After Ava's Fall Party last Monday, I packed the girls in the car and headed for Indiana. We had such a fun schedule of events planned for our visit. We spent the first half of the week with Mike's parents whom Ava affectionately calls "Gramma Pammy" and "Papa Nick". Tuesday was a trip to the very pumpkin patch we visit every year. My sister-in-law Stacey and her two little boys, Nicholas (3) and Tyler (2 months) accompanied us. This was Emily's very first time to the pumpkin patch and she seemed to love every minute, especially the straw pile and picking out her pumpkin from the field. On Wednesday we hit the Indianapolis Children's Museum for their annual Haunted House. We left the babies, Emily and Tyler with Grandma Pammy and Aunt Katie in the lobby while Stacey and I chaperoned our little seekers of spookiness through the kid friendly hours of the Haunted House (actually a haunted train theme this year). We also checked out the Super Hero and Dinosaur exhibits as well. Emily was happy to abandon her stroller and explore the museum on all four for a bit (see video clip).
For the second part of the week we went North to my parent's. Ava and Emily had fun playing with cousins Riley(3), Hudson (1), and Ella (5 months). On Thursday night they even got to play with many of my cousins' children. My grandparents have 11 great-grandchildren (and one on the way!) all age 5 and under. 9 of them were at my grandma's house for dinner on Thursday. It was so cool to see all of those crazy kids running wild under my grandparent's roof...it so reminded me of doing the same thing with my cousins when I was little. On Friday I took the girls to meet my friend Amy and her sister and their kiddos for lunch. It's always so good to catch up with old friends! After lunch, I stopped at the apple orchard on the way back to my parents. (See the next post about that). Friday night I cooked for everyone and Ava and Riley carved pumpkins (again...see the clip below) and finally on Saturday we had a girls day out with my mom, grandma, my sister Karla, her friend Sarah, my sister Angie, her baby Ella, Emily, and Ava. Ava headed off to paint-your-own-pottery with my mom and grandma and somehow, I got roped into coming along and finishing some of the painting. I am excited to see how Ava's snowman mug turns out. She did that all on her own. She "can't wait to play in the snow and sip cocoa out of her mug." That wraps up the trip. We set out for home on Sunday after church and here I am, finally catching up on the blog!
Please check out the slideshow/video clips:
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Apple Picking with Ava
Soon after we moved here, we took Ava to an apple orchard near our house. They were having some sort of flea market/festival. She was excited to pick apples, but we explained that it wasn't apple season yet. We promised we would come back in the fall and pick. This seemed to satisfy her that day. She did periodically remind us about our apple picking promise. When the leaves started to turn, she spoke of apple picking more frequently. She had the whole scenario plotted....what bucket she wanted to use...what she would do with the apples. Then about a month ago we went back to that orchard. You can imagine her excitement. She practically skipped into their store. "Hello! We would like to pick some apples, please! Where do we get our bucket?" she sang out to the grouchy old lady behind the counter (not a very nice description....but she was not a very nice lady) She grouched at us,"No apple picking here. If you want to go in the orchard you need to come back on the weekend and pay for a tour." So I nicely asked her, "Oh, will we be able to pick apples then?" to which she all but growled, "No. No picking." The look on Ava's face....she just crumbled. Her little lip started to quiver. She held it together, though. I told her we'd find someplace else. But you know how it is. You get busy. You forget.
