Early fall...

Zach is now able to stand up without any support. He can move from hands/feet right up to standing. Still doesn't go anywhere but he's mighty proud of himself and will clap his hands once he's standing. He still has his feet very wide apart but I'm sure that will change this week as he gets more practice. On occasion he'll take a few steps just holding onto my pinky but then he gets distracted and sits back down. He's eating more and more different foods. He now really like crackers - like ritz - and wears the crumbs well. I see lots of baths in our future. He's also waving to say "bye-bye" which is so cute because he usually has a huge grin on his face too.

Avi is now writing her whole name - she needs some help with her Y and N but overall she has come a long way in the last 2 weeks. She gets homework from school too - last week she had to write her A, B, a, b, and 1 and 2. Her 1's are fabulous! She's really enjoying her new class. Tomorrow they are taking a hike to explore nature and see the colors change in the foothills. I'm sure they'll have a blast! She wants to make a "manners box" to have here at home like they do at school. Any time she uses her manners (please, thank you, or lends a helping hand) her name goes in the box - so far that's all she wants is for her name to be in the box. We'll see how long until she asks for something for being so good.

We had a great time last night - our friends Suzie/Bruce, Scott/Kelly and Tom/Jessica came over for a surf/turf party. It was a nice night so we were able to eat outside. Started off with chowder that Brandon had made which was so delicious as well as clams and salad and crab stuffed mushrooms, then we had steak and tuna from the grill and side dishes of asparagus with feta cheese and capicola as well as portabello mushrooms. Everything was so delicious!!! Dessert was a fruit custard pie. Everyone was stuffed at the end of the night and it was great to have everyone over. Tom/Jessica's daughter Emma came over too and she and Avi played all night together and had so much fun too. Avi slept in until 7:30 this morning!

Zach's asleep and then we're heading out to run errands and meet up with Laura for lunch. I'm also meeting someone while we're down there to sell my nursing clothes. I sold all of my maternity clothes over the weekend. I still have a lot of baby stuff but will probably keep it until next spring when I can sell it all!