River Farm

We met for playgroup at the children's garden at River Farm. It was an overcast day but perfect weather for playing outside. The fall foliage at River Farm and along the GW Parkway is beautiful.

Amelia and Charlotte playing in their boots.

I'm definitely glad Amelia's mom warned me to bring boots. They were pretty muddy by the end of our playdate. Charlotte is still learning how to walk in them. They look too darn cute!

Charlotte eating lunch with the boys - Garrett and Ian.

Baby sling

Charlotte using my sling to carry her baby doll. I have a feeling I'll need to get her a kid sling to use when the new baby arrives because she'll want to carry her baby just like mommy.

Charlotte's recent masterpieces

"This one is my favorite because I got to use glitter."

"Mom, before you take my picture I need to put my shoes on."

"Hmmm, mom, can you move that top one a little to the left."

Stroller Strides

All the kiddies dressed up in their costumes for Stroller Strides class today. I just put Charlotte in her Halloween outfit. Our instructor gave out mini Luna bars and Charlotte thought it was big treat. If only all halloween candy were Luna bars!

Neighborhood Halloween Parade

Yesterday, we had our annual neighborhood Halloween parade. It was perfect weather! Here's a sneak peak at my little lioness. She is doing her "roar". She loves her costume which is good. I figure this will be the last year that I can decide the Halloween costume for her. She originally wanted to be a puma (no idea where she got that idea from?!) but her second choice was a lion. Phew! Not sure how I would have pulled off a puma? All I could think of was a Puma jogging suit with matching shoes. That would have cost me a fortune!

We made a last minute decision to dress up as a family as "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe". I know - completely cheesy! Eat your heart out Narnia fans. Have you ever seen a pregnant witch?!

Charlotte with her cousins, Bryn and Kellen. Bryn is a duck (duh!) and Kellen is a ghost. He told me that ghosts scare witches. I was afraid!

Charlotte and Kellen rode in the wagon for most of the parade just like last year.

Our neighbors and friends, Bob and Melissa, with their new baby, Caiden. Caiden is a chicken with a sign that says "Eat more cow". Their dog, Tasha, is a cow with a sign that says "Eat more chicken". Too cute!

More from the pumpkin patch in VB

Charlotte watched the goats very intently. You have to wonder what is going through her mind sometimes. You know she is really studying when the hands are behind her back.

Charlotte's favorite activity of the day was playing in the huge pile of straw!

Visit to Va Beach

When Dave goes out of town, Charlotte and I head for Va Beach! The weather was perfect for a pumpkin patch visit. Charlotte was getting chased by a huge turkey. She loved petting all the animals.

I'm happy that I finally got a decent photo of Poppy and Memme with Charlotte. It's hard to get Charlotte to look at the camera and pose. I'm sure I'll regret complaining about this later when she is making horrible faces instead of a natural smile.

We also went to a place called "The Jumping Monkey". We really hyped it up to Charlotte. I think she thought there would be live monkeys jumping up and down. She wasn't disappointed though. It was heaven for kids of all ages. They had at least 6 huge moon bounces including two big slides, a dress up room, tons of toys, a girly princess play room, and so much more. Charlotte was just running from one thing to the next. She loved trying on a couple costumes especially Elmo. We need a place like this in NoVa for sure!