And then last week I was back home visiting family. We had lunch with some friends and I was hurrying to get home to put Emily down for a nap and get dinner started. I was cooking for everyone at my mom's that night. I remembered that there was an orchard on the way back to my parent's and I wanted to buy some apples to make applesauce. My car felt toasty warm against the freezing cold rain and I really was in a hurry. I almost drove past the orchard. Then at the last minute I turned into the parking lot. I'll just run in really quick, I thought. I got the girls out and Emily into her puffy Eskimo-like winter coat and ran through the icy splashes on our face. Once inside, Ava realized that we were at another orchard. She started asking about the possibility of picking. "Oh no, not today honey. We really need to get back and it's freezing cold and raining and muddy....." I tried to explain. She wasn't hearing it. She launched into a great screeching tantrum. I unsuccessfully tried to calm her down. I was pretty embarrassed by her behavior and getting kind of angry with her when I took a deep breath and thought about why she was having such a total fit. All she wanted to do was pick a friggin' apple. How hard could that be? I walked up to the counter and asked, "Are we allowed to pick today?" The lady looked at me from under her glasses like I was stupid (is it a prerequisite to be a curmudgeon to work the apple orchard counter?). "Yes. You're allowed, although I don't think you want to do that. It's freezing cold and terribly muddy and you have to walk ALL the way to the top of that hill out there." She didn't shake me. "Okay, thanks. We're just going to go out and pick one or two. Can I pay you now?" Ava is now getting pretty psyched and tugging at my leg whispering, "Bucket! Bucket, mommy, get a bucket!" The lady glared down at Ava. "You have to bring em' back in here to be weighed before you pay. If you're only picking one or two, you don't need a bucket." I was on the verge of forgetting my manners at this point. "Could we please get a bucket?" A little edge creeping into my tone of voice now. She begrudgingly handed me a bucket, which I handed to Ava and we headed out into the cold, pouring rain again. After a quick pit stop at the mini van to get the stroller and look for the umbrella (no luck there) we headed up the hill. Luck was not in our favor and about halfway up, it really started pouring. I was about to abort mission once again, and then I looked down and saw Ava's determined little face as she focused to keep her footing up the slippery hill. We pushed on to the PICKING sign. I pointed out the apples and Ava hurried toward a tree. In her haste, her foot got caught on the stroller wheel and she fell hard onto the muddy grass. It's one of those moments when you see your kid fall and think, "Uh-oh. That one had to hurt." As I bent to pick her up, I anticipated the wails and tears. Instead, she pushed up on her own, turned toward me and said, "Alright, lets pick some apples." and off she went. She picked 3 apples, carefully placed them in her bucket, carried her bucket back down the hill and hefted it onto the counter top for the old lady to weigh. She paid her dollar for the 89 cents worth of apples and kept the change. She was definitely feeling like big stuff.
Back in the van, I cleaned off one of the apples and she took a big, juicy bite as we pulled out of the parking lot. "Mmmmm. Mommy, this is the best apple I ever tasted. It's delicious. Mmmm....." I got a food review on the merits of this perfect apple that she picked herself for the next 5 minutes down the road.
I will say, that despite my hurry to get back and the freezing cold rain and the muddy clothes it was all worth that look of pure joy on Ava's face when she picked those apples. She shined. She really did.
That was apple picking with Ava...and Emily too. She seemed happy to be along for the ride.
And then last week I was back home visiting family. We had lunch with some friends and I was hurrying to get home to put Emily down for a nap and get dinner started. I was cooking for everyone at my mom's that night. I remembered that there was an orchard on the way back to my parent's and I wanted to buy some apples to make applesauce. My car felt toasty warm against the freezing cold rain and I really was in a hurry. I almost drove past the orchard. Then at the last minute I turned into the parking lot. I'll just run in really quick, I thought. I got the girls out and Emily into her puffy Eskimo-like winter coat and ran through the icy splashes on our face. Once inside, Ava realized that we were at another orchard. She started asking about the possibility of picking. "Oh no, not today honey. We really need to get back and it's freezing cold and raining and muddy....." I tried to explain. She wasn't hearing it. She launched into a great screeching tantrum. I unsuccessfully tried to calm her