does not allow them to go outside and play. They have indoor recess inside the gym which in Chelsea's opinion is not the same, and I know exactly how she feels. I have Noah all day which means finding ways to keep him occupied. I don't like him being on the computer or watching the telly for too long (although he'd love that) and boys love to explore the outdoors. I have felt a bit guilty lately because I haven't taken him to the park lately. The best parks require a short drive, but once we get a car I promised him that we'd go to the park at least three times a week. You can only go on so many walks on the bike trail without it getting a bit old.  

The other day they went to town in our backyard playing on our dormant grass without a care in the world. I love the fact that it doesn't get dark until around 7pm, and they played outside for a couple of hours. Noah and Chelsea are pretty creative, and their imagination amazes me. After enduring several years of storm abuse my wind chime I had hanging on my little front porch fell apart, and so the kids salvaged the bars and used them to dig in the dirt. They said it was better than sticks, and twigs. 

They have fun no matter what the seasons bring, and even though they don't have a lot of outdoor toys to entertain them they always manage to have fun with what they have. 

For instance they played horseshoes, and Noah laughed the whole time while playing. He'd laugh when he'd make it, and laugh even harder when he wouldn't! Silly goose!

Spring is definitely almost here, and we are trying to be patient in waiting for this beautiful season to turn our grass green again so that we can have bbq's, and have more fun in our little backyard!

Hurry Spring! Save me from motherhood so that these two won't be cooped up in the house too much, or freeze outside when they play! ;-)

My little Olympian.

We have been going through a little bit of Olympic withdrawal partial because it's a sign that summer is coming to an end, and the fact that we missed a couple of days of it seemed to have ended all too quick. 

I was reminded of it when Noah was aiming for the rings in the backyard of a friend's house the other day. Instead of the swing, or slide he ran straight towards them, and grabbed them so gracefully as if he was a natural.

His strength amazes me, and when he was hanging from them so still it put a smile on my face. He's so petite, but yet so strong. Lifting himself up almost flipping over! I can totally see him being a gymnast. He is the monkey in our house jumping off the couch, bed, table & chairs! He loves rolling, and being upside down and flipping backwards! Sometimes he scares me because I feel as if he's going to break his neck! He's strong though, and he knows what he's doing. Still...I don't allow that much horsing around in our small living room! 

 He really enjoyed this huge backyard where he could run around free. He's a little sweaty in these pictures, and that is just a sign that he can take the heat on a hot semi humid day swinging from the still rings.