First Day of School

The day before the first day of school, I had big plans for big fun with my big boys. We took Reed to daycare and then I dropped Theo off at his very best friend Johnny's house for a playdate. Beckett had a friend over as well, and he was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately the friend didn't want to stay at our house (a combination of not liking our cat plus missing his mom and maybe some anxiety about the first day of school) so he left after a short time. Beckett was bummed for a little while, especially when we picked up Theo who was just glowing from his time with Johnny. Luckily Beckett had the great idea to go to Wonder Works at the mall. I had the idea to do the ropes course instead of the "museum," which was immediately met by excited squeals. I was dismayed to learn, once we were there, at the desk, paying for the ropes course, that because of the kids' age I would be forced to go with them. Having just experienced the ferris wheel at the Fair, I felt terror and stomach pains at the idea of doing a ropes course three flights up from the mall floor. Theo and Beckett had both done a ropes course at Diggerland with Daddy and Uncle Jon, so they knew about the harnesses and the ropes and felt the security of not being able to fall. I have so far avoided the ropes courses with the kids so my only experience was when I broke my arm in fifth grade at the Cayuga Nature Center.

The first one across at Wonder Works was absolutely terrifying but I willed my way across it. Beckett was fearless from the first moment across, and loved every minute of it. I think Theo shared some of my trepidation and was picky about which elements to cross and which to avoid, but he pushed himself a lot and felt a lot of pride for doing what he did. Beckett was very fast across and was often waiting for me and Theo to finish a level or an area. In all we spent more than an hour up on the course and the nausea did eventually pass for me but I sure was happy to get back on solid ground!

Theo and Beckett had their first day of First Grade at Syracuse Latin Wednesday. They were so excited to go to school and get back in the swing of things.

The only good thing about the boys going back to school is that Reed and I had a day to ourselves, which we haven't had since school let out in June. We did some chores in the morning but then we hit the zoo, which was wonderfully desolate. We got to hear a tiger roar and ride both the elephant and tiger (the fake ones).

Great NYS Fair 2017 Edition, Day Two--Plus Thunder Island

We went back to the Fair on Labor Day to hit the rides. And hit them we did! There was a cute little area for toddlers that Reed enjoyed before he found the Fire Engine ride, which he then did about five times. After wine slushies and hot dogs and Icees, we headed home for Reed to take a nap, and then Theo and Beckett and I went out to Thunder Island for the second and last time of the summer. We were all pretty exhausted but I was so glad we spent the day in the sun and squeezing as much fun as possible out of the day because it looks like it was the last true summer day of 2017.

Theo and Beckett enjoyed the Fire Engine ride a lot too.

The kids really wanted to do the ferris wheel and I'm not sure why I agreed to do it with them but I did, and hated nearly every minute BUT I got through it. The boys thought it was pretty awesome.

Science museum trip

Labor Day weekend was a little colder and wetter than we had been hoping for, so we spent a day at the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in Syracuse. The highlight is always the giant three-story climbing structure, and Theo and Beckett were champ big brothers helping Reed through and staying right with him as he climbed and came down the slide. Everyone also loved the toddler room with this cool light table and transparent building blocks.

The Great New York State Fair 2017 Edition

This is the photo I always take before we go somewhere crowded--take the "last picture" photo in case I have to text it to the NYS Troopers! Dressing them in neon was another precaution, along with the Lost Kid IDs I affixed to their pants and hats.

We don't always make it to the Cornell Veterinary Building but it was a huge hit this year. They had a horse abdominal cavity exploration video playing and a whole bunch of live reptiles to see and examine.

I wouldn't say the boys were super excited but the reptile lady was adamant that she had to have the boa constrictor give them a hug. They were pretty compliant, or at least more than the snake was.

The 4H building had a host of great activities the boys enjoyed, from "stick your hand in a box and guess which vegetable is inside" to making their own stick bugs. Cradling a baby chick and watching the eggs hatch was the hands-down favorite.

We lucked out with a big table in the shade for lunch.

Reed slept through lunch but rallied for maple cotton candy and maple soft ice cream. He also finished Beckett's half-eaten hamburger and ate a bunch of leftover fries.

At the NYS Trooper exhibit we got to ask some troopers about their equipment and tools as well as take goofy pictures.