We had playdate at our friend's house today. They live in Monkton-which is really beautiful. They built their off the grid house themselves and are lucky to have about 80 acres of prime Vermont land. The playdate was themed, "Leaves". What a perfect theme. On the drive to Sonya, Colden, Clay and Matt's house we were in awe of the colors. There is truely a reason people flock to Vermont just as all the other flocks are going in the opposite direction. The colors on the hillsides and farmyards were vivid and out of this world. Adalee said to me once we got to Colden's and we were swinging on their swings, "Mom, it is such a beautiful day. The leaves are so nice." I think I had said that same thing about 20 times on the forty minute drive. I guess it finally sank in for her.
At our playdate we made leaf crowns, played in leaf piles, made leaf rubbings, took a walk in the woods, made a leaf man after reading "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert and made leafy pizza. It was quite the fun filled day. Check out some of the pictures below.

Painting Fun

John was away for four days this past week. In order to pass the time we had to keep ourselves busy. Lucky for Ryland-he got to paint for the first time! He is quite the artist.

Adalee is a painting pro-just like her Uncle Shane. She painted two pictures. One with and of her hands. The other of a dragon in a firey hot fire. Quite creative Adalee is too.

I like painting with my kids. Too bad I don't actually get to paint!

Nana went apple picking too

I really shouldn't take all the credit for the apple picking. Though Adalee, Ryland and I went apple picking early in the week, Nana did inspire us to go again. (She has to make applesauce, too!)
So here are a few pictures of Nana and the kids. She worked them hard! They filled three bags for her!


Thanks Nana for watching us while Mommy and Daddy went away for the weekend! We love you!

Chickens and Apples

It's been a long time since I've blogged. It's been a long time since I've done much else then cook, clean, work and mommy. Well, that may be an exageration, but it seems like time has definately flown by without much other then the necessities getting done.

Our chickens are getting big. No eggs yet, but we are hopeful that any day now they'll start laying. We might have a rooster on our hands, but aren't totally sure. (That could explain why we don't have any eggs, huh?!)

Adalee and Ryland love to help feed Eliza, Sunbeam, Harvest, Kerrigan and Alusa. We give them our food scraps and grass clippings. Adalee and Ryland think it is fun to put all kinds of green and brown growing or used to grow materials into their "cage". There isn't a day, or moment, that doesn't go by without Ryland asking to go outside to see the chickens. I think it is great they are getting an "agriculutural" experience in the heart of Burlington's most densly populated and poverty stricken neighborhood. The Bantu Refugees think the chickens are great too!

Outside of our chickens, I'd say my children get other rich agricultural experiences. Living in Vermont we are blessed with the opportunity to "pick" just about any fruit that grows in this hard climate. We've gone strawberry picking, blueberry picking, raspberry picking and now apple (and pumpkin) picking.

Shelburne Orchards is BEAUTIFUL. It is such a gem. The orchard sits on top of this hill right on the lake. As we walk and pick we can see leaves changing color in the Adirondacks and Mt. Mansfield beginning to get covered with snow. Nick, the owner, has this rather stately house that sits right on the lake. It is mostly hidden by huge Weeping Willow trees, but I try to sneak a peek every time we go just so I can dream a fancy dream that night. Oh and their donuts are to DIE FOR! Hot, fresh, delicious cider donuts that melt in your mouth are worth any hard labor one endures while picking the best and juiciest apples on this side of heaven. Besides the innate joy and pleasure apple picking brings, I'd say my children really look good in an orchard. Watching them sit all cozy like in the nook of an apple tree just makes me think of childhood as it should be. They are truely priveledged!



I only wish Ryland would eat the whole apple instead of chewing it to pieces and then spitting it out. He calls apples, "Bubbles", just like he calls pumpkins and bubbles. I don't feel too bad when Ryland and Adalee eat bites out of about 10 apples in the short hour that we are picking. Apples litter the ground. Some have human teeth marks. Some have deer and squirrel teeth marks. Others are just rotten because they fell from the tree without anyone around so they didn't make a sound and no one was able to rescue them.

Well. Enough. I'll have more later. I'm home with my kids for the weekend by my lonesome. I'm sure I'll have nothing else to do but take pictures and blog away.

Chicks and Sticks

After nap yesterday we decided it was a good day to clean the chicks' box and give them some fresh air. What a great idea that was! It was wonderful seeing the chicks run around our yard! At frist Adalee and Ryland couldn't get enough of the chicks. They chased them and picked them up and tried to feed them clover.

Being outside with the chicks was the perfect way for Ryland to engage with them. He was able to "try" to pick them up! He chased them around the yard bending down every once in awhile to grab one. However, the chicks had enough room to roam. He wasn't able to get his hands around their necks but he didn't care. He enjoyed following them everywhere.

Kerrigan was separated from her friends for awhile. She wasn't so sure she liked that, but Ryland did! (Note: he is dressed with accessories because we had popsicles before the chicks. I don't always dress him in bib and hat.)

