Autumn is in full swing here in Newark, with pumpkins and Halloween decorations, cooler days and chillier nights, apples and cider.
Here’s some of what we’ve been doing:
Soccer
Evelyn and Charlotte have had 6 weeks of soccer through Newark Parks and Rec. The place where they play is a park right around the corner from us, which has been lovely. Each girl’s practice is only 45 minutes and run back to back. Char’s age group only does drills and soccer exercises, while Evelyn’s does that plus a short scrimmage. The coaches were great and both the kids showed growth and improvement over the course of the practices.
Nature Walks
Our lovely neighborhood has its share of wildlife: foxes, skunks, millions of squirrels, and a neighbor spotted three deer the other night on her lawn! Last week we did a nature walk around our house, with a list of things to find (created by Evelyn). On her list: autumn decorations, yellow trees, pinecones, squirrels, red fallen leaves, and pumpkins.
Every day things
As I’ve gotten bigger and less comfortable, our new routine has been eating a snack right when we walk back from Evelyn’s school, then running right back outside. The girls draw on the sidewalk with chalk, run or bike up and down our block, and climb trees. I know that the days are already growing shorter, so we make the most of the sunlight before dinner.
We feel so lucky to live just 1/2 mile from Evelyn’s school, so nearly every day that the weather is agreeable, we walk to and from school. Charlotte and Evelyn love to ride their bikes, but sometimes we walk, instead. It’s a great way to start the day. Ev’s school opens at 8, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Charlotte has morning preschool. It’s a little too far to walk or bike most days, but we’ve done it several times and it’s a nice walk.
The Atlas Family 