Fall Fun!

As per Baba's directive this morning, all hands on deck to deal with the yard today. Baba had made me a special rake (he cut down the handle so I could manage it better) to help rake the leaves in the yard. We were a great team. Baba mowed and mulched the lawn while Mommy and I raked the leaves. In all, we filled almost 20 bags of leaves/grass. We were outdoors for much of the afternoon and when everything was said and done, we rewarded ourselves with cider doughnuts on the patio. Yummy!

Halloween Parade...

Last year I was a butterfly, this year I was a Buffalo Bills cheerleader! What an evolution, right? We had our annual Halloween parade at school on Friday. It was lots of fun. By most accounts, I was the cutest kid there (at least that's what Mommy and Baba said). There were lots of creative costumes. My friend Dylan was an elephant, Reegan was a bunny rabbit, Sarah was a strawberry and Katelyn was a dalmatian. Sunday I plan to visit a select few houses to get some candy, then come back and help Baba hand some candy out. Happy Halloween everybody!

Up, up and away...

Those of you who have been loyal to my blog since the beginning likely recall a series of posts that dealt with my interest and ability to climb the stairs in our house. For you loyal readers, I wanted to provide a quick update: I'm still climbing, and getting faster every day! I will confess that my trips down the stairs these days now include my hanging onto Baba's back and "riding" down the stairs, which is lots of fun. My guess is that Baba is more nervous with my coming down the stairs than going up them, thus his relatively new "all aboard" the stair-tram-express, "going down." That crazy Baba, always thinking up something new and silly! Here's some video of me coming up the stairs earlier today. Fast, right?

Talk, talk, talk...

When I talk, Mommy and Baba usually listen. They may not understand what I'm saying (which is a little frustrating from my perspective), but they will smirk, respond or pick me up. I'm trying, I really am. I feel like occasionally I break through with something that Mommy and Baba understand. Those occasions are increasing for sure. I have found that the best situation for me is when I'm on the phone (as you can see in the video below). Whoever is on the other side clearly understand everything I'm saying.

UAlbany Homecoming

This past weekend was Homecoming and Family weekend at UAlbany. We had had almost ten days of continuous rain (Baba kept on referring to it as "monsoon season"). But the rain finally broke and the forecast gave way to beautiful blue skies and seasonable fall temperatures. Saturday was the "fall festival" on campus. Mommy, Baba, Aunt Meghan and I all went. Grandma and Papa Eddie met us there. It was lots of fun.

Apple picking...really apple picking.

As those of you who have been following my blog since last year know, I went apple picking last year (I believe it was October). Truthfully, last year I didn't do much "picking" of the apples, I largely watched Mommy and Baba pick the apples. Furthermore, while I was able to enjoy the apples in the form of applesauce thanks to Mommy's efforts, I wasn't able to fully enjoy the apple-eating experience (you know, the crunch, the juice, etc.). Fast-forward 12-months, I've got teethe (for eating the actual apples), can walk (for strolling through the orchard), and have largely mastered hand-eye coordination (for the most part) for picking the apples. So, suffice it to say that this year's apple-picking experience was far different that last years. I was able to actually pick apples and, in between picking, eat apples that I had just picked. What a deal! We went apple picking last weekend on a beautiful, cool (but sunny) morning. We picked a half bushel (I picked the smaller, lower-hanging apples), we had cider and cider donuts - YUMMY! Can't wait to pick pumpkins in a couple of weeks.

Greece 2010!

Ah, what a time we had in Greece! We haven't been back quite a week, but I've been missing the sandy beaches, the blue water, the delicious food, and all of those great animals (you'll see what I mean, I uploaded a bunch of pics at the link below).

The flights to and from were ok. Mommy and Baba didn't really get as much rest as they would have liked. They're pinning that on me.

It was so great finally meeting Baba's Yia Yia (my Great Yia Yia, I guess). She's really sweet and was always giving me cookies and candy. I was also able to meet Theo Yianni and Thea Katina (Baba's aunt and uncle), as well as Baba's Godmother. Everyone was so kind.

We spent 12 days at the beach. Not the whole days, mind you, but a good couple of hours in the morning or early afternoon. I loved getting in the water (except when it was a little wavey - it was hard for me to stand up straight). I brought home some shells that I gathered up while walking the coast with Yia Yia and Papou.

Now, for those pictures I promised, click here.

I can't wait to go back!