Let Me ‘Splain: September

Disclaimer:  A lot’s been going on with us since we moved to NY.  We’re enjoying ourselves so much that I’ve fallen horribly behind in blogging.  So many adventures deserve their own post, but if I did it that way, it would never get done.  To quote the immortal words of Inigo Montoya, “Let me ‘splain.  No, there is too much.  Let me sum up.”  Hopefully the few of you who haven’t given up on this blog (Hi, mom.  Hi, mom-in-law.) won’t mind the abbreviated posts while I play catch-up.  And so, without further ado, may I present… sweet mama entropy: summary mode.

September.  Time for crisp fall evenings, back-to-schooling, and my birthday.  This year Dad helped me celebrate with a huge bonfire in my honor.  Alexander would say that was ‘because you’re so hot,’ but really I think Dad just likes lighting things on fire.

Then the next day I was able to run in the Glen Iris 5k in beautiful Letchworth State Park.  My cute sister and a good friend (and neighbor of my dad’s) were able to join me in the race.  It’s always more fun running with a group.  Especially when the two youngins (my sister and I) get soundly beat by the seasoned veteran.  Seriously, she’s twice our age and thoroughly kicked our trash.  Way impressive!

As always, Alexander waited very patiently with the kiddos while I raced.  

 At least there were some great views this time.

Later in the month, I decided it was finally time to do something about my hair.  I didn’t want to cut it until after my sister’s wedding, but by the time I finally got to the salon I was so sick of long hair that I asked them to chop most of it off.  The stylist did a great job, but I should learn my lesson.  I never like my hair this short.

And, to round out a pretty good month, how about a douse of tragedy? 

Before moving, we had promised the kids that with a bigger backyard would come a playground and a dog.  Alexander is kind of dragging his feet on the Fido bit, so he figured he’d better make good on the playground promise at least.  So last month, we broke ground and started construction.

Like anything we tackle, it’s taking shape slowly.  Too slowly, apparently.  The kids were dying to play on it – even without the guard rails on the lower platform – and headed outside after dinner last Saturday to break it in.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t the playground that got broken in so much as Nicholas’s arm.  He and I spent an extremely long evening in the ER, where I found out that I do not handle trauma well and that Alexander can splint a broken arm expertly enough to earn professional praise.  Nicholas was a trooper.  Even when the orthopedic surgeon had to re-set his arm (without anesthesia) two days later.  My poor brave little guy!

Here’s hoping for less eventful months to come.