Mothering Emma Kate and Jack…

Child’s play

In an effort to convince Chris to help Emma Kate clean her (VERY messy) room, I was met with an explanation of why I should embrace her ‘creative play’ and the resulting mess. Our conversation went something like this:
Me: It drives me crazy how our kids tear through things and have no respect for putting [...]

Big kids, big stuff

This beautiful fall day was a mixed blessing for me. I am so proud of my little people and their “big” accomplishments, but I also want them to stay little. Jack is growing like a weed- he has definitely crossed the bridge from toddler to preschooler. Today, we baked un-cheeze-its together and rode our bikes, [...]

Happy Halloween!

Tonight, we had a blast trick or treating and spending time with friends and neighbors. After sorting their loot, the kids stuffed themselves with unlimited candy until they hit a sugar plateau, then practically begged to lie down.
Emma Kate and Jack dressed as zoo keepers this Halloween. It literally took them months to decide on [...]

Parade of literature

Each Halloween at EK’s school, the kids (and teachers) dress up as characters from favorite literature. Emma Kate dressed as Fern from Charlotte’s Web. She wore overalls (thanks, Fletcher!), braids, and a spider- and carried “Wilbur.” Her friend, Nicole, dressed as Wilbur, so the girls were really cute together. It’s always fun to see children [...]

Like father, like daughter (repost)

I couldn’t resist sharing the similarity- I think Chris is about 2 here, but check out these look-alikes!

Sweet sleepers

Couldn’t resist blogging this picture of my cute little people. I had to throw Jack in the bed with Emma while I made up his bed- and the cuties just snuggled up together. They’ll love this picture when they are adolescents

Pumpkin carving

We decided to use templates this year and to give the kids a chance to use the sharp tools- it seemed to go pretty well! Now, if only I can figure out a fun art project to do with all these pumpkin seeds…

Blueridge Parkway with the gang from the ‘boro

We enjoyed a blissful Sunday on the Blueridge Parkway with friends. We met up with the gang at the Cascades- where we shared a picnic and trailblazing (i.e.- a short walk) through the mountains. It was a beautiful day catching up with old friends (old as in I haven’t seen Jamie and Angela in forever- [...]

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere

Yesterday, Jack’s preschool class took its first field trip across the street to the DUMC pumpkin patch. The kids listened to a spooky story and picked out small pumpkins to take home.

Pumpkin patch

This morning we joined the Clausens for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch at Carrigan Farms. Our visit included a tractor ride, observing farm animals (including a ginormous turkey), pumpkin picking, and a cup of apple cider. There is something about looking out into a sea of orange pumpkins with my family and our [...]