This moment- They just melt my heart

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.- Amanda Soule

Welcome fall

The signs of fall are all around.

Fall is...

Bike rides in the fallen leaves and making it home before it gets to dark, which comes way to early at 7:30

Homemade treats for teachers

Riding the little yellow school bus to school and being the big man in school

Wearing long sleeves and leg warmers and learning the joys of pockets

Pulling out the almost forgotten needles and starting a fall hat (in an amazing shade of orange)

Finding ways to bring nature in

Hunting for your favorite leaf and having a hard time finding just the right one.

Canning and enjoying your harvest all season long

Welcome fall.. I have missed you.

Blueberries for the little man

As summer is coming to a end I have been trying to saver every last bit.
Last year was my first time canning.
This year I have done a bit more and I still have more to do. I have a freezer full of blackberries that will soon become yummy pies or some sweet jam to enjoy through out the winter months.
I have many apples that will soon be applesauce and many that I plan on drying into apple chips.
Along side the blackberries in the freezer there is also an almost bursting gallon sized bag of blueberries that we picked from the lake house.

The littles did a great job helping me pick and eat most of them. It took a few pickings before the little lady understood that she is to pick the blue ones not the green.
The little man and I have been filling our special time while the little lady naps will reading and 'school' work.
We have been reading lots of Jamberry and Blueberries for Sal. I even found these free preschool printable worksheets to go along with Blueberries for Sal.

I laminated some of the sheets and matching cards so that he could do them over and over.

I dont know if he understands that his is learning. I think most of the time he just having fun and that is what matters most.

Life

Life feels like it is in fast motion right now. I will try and find sometime to blog soon or maybe even a pause button.
But all in all we are still living life and we are still loving it.

Friends

You know you have a true friend when..
 -she dose not mind sleeping on your couch
- she helps you fold laundry and wash your floors
- she dose not mind that your daughter puts her bottom in her face
- she dose not feel scared to ask if they can host her sons birthday at your house.
I am so very lucky to have a friend like her and my son is so lucky to have a friend like her son.
I just love to see the two of them play together.

Just a few weeks ago we created a very special gift for her son by converting a bike that they got for free into a homemade balance bike.

So with a little help from my whole family I was able to pull off the peddles and chain so that the boys could learn to balance together.

The little man has now learned to coast. He is still a little on the cautious side but he will get it really soon. I have no doubt in my mind by this time next year he will be riding his big two wheeler like a pro.

Eighteen months

Eighteen things about the little lady at eighteen months.

She can climb to the top bunk with out the ladder.

She enjoys coloring and most of the time it is only on the paper.

Her four eye teeth just popped through.

She loves her big girl bed.

Loves to play in the dirt and get all messy.
Just started talking up a storm and still uses many signs.
Animals make her squeal with delight but only from a far unless its on her terms.
Her hair is just now long enough to put into piggy tails and I can almost get it all into one pony.

Drinks from a cup like a pro.
Like to play with baby dolls but still enjoys playing cars with her brother.
Loves keys, cell phones and remotes.
She still loves to do things herself.

Still loves to brush her teeth and go potty on her own.
She does not let anyone push her around unless its on a swing.
She loves swings and could stay in one all day if I let her.

Loves to give kisses before bed.

She gives amazing hugs.

And she has a family that loves her right back.