Can you believe Thanksgiving is in ONE WEEK?? That means in one week and one day, our Christmas decorations go up, and our tiny little home is transformed for a month into this pretty, glowing little wonder, and it is always so cheerful inside, no matter how dark or dreary it is outside. I LOVE IT! But.... never, ever do we put up Christmas decorations before Turkey Day. Nope. That being said... I wanted to take a few moments, before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season starts, and write about all the fun stuff we've been doing locally this fall. Some of it was within a few hours, and some within a few minutes, but all was fun!
We spent time in the early fall exploring new playgrounds with Ruby's newest tiny friend: Haley. They have a ball together, and it is SO GOOD for Ruby, an only child, to have time with other kiddos.
Local folks: We checked out Cloverdale playground...
...we also visited Fantasy Land: A fantastic wooden playground...
...spent a bit of time at the local playgrounds in our neighborhood, which are great, because two are walk-able from our house, including the local elementary school playground...
...we met some cousins up in Wheaton, MD at the Wheaton Regional Park. During the summer, they even have a carousel and train to ride, but this playground has this awesome big "mountain" for kids to climb and play on. Ruby loved it, and loved spending time with her cousins...
...we drove to Maryland, and played on the playground in Mimi and Robby's neighborhood...
...and afterward, snuggled the furry friends...
...but mostly, our favorite playground is Fantasy Land, where we spent TWO HOURS today. Ruby never stops... and this playground is the best, because it has so many different things. Little tiny rocks (instead of mulch) are the base, and some mom's have commented that they HATE that, but I love it: Ruby plays with them and really has fun! There are wobbly bridges, multiple slides, swings, a sand box, a tiny rock wall, a little boat, tables for picnics, monkey bars, a tire swing, and so many little tunnels and ladders to climb in and up and over: Ruby just loves it! And she doesn't get bored, because it is so different. The fact that it is made of wood helped today when it was only 50 degrees (F) out too. If you're local, check it out for sure!
We also spent time hiking (this was Government Island, in Stafford, VA), of course, with Haley!
We also spent time looking for the perfect pumpkins, ...
... and going on breakfast dates with the best Papa ever.
This fall, we also spent time with Nanee and Hop, on a train ride! We went to New Freedom, PA, for the Steam Into History Abe Lincoln ride. Ruby LOVES trains (and trucks, and planes and boats...), and her cousins were there, so that was super fun!
Our most recent adventure was the discovery of playing in the leaf pile! What a grand time!
I have loved all of my time as a mama, but this fall has been so fun! Seeing the changes in Ruby from a year ago... last year, she was crawling, and still napping twice a day. Now she's experiencing so much more, and really loving it all... makes me so happy to be able to watch her grow and change. Happens so fast....and next week: her second Thanksgiving! Stay tuned for that adventure...meanwhile: go for a walk in the crisp fall air, breathe in the scent of falling leaves, and maybe even rake yourself a pile to run through.
