An Apple A Day

Sweet Apple Joy! The apple orchard we like is back in full swing. Last year there was an early frost that ruined like 90% of their crop, so apple pickings were slim. I am happy to say this year everything has been set right. We went a little earlier than normal in the season because of the legendary honeycrsip apples. We had heard rumors that they were the sweet nectar of life. Friend after friend claimed that you hadn't had an apple until you had had a honeycrisp. So with much anticipation, we marked on our calendar to go up the first weekend you could pick them. Was all the hype true, you ask? YES! They were so good! We went with a group of friends and just picked our hearts out. Our bags were literally brimming and busting. 40 lbs of apples later we feel we are ready to bunker down for the winter. Yes, that is a lot of apples, but if you didn't know this (I didn't the first year), freshly picked apples can last for months and months and months in the right conditions. Here is a little "did you know" fact...Did you know that the apples we buy in the store were picked anywhere from 9 months to a year ago? Yeah I was pretty shocked. So note to self, pick when you can!

The only downside to the whole event was that in true Ohio fashion the weather was miserable. It was so hot and muggy. My poor boys were dripping from the scalp. They had fun at first as they helped pick and devour, but too quickly they just pooped out. I had intended to get quite a few more pictures (I even tried to coordinate the family in a nice fallish brown), but Cole is at the age where he turns his back on you every time a camera comes out, and Jack was too tired by the end. We still got a couple of good ones. As I tried to get one last family picture, Spencer nicely reminded me that pictures weren't the priority...aren't they always! So family and friends find your local apple orchard and pick away, and if you don't have one, you know who to visit in the fall.

The boys picking and eating apples.

Cole giving me the stink-eye for taking his picture.

Jack all done with apple picking.

First Day of Preschool

So yesterday was Cole's first day of preschool. Me and a group of moms are doing a moms co-op preschool. It has been in the works for a while and now here it is to fruition. I am in charge of teaching the first week. I have one day under my belt and one more tomorrow. We have a great set of kids and moms. In the picture is, back to front, left to right, Aliena, Cole, Brooklyn, Tanner, Lauren, and Addie.

We learned about where we live. We learned our addresses, we talked about our houses and who lives in them, and what we do in different rooms (no worries my son is the only one who drew himself going potty in the bathroom, everyone else did brushing teeth, taking bath...), and our favorite rooms.

Where I live Booklet, digital Scrapbooking is a lifesaver

We also talked about the letter A and painted with apples. Here are a couple extra pictures of movement time when they danced and then froze to music. Plus there is one of Cole diligently writing during writing time.

Tomorrow we are going to learn about Ohio. I pretty much had to look up everything being a newbie to the state and all. This co-op is a great alternative, but boy howdy I am glad that I am only teaching every 6 weeks!

So Much To Blog, So Little Time

We are back from our excursion to Washington state. I will happily and honestly admit that I did not want to come back. Who would? I got to be in the beautiful NW, plus we stayed in Richelle's beautiful and spacious house (with bathrooms bigger than a closet), there was actually good food in the fridge, and the boys were insistent that dad take care of them the whole time. Plus I can 't forget to mention that I got to see a lot of good friends and a little sneak visit from Natters, Nanny and George, and my dad! It was a marvelous trip. There were many highlights and way too many pictures to share. The major highlight was a trip to Longbeach, WA. We spent a couple of days hanging at the beach. Richelle's aunt and uncle have a beach house so we stayed there. We got there to a stinky fridge full of rotten food because the fridge itself had been unplugged. I will admit that I did nothing to help with that. It was really gross. Thanks Spencer and Richelle.

The beach itself was really fun, especially because August was Kite Festival Month. There were tons of really cool kites. The boys were really impressed. Both Cole and Jack were brave enough to keep their tootsies in the cold NW ocean. By the second day, Jack even got adventurous enough to play in the sand. He may have had sand embedded in his scalp for a couple of days (who is proud of me for letting that happen???). The second day our friends Andy and Elyn came up with their kids and we spent the day walking around Long Beach. The kids rode the go carts with the dads, and then the dads raced Richelle and Siobhan on the big, fast track. I will happily brag that Spencer kicked everyone's trash, video games apparently pay off.

