Wordless Wednesday

If I Could Just Bottle This Smell…

And remember it forever!

 We went to the apple orchard again yesterday and had so much fun! There was a large group from church that went together so we took a bus. I rode with Axel and Ella and they were more than thrilled.

The Busride

 

They looked so cute in their vests too! Miracle absolutely loves trying to eat apples even though she has no teeth. I got a ton of amazing shots of her. She was in a fantastic mood and we all had so much fun.

She is too cute!

 

We got two of these bags full of apples!

Of course we had carmel apples and apple doughnuts while we were there. This morning we had apple pancakes and then we made applesauce. Thus the amazing smell in my house!

(everyone is yelling because they are so excited about the applesauce)

Real Quick…

First, a quick pictoral update on the past few days:)

Axel, Ella and Jack had a great time with the sprinkler, pool and water table. A great water filled day!

A Playdate With Ella

We had another great playgroup and even got to watch the big truck unload a huge pile of woodchips.

Toddler Friday@ Oakwood

At the fair we watched a 66 year old man get shot out of a cannon. Rumor has it that a man who lives in Albert Lea bought thousands of acres of land somewhere and then found out that there was oil under it. So some multi-billionaire (still residing in Albert Lea – go figure) pays this 66 year old father of 11 $1000 per time to get shot out of a cannon for the week of the fair. Two times a day. $12,000?! Where do I sign up?

Man Getting Shot Out of a Cannon

 We had lots of fun over the weekend. We ‘camped’ with my dad, went to church with my mom and then went to Pappy’s to celebrate his and Miracle’s birthdays. Chloe and I took Axel to the fair to watch the cars crashing (which was too loud for him) while Cassidy babysat Miracle.

This fountain is as old as I can remember

I also got to visit my brother Caleb which always brings about mixed emotions. It was really hard for me at church Sunday morning because I saw some of my brother’s friends and it got me thinking about what Caleb would be up to had it not been for his accident. People always ask me how he is doing. A lot of times with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) the recovering patient has a totally different personality. They either become very lovey or very mean. Typically they do not have a grasp of personal boundaries either. Of course it can be understood, my brother is missing part of his brain!

Anyway, Caleb has become the most polite, caring, sweet person you will ever meet. Now, I know my brother and he was always very sweet despite his outward uncaring manner. Now he just shows it. He never fails to tell me how much he loves me or that I’m beautiful. He always says please and thank you and is constantly apologizing that he can’t remember things. Of course he expects the same from you. I took a bite of his food and he got on my case. “You could of at least asked me first,” he said. Do not get in the way of that kid and his food!

Kind of short and rambly but I have no husband all week and I have to get some kids to the beach. Lake Elmo anyone?

A Whole Day With Family

Ahhh… I’m tired. But it has been a wonderful day. We started out the morning by meeting Josh and Elissa at the Black Dog Cafe for some coffee and tea before heading over to the Farmer’s Market. I love the Farmer’s Market. It is so fresh and full of people. Ironically that is one of the reasons Andrew does not enjoy it as much as I do. Axel loves it too and his one request was for corn on the cob. His all time favorite food I’m pretty sure. So, we picked up that along with some cucumbers to make pickles with, some amazing hummus and some herb plants. I am going to start a little herb garden in some pretty planters in our backyard. A little late in the season I know, but the herb man (literally his title, I’m not being insensitive) said that I would have to bring them in for the winter anyway so I’m good. Now we’ll have fresh cilantro, oregano, dill, parsly and basil – the purple kind so it looks pretty in my planter:)

 

When we got home Miracle took a super nap while Andrew played disc golf. Axel painted Ella a few birthday cards and I made her a tutu. I also made a hair clip for her and one for Mira. They now have matching tutu’s. We all went over to the Castillo’s for Ella’s birthday party and everyone had a great time. Well, except for Ella that is. Poor thing wasn’t feeling very well.

Miracle in her new tutu

The last few days have really been amazing. Miracle seems to be feeling a lot better after she was not herself for a bit last week. She is still really clingy but I think that comes with the age. She is a constant joy in my life with her sweet smile. I feel I am falling in love with her all over again.

The Smile That Stops Everything

And let me tell you, there is no doubt that she has her daddy wrapped around her pudgy little finger. Elissa caught this picture of the two of them smooching at Cate Fierro’s gig. Cate played on the patio at Eagle Street Grille Friday evening and it was a blast.

Going In For The Kiss

Axel has turned into a little learning machine. He is soaking everything up and is surprising me with some of the questions he comes up with at random times. “What do spiders eat?” “Do sharks swim?” He is fascinated by what other animals eat and do. His other big thing right now is about liquid. He was so curious that one day I finally got out a big tub of water and we played sink or float so I could teach him what a liquid is.

Spontaneous Facepainting

One thing that has been bothering me lately with Axel is that I seem to tell him we’ll do something and then we never do it. Simiple things like going outside or to the park. There is usually a decent reason for not doing them and he doesn’t normally fuss when it is explained to him but I am terrified that he will begin to lose faith in me. I have counteracted this by not telling him my plan until we are actually doing it so as not to disappoint him. The opposite end of the spectrum I know.  I want to be a mom who is true to her word. At our house a promise is a promise. We make sure not to ever say promise unless we really mean it. Sometimes I fear that backfires though. I want my family to trust my word without having to make me say I promise! Anyway, I came across a devotion that you mommies (and daddies) should check out. As for me, I’m off to bed!

One Weird Summer

Here it is. A new beginning. I feel like my first post has to cover so much, or explain everything, or be just perfect. I think I’ll just dive right into it…

Summer has not been the same this time around. The first half of last summer was so amazing. We were out at the beach/park/zoo almost every day. The second half I had a newborn and well, pretty much stayed in the air conditioning. If you know me at all you know I love summer. I have threatened to move to California, and just love being outside enjoying the weather. The crazy weather in the spring threw me a curve ball this year, and now I just can’t get into it. I finally have been out a few times the last couple of weeks and feel like I am finally getting the most out of summer. (even though it is almost August)

We started a toddler playgroup at church and had a blast at our first meeting. Hopefully we can build some new friendships through that for me and the kids!

toddler playgroup

 Last Sunday we attended the church picnic and enjoyed the summer a little too much. Axel ended up with heat exhaustion and had a headache, fever and vomitting all night. Praise the Lord he is alright!

church picnic

 I am fortunate to have an amazing sister who I can entrust my children too, and on Tuesday she took Miracle for me and I took Axel, Jack and Ella to Como Town. We really had a great time and already have another trip back planned.

Como town teacups

Besides the rides, we love checking out the baby orangutan and the butterfly tent. It is fun to watch the babies as the butterflies are going right past their heads. They get so excited when one is close enough for them to get a good look. It helps that the tent is shaped and colored like a monarch caterpillar as well.

The Butterfly Tent

So, has the summer been weird for anyone else? Or do I just need to get with the program? Any great ideas for a one, two and three year old?

I’m off to make a tutu  

And clean my house:(