It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Is there any time in the year more beautiful than autumn? The crisp air and crunchy leaves have been calling both me and Sam outside for hours on end. The past two mornings have found us going for a walk around the block.

Such a short distance doesn't seem impressive unless it's seen through the eyes of a one-year-old. Sam's little legs have gotten tired on both of our walks and he welcomed being lifted into my arms.

When he is walking, he zigzags across the sidewalk, picking up sticks and leaves. Every few houses he breaks into an awkward run, zooming down the concrete. Sometimes he turns around and tries his hand at the Moonwalk.

He gazes up at the towering trees and knocks on the metal of the lightposts. He carefully touches the fluffy dandelion heads. He makes a break for every house with a gated fence, hoping to find a dog. By the time we get home, his cheeks and nose are red and he settles down for a long, snuggly nap.

Happy fall!