October: "And All at Once Summer Collapsed into Fall"

Fall is here! And we are soaking it up. Orange pumpkins at every corner of our house, the smells of cinnamon and clove always wafting through the kitchen, time spent in the cold, brisk air. I could live in fall forever. And it feels like we have FINALLY reached fall weather and summer is officially gone. Isla often wakes up and asks if it's still fall :)

We've been busy with friends! Lots of trips to the zoo, the nature preserve, and friends's houses. Isla is a social butterfly and can talk to anyone. And Ewan is just glad to be there. I'm so glad to have such good friends in our lives. I even had a few mom's nights with my friends too this month (fondue by the fire)!

We finished up another music class. Both kids got to join for this one! Both kids love music. Isla can keep a tune and beat really well and Ewan loves dancing. He loves music more than anyone I know.

Nana even joined us for one class!

If we aren't spending time making music or hanging out with friends, you can find us at home. We are usually baking, playing, or doing school (October school post coming soon).

And we are outside as often as possible. We have a standing appointment with the nature preserve every Friday :) Sometimes friends join and sometimes it's just us. Either way, we always have a grand adventure!

Our sweet friend brought her guitar for some music in the woods :)

We also went to a Halloween party at Amma's facility. It was a fun time! Isla loves all things Halloween and Ewan loves Amma's hair :) (see the picture)

The most exciting thing about this month was Isla's THIRD birthday. I can't quite figure out how it's been 3 years. She is incredibly smart, intuitive, strong-willed, sensitive, sweet, and funny. I recently had a mom's night where my friends described her as "so interesting". She really is. She's interested in bugs, moon phases, and instruments; but, also loves all things silly like toots and jokes. She has the most amazing memory. Seriously. She can remember stories word-for-word or songs from hearing them once. It's sometimes shocking! I sure love her and I feel so blessed and changed to have known her for these 3 magical years.

The day before her birthday, Michael took work off and we spent the day on an adventure. We went to the pumpkin patch, the toy shop, and the coffeeshop. Isla picked out a trumpet toy at the toyshop with some money from her great-great Aunt Darlene and got her favorite pumpkin kid coffee. It was a fun day!

The next day was Isla's actual birthday with a birthday party to follow. Isla requested a chocolate cake covered in chocolate chips and pizza for lunch.