Fall is here, and it’s time to start thinking about all things pumpkin.  Who’s with me?  It’s time for fall squash and circle scarves, puffy vests and apple pies, making holiday plans and sipping hot cinnamon spice tea.  Although I’m never ready to say goodbye to summer, I’m always happy to greet my favorite season of all (although, realistically, we probably have a few more weeks of warm weather before the chill settles in here, which is also fine with me).  Anyway, with that, it’s also time to start dreaming up plans for the season ahead.  This fall, I’d like to…

• The big one: give a heartfelt Maid of Honor toast at Rebecca’s wedding (while wrangling my little flower girl) in Florida and then dance the night away.
• The other big one: spend a weekend in New York City and see Hamilton on Broadway!
• Take the kids apple and pumpkin-picking.
• Read lots of books from diverse voices.
• Walk to the farmers’ market and do some seasonal baking with Peanut.
• Run the Dulles Day on the Runway 5K and the Marine Corps Marathon 10K.
• Spend some time in Fairacre.
• Help my bestie  MOVE TO D.C.
• Take the kids to a children’s Halloween party.
• Finally start cleaning out and organizing the basement.
• Take a weekend trip to Shenandoah National Park and help the kids earn Junior Ranger badges.
• Get an early start on my 2017 family yearbook (instead of waiting until January this year!).
• Play at Badlands on a bad-weather day.

I can never seem to hold it to ten, can I?  Lucky thirteen things to do this season – but I think all are doable, especially since we are planning to stick closer to home most weekends (with the exception of NYC, Florida, and maybe a quick escape to the mountains) and we plan to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas at home this year.  It’s going to be a pretty simple season – lots of baking, reading, and family fun – but of course I’ll find a way to keep us all running around no matter what.

What’s on your fall agenda?