Just another Beautiful Fall Day

Gracie turns... 2... 3...10!

She's not really sure how old she is. (three in case you don't know)
Her birthday fell on a quite normal Monday. We were invited to go apple picking that morning. Grace thought that was a wonderful way to celebrate her day. Actually, she's thrilled with just about everything we do. She is easy to please. Three year olds are great that way.

Some of the kids didn't want to go. Can you believe that? But after we got there they were all enthusiastic.  Joshua's bag had to cut up for apple sauce right away when we got home. He picked an apple, took a bite, threw it in the bag, picked an apple, took a bite, threw it in the bag...
When we got home, we had lunch and Grace had her "birthday cake" (a zebra cake with a candle) and opened  a couple gifts and the cards the boys made for her. I think she enjoyed that the most.

Aunt Kathy came over that evening and wished her a happy birthday and Grace told her, "No, I already had my birthday." She didn't realize that a birthday lasts all day long. Silly girl.

A small get together

My kids love any excuse to visit with friends. But who needs an excuse other than it's a nice day?

It was last minute but, boy, everything worked out perfectly. Julia brought over chili and we had cupcakes for dessert. The weather was perfect and they kids played well together (they always do) and us big girls got a chance to relax and talk.

Joshua and Caleb- I find these two having these conversations all the time. Paige said it must be weird when your best friend can barely talk. Caleb is talking full sentences and Joshua, though jabbers constantly, only gets one word out at a time. But Caleb seems to understand him just fine.

Found a snake, got messy, painted pumpkins, took a nap. Not necessarily in that order.

Now, you may think me mean for posting this picture, or even taking it, but let me defend myself. I was taking a picture of the girls painting their pumpkins, (Joe was sitting next to them) when he let out a scream! I thought at first, he was playing around but it didn't take long for the whole party to be aware of what was going on. In all fairness, I screamed just as loud the last time I got stung, so I couldn't very well tell him he was over reacting. He comes by it naturally. Later, I was reviewing my pictures of the day and zoomed in to see that not only did I catch the scream, I caught the bee flying away! Aren't those things supposed to die after they sting?

(PS, I got full permission to post this by Joseph. In fact, he asked me if I would.)  :)

Awww!

round the yard

"Why wont anybody pick me up and put me in the swing?"

"Oh, I see."

Ever had one of those days?

When your tea kettle was on the wrong burner? That's not a saying but I think it should be.

I wont tell you whose air headed moment this was (it wasn't me) but but it gave us all a good chuckle. 

My boy

Today I will teach him how to push the button and take a blurry picture. Some day I will teach him how to choose the right aperture. 

Today I will teach him how to hold a crayon and scribble a circle. Some day we will be pulling out the watercolors to paint a landscape.  

Today I hold his hand to steady him as he learns to walk steadily through the tall grass. Some day he will be running faster than me. 

Today I will teach him how to pet a kitten gently. Some day...

oh, lets not kid ourselves. This boy will never learn to be gentle.
;)

-Photo by Amy