Fall Fun

Some pictures of the kids playing in the backyard. One of the last days for a "Fall" picture because between the frost and wind all the leaves are falling off quickly. It was a bit cold out today but we ran around for 1/2 an hour playing in the treehouse and romping around the yard. Lettie is able to climb the ladder to the treehouse but it drives me crazy with worry that she is going to fall through the rungs and clip her chin -- she is a brave girl and wants to do everything herself!

Being silly in the "tree house"

Crunching through the leaves

Clear skys with the sun helped us to not be quite so cold

I blew this picture up and framed it in the living room - what a face!

Bennett still loves his construction trucks - everywhere we drive when he sees a machine he yells (literally YELLS) from the back of the van, "TRACTOR TRAILER!" or "EXCAVATOR!" He also shouts, "AMBULANCE!" every time he sees any type of van - including plumbers, contractors, midwestern families....I've tried to explain that ambulances are larger and more square with lights but he still asks "Is that an ambulance mom?" and I say, "nope. See the ladders on the top...or...nope, see how it says 'pool cleaning' on the side" He gets so excited to hear sirens and equally disappointed if he can't see the truck/police car.

B also loves his music and lately we've been teaching him the lyrics to his favorite songs (including Tears for Fears, Tangled, and Pink Floyd). I love listening to him sing and mumble/glaze over words he doesn't know, or hum to skip to the parts he does know. I hope with all my hope that he continues to have a love for music and instruments.

The last big update for B is that he can read all of the "sight words" that are presented in kindergarten. He is such an avid reader and it is really exciting to watch him begin to sound out words he's never seen.

Lettie is now 21 months. Holy Moly. Her ability to communicate with us is improving everyday. Yesterday while eating lunch she held out her milk cup and said:

L: "mo" (more)

Me: "would you like some more milk Lettie?'

L: "Pees" (please)

(I filled her cup and gave it to her)

L: "ank oo" (thank you).

She also tells you when she's done eating by saying "done" and handing you her plate. But before you take her plate away completely she likes to pick up all the crumbs off her tray and put them on her plate - so particular.

A month ago she might have just banged her cup on her tray wanting more milk and I might have just taken her cup away to stop the racket not understanding she was trying to get more milk. It is awesome to be able to understand most of her needs!

She loves to read books (animals, flap books, cars) LOVES movies (Tangled, Cars and reading videos) and stacking blocks. Words she can read: Banana, apple, car, eyes, ears, hair, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, brown, black, white, sit, play, flower, sun, baby, ball, book, house, horse, cow, dog, cat, turtle, tractor... She is beginning to recognize letters and numbers as well.

Just recently her hair is long enough to put in two small pigtails on the top of her head - so darn cute!

Both kids are loving - we are always getting/giving hugs and kisses, bedtime rituals and reading at night - things I want to hold on to as long as possible because all too soon they won't need me to help go to sleep or get them dressed. I just adore my children as I'm sure mother's across the world do - I would and will do anything to help guide to be the best they can be. I love you B and L!

Picking Apples in the Front Yard

A beautiful day to pick apples in the front yard. Both Bennett and Lettie enjoyed picking and eating the apples - Lettie especially liked to taste one bite from each apple - a true sampler! I have yet to figure out what variety we have but we definitely have two distinct types of apples: smaller red apples that are sweet and larger green apples that are much more tart but turn red as the weather cools and become sweeter. Also an interesting note, the smaller apples maintain the white color of the flesh when peeled and sliced where the green apples brown almost immediately upon removing the skin. We were able to collect one paper bag full and peeled/sliced the apples for the freezer. Later, we will make apple sauce and apple bread. The tree in the front lawn was so heavy with apples a main branch snapped and crashed down by the trampoline. We will probably have to trim the apple trees next year so that all the branches don't break. I'd also like to try growing other fruit trees: plum, cherry and pear. Speaking of growing....

My garden was a total loser this year (except the grape tomatoes which I bought as a plant and put in the garden) and I can only blame myself. I didn't spend as much time as I needed to keep the weeds at bay and they completely took over. I take that back....the radishes grew but also bloomed flowers before I harvested them and by that time the root was dehydrated. Also, the peas and beans flowered and started to grow but I think the deer/rabbits ate them all because I didn't spray my "Deer Fence" often enough. I just stunk at gardening this year. Next year I need to move the garden closer to the house. This way I can be weeding while Lettie and Bennett play in the sandbox/tree house and I can keep an eye on them. I originally put the garden at the front of the property on the other side of the pine trees thinking this would keep it from being an eyesore during the off months. Which is true...I can't see all the weeds growing/decaying....but, 'out of sight out of mind' is the truest phrase in town! I never went out there! All that time/energy/money and I am doing it a dishonor. I pledge to do better next year.