Granny's House

Cousins.... not easy to photograph together, but we tried.  This one makes me laugh.  Mary Claire is over the picture taking, Olivia won't put down the sippy.  Emma's interested in something else, and Ava just wants her Mommy to come get her.  But, they had a fun time together as we all celebrated another cousin on the way... Caleb.  Boy does this family need a boy!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!! 

As a parent, I'm devoting myself to eat at least 50% of each of my children's candy to look out for their health.  Bring on the big pants...  Holiday season has started!

I hope everyone has a fun, safe holiday... and that my two year old cooperates on this first ever attempt to Trick or Treat with all three.  Yes, Farmer Allen will get to be chuckling at me from afar as he stays home to mind the farm (read: play Frisbee with dog because we surely do not get Trick or Treaters!)

 We are doing our best to fully take advantage of this beautiful fall weather!  Evenings outside on the farm are  the highlight of my day.  This weekend we got to celebrate Mary Claire's fourth birthday with both sides of the family.  The girls couldn't get enough cousin and grandparent attention!  And Saturday we even squeezed in a Trick-or-Treating dry run at my parents and our good friends across the road from my parents' house.  As you can probably tell by the picture, Olivia decided to only take part in the candy portion of the excursion, not the costume part!  This weekend wore us all out, but in a satisfied way!  Now to muster up energy for Halloween night.  This could be interesting....

Oh October....

Around the Farm, October is the month of.... everything.  Or so it seems.  Mary Claire's birthday.  Sweet cousin Ava's birthday.  Both Papa's birthdays.  And our anniversary.  And then you have Halloween and all the fall festivals going on (which I love!!)  So if you don't hear from me much this month, please know I am either throwing a party, attending a party, or picking a pumpkin somewhere in this newly chilly weather!!

Ben Sollee

In the spirit of encouraging Emma's musical side, Allen and I were super excited to see Ben Sollee was performing in Charlotte last night.  What better musician to be Emma's first concert?  So the three of us headed up to the Big City of Charlotte.  Emma oohed and aaahed over the buildings, while Allen tried to convince her that there was too much concrete and not enough trees.  Emma stuck with her gut - that Charlotte is Beautiful!!!  (Glad to see the child got something from her mama!)

We sat front row.... mere feet from Ben's cello(s).  Amazing playing, great songs, perfect atmosphere.  And perfectly behaived 5 year old.  What more could we ask for?  Thanks, Ben Sollee, for a wonderful night.

Not familiar with him?  Here's your chance:  http://bensollee.com/

School Days

Where does the time go?  This year we saw off two girls to school; next year it will be all three.  Bitter sweet seeing them grow up!!

Emma's first day of kindergarten:

Mary Claire's first day of 3 year old preschool.

Fall... is that you??

We had the most glorious weather yesterday, and are looking forward to more of it throughout this week.  Highs below 80 - yes please!  Farmer Allen almost has the fall garden all planted, and while I love all the summer produce and will severely miss eating squash on a daily basis, I am looking forward to the different veg that fall brings with it.  And I can watch the summer garden end with a sense of pride knowing my husband canned more this summer than we have ever before, and by a lot!  We have rows of cans in the garage to provide us with a little taste of summer throughout the coming year.

Also with fall coming so soon means school.  This year Emma started kindergarten (what?!) and Mary Claire started preschool.  How the time flies!  But I am happy to report that both are enjoying it so far.  Of course, Mary Claire has only had one day, so that is not saying too much for her yet. 

And I cannot mention things I love about fall and leave out Starbucks.  Pumpkin spice lattes are back!!!  My first one was like an over-due visit with a long lost friend.  I savored every minute of it!