We ended that day with yummy ice cream cones at Scoopers ( I guess it is famous there) and then went back to the house for some chili before heading home that night.

While that was the highlight, the whole trip was wonderful. Richelle and Siobhan took such good care of us, it amazes me how many great people are in my life. They opened their home not only to us, but to all the great people who wanted to spend more time with us while we were there. We were there on our anniversary and they gladly took our kids for the whole evening.

On that side note, let me just insert a little emotional insight about my marital bliss of seven years. It is hard to believe it has been, and yet has only been seven years. Time really does fly when you are having fun! I feel very lucky and blessed to be in this relationship. We are so compatible in the ways we are a like and in the ways that we are not. I love that Spencer will still let me cuddle right up to him in church (with the kids crawling all over the place). We take care of each other equally, if not differently. I love him and appreciate all he does, and I know he feels the same. So yeah for a great seven years, and a double hooray for an eternity more!

Just to brag about my awesome husband a little more, he said to not worry about presents this year because of the budget, we both agreed that dinner out would be enough...BUT little did I know he had already gotten my present and figured that was big enough for both of us. So on our anniversary I opened up a card that said "guess what your present is?" After pretending to be indignant because I didn't get him one, I started guessing. That led to a little game of hangman, which led to me writing out the letters SYTYCD! That's right my hubby got me So You Think You Can Dance tickets. So he got me a great present AND he showed how selfless he is because I know that is not is favorite venue.

Okay back to our trip, don't worry I am almost done...JUST ONE LAST THANK YOU. Richelle and Siobhan (who gave the whole family haircuts, I might look amazing) we love you. We are so grateful for both of you and how much you love us. We miss you daily. Thanks for the good times.

The Little Things

I have spent a lot of my energy lately feeling bad about what I haven't accomplished, whether it be the amount I get done in a day, or something grand that I can claim. So I am putting my foot down about this nonsense! From now on I am going to acknowledge all the little things, and yes even the not so little things, that I accomplish and I am going to give myself a mighty cheer!

I would guess that I am not alone in feeling this way, which is crazy because I know all of you and I know what you do...SO I suggest that you all put your foot down too. Recognize how glorious you are and give a mighty holla! Everyday take time to make a list of the things that you do to keep those around you running. I am pretty sure you will find that all of those little things you don't acknowledge add up to some pretty grand accomplishments. You do laundry, you do dishes, you do diapers, you do your hair, you hug your kids, you teach them why saying "butt" is not a good idea, you sweep, you mop, you cook, you clean, you stop cleaning to play with your kids, you lose at Candyland, you watch a baseball game with your hubby, you fulfill your calling, you pray, you serve your friends. See! I told you that you do a lot.

If today all I did was make some loaves of bread, well lucky us because aren't they yummy! YEAH ME!!!

THE Ohio State Fair

Yes the "THE" was intentional. Everything is the Best in Ohio, or so we have been told by the countless Ohioans who never seem to be lacking in state pride. We decided to take an afternoon and go to the Ohio State Fair, which yes we had been told was the best in the nation. Well, I couldn't make the claim on the best, since the only other state fair I have gone to is Utah's (and to tell the truth I only went there to see Rascal Flatts), but it was a pretty fun fair.

We met up with our friends the Baldwin's, who have claimed the boys as their surrogate grandkids. They had been staking out the fair since lunchtime and already had picked out some spots the boys would like.

We saw a GIANT lego train set, I couldn't believe how cool it was. Yes that is corn made from legos!

We saw all kinds of animals, much to Jack's delight. We thought the horses would be his favorite, but he seemed to enjoy the rabbits and the baby chicks most.

Cole's only request for the evening was a ride on the ferris wheel. Spencer and I were a little shocked because he is not normally a ride person. We went as a whole family, and Jack's was the only one who didn't care for it.

I was all economic and health conscience and brought a packed lunch. Unfortunately, by the end of the night we could no longer fight of the glorious scent of fair food and we caved and got some corndogs! Nothing like a good fair corndog! HOWEVER, something that we will never be trying is this:

Can you say, "EW Gross!"? We saw this walking out and thought it was picture worthy. I am not sure who would eat this, but I guess I shouldn't knock it until....okay so I just don't think I can ever even joke about having it! Nothing like going to a fair.