Fair

The three of us went to the Fair yesterday. The weather was perfect. We started with the Egyptian exhibit then on to the reptiles, which Costas always enjoys. We stopped at the livestock next. Costas didn't really say much about the animals, but he seemed to be watching what was going on. There was a section devoted to baby animals which were so cute. Some lambs were born on site that very morning. Next was panning for gold which was nice, but Costas didn't really know what we were doing. On to fishing with real fishing hooks that are barbless (and baitless). No luck catching a fish, but Costas enjoyed it. Next was the pirate ship and fort. Costas played there for a long time. Finally, we headed to the carnival rides. Costas went on the bumper cars, two roller coasters (kid-size), some dragon thing that spun around, and the Ferris Wheel. Everything was a hit. On the way out, Costas had a giant ice cream cone. He fell asleep on the way home and ended up sleeping almost 13 hours. When asked the next day what he liked best, he said, "the pirate ship and roller coaster." We will definitely go back next year.

Apple Picking

I really wanted to go apple picking since it was so fun in New Hampshire. Unfortunately, no place around was offering it. Then I discovered that the kids in our church were going up to the monastery, which is about 45 minutes away, to pick apples. We had fun but it definitely wasn't New Hampshire. The apples were really small and the grass is yellow, not green. The upside is that the apples were free and we still had fun. Afterwards, Costas had fun playing with the kids on the playground.

Pumpkin Carving

We bought a pumpkin on Monday to carve. It was lots of fun, even though the pumpkin is already moldy and sunken in from the heat. We will just have to go get some more pumpkins! (That means more yummy pumpkin seeds, too!)

May The Force Be With You

Costas chose his own costume again this year. Darth Vader was his choice, along with a lightsaber. Since we bought costume last week, Costas has worn it everyday. Mostly at home, but also to speech and on one of our walks. He likes to stand on the couch and jump off while swinging his lightsaber. He also will swordfight with anyone willing (not me).

Zoo

Costas and I went to the zoo today. We have a membership and we were going quite often in the winter and spring, but we hadn't been there all summer. This is the last week of the stingray exhibit where we could touch the stingrays so I wanted to make sure that we went to that one again. But the favorite exhibit is always the reptile house to see the geckos. We usually end up going around the whole reptile house four times before Costas is ready to go. There are lots of animals there including elephants, tigers, and giraffes but the geckos continue to be the big hit.

In His Own Bed

Costas has been sleeping in his own bed for about 2 weeks now! He loves his Spider-Man sheets that he chose himself. His bed is next to ours, so he is able to get reassurance in middle of the night if he needs it, which he rarely does. For the first few days, he didn't even want me to read him a story because he was so excited to sleep in his bed. Now there is room in our bed for the baby.

Anxious baby?

I went for my doctor's visit yesterday and was informed that I was 1 cm dilated and partly effaced. I am just beginning my 35th week. The doctor said that the baby may come sooner than later. But, I've heard of women who were dilated the same amount for a long period of time. Time will tell. I really prefer an October birthday; not a big fan of September for some reason.

School is still fun!

Costas is having a great time at school. The kids paint everyday, which Costas loves. There is lots of outside playtime, which is also fun for him. Today he told me, "I like my school, all of the kids, and I like my teachers." I'm also getting time to get some errands done, but that won't last once the baby is here.

First day of School!

Today was Costas' first day of preschool! He was so excited. Tom and I took him to the classroom and Tom left with no problem. As I was leaving, Costas became upset and was crying. I sat with him for a few minutes and then he played with the teacher. When I left again, he was fine. The teachers said he did really well. When I picked him up he said, "I had lots of fun. I didn't kick anyone." He was so excited afterwards, that he couldn't stop talking about what he did at school.