pony

The day before the government shutdown, we took one last trip to the Arboretum, one of our favorite federal places:

During the shutdown Daddy has been doing non-government work at home, but he also took Ava and Tina to Bas Pro Shop and apple picking with Grace:

And Daddy and Ava made apple pie and played music:

Our neighbors have an awesome swing and an awesome dog (Rusty):

Uncle Mike and Aunt Heidi were in town for Navy's homecoming game. Uncle Mike visited us, and we had breakfast with them at Dana and Currie's in Annapolis. Ava showed Mike her chickens and found many pretend (and real) caterpillars on the arugula.

Tissue paper + glue stick courtesy of Dana:

She grabbed a large piece of duck off of the platter and gnawed on it

Serious faces about seriously fun things (I swear she smiles a lot!). Honey spoon (thanks Grandpa Mike for delicious Wyoming honey!):

Painting:

It is with heavy hearts that we will have to say "goodbye" to Tina on the 21st. We had a goodbye party for her with kids, au pairs and parents from our local au pair group. The tent was a big hit at the party:

Trying out play medical equipment on the guests:

It was a cold, wet day, so Daddy built the first fire of the season in the fireplace. We all had a little fireside chat (Tina made the video):

 She loves Mommy's kombucha ("boocha"):

We went to the kids' day at the Patuxent River State Park and Rural Museum this morning. Each child got a free pony ride--Ava's first! She was immediately interested in meeting and patting the ponies but did NOT want to ride them initially. We did other things but kept circling back to visit the ponies.  Finally we got her plunked into the saddle without complaint, and she loved it, didn't want it to end, has been talking about it all afternoon and evening ("Sat on the pony back; ride pony. Ride pony again?").

We got out the new birthday play-doh when we got home (thanks Uncle Mike and Aunt Heidi!). This was the last time the colors remained separate: