Oliver is 10
decennary de·cen·na·ry, də̇ˈsenərē,
A period of ten years. This old English word was often used by British lawyers (or solicitors as they call them) and it is an appropriate word for today. Ten years ago Oliver James Hess was born in a hospital in Richmond, VA, but he almost was born in a 2011 Subaru Outback en route to a hospital in Richmond, VA.
We were living in a small rental home and were in the process of moving back to Cincinnati, OH, so we brought Oliver home to a cute little crib that fit in a closet…which he never slept in. Not because it wasn’t cute or comfortable. Melissa did a great job making the best of our temporary living situation and designed the cutest little area for Oliver to sleep…but he had other plans. He preferred to sleep on the overstuffed leather couches in our family room. Sometimes sleeping on the couch. Sometimes sleeping in his car seat, set on top of the couch. Maybe he sensed that we’d be moving soon, so he never wanted to get too comfortable in that house.
As I think about those days ten years ago, there were a lot of plates spinning. We moved back to Ohio when Oliver was just a few months old. Melissa began a new role as a professor at a University. We lived with my parents as we waited for our new home to be built. Charlotte was potty training. There was so much transition at that time in our life and to today, I think that set up Oliver in so many ways.
He’s easy going. He likes to keep it simple. He’s content in most situations and he typically has a smile on his face.
Oliver continues to enjoy the outdoors, soccer and anything with animals. After next year, he will be off to middle school with Charlotte. Melissa and I continue to enjoy raising these little humans who are quickly becoming young adults.
Happy Birthday Oliver James Hess!!!
Fall Fun
This fall has been a busy one for our family and as we progress into November, our calendar is getting lighter and lighter (hence why I am now posting about our fall fun).
The kids have been busy with school and sports:
Charlotte went to her first middle school dance with her fiends and followed that by a sleepover, they had a great time!
Oliver has been busy with soccer and learned a lot this season from his coach.
Early in the fall we took a trip to a local apple orchard, picked apples, explored the farm and then took a stop by a local pizza and ice cream joint that is located in a gas station. Everyone was happy, including June!
We of course had to visit the pumpkin farm before halloween and took all of the necessary yearly pictures.
For halloween this year we had a chicken farmer and a death eater, same as last year (when you like your costume, you like it!)
We ended the fall season with Thanksgiving for 30! Here comes the Christmas season!
Fall Beaching
The kids had a nice long fall break this year so we headed back down to Atlantic Beach with Grandpa and Tiki. The weather was lovely, the beach was pretty empty, and we got to go on a few little adventures.
Finding fun creatures…
Adventures…
Normal beach things…
Atlantic Beach 2022
We had a great time last week spending time on the beach, at the pool, and with cousins! All bird photos are credited to Charlotte!
Of course, while we are at the beach we have to take beach pics, it has been fun to see how they have changed over the years.
Charlotte is Eleven!
Charlotte Gray Hess is officially 11 years old. The pandemic was the longest and shortest years of most of our lives and it is hard to believe that we now have a 9 year old and an 11 year old. We just had our first parent meeting about middle school last week, and this fall, Charlotte will be heading to a new school as she begins this next chapter of her life. Before we know it, she’ll be driving, talking to boys and moving off to college. But until then, we continue to love seeing her grow and mature. She’s creative. She’s smart. She’s compassionate. She’s caring. She’s a friend. She’s a leader. She’s musical. She’s artistic. She’s 11. Happy Birthday Charlotte!
