Mothering Emma Kate and Jack…

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 [...]

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 [...]

Meeting Baby Jocie

After many days of patient waiting, we finally had the opportunity to meet Baby Jocie this weekend. We took a whirlwind trip to Wilmington and enjoyed lots of family visit time. It was so sweet to see how Emma Kate and Jack took on their “big cousin” roles and enjoyed holding Jocie and even singing [...]

Playing catch up

It’s sad to realize that life gets too busy to blog (and children too needy and work too overwhelming…). So, here is a “catch up” post with a few words and a few pictures to go along with them.
On Wednesday, Emma Kate participated in her first production of first grade. She played the role of [...]

A little taste of homeschooling

I have always believed that parents are their child’s first teachers. Although I think organized (and possibly unorganized) homeschooling can be really great for some families, I’m not sure I am capable of trying We feel so fortunate that Emma Kate is at such a wonderful school (and Jack will all too soon join [...]