What we do for our kids...

So, Farah pretty much loves cats more than anything else in the world (except for us of course:), and of course, we have two dogs that wouldn't coexist happily with a cat. We have already bought her a very life like toy cat. It was great for about two weeks; now it lives in the toy box. So, on my daily commute down 81 I couldn't help but notice a large sign on the Sportsplex bulletin for an upcoming cat show. I thought about how much Farah would love that, but I couldn't seriously see myself attending a cat show. Well, guess who went to a cat show this morning...with my husband! And Farah did love it, so it was worth it. But it really was odd to see so many, well we'll just call them, "cat lovers," in one place. They feed their cats baby food for one thing, and I was even corrected for calling a cat grey (the correct term is blue). So, if anyone has any questions about proper cat terminology, breed information, or cat show etiquette, you know who to call. They did have a whole showing section for "household cats," so if any of you are considering a new hobby...

Good Clean Fun

Halloween: Then and Now

Since I didn't have the blog up and running last Halloween, I thought I'd do a little comparison of Farah from last year to this year. What a difference a year makes! This time last year she was sitting up, trying hard to crawl (but not quite there yet), and doing lots of babbling. This year she not only walks-she runs, climbs, and is even trying to hop. She has an impressive vocabulary for a little one, and is even learning her abcs and 123s. You've come along way, baby:)

Apple & Pumpkin Picking

We had a great fall day at the Marker-Miller Orchard picking apples and pumpkins. Farah got to play in their big playground area, ride the cow train, and eat apples until her heart was content.

Fall Is Here...

That means it's time to go to fairs! Here are some pictures from the Bluemont Fair. Farah loved all of the animals, especially the sheep. She also really enjoyed her pony rides and the hula hoops. We're looking forward to the next outing. By the end of October, Heath will be begging, "no more fairs!"

End of Summer Fun

To wrap up summer, Holly, Colin, Farah, and I had a "spaghetti pool party" on our last play date of the summer. I miss our weekly get togethers already! Heath and I took Farah to the Natural Bridge Safari Park over Labor Day weekend and had a blast! I highly recommend it as a fun daytrip. We walked through a very nice petting zoo and then drove through a 180 acre "safari area." We saw a wide range of animals that we were able to feed and pet. Farah loved riding up front and car seat free. If she could ride like that all the time, we'd have no problems in the car! Here are some pictures of our adventures, as well as some other cute photos of her recently.

What a Summer

Well, summer's winding down and work is looming. It's a bittersweet time of year, I'm excited to see what the new year holds and see friends from work, but it is so hard to leave Farah. She has a new babysitter again this year, so she has to adjust to new people, a new schedule, and getting up way earlier than we've been used to. But the summer has been great, filled with trips to the pool, lots of playground visits, a zoo and aquarium trip, feeding the ducks at the pond, petting zoos, and weekly playdates with friends. Farah has developed by leaps and bounds this summer, she has literally learned a new word every day this summer. Her favorite things include seeing animals, especially "kitties," throwing and chasing balls, going on slides, stacking and sorting- basically stashing little things all around the house, and helping mommy to clean and water plants. She likes to harass the dogs, mainly Tucker, but Josie isn't immune to the bear hugs and free rides either. She has lots of energy, she will do almost anything to get a laugh out of us, but she's also a great eater and sleeper (thank God!). She has continued to take two naps all summer, plus sleeps 11 hours straight through the night. Let's just say this summer is about 100 times easier than last summer! Although the start of temper tantrums has emerged. Farah does not like to be taken away from an activity she has started, she has a very one track mind once she starts something or sees something she wants. She is very sweet and affectionate, but also has a definite independent streak. One thing that has not changed from last summer unfortunately is her aversion to car rides. She basically dislikes all types of restraint, especially in the form of a car seat. At least she can usually be distracted, mainly by apple wedges, but many a car trip involves her throwing everything out of the car seat and then screaming...fun times. Well, that's basically Farah at 15 months. Here are some photos that recap our summer.