Fabulous Fall

It's been a great slow start to fall.  The weather has stayed warm and we've been able to enjoy lots of outside time.

The older two have been working hard on riding bikes and both are pretty proficient on their bikes. Rilyn is on a pedal bike no training wheels and Ryder is on his balance bike.  Rilyn has needed lots of encouragement to overcome her fear of falling, but other than that has needed little support to learn to ride a pedal bike.  I love that the balance bike gave her the skills she needed to learn with minimal hassle. So, we've taken to some paved trails in Castle Rock and with Sawyer in a stroller we can cover 2 miles.  It's a good way for all of us to get some physical activity.

He gets to just hang out and eat the whole time.

We've been trying to be consistent with preschool.  We are not going to send the kiddos to preschool since I'm home and really want to be as present as I can be while they are young.  Also, I LOVE teaching and nothing is more rewarding than teaching my own children.  It's such a joy to watch them learn and amazes me how quickly they pick up things.  Of course, it's totally different since I taught special ed I didn't see the quick and effortless progress that I see with Rilyn and Ryder.  But, we do have to be intentional about making time for it and it's been a little of a learning curve for me to fit it in, in addition to all the other things we have going on.  Play and social opportunities still take precedent!  They really don't need much in terms of formal learning right now, but since we all enjoy it we do it.  We are using a free bible based curriculum I found online so we learn a bible story, a memory verse, and a letter each week.  In addition, there are science and math targets intertwined, but I mostly just focus on whatever interests the kids and what math skills I think are important.

reading in a box with a lantern...

As I mentioned most of our time revolves around playing.  All 3 kids play really well, and minus the referring I do it's a great part of our time.  It's fun to watch them be so creative and learn from each other.

We have been busy doing lots of things outside of the house too.  To name a few, The Children's Museum, park visits, a surprise fire truck tour, and swim lessons for the older two.  

Rilyn and those bears at the museum.  March 2012 and September 2015

This fire truck visit was one of those spontaneous moments that just happened.  We were driving home from Sunday brunch and I was tired.  Church and then brunch with these three is exhausting. Especially since church starts at 8:15.  I usually get home and am completely worthless through nap. But, when I passed the park and saw a fire truck there I decided to turn around and see if the boys could spend some time drooling over the coolness of it.  Rilyn stayed with grandma (usual for her on Sundays) or actually any day that ends in day lol.  I'm so glad I decided to stop.  The fire chief was so patient and kind and took so much time explaining everything on the truck.  Some times those awesome moments are unplanned but are all around the place if we take the time to notice them!  

Swimming lessons was great for Rilyn.  She is very close to being able to at least swim enough to be in water fairly independently.  Ryder's still is a fish, but doesn't have the attention span to learn anything.  He acts like it's a trampoline and just jumps up and down the whole time worrying the teacher that he will drown.  We don't get to the pool often enough for a couple of reasons but mostly it's dang expensive since we aren't residents of Castle Rock and I can't take all 3 by myself without constant worry.  Sometimes living out of town has it's downfall...

But then I get to wake up to this every morning so swimming doesn't matter...

We've been doing lots of baking with the cooler weather.  Too be honest, I almost always want to do it by myself lol but I try to be patient and let those three monkeys help.  We really don't have enough room for all three of them to help at the same time but they seem to think so.  Cooking is one thing that all three of them is always interested in.  

Enjoying a new season with my favorite people!  Can't wait for more fall fun with these pumpkins.