Cox Farms

Last weekend was preview weekend for Cox Farms. We had gone to Cox Farms last year and it was so hot that we only did about half of the activities they had. This year the weather was nice and fall-like (we even started the day in sweatshirts!) so we planned on being there for a while. About 4 hours after we pulled in, we left. Needless to say we all had a great time and this year I think we were able to do everything!

Cox Farms is known for all of the slides they have for their Fall Festival. In the beginning, we all went down the slides (which means I couldn't really get many pictures.) Kylee wasn't quite ready to venture off on her own yet. I knew once we got her down the first big one by herself she would be excited to do some more. Right after we had lunch and started to hit the slides again I was somehow able to convince her to go alone. (I told her she could push me down the slide really fast and then I would wait and catch her at the bottom and it worked!) And of course No Fear Ryland had no problems going by himself either. Both kids had a great time on the slides (and Pete and I were pretty amused by them too!)

Leesburg Animal Park

Our latest adventure was to the Leesburg Animal Park. We met our friends Brayden and Taylor there (and their mom Julie of course!) It turned out to be one of the first cool days and it was kind of nice to put on our sweatshirts and walk around. There were many people at the park at all so the kids were really able to see everything. First stop was the animals ... Kylee was a little hesitant but did feed a few of the animals. Ryland liked feeding the goats from his stroller. Of course Ryland's favorite activity was to try and chase the chickens and roosters that were roaming free, and yell Cock-A-Doodle-Doo while he was running! (Hence, the reason he was sometimes strapped into the stroller!)

There was even a contact area where you could roam around with some of the animals. Unfortunately Kylee, Ryland, Taylor, and I didn't get to experience this. Well sort of. When Julie and Brayden decided to first enter the area a sheep escaped from the first gate and came to the waiting area where we were feeding the animals through the fence. Well, after the sheep snuck up on Kylee and stole her cup from her she didn't really want to have too much more to do with the "up close and personal" experience. Julie and Brayden tried to venture in again (this time a goat and another sheep made it out the first gate!) but it seemed as if the animals hadn't had visitors in a while. They were all excited and wouldn't leave Julie and her cup of food alone. (Take note of the llama right on her tail in the picture below.) They came out and we were luckily able to sneak out of the main gate without taking any animals escapees with us! : ) (Later in the day though we saw that a llama and some more goats and sheep had also broken free of the first gate when other visitors had gone in.)

We also took a wagon ride (and had it all to ourselves!) Along the way we were able to see all of the things that were being set up for the upcoming Pumpkinville events and this kept Brayden and Kylee pretty entertained. (Looks like we will be going back to the animal park for their Pumplinville!) We drove by the zebras and headed to the pond. The tractor stopped at the pond so we could feed the fish and the ducks. The ducks were nice and calm and waited under the wagon to get the food, which is right where Ryland was dropping it, but the fish were CA-RA-ZY! Seriously, Julie and I couldn't get over the fish! Apparently they feel the vibrations from the tractor and all start swimming to the shore because they know they are going to be fed. Well, the number of fish that were there and the way there were all on top of each other was unbelievable. I tried to get a picture but it doesn't even do it justice to show how active and how many of these guys there were. The kids were amused throwing the food and watching all of the activity in the water (and Julie and I were pretty entertained too.)

There was a nice playground too. After eating our lunches at the picnic tables we headed over to the park to play a bit. The slide was pretty fast and it was great to watch the kids slide right off the end of it. A few times they flew off and landed right on the ground! I tried to get a picture of them in mid-air but didn't have a whole lot of success.

One of the big highlights though was that one of the bounce houses was already set up for Pumpkinville and we were able to use it. Kylee, Ryland, and Brayden were actually the only ones playing in it and they had blast!

Kylee and Brayden started trying to run around the whole perimeter without falling. They were having a great time and eventually got the hang of it. : )

A Couple More Videos

Kylee and Ryland decided to put on a little show the other night after dinner. Kylee introduced both of them and then started singing "la la la" while dancing. Needless to say, it didn't take long for Ryland to join in. : )

Kylee and Ryland have been VERY into puzzles lately. Kylee really likes to help her brother with things and luckily he is usually a good sport about listening to her. She definitely has her own idea of how things should be done (such as a specific order for the pieces to go into the puzzle!?) and it seems like Ryland is starting to understand and accept that rather than go against it. : )

This is just a short clip of the kids doing Ryland's tool puzzle together. Kylee is trying to teach him how to say "tools" along with the names of some of the tools in the puzzle. It also amuses me that she sometimes puts the pieces just outside the slots where they belong to help Ryland. Again, he is a good sport about this too because he is easily able to do the puzzle on his own.

I do love that the two of them are really starting to play together more and do things together. Hopefully it will just keep going in that direction! : )

Kylee's First Day of School

Kylee just had her first day of school. Although I did expect for it to be a rough first week at drop off time, in the back of my head I was hoping that there would be a miracle and she would walk in and get right into things. I should have stuck with my gut! : ) We definitely had a less than ideal drop off with a lot of tears being shed but according to the teachers, Kylee had calmed down within 3 minutes after I left. Phew! (That made dropping off on Day 2 easier for me since there were still some tears from Kylee.)

