Spider

There has been a spider residing on our front porch for some time.  It would build webs repeatedly – always on the side of the door near the light.  I guess that would be prime real estate for catching bugs.  I tolerated it for quite awhile.  I didn’t love it.  I don’t love spiders, although I do like them when I can view them in a cage.  If they are in my house, I pretty much kill them immediately (or have Jeremy if he is around).  But this one, I was letting live because it was outside in its own environment and not really bothering me. 

It all changed the other day when I realized this spider was growing in size.  Additionally it seeming to make its home permanent.  I feared it was nesting and preparing for all the little baby spiders that would emerge… and obviously, enter my home and infest it.  Needless to say, I decided I would not tolerate it anymore.  I asked Jeremy to “take care of it”. 

I pictured slamming it between two heavy boards, shoes, objects to really “take care of it.”  Jeremy apparently just got it with a paper towel, which honestly kinda wigs me out.  I did take a photo of it.  And as I looked at it, I decided that God had made a beautiful spider (just one that needed to have a different home).

More Leaves

Really, how can a parent (or anyone) resist taking pictures of kids in leaves?  I thought about not posting the pictures.  I mean, how many pictures of my kids do you need to see in leaves.  Then, I thought, no, I am going to post it because this is sometimes the only way anyone sees my pictures.  You see, I have a problem that I thought I would never have – I am not printing pictures.  Yep, I am over a year behind in actual printed pictures. Some may think that printing pictures is archaic, but I think there is something about having a hard copy of what your life has been over time.  And I am not ready to give that up.  Until I get them printed though… here are the latest :)

My helper:

My dancer:

 

What is this thing you put me in???

My sensory explorer:

My camera eluder:

 

The “Are you done with the pictures yet?” look:

Take care. Enjoy the leaves.

Fall

I have said it before and I’ll say it again – I love fall.  I just wanted to share some fall pictures. 

Madison frolicking in the leaves:

              

Ellie’s current version of frolicking:

    

   

The one sister picture Madison let me take:

Play Date

I invited Landen, Madison’s and Ellie’s cousin, over to play on Thursday.  Madison and him had had so much fun at Grandma’s that I thought it would be fun to have him here.  Plus, I have to admit, that it was nice to have someone else to play with Madison.  Not only does she LOVE to play with other kids, but it made my morning a little easier.  Steph dropped him off a little before nine in the morning and picked him back up around 11:30.  They played dolls, jumping, dancing, horsey, science time, picnic snack time, and play-doh.  We also made it outside to swing and play on the playset.  Overall, it was a great morning, and I think we’ll be doing it again!

   

   

9 Month Check Up

On Wednesday, Ellie had her 9 month check up.  I cannot believe it has been 9 months since she was born.  So much has happened in that span of time and that is probably why it seems to have passed so quickly.  Jeremy accepted a new job; I wrapped up teaching at a school I had been at for 6 years; we moved; and I became a stay-at-home mom.  Ellie has just kept trucking along.  I think she seems so big because I still think she should be a tiny baby.  But she is not, she is growing and changing and learning new things every day.  Right now, she is working on learning to move her body in different directions while seated; it may eventually progress to crawling.  She walks when you hold her hands.  She claps.  She makes a sound for a horse, and a different sound for a car.  She grins great big and babbles.  I am pretty sure she is working on “hi’ and “mama.”  She stands – really stands – when you put her next to the couch or anything she can hold onto.  She can even stand holding on with just one hand.  And today, she stood all by herself for about 5 seconds before starting to tip.  She also has 5 teeth – which she uses to chew up all that table food she eats.  No more baby food for her (thank goodness!  I didn’t like buying it.)  It is amazing how they change!  I am looking forward to the crawling and walking stages.  Yeah, I know, they get into everythign and create such a mess, but you know what, we already have a mess created most of the day.  At least she would feel some independence and freedom, and maybe she wouldn’t mind being set down once and awhile!

Here are her nine month stats:

• Weight: 19lbs 15oz at 6 months… 23lbs 2 oz at 9 months (3lbs 3oz weight gain) … 97%
• Length: 28 in at 6 months… 28in at 9 months (0 in growth) …67%
• Head: 18-1/2 in at 6 months… 19in at 9 months (1/2 in smarter)…99%

Not surprisingly, she gained some weight.  (I am pretty sure lugging her around has forced me to go see a chiropractor.)  Surprisingly, she didn’t grow an inch, or even part of an inch.  I am sure of this because Jeremy and I checked it at home just to make sure.  Strange because she is growing out of clothes, and I felt like it was because of her weight AND her height.  Guess not.  Either way, she is still healthy and everything looks good.  We thank God for good reports of good health.