down. I was pretty embarrassed by her behavior and getting kind of angry with her when I took a deep breath and thought about why she was having such a total fit. All she wanted to do was pick a friggin' apple. How hard could that be? I walked up to the counter and asked, "Are we allowed to pick today?" The lady looked at me from under her glasses like I was stupid (is it a prerequisite to be a curmudgeon to work the apple orchard counter?). "Yes. You're allowed, although I don't think you want to do that. It's freezing cold and terribly muddy and you have to walk ALL the way to the top of that hill out there." She didn't shake me. "Okay, thanks. We're just going to go out and pick one or two. Can I pay you now?" Ava is now getting pretty psyched and tugging at my leg whispering, "Bucket! Bucket, mommy, get a bucket!" The lady glared down at Ava. "You have to bring em' back in here to be weighed before you pay. If you're only picking one or two, you don't need a bucket." I was on the verge of forgetting my manners at this point. "Could we please get a bucket?" A little edge creeping into my tone of voice now. She begrudgingly handed me a bucket, which I handed to Ava and we headed out into the cold, pouring rain again. After a quick pit stop at the mini van to get the stroller and look for the umbrella (no luck there) we headed up the hill. Luck was not in our favor and about halfway up, it really started pouring. I was about to abort mission once again, and then I looked down and saw Ava's determined little face as she focused to keep her footing up the slippery hill. We pushed on to the PICKING sign. I pointed out the apples and Ava hurried toward a tree. In her haste, her foot got caught on the stroller wheel and she fell hard onto the muddy grass. It's one of those moments when you see your kid fall and think, "Uh-oh. That one had to hurt." As I bent to pick her up, I anticipated the wails and tears. Instead, she pushed up on her own, turned toward me and said, "Alright, lets pick some apples." and off she went. She picked 3 apples, carefully placed them in her bucket, carried her bucket back down the hill and hefted it onto the counter top for the old lady to weigh. She paid her dollar for the 89 cents worth of apples and kept the change. She was definitely feeling like big stuff.
Back in the van, I cleaned off one of the apples and she took a big, juicy bite as we pulled out of the parking lot. "Mmmmm. Mommy, this is the best apple I ever tasted. It's delicious. Mmmm....." I got a food review on the merits of this perfect apple that she picked herself for the next 5 minutes down the road.
I will say, that despite my hurry to get back and the freezing cold rain and the muddy clothes it was all worth that look of pure joy on Ava's face when she picked those apples. She shined. She really did.
That was apple picking with Ava...and Emily too. She seemed happy to be along for the ride.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Update on the girls
I'm still here! I know it's been awhile since the last update. We went on a week long trip back to Indiana. Now with unpacking and the laundry and the new blog: Krista's Kitchen, I've found it difficult to update lately. Here's what the girls are up to:
Ava seems so grown up lately! She's so perceptive....even making comments about the presidential candidates. She's all girl too. Very into Barbie and anything to do with teenagers. Thanks to the additional religious education that she's getting at preschool, she has quite a few ideas and comments regarding her faith too. Today she was talking about her "Redeemer". Also, she's finally made the transition from the belief that she wants to live at home forever with mommy, daddy, and Emily to dreams of being and teacher and having "lots of kids." She has this whole theory about love and marriage too. "Uh, I don't know which of my friends will be the best husband yet. (insert eye roll) You kind of have to love each other. Duh." Deep stuff. By the way, I can't stand this little attitude. My baby should not roll her eyes or say "duh"!
Here she is playing games on Mike's Blackberry before bed.
She's an expert crawler, but she's venturing into the world of the upright. She can stand all on her own for a second or two. I'd say she'll be walking by Christmas. Heck, maybe even Thanksgiving.
Ava and Emily really are the best of friends. Like any siblings, they have their moments....but Emily adores Ava and Ava is an awesome, protective, loving big sister. When Ava gets up in the morning the first thing she does is give Emily a great big hug.
I really can't believe how fortunate we are to have such perfect, precious gifts. I know that when you're in the trenches of parenthood, there are moments of frustration (don't talk to me about my parenting skills between 5:30 and 8:00 pm...I'm toast) But really mostly, I feel so blessed and so thankful. What a beautiful time of life.
