Ce vs. Cider Donuts

Not a lot words needed to explain this one. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. This year we introduced Ce to the universe’s little fall goodie bag before it dumps a wet blanket of snow on us for four months: cider donuts and caramel apples. I think she would also add tractors in her personal top five as well. She really liked the tractor.

Donuts, apples and tractors courtesy of Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, MA. Really good cider donuts. Every place in New England has ‘em in the fall, but it’s harder than it looks to do it well. Small, light, warm and not greasy. These are done well. Cecilia would agree.

Paroled for Good Behavoir

In a strange turn of recent events, Cecilia was a model toddler this week. It was as if a Disney character invaded her body and only allowed her to speak in rays of sunshine and behave like an angel of God. It was quite refreshing from the more recent behavior perhaps best described as delusional and schizophrenic: happy and giggling one minute, squirming on the floor, peeling the paint from the walls the next. But let’s not dwell on that. Here is some Friday cuteness in an ode to a great Cece week.

A Pocketful of…what?

Ce and I are at the park the other day and it’s been a typical dank, dreary early November day in Boston and she desperately wants to go on the swings (and I desperately want to avoid a scene), but the swing’s seat is covered in a little puddle. Fun to splash your hands in and flick at Daddy’s camera, but not something I want to plop her down in. Not until she ratchets it up to at least 120 decibels and I’ve collected four dirty looks from nannies. So I reach into my pockets to find something to mop up the seat and here is another little moment where I remember I am a parent. A father of a toddler. In said pockets:

• a dried, dessicated blueberry (might be a pea, can’t tell)
• a cloth Dorothy doll
• one dirty sock (Ce’s, not mine)
• a lens cap (ok, that’s mine)
• four used tissues
• a plastic barrette
• a hair bow thing (there’s a difference I’ve learned)
• one hat (refuses to wear)

I’m constantly amazed these days what I find accumulating in there. Some day Lola is going to poke her nose out (if only to get some peace from the toddler). Of course in all of that nothing we can use to wipe the seat. I used my sleeve to clean it. I’m sure it won’t be the last time.

Sadly no great pictures from that adventure. But we did get some later doing some chores.

Apple Farming

Little known fact: In Massachusetts they revoke your license if you don’t go apple picking in the month of October. Couldn’t let that happen. The liquor store is a long walk! Cecilia punched another thing off her bucket list by hitting up Fairmont Farm a few weeks ago. She seemed a bit perplexed by the allure of a hayride (frankly so am I), but enjoyed picking apples (though she enjoyed the fresh apple fritters even more) and later making some new sheep friends.

Fall Fashion

Who said sewing is dead? Long live home ec! Turns out there is nothing like a baby to get people to sharpen their darning needles. Leading up to her birth and since, we’ve received many wonderful homemade gifts from blankets and hats, to sweaters and socks. Since she was born in April, we haven’t had a chance to fully appreciate her chic wardrobe till the weather started turning. She’s now turning quite a few heads in her distinct, homemade line.

The other thing we’ve noticed is how a new generation gets people talking about family and traditions. We’ve loved hearing stories about extending a gallon of milk. Strategies for getting kids to bed. Homespun teething respites. Late night Christmas disasters and quite a few other tales that would make a social worker blush! While we’re looking forward to our first holiday season, we’ve already initiated Cece into the Donohue family tradition of traveling relentlessly up and down the Jersey Turnpike. She can’t recite all the rest stops yet (Lombardi, Molly Pitcher, Joyce Kilmer…) but we’re working on it.

In the pictures below you’ll see Cecilia sporting a sweater and two hats, the blue hat and sweater from her Aunt Marianne and other hat from Zia Katie’s Mom (thanks Laura!). Both gather lots of compliments. You’ll also see Cece wearing a dress Michelle’s Nona first bought for her granddaughters and was later passed to Michelle and now to Cece. Just imagine how much drool and pureed peas that dress has seen!