Back to school we went, and the shorter, crisp fall days have arrived in Richmond.
To wrap up some of the excitement I shared with you from our last few months… yes, as if on cue, my littlest guy’s cast came off the Friday before Labor Day, just in time for one last splash in the pool to close out the summer. He was as good as new for the first day of kindergarten, when he happily boarded the big yellow bus with his older brother and sailed away from me to begin the next chapter in his life. As predicted, I did shed a tear or two, but I managed to hold it together until he was safely out of sight.
Across town, a dear friend was sending her oldest, my Godson, off to college, just another reminder that these school years will fly by and to cherish every single day we have with them (boy do I need to remind myself of that fact when they are driving me nuts!). I swear my little guy grew six inches in school that first day, clambering off the bus in the afternoon like a veteran of the whole school thing. How did that happen?
With autumn’s arrival comes a host of fall traditions that have stood the test of time. Sure, Pinterest has taken pumpkin carving to a whole new level, but at the end of the day, the things that are getting my kids excited about the changing seasons are the same things that had me eagerly waiting for enough fallen leaves to make a giant jumping pile. One of our favorite fall day trips is to Belvedere Plantation, a 645-acre heritage farm, built in the 1760s on the historic Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg. During their fall harvest time, we enjoy pig races, bonfires, hayrides, the fun barn, zip lines, a cornfield maze, and much more. Carter Mountain Orchard is another must-visit for us each fall, although I must admit it was a bit more enjoyable when it was still one of those best-kept secrets. The weekends are crazy there, but it’s worth the wait to sink your teeth into a hot cider donut, and there is plenty of room in the orchards to pick apples to your heart’s content (but don’t forget you have to figure out what to do with them all when you get home!).
Back on the home front, last year’s robots will morph into this Halloween’s minions from Despicable Me. I’ve always wanted a couple of minions, and these will be two cuties! What are your kids going to be for Halloween? Be sure to post a picture on our Facebook page.
Enjoy another fantastic issue of RFM, and thank you for allowing us to be part of your traditions each month!
