Apple Picking

These pictures are worth posting because they demonstrate how far Adeline has come in the sensory department. Last year, Adeline would arch her back and refuse to reach in for an apple. This year, we brought a stroller because we thought she wouldn't dare get out and walk on the long grass or desire to pick an apple. Little did we know. . .





I should note that we had a fantastic time and were thrilled that Charlotte and family invited us along.

Mountain Clips

A few very short clips of the girls' first attempt at bowling. Lila Grace was pretty good at flinging the ball down the lane. Adeline didn't quiet have the finger strength to hold it independently - almost though. Savannah thought it was a blast but instead of watching her bowl, I included snowflake catching instead.

Our Stay at the Little Red House

First stop, The Crayola Factory
Lila demonstrates cutting skills that I didn't know she had.
Our family in water color

Something The Belle would never do a year ago.
Leaf hunting
Finger painting back at the house
S'mores in the snow
There was lots of it for Lila to nibble on

The bunk bed provided hours of fun. As you can see, we had a hard time making it out of our PJ's. (Has she really gotten to the age where I have to worry about pictures in undies??)
The girls were in awe of the TV going nonstop. We very rarely turn it on in our house so the girls thought it was a real treat to watch it when they pleased.

Bushkill Falls, the girls did a great job hiking out

60 degrees, the snow is gone, and the view made it hard to leave.

This morning, Lila Grace woke up in a groggy state (the girls really slept in at the cabin) and said, "Red house Mommy??" We all would have rather been lounging in our PJ's instead of getting up at 7:00 a.m. and heading to school

Daddy's Home. . . For Good

After two long years apart, Alex has given up his in TX to work from HOME. Although Hitachi has been a tremendous blessing, we decided the distance was taking too much of a toll on our family. Much to our surprise, our good friend in North Carolina who has recently gone into business for himself, asked Alex if he would like to buy into the company and become a partner. After much consideration, we recognize that working for oneself has many inherent risks, Alex quit his job in TX and has become a consultant working from home. Alex has been moonlighting with his friend for almost a year now and we both feel as though the pipeline is strong - it better be, there are seven children riding on this partnership.

We are excited to start this new chapter in our lives. In fact, things have already changed. We just spent four days in the Poconos (shh, the kids played hookie for this) relaxing and trying to wrap our heads around the fact that we don't have to count down the days until Daddy's next departure.

I have never had the pleasure of help in the mornings. Even when Alex worked locally, he was well on his way to work by the time the rest of us were waking up. I have had to plan (like I can do this) to be sick when Alex is at home. Over the past two years, each doctor appointment, grocery store trip, and errand has been done with all three of my girls with the exception of the few times Alex has been here or friends have helped out. To have two sets of hands to start our day and end our day is a fantastic change. In the end, our goal isn't money, the best house, nicest car, or fanciest vacations. Our success will be measured by the family time we are able to provide for our kids. I would say we got off to a pretty good start these last four days!! I think we all feel whole again.

Hippotherapy Anniversary

It has been one year since Adeline started Hippotherapy. It is a combination of speech and physical therapy and we both love it. She was the smallest client they had taken on but boy how she has grown. I walked in last night to observe through the window and looked away since the child on the horse riding past was too big to be mine. It was her, and I was shocked. Adeline was sitting up tall and strong. A year ago, she was hunched over and breathing fast. I am so proud.

We grew carrots this year and never picked them out of our garden. I decided we should take them to feed the horse (Lila stayed back with Daddy.) The wiggly leaves were sure to give Adeline a challenge. To my surprise, you put that girl in a barn and she can do things I would swear she couldn't. She put her helmet away, up high and oddly stacked, and went right to the feeding bucket. She had no fear of the large horse walking by her and wasn't put off by the wiggly carrot. Adeline stuffed it in the bowl and headed right toward Chloe. The last time I saw her do this, she needed a lot of physical support. Feeding the horse out of the bowl requires strength because the horse pushes down rather hard on the bowl. You can see her little muscles working and white fingertips squeezing the bucket tight. What a big girl.

On a speech note, Miss Heather is currently reevaluating The Belle. It takes multiple sessions to complete the tests but so far so good. She has made so much progress. I am anxious to hear where she falls!!

Merry Mead 2009

Harvest season is here which means the farms are up and running in our neck of the woods. We trekked to Merry Mead farm for our annual apple slinging. We had a great time which was coupled with fantastic weather, almost too hot. Below is an album of photos I put together (double click for larger viewing). I had to include the very short video clips too. I can't stress enough how amazing it is to sit and watch our girls take part in the festivities full force this year. Adeline was tentative and needed much holding but participated in EVERYTHING, even face painting. Need I say, there once was a time. . .






Best yet is Savannah's concentrated apple slinging with Lila trying to climb into the apple bin behind the scenes. By this time in the day, the apple man knew her by name (listen for him in the first part of the clip). Not sure if it is a good thing??

October

It seems like fall is more abrasive than I remember.

So far this month. . .

The heat is on

The girls are in footed PJs

Adeline and Lila have ear infections

All three have coughs

The little girls have noses that require blowing

I, for the first time in two years, had Alex fly home from TX because I couldn't take care of the girls. Yep, even Mommy needs a sick day.

Is summer here yet?