Apple Picking 2016 with Auntie Colleen

We had another wonderful visit to Apple Holler this year. We picked a BUSHEL of Empire apples and had a blast doing so. Unfortunately during the walk out, Lillian didn't quite seem herself. She wasn't as into the animals, when we got home it turns out the munchkin had a 102 degree fever. But despite that we all had a wonderful time. And we've got enough apples to last us until Thanksgiving (I hope).

Lady bug on that pumpkin.

Fwd: Pictures of Lillian

Hi Alan and Emily,

Here are some pictures of Lillian engaged in activities from the past two weeks. We've had a great time learning about apples and pumpkins as part of our theme. We also enjoyed cooking class, yoga and learning Spanish with Ms. Subhana. We have created lots of great Fall art projects as well. 

Enjoy!

Simon Destroys the Monkey Bars

At the start of the school year Alan and I challenged Simon to do the Monkey Bars. His school's bars are a bit far apart and he didn't even want to try to hang from it. But with some encouragement and a challenge laid out the boy has ROCKED it.

He showed me he could do it last week and I meant to take a video. Last night he asked me to come to the playground (at pickup before we went home). Before I even could blink the boy scooted across the monkey bars. In the time it took me to get my phone out he had gone successfully across 3 or 4 times. A few times he fell and he'd just get up and dash back around and try again.

Lillian says

Aug 27, 2016: After getting dressed up with jewelry and a new dress: Lillian says look at my new dress-ipie!

August 2016: While swimming in the swimming pool told Michael. "Would you let go? I can do it on my own." Note: Lillian can not swim. Wisely, Michael did not let go.

September 17, 2016: Breakfast time, Lillian asked for sausage. Joe gives her half. She asks for more. Like a good uncle, he saw a teaching moment. As he served her the second sausage half this went down...
Joe: Lillian, what do two halves make?
Lillian: A CAKE!

September 23, 2016
L: It's so dark!

Dad: Where did the sun go?

L: Over the moon! 

Simon's First Robot

Simon is in a Robotics after school class and he brought home his first robot. A drumming robot that he put together himself. He's quite proud of himself and I'm really proud of him too!

Kindergarten Field Trips

Simon's Kindergarten class is shooting to go on a field trip a month. They went to the Children's Museum in September and yesterday they went to the Apple Store and learned to use the iMovies app. Here is Simon's movie with his friend Caden.

Quiet Saturday

Having a quiet Saturday at home because our adventure plans for the day were rained out. We made cookies and crowns and read books and watched a movie and now Lillian is playing Mario with Alan while I read my book. Simon is playing a baseball video game and cheering for himself every time he wins and Lillian yells from the other room 'good job,Simon! Love that my kids encourage each other like that!