Adam David Meets Uncle Dave

This is a bad, fuzzy picture, but it was a fun weekend.  Mike's brother came to visit us and Adam got to meet his namesake.  We got together with family and .......pressed cider!  It was fun to be with everyone.

Cider, Doughnuts, and Neighbors!

My hubby grew up in a home on a couple acres of land filled with fruit trees.  He has many happy and mischievous memories of apple/pear picking with his six brothers and two sisters.  One of his favorite memories was pressing cider from their apple trees.  To continue this tradition, last year he found out a way to make one's own cider in any old backyard.  It involves a clean garbage disposal and an apple press. 
This Monday we invited some neighbors over and they all helped in the process and took home their own cider.  We munched on homemade doughnuts to keep us going.  It was the perfect festivity to welcome in the lovely fall.  I have the greatest neighbors ever! 

Here is Peter taking a load down to those hard at work.

Another lovely helping with doughnuts.

My lovely neighbor holding Adam while I flipped doughnuts.

Everyone working hard on the cider....

while the kids played and ate doughnuts.

Kid Funnies

Better than the Sunday Paper comics, a child's words and deeds can really be a crack-up!  Kimball has been saying some really funny things these last few months, and I thought I'd write them down:
- I came home from the hospital with baby several months ago, and when the baby got hungry, I proceeded to nurse him.  Kimball came over to sit by me on the couch and peered over at what I was doing.  In a very matter-of-fact tone he said, "That's gross.  His slobbers all over you."  I thought for a moment, and had to agree, I guess it is kind of gross.
- I have been trying to teach Kimball how to wipe himself after using the bathroom.  As I was proceeding to explain how to effectively go about the job, he looks at me in amazement and said, "Look at all the things I'm learning, Mom!"  I couldn't have been prouder.
- Kimball has a touch of red hair, and with it has come an impressive temper.  The value of obedience and temperance has been a hard one to instill in this expressive kiddo.  Just a couple weeks ago I finally resorted to bribery.  I promised him, if he could be obedient for 3 consecutive days, I would get him a small box of little Legos (so he could fit-in with his older siblings).  It was a great three days.  Whenever he would start blowing off steam and I could see his top was going to burst, I would remind him of those precious Legos he wanted and the pending eruption would dissipate.  One day, after he had calmed his temperament after I had sent him to his room I overheard him saying, "After I get those Legos, no more Mr. Nice Boy."  Whoaa!!  That premeditated stinker!  I must say though, I think it has helped because he has learned he can control himself when he really wants to.

Anna has also been fun to watch as she enjoys her new baby brother.  She loves him SOOO much!  Matter of fact, all the things that she loves, she really wants to share with him.  This especially is true with food.  Initially, I saw her trying to cram her no-bake cookie into his mouth.  I was right there, and so I was able to stop her before he could take a hunk of it and choke.  I thought it was cute.  Then, about a month later, she was munching on blackberries.  I had Adam laying right next to me, and I turned my head for 2 seconds.  When I looked back, I saw purple juice all over Adam's face and he was happily smacking his lips.  This time I was impressed with her quickness, a bit concerned, but still I thought it was pretty cute.  Next she tried feeding Adam milk from her sippy cup.  I found this out when I heard him sputtering in the next room.  Now I was beginning to see this could really be a problem, and I tried to explain things to Anna.  A couple weeks ago Adam was laying next to his dad on the bed and Anna was running around with her FAVORITE snack - peanut butter on a spoon.  When Dad's back was turned, you guessed it, Anna shoved that spoon into Adam's mouth!  I happened to enter the room right at this point and stopped Anna.  Yikes!  Peanut butter?  I hope his digestive system isn't permenantly ruined!  Now we are watching Anna closely when it comes to her favorite foods and the baby. 

Every Kid a Naturalist!

On Labor Day weekend my sister Michelle came up to visit.  I love it when family comes to visit, and this time was no exception.  On Labor Day our family, Michelle, and a friend of hers went on a five mile hike called The Crimson Trail.  Hubby and I hiked it over 11 years ago when we were dating.  Hiking it with 5 kids in toe is quite a different experience.  For example, it took us 4 hours instead of 2 to hike.  At times it was tedious, and the last mile never seemed to end. 
However, I got to slow down and experience nature with the kids rather than just follow a trail.  John Muir would have been proud.  At the very beginning, they were in a trance watching a spider roll up one of it's catchings to drink later.  It was so captivating.  We soon had to stop (oh so frequently!) to collect snail shells, feathers, special sticks that became wands, and moss piles (which they still have growing in their rooms).  We also stopped and enjoyed a picnic along the way, and had snacks from the trail of sour elderberries (they weren't quite ripe yet), mint leaves, and even a rose hip for the brave and bold.  By the end of the hike their pockets and hands were stuffed with treasures.
At the very end of the trail there is a little bit of mountain water hikers can walk through, but we had to be careful because the moss from the water makes it very slippery.  I went first and set a very good example of how careful they should be because I fell almost immediately while I was holding Adam.  I was so worried I had hurt him, but instead I just gave him (and myself) a good fright.  The other kids had a blast in the freezing cold water, and Kimball even rolled around in it.  Brrrr!  I was really proud of all of them, especially Kimball, for hiking the whole thing all by themselves.
It was a great day and a big thanks to Michelle and her friend for having the patience to hike with us!