Ava seems so grown up lately! She's so perceptive....even making comments about the presidential candidates. She's all girl too. Very into Barbie and anything to do with teenagers. Thanks to the additional religious education that she's getting at preschool, she has quite a few ideas and comments regarding her faith too. Today she was talking about her "Redeemer". Also, she's finally made the transition from the belief that she wants to live at home forever with mommy, daddy, and Emily to dreams of being and teacher and having "lots of kids." She has this whole theory about love and marriage too. "Uh, I don't know which of my friends will be the best husband yet. (insert eye roll) You kind of have to love each other. Duh." Deep stuff. By the way, I can't stand this little attitude. My baby should not roll her eyes or say "duh"!
Here she is playing games on Mike's Blackberry before bed.
And working on her "homework" today. A feather for the class turkey bulletin board.
Emily is so great. This kid has a phenomenal personality. I know, I'm her mom....I'm going to think that. Really though, she's so easy and entertaining. Her laugh is infectious and she laughs ALL OF THE TIME! I forgot how much fun this age really is. She is into everything. She wants to do whatever we do. That includes eating what we eat. She is my favorite person to cook for in the whole house. No complaining. She boycotted baby food almost 1 month ago. With 5 teeth she has no problem. She just happily eats what I put in front of her...and then rubs it into her hair like some kind of beauty treatment. Here she is last night with her Shepherd's Pie hair gel.
She loves being in the kitchen...and tearing all of my things out of the cupboards.
What's for dinner mom?
She's an expert crawler, but she's venturing into the world of the upright. She can stand all on her own for a second or two. I'd say she'll be walking by Christmas. Heck, maybe even Thanksgiving.
Ava and Emily really are the best of friends. Like any siblings, they have their moments....but Emily adores Ava and Ava is an awesome, protective, loving big sister. When Ava gets up in the morning the first thing she does is give Emily a great big hug.
I really can't believe how fortunate we are to have such perfect, precious gifts. I know that when you're in the trenches of parenthood, there are moments of frustration (don't talk to me about my parenting skills between 5:30 and 8:00 pm...I'm toast) But really mostly, I feel so blessed and so thankful. What a beautiful time of life.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Just in time for Halloween
This is the beast of a spider who has made her home on our sliding glass door. We can watch her kill and drain tiny insects of their blood right from our kitchen table. It's better than the Discovery channel! Lovely.
Seriously though, I'm pretty sure that she's full of eggs. You can practically see them bursting out of her big...well...what is that thing called? Forgive me. My biology classes elude me right now. Ahhh, there it is, thank you Google: abdomen - the belly, also called the opisthosoma. It contains the guts, heart, reproductive organs, and silk glands.
Ahem- yep...reproductive organs!
I need to go out and smash her before she lays those eggs and we have 200 of her precious babies building their webs on my deck or possibly scuttling under the door to set up housekeeping in my kitchen! Arrrggghhh! The problem being that I do not want to engage in hand to hand combat with this mother. She's got 6 to my 2. Okay, I'm off to the gargage to see if we have some sort of spray that can take care of this problem.....from a distance! Sorry Charlotte.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Announcing....
My new blog: Krista's Kitchen! It's a blog about meal planning and everyday cooking with a little baking thrown in here and there. Feel free to save it as a favorite and share it with everyone you know.
Here's the link:
http://cookingwithkrista.blogspot.com
I look forward to seeing many of you dear readers over there too!
Here's the link:
http://cookingwithkrista.blogspot.com
I look forward to seeing many of you dear readers over there too!
Absolutely Gorgeous!
Gorgeous weather, gorgeous landscape, gorgeous leaves, gorgeous time with our precious little family. Our latest family adventure took us to Brandywine Falls. The beauty of the falling water was complemented by the fabulous fall foliage and vivid blue sky. After viewing the falls we explored a trail, but when the terrain got to rough, we ditched the stroller and the trail and just explored on our own. We ended up following the stream...that water that we'd just watched plummet over the rocks. Lucky we did. Along the river was some quality clay. Mike and Ava had a good time mushing it in their fingers and making pinch pots (a term I remember from elementary school art class). Emily had a good time exploring too. She's quite the little leaf collector (and eater!) Hope you all enjoy the pictures.
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