Scotty's Birthday and other fun times

I'm still blog-bulimic. The last six weeks have been fun and busy, but not too photo-worthy. I'll post a few highlights. First and foremost, Scotty turned 4! I'm still a little weirded out by the fact that he's been around for 4 years. So long, yet so short. Here he is with part of a favorite bday gift from Aunt Katie, a lego candy building:
James enjoying Scotty's cupcakes:
Our little impromtu dress-up party:
The big 4:
The following week, another huge day in Scotty's little life: the first day of preschool. All grown up:
Scotty love love loves preschool. He goes 2 hours a day, 4 days a week, to a little free preschool program through the local high school. Ever since he started, he's been a different kid. About 1 timeout a week instead of 10 a day. I think he was starved for that social outlet. He's definitely in his element now. So fun.

All but about 3 days in September were absolutely dreamy weather: 60-70 degrees, sunshine, breeze, a little fall chill in the air, but usually not enough to require a jacket. We made the most of it one Saturday by going to Bushkill Falls, an hour or so north of Bethlehem. Some great views and a pretty good stair workout. Here are dad and James:
Scotty at the top of one of the falls:
My favorite view: (Note the tiny little people in the bottom left-hand corner)
Two more falls:

And a sweet bluegrass band we listened to while we ate our ice cream at the end of the hike. Fun day.

We were back down in Baltimore to see Ben last weekend. This time we went to Weber's Cider Mill Farm. If you live anywhere in the greater Balto-Washington metro area, *must purchase cider here.* I've never in my life tasted its equal. Phenomenal. Wish we would have bought gallons. We went on a little tractor hayride:I caught the boys looking extraordinarily bored, but handsome:
There was a hay bale maze Scott dragged me into... I barely fit and Scotty dusted me. I had to ask the people on the bridge overhead how to get out (haha!) :
Hillside slides. I think Jer might have been trying to steer??
Coolest ever turkey. Hard to see in the pic, but his head looked like a glob of external blue brains. Very cool. He was also really, really mad and literally "gobble gobbled" and a little girl as we were walking up. She screamed and ran away -- it was pretty intense! Last but not least, James had fun pushing around the pedal tractors. I'd never seen him do anything like this, but apparently it readied him for WALKING! Two days later he took his first steps, and he's been adding new little tricks daily. He's so proud of himself as he walks he looks like he's going to pop with happiness. He also does his giant open-mouth smile and his inhale-laugh the whole time. So fun. Took him a long time to catch up to his buddies, but he's there, finally, at 18 months. Yay James!