Just a little peck

I wish I had my video camera. I told Finley not to bother the chickens, but who can resist, not her that's who. She was poking them with hay through the fence, and pulling at their feathers until... he (the white one) gave her a little peck on the lips. Scared her half to death, didn't leave a mark and was hysterical.

Hayrides, acres of open farmland, and a field full of pumpkins made our day out with the kids a breeze. I love where we live. I love this time of year. And I really love the people in my life.



I couldn't get enough of little Holland. She is so sweet. I was so glad that Finley would have someone to play with for the week. Unfortunately home sweet home wasn't so completely sweet for the two of them this week. There were many more tears than I could have ever anticipated. Maybe one day the two of them will grow up and room together at college and be the best of friends. Strictly judging form this week...Maybe not.

(one of the 3 happy moments between the 2 of them)
(click on image above to enlarge it's pretty cute if I do say so myself!)

This shot depicts the exact opposites of how each of these 3 acted this week.
While eating Mexican this week outside of Chad's office, Hill described the kids as;

Tuck: the glass is always full
Holland: the glass is always empty
Finley: takes the glass and smashes it against the wall just to see how you'll react

'bout sums it up

In the city's center

We found it. Tumbleweed Boutique. A treasure trove of vintage delight. We also stumbled across this mural, the girls loved it, and so did I. Art is GOOD. I can't tell you how invigorating a day in the city is for me. I love all of the chaos and commotion that fill the streets. I love the diversity of the people, the food oh the food. We chowed down a basket of fish and chips followed by a decadent chocolate dingdong cake. I miss living a city life. I love the space and fresh air of the suburbs, (and can't really imagine raising 2 kids downtown) but the memories triggered by a day in the city put a smile on my face.

(simple & sweet)

The best package ever

This little darling came to me at 6:00 pm. I stepped out of chaos into the fresh air of Wednesday night, went to the mailbox and pulled out the best package ever! It was in reference to this post. Thank you my random anonymous stalker. I love you.

PS just so happens that my "random stalker" is in fact my younger brother

Cuzco and Grandpa Hinton's Farm

Finley adopted a new grandpa this week. What kid wouldn't want an adorable grandpa who owned a llama named Cuzco (who is the friendliest llama I have ever met), and drove you around on his "skate board" (a mobility chair).


A grandpa who cuts down cornstalks from the garden so that you could feed the bulls (Bert and Ernie) in the field, and lets you collect the chickens eggs even though you don't know what the word gentle means.

A grandpa who had you feed grain to the baby milk calves and found you your very own three foot peacock feather to play with. With a trampoline, a cat named Maggie, a little dog named Sara, and her very own gardener snake she named Crictor (what else) Finley found her new favorite place on earth, Grandpa Hinton's Farm.


The only thing that she wasn't too sure about were the giant Turkey's. I don't blame her those things are ugly!

By the way Grandpa Hinton is the real life grandpa of this cute little blue eyed thing, Holland. She and her mom Hillary (my college roomie) came to visit us for the week.

Apple Orchards part 2

"I Flinny Cannon, me."

What she has been hearing lately
(I say these phrases so often that characters in my dreams have started repeating them) :

• Don't pee in that. It's a strainer.

• If you hit him with that __(insert object of choice)__ you are going to be in big trouble.

• I love you.

• When he cries that means he doesn't like it.

• In the naughty corner, now!
  

• I love you.
  

• I need a break.
  

• Do you need to go potty? If you try, I'll give you a treat.
  

• Did I say I love you already. Will that balance out all the negatives if I say it enough!?

What I've been hearing:

• I Flinny, mom. I Flinny Cannon, me.

• I so glad mommy. I so happy, me.
  

• One, two, free, four, sick, seven, eek, nine, two...
  

• You listen to me right now, Amy. (Yes, word for word. Hum... Maybe I should say that phrase a little less. And yes she does call me by my 1st name.)
  

• Tucky, Tucka.
  

• Fin: Whachoo doing mommy? (She asks as she peers down off her bar stool)
• Me: I'm cleaning up a pee mess. (As I mop the floor in frustration.)
• Fin: Oh thank you mommy.
• Me: You're welcome.
  

• Aah cute mommy, I love you.

(as "Cinrenna")

(as "Belle")

(as "Sleeping Beautiful")

*dresses gifted to her by our friends-thanks guys.

Last Days of Summer

We spent our last days of summer here... doin' what we love.

A new high (or low, maybe): W.T. Teusday gets trashier

Who knew it was even possible?! According to Chad, W.T. Tuesday got even trashier the moment I decided to bring our own 1/2 empty 2-liter bottle of root beer and plastic cups with us when we went to pick up the pizza.

Typically we get the $9 "Meal Deal" which consists of a 1-topping pizza (pepperoni), crazy bread (w/ sauce) & a 2-liter bottle of soda (root beer is our preference). This week however we decided to "save" some money and bring our already opened bottle of root beer. What's next, rinsing & reusing dirty paper towels? or maybe turning the "2-ply" into 2 rolls of "single-ply?" Yikes... anyone seen my Camaro?

This guy LOVES the camera.
I'm always telling him, come on babe I think I've got enough pictures of you for today.
Let me get a few of the kids sheesh!

Notice the chip in his glasses. Complements of her.

Heritage Farms Apple Orchard

Today was our 1st trip of the season. It's been one year since our last visit. Finley is still scared of the sheep and loves to bug the piglets. Not much has changed. This year she was big enough to bounce in the giant inflatable apple. She was also wise enough to position herself strategically deep inside the giant fruit so that I could not reach her when it was time to go. What she didn't count on was my Superman style leap (perfectly executed) through the opening of the apple. I was able to snag her stockinged-foot as she bounced past the entrance scaring her half to death. She left the farm rosy cheeked, sweaty and covered in dust. I left with a bag full of honey crisps (my favorite apples), some sweet corn and a bouquet of fresh cut dahlias. Chad and Tuck loved it, but left happy that we had gotten a day at the farm out of our systems.

9 months

Our boy

His personality is becoming more apparent every day. His freedom or his food, I don't know what is more important to him. He is fiercely independent and wriggles out of my arms the second I pick him up.

He loves his sister. He gets so excited in the morning when we go in to wake her up. He loves watching, playing and copying everything she does.

He has a number of perfectly good toys but prefers to play with the dogs slobbery tennis ball.

He is happy almost all of the time, always wearing this gigantic 'toothy' smile.

Every now and again at night when he's about to fall asleep he'll cuddle up and rest against my shoulder. Melts me every time.

We love this little dude.