Zing, Zang, Zoom

Zing, Zang, Zoom...that's what Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus call their latest show. Last weekend we ventured to All State arena to take Austen to the circus. Now, I probably haven't been to the circus since I was just a little older than Austen so I was just as excited to go back and to see how he would react to the clowns, tigers and elephants.

The show was a little over two hours. Austen sat still the entire time mesmerized by the show. Even during the brief intermission, he didn't want to get up. He ate his share of popcorn and cotton candy and persuaded Tom and me to buy him a sword that lights up (what little boy doesn't need a sword?). He loved the elephants and when they would go back to their tents for a brief respite before their next gig, he would ask where the elephants went. He also loved the tigers!

We always know when something has made an impression on him because back at school on Monday, he tells everyone what he did that weekend. Sure enough, his teachers all knew he went to the circus and so did some of the other parents of kids in his class!

Sibling Rivalry

No, the new baby hasn't arrived yet. I'm still just talking about Austen and Adler. These two are either friends or foes on any given day, mostly depending on Austen's mood. The other day Austen was mad at Adler because she was laying down behind him and he turned around quickly and happened to trip over her. That brought on a few tears. Not her fault, I thought. On another occasion, Adler was cowering from a fly that had gotten into our house. For some reason she decided that Austen's room was a safe haven from the fly and decided to hide out in there. Well, that was until it was time for Austen to go to bed and he demanded that she get out! Not so nice! Another day, we had given Austen a nicely frosted holiday (Halloween) cookie and Tom and I turned around for one minute after giving this to Austen before we heard screaming and crying (Austen). It took us a minute before we found Adler gobbling down Austen's cookie. Since they are the same height, I'm guessing it was hard for Adler to resist snagging the cookie since she didn't get one. She probably deserved the thumping she got on her nose compliments of Austen even though I don't condone anyone touching my dog in that way! Austen and Adler also like to play. Austen will throw toys to Adler and Adler will play keep away with the toy and revel in Austen chasing her around the furniture. Well, one day Austen made the mistake of throwing a toy straight up above his head for Adler instead of out. Unfortunately, to retrieve the toy, Adler had to jump up over Austen. The result - more tears, a nice big scratch on Austen's face from Adler and Adler licking the heck out of Austen. Her way of saying sorry, perhaps? There are sweet times between the two of them too. Austen often says goodbye to Adler when he leaves the house. He gives her all of his "yucky" vegetables and he can be found sharing his toys with her too. But he still doesn't permit her to be in his room at night when he's going to sleep. Here's a video of them playing together nicely...well, until the end.

Nothing but Net

This past fall, we signed Austen up to play soccer. It's a cute league called Lil Kickers that is held ironically at the same indoor soccer facility that I used to play at not so long ago. The kids all have real uniforms too including shorts and shirts that they must wear each week. Their shirts have real numbers on them too and Austen is wearing the number I wore for coed and traveling team - number 8! Now, the first two soccer classes, I wasn't sure if Austen was really going to like soccer. He was a little timid to be on his own in class but he soon got the hang of it and has really been one of the better ones in his class. By this I mean - he sits down and listens to the coach and he follows the directions of his coach. I credit this to school. I can't believe how many kids (2 1/2-3 1/2) could not sit still and listen for any amount of time. He does really well in the drills too and now leads the pack. Who knows if he'll like soccer in a few years or even next year but I am sure having fun reliving my youth!

Trick or Treat

Right now, Austen, Tom and Adler are probably halfway through trick or treating around my brother's neighborhood. Austen's candy bag is probably getting too heavy and he may want Tom to hold it in between houses. Adler is loving all the people out as she gets to walk around the neighborhood although I'm betting she gets spooked by a few costumes and barks at them. I'm only speculating all this because I don't know. I'm in New Orleans for work for Austen's third Halloween and am very sad I don't get to see him dressed up in his Halloween costume venturing from house to house to collect his loot. At least he will be with his cousins and his aunt/uncle and grandpa too so I know he'll have a blast. It sort of makes me feel better. Tom is sending me updates so this picture is the latest one I received right before they were about to start their journey.

Our Road Trip to Pick Apples

My favorite season is fall. Maybe because I was born in the fall and so were Tom and Adler. Or maybe I just like the cool weather, the fall clothes and the color of the leaves changing on the trees. Regardless of why I love the fall, we make a lot of effort during this season to enjoy the outdoors.

So last weekend, we decided to go apple picking. We made a day trip out of it traveling east into Michigan, visiting our land in South Haven where we hope to someday build a summer home. We let Adler and Austen romp around our land. Austen kept tripping over the thick brush and I kept laughing. I really wish my camera had caught him trying to maneuver around our piece of land as he would fall down repeatedly and look at the mud covering his hands.

As for Adler - our usual great dog decided she wasn't going to listen on this trip. Once she got out of the car, she ran across the street and up to the door of our neighbor's house. We used her recall command to call her back to us but she was being defiant. Just then the neighbors pulled up. Adler started walking back across the lawn, promptly squatted and peed on their lawn. Great timing! Here she is enjoying herself on the land:



After our visit to the land, we ventured on to an apple farm in the area. We thought Austen would love picking the apples off the trees but he was more interested in the wagon that they gave us to put the apples in as we perused the orchards. Here's Austen and his wagon on apple picking day. His apple picking skills leave a lot to be desired!

Music that Gets Austen Cleaning

I think I've mentioned before that Austen loves to help. Give him a task -- whether it's moving the garbage cans as we are vacuuming or helping me put together a centerpiece for the kitchen table -- and he loves doing it.

I think this will come in handy when his new sister or brother is here and he will feel a part of taking care of the new baby. He's already told me that he's going to carry the baby (we'll see), feed it (maybe) and share his toys with it (very nice offer).

I hope he continues his habit of cleaning up too. Check out this video of Austen not just cleaning but turning on some music while he cleans up.

The Pumpkin Farm

Every year, even before Austen and Adler, Tom and I ventured to Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm in Barrington to pick out pumpkins for Halloween. This is Austen's third year visiting the pumpkin farm and each year just gets better and better because he can do more.

This year he walked around and picked out his own pumpkins, trying to lift even the heavy ones. He played hide and seek behind the cut outs of the Peanuts, Disney and Sesame Street characters you could take pictures with and he ate a lot of kettle corn and had fun riding the pony once again this year.

I have to say though, what he was most attracted to was the tractor. They had a hay ride pulled by a tractor that took you around a big cornfield and went through a haunted barn. Austen didn't much care for the barn but he loved watching and riding in the tractor. I think he told everyone when he got to school on Monday that he went on a "tracker" and it was "cary!"