Perfect start to the day.

I’m looking out the window – snow is falling. Not thick enough to blanket the earth, but enough to let us all know that winter is on its way. It’s beautiful and terrifying at the same time. As much as I love the summer - the sun, swimming, and longer days, I love the change of seasons and the opportunity to slow down, cook more soups, and curl up with a cozy blanket and a good book. I come back to the present and look down at the blonde haired blue-eyed toddler and think, “what are we going to do all winter?” The cozy blanket and book will be put aside, this child needs to run, play, and get outside every chance we can get! And of course we’ll get outside, but as our walk indicated yesterday, it’s a touch and go/day by day plan. With the sun shining outside, I thought we could brave the 25 degrees and get our not-so-trim Yorkie on a walk, but the wind had other plans and said blue-eyed blonde haired child covered his face after a half mile,  saying “It’s cold, Mama, go home.” I began to wonder how they do it in Switzerland their child nap outside in the winter! My rosy cheeked little guy loves to be outdoors and so we have geared him up for the winter, but as I gaze down at my ever-growing belly, I can’t help but think how I will be with Mr. energetic toddler as well as providing all my love and attention to #2 when she arrives. Sigh.  I’ll try not to think about 2 vs. 1/kids vs. Mama days ahead, but instead will just for a moment remain in the place where the snow is white and perfect, a cup of (decaf) tea close by, and will soon be taken by hand after my first born shuffles up to me in his bear slippers, looks at me with those big blue eyes and says, “play with me, Mama?” And that's the perfect start to the day... 



And although Henry is 27 months and his birthdays was 3 months ago, we did visit the pediatrician last month where we were told that Henry is still perfect and growing and thriving in every way.
Stats:
Height: 37 inches
Weight: 28.3 lbs
Favorite Animal: Monkey
Best Friend: Charlie (aka Pickles)
Favorite Food: any vegetable -- he will seriously eat a soup with anything in it. So awesome!
Favorite color: Green (at least that's what he said today!)
Favorite Number: 2
Is pretty much the best kid at giving hugs. Seriously, if one could survive off of hugs, I would be all set!

Ten apples up on top!

Ahhh, fall... it's finally here. Today is the official start of my favorite season. Cooler air, crunchy leaves, peaceful runs in the morning sun, and the best sleeping weather anyone could wish for. To start the season out right, we went apple picking! It was Henry's first time - last year there were no apples to pick due to a late spring frost, but this year, the trees were bursting with apples. I guess that's what happens when they are dormant for a year! We had a blast! Happy fall everyone! Go pick some apples, drink some cider, eat a few donuts, make some soup, and enjoy the best season of the year!!

Riding the tractor with Daddy

Heading out into the orchard on the wagon

And picking (and eating) his first apple at the orchard!

Looking for his next apple to pick!

Daddy is enjoying his apples too!

Helping Gammie grab that hard to reach apple that looks juuuust perfect!

Here you go Gammie!

So many trees... so many apples, how to find the perfect one?!

Henry picked it! Nom Nom Nom

"Cheese!"

Taking a walk with Daddy, eating their apples

Running around the orchard!

Our little monkey found a low branch to swing on!

"Mama, it's my fort!"

And what could have been a great family photo/Holiday card, but someone (not naming any names here, HTB) didn't want to take a break from apple picking (and it might have been nearing nap time too!)

"Mama, I found some more over here."

Racing Gammie back to the wagon.

Heading back to the cider mill.

The whole gang, ready for some donuts!

But first, time to climb on some hay bales

And pet some animals. "hello donkey"

and mr. lamb

"Mama, a small horse!"

And goats. love the baby goats. 

A few more pets before it's time to go.

"see you later mr. goat, I'll see you again soon!"

We had such a great day at the apple orchard -- what a fun day to start off the fall season. Now it's time to make some apple pies with all these wonderful apples!

Love, 

The Beach Family

2, two, due, dos, dwa, 2!

I have to apologize for the past 6 months, I'll try to catch up, but let's go to the most important stuff -- 

We have a two year old! I wish I could give you some stats, but life has been so busy (and fun!) that we haven't been to the Dr. yet for Henry's 2 year check up. I can tell you this: Henry is an energetic, kind, loving, very talkative, fun, and go-go-go 2 year old! 

Henry is busy. He is non-stop and although it is exhausting to the point of crashing at the end of the day the instant we put him into his bed, we are having so much fun. This age is awesome. I love it. I love that we can have conversations where I can understand what he is saying to me! I love that he's a great eater and almost always says, "I yike (like) it, Mama!" I love watching him explore and ride his bike and just be a big kid! I'm not a big fan of the new words "no" and "mine" but it's okay (for now) because he's learning... and learning so much! 

And now that's he's two -- he's starting to understand birthdays and gifts! So... what did Henry get for his 2nd birthday?!?

A new bike from Gammy!

And a new helmet. Thanks Gammy and Aunt Katie, I love it!

And he got to have cake that Mama made (with her mixer from her wedding that has been in a box for 4 years -- cheers to using wedding gifts!)

And the cake had Scooby Doo(by) (as Henry affectionately calls him!) on it!

Henry was a champ and blew out both the candles!

Breakfast with Scooby!

Playing his new fishing game with Daddy!

And using his new t-ball set. 

And marching around the house with his new backpack and lunch box. (Thank you Rachel and kids!)

And after all the excitement of birthday, Daddy just wanted to sleep.... Did Henry let him? Nope :) 

Last weekend we headed to the park with friends -- and played played played... while waiting to ride the  awesome mini-train a guy in Royal Oak builds and then has running one weekend a month for everyone to ride. How cool. So we played, had a picnic and rode the train and then headed home for nap. What a great weekend!

"Let's race Charlie!"

Tire swings are the best!

"Henry, don't walk on the tracks, that's dangerous!"

Riding the train at Jaycee Park

And because I'm playing catch up with this blog, I'm going to add the most recent adventure we went on -- to the zoo with Henry's daycare! We had a blast!

The hippo outside the zoo... waiting to go in. 

Riding the train!

Getting ready to feed the giraffes!

Henry fed him and he loved it!

And on to watch the polar bears play!

"wow!"

"Mama, he's swimming in the water!" - Henry age 2. 

And we saw the zebras, monkeys, anteaters, gorillas, lions and finally the tigers before heading back to to car with droopy eye lids, sunbutter and strawberry stained face marking a day of fun, and a nice long nap on the horizon. 

We had a wonderful day at the zoo, we had a wonderful birthday weekend over labor day and we are just having an amazing time being a family and having fun with Henry! 

Love,

The Beach Family

*At some point I will try to post some pics from our summer adventures.... try, but I can't promise anything!