Day 2 started with some tears but I knew she was going to be fine. I got a thumbs up and a "she did great" from the teacher at pick up. When we were walking to the car she couldn't even wait to get out of the school to show me all the things she made that were in her bag. Slowly but surely she is starting to like this school thing.

Next week is "Pet Day" and she gets to take one of her stuffed pets with her. As of right now, Friend Doggie is going for the day but we'll see if she changes her mind. She has really been talking about Pet Day so I'm hoping we have a better drop off this time. Either way though she has had A LOT of positive things to say about her time at school so I know she is starting to get into the routine and enjoying the things they are doing in her class.

Here she is ready to go on the first day!

Stopping to take a picture outside of the school before it was time to head in.

Kylee Reading to Ryland

Kylee's new favorite thing to do is read books to Ryland. She especially loves it when he repeats what she reads to him. He is usually pretty cooperative and sits with her to read. : )

Sorry about the horrible glare on the book but I was trying to take the video without the kids knowing and I couldn't get to a spot where there wasn't a glare. Just watch with sunglasses I guess. : )

"The Letter Tree"

We recently went to one of our favorite places, Burke Lake, with our friends. After riding on the train, carousel, and eating lunch we headed down to the water for a bit. We went with our friends Brayden, Taylor, and Ella for the walk. Turns out we didn't go very far this time. Kylee and Brayden started out looking for bugs to put in their bug cages but we had no luck so instead they filled their cages with leaves, sticks, acorns, you name it. Then we hit the jackpot with our two explorers ... a "letter tree!" This is, of course, just a tree that people have carved initials and names on but the kids loved it. They kept looking at all the letters and trying to find the ones to start their names. Luckily they were prepared with their magnifying glasses to help with their investigation. : )

Burke Centre Festival

This past weekend was the Burke Centre Festival. One of the best things about this festival is that we can walk to it!!!! This year Nana, Grandad, May-Me, and Jack were here visiting and were able to go with us. It turned out to be a nice weekend since the rain had finally stopped.

First up, the train ride. We remembered how long the line was for the train last year so we got there first thing and were able to ride it right away.

Jack and Kylee were excited about riding the horses. Ryland didn't quite know what we were in line for but he seemed to like the ride once he got on. Ryland took a ride on Creamsicle, Jack rode Sugar (which was the "big horse" not one of the ponies), and Kylee got a ride from Toby.

Jack gave the rope bridge sponsored by the Boy Scouts a try too. He did a great job and made it all the way across!

There was a mini ferris wheel there too. Kylee wasn't "in the mood" for the ride at the time so it was just the boys. Turns out that a cage with a locked door was the perfect place for Ryland! Ha! : )

Jack was also big enough to try out the rock wall. I think he was most looking forward to the repel down when he was done climbing.

The boys took a tour inside an ambulance and everyone got some new fire hats while we were there.

Ryland's favorite part was the police car. He loved sitting in the driver's seat but everyone also took a turn in the back seat ... let's hope this is the one and only time that happens!?!?!

While Nana was here visiting we also got some baking in. Her and Kylee made a batch of Mrs. G's cookies ... yum! (I am still reaping the benefits from this adventure!) : )

Tech Boy

Ryland definitely enjoys the computer and the iPad. He likes to play them by himself or also watch Kylee on the computer. I didn't realize the other day that Kylee helped Ryland and put his game on the computer for him AND then he saw the iPad sitting on the desk. Next thing I know ... Ryland is playing the computer and the iPad at the same time. I love the picture where he is pushing the keys on the keyboard and looking at his iPad video at the same time!

Dress Up Time!

Kylee enjoyed dressing up the other day and wanted to surprise us with her outfit. This is how she looked when she was all done! (Notice the sunglasses on under the monkey mask, which is upside down.) HA!

Playground Fun

We love it when we are able to take a walk (especially in the morning before lunch) and head to one of the local parks. We have a lot of different parks that are connected by trails so it is nice to have different options to go to.

Kylee decided that "Friend Doggie" was going to get to come along for the fun on our latest walk. She kept him in the stroller and walked him the whole way!

As soon as we got there both kids were off. They kept moving from one thing to the next, which wasn't a big surprise. Ryland was able to climb the ladder completely independently. He usually gets pretty far on his own, if not the whole way, but this time he attempted a curved ladder and did it with ease.

The "circle swing" is a big hit for both kids.

They had fun on the regular swings too.

Ryland has also picked up on one of Kylee's favorite activities at the park. To find a bar, usually above the slide, and swing on it like crazy. It was pretty amusing to watch the two of them go. Kylee has been able to swing and get some good air for a while now but I was pretty impressed with how high Ryland was able to get too. These are definitely my two little monkeys! : )