Pumpkin Patch

During Fall Break, Heather & Joey andAdam I decided to take all four kids (four under four!) to the Pumpkin Patch in Mt. Sterling.  We knew it would be fun, but we had NO IDEA how much fun it would be!  They not only had more shapes, sizes, colors, and amount of pumpkins than I have ever seen in my life, but they had a hay bale play yard for the kids, corn maze, petting zoo, tour of the pumpkin patch, gift shop and more.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  We finished the day with a picnic at the Pumpkin Patch.

 

 

 

 

Have you ever seen a more beautiful sight?  The sky was amazingly blue and the weather was perfect.  All in all, it was a great first field trip!!!

Our New "Pet" (sort of)

On the way home from the Library this morning, I slowed to miss a little turtle as I pulled onto our road. The kids wanted to see him. Emma Reese shouted "tuh-tle, tuh-tle," and "me see tuh-tle!" so I couldn't resist. I pulled off and, not really having a plan, picked him up to show the kids. There was a car coming up behind me so I had to get in and pull on into the driveway--all while holding the turle. If you could have only see my face! We put him out on the back patio to check him out. Riley went first...

Reese wasn't sure about, but kept shouting "tuh-tle" excitedly!

We decided to put him in a nearby Rubbermaid tub to feed him a bite before letting him go. He was still rather shy, so Riley and I filled his bucket up with leaves and grass.

He finally poked his head out a bit. Riley got a carrot out of the refrigerator for him to eat. We shredded it on his leaves and waited... and waited...and waited some more. I convinced the kids to go back inside for our lunch and maybe he'd be ready to "play" after lunch and nap.

The kids just went down for their nap so I went to check on "Mr. Turtle", as Riley now calls him. I think he likes it! But, he better not get too used to it because he's going back to his home near the creek after Daddy gets home. :)

Preschool Day 1

Today was Adam's first day back at school. So, I decided to bite the bullet and have some scheduled pre-school time with Riley (Emma Reese of course wanted to join in on the fun!). We had our Calendar time and a few worksheets to get in the flow of things. Riley is a very smart boy, but following directions on a paper/pencil worksheet has never been his "thing." I want this year to work on those type of skills to prepare him for Kindergarten. I assured him if he finished his schoolwork, we could have "recess." He did such a good job with handwriting today! Next we read a story together and he drew a picture of his favorite part. I wrote down the sentence to describe his picture. He was proud as punch.

Next came recess... everyone's favorite part! Tricycles in the driveway was their pick for today.

While we were outside, we found these enormous mushrooms growing. It's amazing the science kids can learn just by being outside. We have some pumpkins growing so we might start a pumpkin journal tomorrow. I think I'm going to like this home school preschool stuff... and so is Riley! :)

Eldridge Reunion

We had such a great time Saturday at the Eldridge Family Memorial Day reunion. Riley LOVES getting to see his cousins and Emma Reese LOVES to eat so it's all good! Great food, great conversation with Adam's cousins, great time with all the kids. Here's some pictures of the highlights.

Riley and his "entorage"... a.k.a. older cousins kind enough to let him tag along all evening.

Riley and Emma Reese playing on the bridge.

Reese's new fascination is with all things bug. This time she's got her eye on some ants. "Wow!" she says when she sees them crawling. Too funny.

The babies that were all born the same year of Emma Reese (2008). There were five last year!

Our first family photo since baby was born!

My baby girl...Fun times!

Playing in the Dark

What is it about kids that right when it's time to go to bed, they all of a sudden have this huge burst of energy? That's what happened tonight after a visit from Nana, Aunt Heather, Jadyn and Mia. The kids were worn out (I'm sure Jadyn and Mia fell asleep going home) yet somehow they had this renewed energy. So, like a great mom, I let them stay outside and play even though it was way past bedtime and was getting dark. There's something so peaceful about a spring night just after the sunset, though. The kids were laughing, I was relaxed, the weather was perfect.... I just hope they sleep in in the morning (yeah, right!)

Here's Riley telling me through his "walkie talkie" that he's stuck and needs help getting his jeep going.

Emma Reese wants to do everything Riley does, so she's now obsessed with the Diego Jeep as well, although she calls it "my car".

Riley didn't mind to let her play with it. He decided to swing instead. What a good big brother. :)

Once she got tired sitting in it, she decided she needed to use her muscles and push it around a little. She's quite the strong little one year old! :)

I wish I had half of their energy. I know I'll regret it in the morning when they wake up with the chickens, but 20 years from now I'll only remember staying up late and playing in the dark, NOT waking up after a short night's sleep, and that's all that matters. :)