Wednesday, October 13, 2010

eddy's fruit farm

Madelynne's first field trip of the year was to one of the local fruit farms.  Jackson and I got to go too!  It was pouring down rain on the day of the field trip so the children did not get to pick their own apples, but they got to see other things around the farm.
First, the farmer, Mr. Eddy, showed the children around the farm shop.  They discovered different gourds and fresh produce as well as apple cider and delicious looking homemade pastries.
Then, the children got to see how the apples are sorted with this huge piece of machinery.
Madelynne was completely enthralled with the sorting machine.

After that the children got to see what was behind this door.  A. great. BIG. refrigerator.  Farmers have the biggest 'frigs ever! (from the book of Madelynne anyway)
There were plenty of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes.

Mr. Eddy demonstrated how the fork lift works and how it helps the farmer move things around on the farm.

Time for a story with Johnny Appleseed.
Jackson did not want to be confined to his stroller and was bribed with Starbursts to stay in his stroller and not escape into the orchard on an adventure of his own.
Apples are good-licious and even better when they are free!

We bought some apples to take home and bottled our own apple pie filling.  Yummy!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

family pictures

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

back to school

Watch out Pre-K here she comes!
The gang is back together:  Madelyn, Evan, and Madelynne
The two Madelynnes were inseparable the first day.
Jackson got to come to school on the first day.  The only problem with that is he now thinks every day is his day to go to school.
Life is good when you are in Pre-K.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

more wise words

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

                            -Melody Beattie

Saturday, August 28, 2010

tiaras and tool belts

Madelynne building a bug box while wearing her tiara at a Lowe's Build and Grow clinic.


Jackson wearing a skirt and heels while playing trains.

tiaras and tool belts...

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

bonjour! butterfly

A few weeks ago we got to visit grammie and grampa.  Grammie took us to see the Butterfly House at Cox Arboretum.  One of our favorite books to read  this summer Fancy Nancy Bonjour! Butterfly by Jane O'Connor came to life before our eyes.



Saturday, August 21, 2010

hooked on books

This summer my children participated in three different reading programs.  I want them to love to read as much as I do.  Of course, we participated in our local library reading program where our children were able to earn two brand new books to keep for the their very own if they completed the number of hours required.  We also enjoyed being part of the Half Price Books and Barnes and Noble summer reading programs.  The Half Price Books program requires you read at least 5 days a week for fifteen minutes and each week you can earn a $3 coupon for whatever you want in the store.  Barnes and Noble requires you read ten books and then you get a free book from a list for each grade level.  We really built up our home library this summer.  Here are a few of the books we enjoyed this summer in no particular order.

Fancy Nancy(books) by Jane O'Connor

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by  Bill Martin, John Archambault, Lois Ehlert
The Cow Who Clucked (and others)by Denise Fleming
Clifford the Big Red Dog (books) by Norman Bridwell
Curious George (books) by Margaret & H.A. Reys
Piggies by Audrey Wood
Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
and many, many other favorites!

Some of the books Mommy enjoyed this summer:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
 
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

What books did you enjoy this summer?