Apples, Apples, Apples

Once again, we headed out to Blackman Farms to pick some delicious apples.  We weren't sure if the picking would be any good.  Back in March we had a few weeks of 80 degree weather and April we were freezing with snow.  That did a number on the local crops.  Most orchards lost their entire crops.  Luckily though, we were able to pick enough apples to satisfy ourselves.  We have tons of apple recipes that are begging to be baked, sauce, muffins, pies, and bread.  My mouth is watering just thinking about all that yummy food!

I'm cherishing all of these memories we are lucky enough to make with Annabelle every year.  Sometimes taking all of these pictures, all the same, year after year, seem redundant to me.  But I love watching her grow.  I am lucky.

Strike!

Last month my niece, Anya, turned five.  She had a bowling birthday party and all the kids were super excited.  Annabelle had only been bowling one other time at a friends birthday party so she knew what to expect.  She has an unconventional way of bowling to say the least.  Even with a six pound ball, the lightest one there is, it's just too heavy for Annabelle.  She's tiny so a bowling ball is quite a weight.  She walks the ball up to the line then sets it on the ground.  Then she sits and pushes the ball with her feet.  Even with the bumpers, her scores aren't all that great but she's having fun and that is all that counts.

I bet you can figure out where I'm going with all this.  Even with her crazy bowling technique, Annabelle ended up getting a strike!  She was so, so excited that she even wrote about it in her journal at school that Monday.  It was so much fun to see her little face all lit up!  Maybe she'll become a fantastic bowler like her dad.  He once bowled a 300, which if you don't know, is a perfect score. 

Preparing

Her face all excited looks so silly!

Annabelle is the fourth person down, ABL.  See her little X in the 7th frame?

Bump in the Night

Annabelle is completely gung ho on Halloween right now.  It is all she can talk about, all day all night.  She wants to be a princess, a witch, a La La Loopsy, Rapunzel, a flower.  She has costume ADD right now. 

We pulled out the Halloween decorations and she's been playing with every little thing.  To her, they are all toys.  She loves window clings.  They give her many hours of joy, repositioning them over and over on the windows and door.  Her latest creation involves a skeleton juggling.  I thought it was rather inspired.  What do you think?

The Sky

This was how the sky looked this morning.  I thought it looked absolutely beautiful.

Do I Have Enough?

While Mark was out of town for 12 whole days, I needed to come up with a plan to make the time move as quickly as possible.  During the day and up until dinner, everything was normal.  Mark wasn't around during that time anyways, but after dinner and the weekend.  Yeah I needed some help which I so lovingly got from both my parnets and my in-laws.  Plus one of my GNI girls hung out with me for a few hours.  The adult conversation was what I was really, really missing, you can imagine.

After I put Annabelle down to bed, I got busy.  Making big, comfy, cozy crochet infinity scarves.  I love me a good scarf.  If I'm feeling chilly, I will often pull out my scarf and wind it around my neck, instant warmth.  I figured, who out there wouldn't love a great warm scarf as well.  So I made 11 scarves as Christmas presents for my aunts, a cousin, moms, grandmas, sister and my BIL's girlfriend.  I made one each nigth starting the first Monday Mark was gone, finishing up the following Thursday.

Of course Annabelle needed to try them on, all at once.  I think they will end up being a big hit and if not, now I'll have every color imaginable for myself to maych every outfit I own.

One Week to Go

Last week, luckily, seemed to fly by.  I won't lie, the thought of Mark being gone for twelve whole days caused me so much anxiety.  I knew that during the week would go by just fine.  There was a lot going on already.  I got to meet Annabelle's teacher and dance class started for me, plus Annabelle had gymnastics.  But the weekend... I thought it would be hard with a capital H. 

We were actually so busy getting back into our schedule, that all of a sudden it was Friday and I was realizing that I miss Mark like crazy.  Just that adult conversation each night, a cuddle while watching TV or playing some cards together.  I am missing it.

We are counting down the days, five more.I'm glad everything is going smoothly but I can not wait for Friday around midnight to get here.  Then life will get back to normal.

A Birthday for Pooh Bear

Back in the spring, I can't really remember when, Annabelle asked me when Pooh's birthday was.  I looked around and found a date, August 21, 1921.  So when that date came around, we had ourselves a little party.  I found out afterwards that that was Christopher Robin's birthday and not actually Pooh's, but you know what, Annabelle's not going to care that I got the date wrong.  I hope she'll think I was a great mom for doing that little something extra to make her smile.

We made chocolate cupcakes with cream filling inside, way to sweet for me, made a quick set of party hats and a banner and we were ready to party!  Mark even canceled plans for a man-date to see that Bourne movie with his friend from work, just  to make sure he was part of Pooh's special day.

A fast banner.

Singing to Pooh.

The birthday bear is ready to blow out his candles.

Now a family shot.

Ooh it's so good:)