Halloween Treat for Adults

I highly recommend this simple method of making a single cup of hot apple cider. The warmth and seasonal sweetness is one of my favorite things. It also helps if your toddler plays happily on her own while you enjoy it. Thank you Lydia!
3/4 cup apple cider
2 whole cloves
1 tsp brown sugar
1 inch of cinnamon stick
Microwave for two minutes. Once it has cooled slightly, remove spices and enjoy.
Megan

Autumn in Florida

Autumn has finally arrived. I love putting on a sweatshirt first thing in the morning. I enjoy the smell and feel of turning on the heat in the car for the first time. I look forward to Halloween, then Thanksgiving and of course Christmas. Today we headed north to explore a pumpkin patch. We admired cotton and sunflower fields along the way. The pumpkins frustrated Lydia as she was unable to lift them. The corn-pit was more up her alley. We were handed hot-boiled peanuts as we left. Surprisingly, I rather enjoyed them. Megan

Squadron Halloween Party

Lydia dressed up like a sparkly butterfly for the squadron Halloween party yesterday. You can't quite tell from this photo but she was covered with rhinestone stickers. Lydia was ecstatic to put on her wings and join the kids in the trick-or-treat fun. She even helped her dad pass out candy from his office. I love that Lydia is now able to truly participate in holiday festivities. It makes me look forward to Christmas. So much fun to come! Megan

More Raspberries Please!

Lydia has started eating a real fruit, raspberries! And by eating I mean actually enjoying and ingesting them! She would not touch the homemade banana bread but I keep reminding myself that when it comes to Lydia's eating, every little step forward is a huge success. Megan

Reconnecting with an Old Friend

We spent the past week reconnecting with one of our dearest friends. Kevin, thanks for the laughter and great company! Megan

Lydia at 16 Months

The past month has been wonderfully busy. Today was the first time in several weeks that I stopped and truly looked at Lydia. She has grown so much! Her baby-ness is completely gone--both in actions and looks. She is a gorgeous little girl now who can open doors and climb up on the furniture. Megan

Sleep Training Take Four

Here we go again. Lydia has started waking up around three in the morning screaming for us to rub her back. I don't necessarily mind being there for her (I've given up on a solid night's sleep) but what once was sweet time spent between parent and child has now become a two hour ordeal in which Lydia cries every time we tip-toe out of her room. We have completed night two of cry-it-out. Here we go again and it doesn't get any easier. Megan

Big Smiles

Sharing big smiles with my favorite girl. Megan

One More Pic

Here is a pic of the crew at our poolside BBQ. Megan

Family Coming Together

John and I have watched many a family reunite here at Summerwind. With envy, we admire their poolside BBQs and late night sand-crab hunts. Finally it was our turn for a big family gathering! October provided us with perfect weather for most of John's family to join us in Navarre for a week of sun and fun. Phyllis from Columbia, Joe from D.C., Emilee and family from England, Peggy and Jim from Annapolis; the distance between them makes a time when they all come together incredibly special. My only regret is that I did not get a photo of the entire crew. Here is a collection of some of my favorites. Megan