Easy Apple Bars

A couple posts ago, I mentioned that Madison and I worked to make these delicious apple bars, but that I was too lazy to go get the recipe to type on the blog.  I had (as expected) completely forgotten that.  My sister-in-law, however, reminded me the other night that I still needed to put that recipe up.  So, this one’s for you, Steph!  (just don’t bring them to family gatherings unless you know what I’m bringing!)

Easy Apple Bars

 

 

Ingredients:

2-1/4 c flour

1 c brown sugar

3/4 c butter, melted (I use margarine)

1/2 c rolled quick oats

6 apples, chopped and peeled

1 c white sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

 

Directions:

·       In medium bowl, combine 2 c flour, brown sugar, butter, and oats.  Reserve 1 c of this mixture; set aside.

·       Press remaining oat mixture into 9x13in pan. 

·       Spread chopped apples over crust.

·       In medium saucepan, combine white sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, ¼ c flour, and 1 c water until combined.  Cook over medium heat until thick; stir often.  Pour over apples.

·       Sprinkle top with reserved oat mixture.

·       Bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

·       Cool on wire rack.

 

 

Taken from Women’s World 1/12/1999

Cheese???

Last night I had the camera out and wanted to take a few pics of my girls.  Ellie has another tooth – the tally is now at 5 (3 on top and 2 on bottom).  It is lucky for her since she desires nothing more than to eat big people food…. well, she may want to walk more than that, but I think it is a toss up.  I thought I would be able to get her teeth for all to see, what I got was so much more exciting! 

Ellie saw the camera and made this face:

I snapped another more normal picture. 

Then, took another when she was really noting the camera

Then, another

Finally, decided that this must be her posing for the camera

because she did it every time, even when she was in the background

Crazy Girl…

Makes us laugh!

Weekend Getaway… with Kids

(Just a warning – this is a long post, but mostly pictures… you’ll just have to scroll a lot!)

We have been doing the usual for so long – well, I have been able to go on a vacation with the girls, but Jeremy has been left behind to work.  So, we decided to take advantage of a weekend to take a short family vacation.  We had went to Pigeon Roost Farms last year (see post), and we decided to use that as our getaway excuse.  Jeremy found a cabin at Dillon State Park for us to stay in – two bedrooms, stocked (with a few cooking things) kitchen, a living room, and screened-in porch.  It was great – better than a hotel because we had TWO rooms and a kitchen.  This is the next morning (very bad pic of me, but it gives you an idea of the cabin) and Madison’s secret hiding spot.

  

We left Friday late afternoon.  Madison, who usually loves eating at a restaurant, was strongly opposed to eating at a restaurant in favor of just getting to the cabin.  We stopped at a restaurant anyway, and then made it to the cabin by about 7:30pm.  We tucked the girls in bed not long after getting there, and we headed to bed as well.

After a hearty breakfast, we headed to the Wilds – the wildlife conservation facility run by the Columbus Zoo.  We were first told we would have to wait an hour or more to catch the next bus tour… we were devastated.  We asked again about 15 minutes later, and it was going to be only another 20 minutes; somehow some spots had opened up.  Basically you ride this bus around and look at animals with two stops along the way.  Note to those going… you should take your food to eat with you as the tour is 2-1/2 hours long.  We saw quite a few things and the girls stayed entertained.

We also attempted a family photo:

Madison had fun on the stops and viewing the animals

    

Ellie just tried to move as much as possible in her seat, but was a trooper.

    

We stopped at the cabin to feed Ellie lunch (we were a little off the normal routine).  Then we headed to Pigeon Roost Farms for the evening fun. 

Madison had fun, but was also tired from the shortened afternoon nap.  She went down the big slide many, many times

Ellie even tried it!

Madison rode horses

Ellie rode horses

We tried to get them to ride together.  Madison – the usually loving big sister – was having none of it!

Madison tried slides.

Ellie tried slides.

Madison walked the balance beam.  (Ellie did not)

The highlight though may have been the covered wagon corn box.  It captured both of their attentions for the longest.  Ellie didn’t even eat the corn!

       

We parents were content to let them play – just sitting on the bench eating kettle corn soaking up the last of the sun that day… beautiful

Our last morning, we had pancakes for breakfast before heading out for a short hike at Blackhand Gorge.  It is a beautiful place to go.  We stuck to the paved path because of the stroller, but it still had some good views….

   

We had a great weekend of time together as a family.