I'm really proud of Adalee. She has such a gentle and nurturing side to her. She is so comfortable with the chickens. They seem to like her too. She asks big questions about them and is always eager to get to know them. After we played with the chicks for awhile Adalee and Ryland went to the Coop and gave the Pullets hay. It was wonderful seeing them play and work together. For Adalee, it was work. She even said to me, "Don't talk to me right now, I'm working. When Dadday gets home, let him know I'm working hard."
For Ryland, giving hay to the Pullets was special attention from and time with his sister. For me...a sure sign that my life is getting easier. My kids are playing with each other and becoming their own entertainment!

Chickens in our Bathroom

Adalee and Ryland love their chickens. Every morning they saunter into the bathroom to see how the chickens handled the night. The first words spoken are, "Can I hold my chickens?" Usually we reply with, "Not right now.", but today I decided to have a little fun! While I was getting ready for the day I let the chicks Kerrigan, Alusa and Eliza "hang-out". Adalee does pretty well at picking them up. She's gentle, but not patient. She gets a little frustrated when they run away from her. However, with a little perserverence and calming encouragement from Mom, she ends up with the prize on her lap.

Ryland on the other hand likes to torture the chicks. He sees his sister pick them up so he tries to follow suit. (He's good at trying everything she does. What does this tell us?) Lately Ryland has taken to pounding on the box and saying, "chhh, chhh, chhhh".

Alusa was lucky to get away from Ryland's death grip. Man, it's hard engaging both kids at various levels. I guess the chickens too will learn to persevere.
Adalee gets so excited when the chicks hang out that she can't stop jumping up and down.

Strawberry Picking or Just Picking

We went Strawberry Picking last weekend. Though there weren't many strawberries, and the sky was about to open up on us, we had a lot of fun. Like normal Adalee ate more strawberries then she put in the bucket. Ryland joined her in that affair this year!

Ryland and Mom went strawberry picking again while Adalee was at art camp. He loved every minute of his "Mommy and Me" time. I think he loved it even more because he was surrounded by pure blissful round and plump juicy red STRAWBERRIES!

We have a few quarts frozen in our freezer. Mom isn't satisfied with the stock-pile. She may go back this coming week for more!

More Camping

Holding Ryland while camping can be a tricky task. Ryland loves exploring. Too bad jagged rocks and other protruding objects cross his path!
We tried to entertain him in our arms, but he wanted nothing of it. Daddy got a bit annoyed, but came to the conclusion that...if he sleeps through the night, I can chase him around all day long!








Don't we look so cute together? Can you tell that I'm grimacing and holding all the tension back? Ryland: "I want to get down."
Papa: "I don't want to chase you around anymore."
Ryland: "I want to get down. I want to get down. Put me down. I'll scream."
Papa: "Okay I'll put you down."
Ryland: "What is this big rock? Can I climb it?"
Papa: "Your turn, Tiffany."

Camping

We went camping this past week. Papa had two site visits outside Brattleboro, VT. Instead of him driving 6 hours two days in a row, we decided to go with him.

Mom loves Brattleboro. After dropping Daddy off at the West River, we took a little adventure with Mom. We threw rocks in the West River. Then we headed into Brattleboro for some coffee and books. When Daddy's site visit was over we set out for camp at Townshend State Park.











When camp was set up we went for a little walk in the woods. We saw so many Newts! Adalee was really into the creatures around us. She was a little disturbed by the "smushed" newts on the camp road, but quickly bounced back when a baby Leopard frog hopped by.
Ryland took a nap in the Ergo while we hiked. When he woke up we headed back to camp to start on dinner. We were cooking on the fire and wood needed to be gathered and the fire started. (that's Mom's favorite part of camping)











Adalee loved the fire and her big comfy camp chair.

Dressing Up

Adalee and her best buddies got all dressed up for the best playdate ever!

Emmett, Juni and Adalee put on their very best and walked the cat walk in style. Stay tuned for more "Fancy Nancy" attire this coming summer. We are sure to entertain and delight!

Trip to Shelburne Farms

Grandmom and Grandpop Ron came to visit. It was a very enjoyable time. We went to Shelburne Farms and rode the tractor to the Farm Barn. Adalee was really excited about it while Ryland was more interested in the airplanes flying overhead and the manure speader fertilizing the fields.



The chickens are always fun to torture. Adalee is hoping she can soon torture her own chickens. The coop in our backyard is ready for a few hens to move in!
After a playing hard and visiting all the animals we ate a delicious lunch under the flight of Gulls. They tried to eat our sandwhiches, but we didn't let them. Grandmom made sure to shew them away!

Adalee and Ryland Love

Ryland isn't sure about kisses, but after a big one from his sister he's all smiles!

We love playing in our yard. Here we are on a bright and sunny day waving our hands and wings.