Friday Favorites

A mostly weekly photo post with few words, 

but a moment from the week to remember.

Have a good weekend!

 Winterizing

Safety precuations

Legal Statement from the company: "This product is a TOY for dolls or stuffed toys ONLY. NEVER use this toy to carry a baby or child for any purpose whatsoever. Death or Serious Injury may occur."

...oops...

Friday Favorites

A mostly weekly photo post with few words, 

but a moment from the week to remember.

Have a good weekend!

 Reading

sneak peak

We had a fun photo shoot with our neighbors last weekend. The goal: to get a good family picture for Christmas cards. We think we got it. No this isn't it. But here's another one of my favorites.

Love these kids

Life around here has been a little humdrum for me lately. I love autumn, but the impending winter, cold hands and dry skin that invade my well-being, coupled with the innumerable runny noses and possible extra trips to the doctor just to hear him say "keep the humidifier running all the time", just seems to be exhausting me already.

In the midst of my mind being consumed by the future, I have moments like these...

Ilana is 3 and a half years old today - crazy!

The windows were open and the kids were comfortable in their short sleeved shirts. It was warm. They were happy. We were just finishing up dinner and the post-dinner, full-belly happiness was settling in for the evening. I loved this moment. I love these kids.

And although the winter is coming when simply getting out the door threatens to undo me, I am challenged to live today and love my kids in the moment. The sun'll come out again...in June.

"the pumpkin patch"

Last week the kids and I went to Didier Farms Pumpkinfest. I was blown away by how grown up Ilana's getting.

Without hesitation she fed the birds.

There were a lot of them, but they didn't scare her one bit.

Then we found the "horsies." Again, without hesitation she walked right in all by herself, found her favorite, climbed in, buckled herself up, and started warming up her horse for the big ride. Gray was a bit young, so he couldn't join her - next year sweet bundle! I was amazed at how independent my little girl is.

Good thing she had complete control, that horse looks like he needed a strong leader.

After waiting for this ride, and getting all geared up. It broke after one turn around the tracks. Ilana handled it just fine. I thought she would melt down, but no. We just went on to the next ride. Great job, big girl!

THE TRUCKS!! I think Gray was really upset that he couldn't participate in this one. Ilana was a great driver.

It was her first "up and down" ride. There was one small hill. :)

After a break for lunch, we fed the "greedy goats." This one was my favorite. He was little.

This goat was especially greedy and even ate the cup right out of Ilana's hand. She was upset, but handled it alright. Especially when I gave her the rest of my cup. Again, she was such a big girl and fed these goats right out of her hand without any kind of fear. It blew my mind!

Ilana found her favorite. He was wandering around the outside of the pen and super docile.

I offered for Ilana to ride on the real ponies, but she insisted three times that she was NOT interested. I didn't push it. Maybe next year. So we got four little pumpkins and some bumpy gourds and went home.

All in all, I was simply floored by how grown up Ilana is becoming. She is still really hesitant and cautious (for which I'm thankful because she's still almost as tiny as a peanut), but she's really growing up these days.

Got it!

After over a year of working on it, my girl's finally got it...

...at least the pedaling part (we're still working on steering).

Friday Favorites

A mostly weekly photo post with few words, 

but a moment from the week to remember.

Have a good weekend!

 Eager anticipation

changes

You can tell the air is on the verge of changing here in Evanston. In fact, it may have changed today while we buried ourselves under the covers. The kids Grayson is a bit on the sick side so we (finally!) took it easy today.

Lately we've been seeing a lot of these...

This even made its first appearance at the middle school down the street.

I think Moses is a little worried about the coming weather.

I think he's mostly concerned about his invasion of peace and privacy.

And who can blame him with things like this happening around here!

Seriously, this is what is looks like outside right now:

See all those small, orange streaks against the brown house? Those are falling leaves. Yep, I'd say it's officially AUTUMN!!!

Time to go make some chili.

Heinz Orchard (a few weeks ago)

The tree of life my soul hath seen
laden with fruit and always green

  
the trees of nature fruitless be
compared with Christ the Apple Tree.

  
His beauty doth all things excel
by faith I know but ne'er can tell

the glory which I now can see
in Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.

  
For happiness I long have sought
and pleasure dearly I have bought

  
I missed of all but now I see
'tis found in Christ the Apple Tree.

I'm weary with my former toil
here I will sit and rest a while

under the shadow I will be
of Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.

 This fruit doth make my soul to thrive
it keeps my dying faith alive

which makes my soul in haste to be
with Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.

 ("Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" lyrics)

I think the pictures are pretty self-explanatory - it was a great day!

Friday Favorites

A mostly weekly photo post with few words, 

but a moment from the week to remember.

Have a good weekend!

 Indian Summer

Paul and I are off to Door County for the weekend...without the kiddos.
Watch out world!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

No, the decorations are not going up quite yet in our home (although I can't say the same for our local Target!). But, combine one little girl who LOVES purple and one Momma who's finally taking some sewing lessons and learning how to quilt...and you've got one kid's Christmas present in the making!

I am so excited for Ilana it's silly.

 

This is what the quilt currently looks like, at the sewing studio. Somebody else picked out the fabrics and made the 4" squares (made of three strips of different fabric). Last lesson we laid all the squares out, evened out the colors and began sewing the 4" squares together. It's going to be a tedious process, but I can't wait to see Ilana's face on Christmas morning.

DTWF (Dinner Time Wrestling Federation)

In Ring 1 we have:

 "Lovie" 

She's sweet and fierce.
Watch out for her secret move: ferocious hand-holding.
You think she's going to be sweet, then it somehow all goes wrong!

And in Ring 2 we have:

"Whiner"
He looks like he's all for the fun and games, but watch out when that whine begins. It may never end!

Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!

*ding*ding*ding*ding*

And it looks like Lovie is the clear winner right from the beginning, in fact Whiner seems to be conceding to her, but we all know this is his normal scheme...

but wait, the Whiner is already pulling out the whine!

He's almost free...

Oh wait! She's decided to use the "roll up in the carpet" tactic! Folks, this is starting to get exciting, and slightly relaxing!

That's a good idea, Whiner, verify the opponent...

THEN SIT ON HER!!!

Oh wait, she's starting to fight back...

HE'S STANDING ON HER! Folks, he's really ready to play now.

She broke free, but he continues to insist that she roll herself up...

wait, wait, SHE'S DONE IT, she's broken out the ferocious hand-holding move. We'll have to see what Whiner does about this...

the take down!

Oh, there it is...he's gone to the ref to whine. What will the verdict be?

I guess he's resolved to be ok. Especially since Lovie seems to have surrendered.

Oh yes, folks, we might just have a whiner, I mean winner.

Oh wait, Lovie is back for more! The night is not over, folks.

...aaahhhh, dinner time antics.