Sam's 4!!

Sam is such a fun little boy.  I'm stuck between being amazed he is already 4, and surprised he isn't already 4.  I think that comes from being 1.5 yr. younger than Steven Edward.  He always seems older than he is, but when I stop and think about it I can't believe he is already 4!  He is such a mix of sweetness and explosion.  He has LOVED having this year home with mom and it has been a joy to get to know him in a different light.  He loves to be right beside me, but has the ability to play by himself and be content for hours.  We've given up naps and quiet time, and he has just become my little helper.  He helps in the lawn, he helps in the kitchen.... he helps all the time.  

Having a party for him brings out all his charming qualities.  He was thankful, not demanding, non-expectant, and full of joy.  After opening his gifts I told him to say he loved them, and he confused about the object of his affections (or maybe not so!).  He looked at his friend Ryan and said, "Ryan.... I love you SO much."  To which Ryan obviously replied, "I know."  Kids are so great!

We had an Indian Themed party.  We spent the first half making costumes and the second half competing in Indian Games that Daddy invented (Bow and Arrow, Toma-Hawk Throw, and Javelin Throw).  They competed for tootsie rolls.  That was motivation enough!

Making paper bag vest.  The making was great.... the wearing was a bit tedious. 

Capturing the art of the expensive face painter.  We were very disappointed that she didn't come as a clown.

Everyone pitched in at a station.   This is the head dress station.

Listening to instructions for out games.

Bow and Arrow contest

Javelin throw

The target - plastic cups on a wooden stand.

 Then obviously we headed inside for some cake!

Our Indian scene.

I love the joy on their faces when their name is added in the Birthday Song!

Opening Gifts

Then the next day we had a family celebration

Setting of the watch

I wasn't prepared for assembly to start so early or take so long!

My husband informed the children in a very fatherly tone.... that playmobils was the one place it was okay to follow directions.

Little boys are so much fun!

All Things Fall

My sister and her family came to visit this weekend to partake in some fall activities!  They live at the beach so they don't get the advantage of the leaves, the apples, the hikes, the pumpkins.... you get the picture.  I suppose they do get the ocean.  

We started the weekend by going apple picking.  It was a stretch, based on the fact that a late frost killed about 80% of the apple crop.  It is also very late in the season.  Either way, I think we hit the last orchard on the last weekend of the year.  But after a long hike and some entertaining mishaps we ended up with a bushel of apples (mainly Pink Lady, but with some Rome and Arkansas Black mixed in)!

 Then we headed to one of our favorite family hikes.  We hiked in about 1/2 mile and then had a cookout by the river.  It was great!  The kids LOVED throwing rocks in the river and pretending they were fishing.

And we even had one of Steven's student's come to watch our kiddos so the parents could have a night on the town!

Life With A Little Girl

Are they really so different?  Because she seems INCREDIBLY so.  Maybe I don't wish to admit it because I am condemning a sex of which I am a part.  But she honestly baffles me much of the time.  It is an adorable baffle none the less, but MAN is she a princess!  And I mean that with all the high maintenance insult capabilities that it could possibly have.  

Eliza helped me make pumpkin bread (thanks Colleen!).  By help, I mean that she was put on a chair by her mom, so she wouldn't pull on my legs while screaming. This was the progression....

Sheer disgust with me at offering her the spatula to LICK!  We are SO offended we can't even hold it.  We bat it away.  It lies wounded on the counter leaving as evidence a batter trail.

Her noticing I had the camera out....

... and converting this incredible sob of injustice to a smile within seconds.  Literally seconds.

Momma giving in and letting her use her spoon instead, which she ganked out of the drawer just below her.

She wins again.... what is the score by now?  Let's not count.

Priceless.

Eliza sneaking away to make mischief with the boys.

Looks like we're not the only ones who know how to smile for the camera!