Busy Fall, Work and Play...

Andy and I have had both had to work at least part of the last two weekends.  This does usually seem to happen in the short autumn season here- the weather is so beautiful for being outside that our jobs demand as much time in the woods as our family does.  So we pass the kids back and forth, try to do the obligatory weekend errands, and definitely fit in at least one fun activity as a full family each weekend.  Two weekends ago, we made it to the NH seacoast on Sunday for the Piscataqua Oysterpalooza.  It was held at Ordione Point State Park, which is one of our favorite places to visit anyway, so it was a no-brainer.  Plus a certain seven year old can slurp down a plate of oysters faster than you can (or at least I can) shuck one.  The oyster fest was not well advertised, I don't think, and when we arrived we basically had a giant tent, decent irish band called the Squid Jiggers (of course) and tons of seafood dishes for $1 each all to ourselves.  Lobster rolls for $1.  You can't beat that.  And oysters from Maine, Canada, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.  The ones from NH were my favorite;  not sure if they are actually more flavorful or if the difference in taste was just because they were harvested that same morning, but they were delicious.

Aiden's been enjoying second grade at his new school and has been taking full advantage of the fact that we now have enough free time (without the 1-2 hours of commuting/carpool) to let him participate in afterschool activities.  He's doing soccer, flag football, and fencing at the moment... swim lessons start in a few weeks, and he's now mulling over whether he'd like to add French, guitar, boy scouts or karate.  Life is tough.  Well, not really, but it is busy... heap onto this full plate a hefty load of homework including daily math fact practice, reading, and some super-tough spelling words, and we have a very tired boy on our hands every night.  He's excelling though, and we couldn't be prouder of him.  

First place ribbon for the top score in 2nd grade math league competition!

Last weekend, our one fun family activity between bouts of "mom or dad has to work" was Molly's birthday party at Beech Hill Farm.  The day was perfect Indian Summer, and everyone had fun running around the farm, rolling down hills in the grass, decorating pumpkins, conquering the corn maze (ok, not me, I still hate those things), and eating elaborately decorated ice cream sundaes.  Our short-lived fall season is here in earnest now- only a few more weeks before the snow flies, I'm afraid... so we'll be making the best of it while it lasts!