Apple Orchard

 

We decided to take a jaunt to Faribault and go to the apple orchard. I needed something “fun” on the weekend that didn’t include a kids’ sporting event or grading of papers (don’t worry I got my fill of both of those this weekend though too…in case you were worried). No one ever really wants to go, but I usually insist. We’ve been going for many, many years.

 

 

My parents came with and we battled bugs and wind, but we came home with tons of apples!

 

 

 

 

I think Connor may have had the most fun. He ran around like a demon. He climbed trees to the WWAAYY top to get the “juicy ones”.  I wanted to make him come down but decided to look away instead and let him have fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Noah is probably getting a little too old for this kind of thing. He picked a few, posed for a few pictures….then checked his phone. I asked him to pose in the pumpkins and he went into the patch and then turned around when he realized he’s too cool for that.

 

 

We picked up a caramel apple kit and we will be making those tonight for snack.

 

 

 

 

 

We went out to eat at Boston’s and drove home at sunset. I took a few shots outside the car window.

 

 

Good-bye summer!

LB

Crafting

 

Pinterest is now my new obsession. I love it. If you don’t know what it is, it’s a website where people post all kinds of things. They’ll post recipes, fun crafts, cool clothing, amazing furniture, funny quotes, inspirational things, and much more.

 

I like to click on the “everything” tab and just check out every little thing. I even discovered the videos tab the other day. There aren’t as many things in that section, but still fun stuff.

 

You save the things you like by creating boards, kind-of like categories. I have categories for recipes, Halloween,  photo edits, things I like, and school. When I find cool things, I post under the appropriate category and anytime I want to go back to it, I just click on it and it takes me to that site!

 

I have tried a couple of recipes. One was Italian beef sandwiches with provolone cheese melted on top. It was very good! I also made some cake mix rice crispy bars which were tasty. I recently found a recipe for taco seasoning. I hate the taco seasoning you buy in those packets so I am anxious to try it out.

 

I have also been crafting! If you know me, you know this is incredible. I DO NOT craft and I am not creative. It’s why I teach 6th and not primary.

 

One thing I threw together after school were these little numbers…….

 

They were real complicated…carve out a pumpkin and throw a mum inside! THIS is what I love about Pinterest…so many times I see things on this site and think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” I made three of these for my front steps.

 

 

This year my district started a new “healthy habits” program K-12. One of the habits is to “Put First Things First” and focus on the BIG ROCKS before the little rocks. I made these for my coworkers…..

 

I made larger versions for them and told them to think of how much I love them the next time they get stressed!

 

 

Lastly (and I know you are reading this sockless as I have knocked them off your feet with my craftiness…..) I made these for the family,

 

 

They are coasters! I hated what we were using so when I saw these (made with tiles and scrapbooking paper) I thought I would give it a shot.

 

 

I don’t like matchy-matchy so I decided to use the same tones but different paper.

 

 

I also did THIS with my class this year. It’s meant to be for weddings, but I thought it would send a message of family to the 32 little cherubs I have this year. I framed it and it hangs front and center in our classroom.  

 

 

I encourage you to check out Pinterest. It’s a nice “getaway” when you need a few minutes to veg out.

Peace,
LB

Noah

 

Noah turned 12! I teased him all morning that he wasn’t 12 until about noon since that was when he was actually born. Like birthed, born. I said he couldn’t open his presents until it was actually his BIRTHday.

 

Saturday we enjoyed celebrating all the family birthdays (2 sisters, niece, and nephew) at my mom and dad’s. Even my sister and niece from WI came! It was nice to see everyone. My other sister had her hip replaced 5 days prior and even she was there. It was a nice way to start the weekend.

 

Sunday rolled around and Noah woke up at 6:30. Geez. Nothing like sleeping in on the weekends. He’s just such a morning person. No matter that he goes to bed 3 hours later on the weekends than he does on the week nights…..he still gets up super early.

 

Connor must have sensed us up because he wasn’t too far behind his brother. So, might as well open presents….

 

Connor bought Noah a Nerf gun he wanted. I would show you a lovely picture of the two of them opening it together, Connor wrapped in a blanket as he was barely awake, but I had to take photos with our point-and-shoot. I just tried to transfer the photos and my computer won’t open them. It doesn’t recognize the file. I have tried every trick I know, and nothing is working. So this post will be without pics of my almost teenager…..

 

Just imagine Connor looking through slit-eyes and yawning while Noah is smiling ear-to-ear.

 

I started with his favorite breakfast, cinnamon rolls (which means I popped open the tube and assembled them in a pan) and then it was on to the present from us.

 

It was a CELL PHONE! I still can’t believe we did it. It was a big decision. Not that we don’t feel he’s responsible, he’s extremely responsible. It the other kids and their lack of responsibility that I worry about. Mostly the chicks.

 

He was super surprised and very excited. He thanked me over-and-over throughout the morning. He programmed it and typed numbers in it. He texted his grandparents and waited anxiously for their reply.

 

I like the idea of getting a hold of him whenever I want. I also thought it was neat that we came home from baseball and someone texted him to tell him someone he’s friends with hit a homerun in the second game. That was cool. I hope these are the kinds of things he’s using his phone for, and not girl drama. He’s not ready for girls, even though they are more than ready for him (as is evident by the phone calls we get on our home phone).

 

I made rice crispy bars for him to share after baseball. Boys are hungry after all.

 

After baseball we headed home and his cousin Zach came over for supper. Noah requested Hamburger Helper so that is what we had! Personally, I don’t think it tastes like it used to. I used to like it, even though it is horrible for you. Now, it’s not good. I choked it down for the birthday boy. 

 

Noah turning another year, means Connor turns a half. They are always 3 1/2 years apart.

 

Noah will go with friends to Grand Slam next Saturday in between football and baseball. They are going to do laser tag, mini golf, batting cages, and the arcade. Then they will come back home for ice cream and cake. It’s always nice to spread your birthday out a few weeks!

 

Noah Michael…..thank you for being such an amazing kid. Really, you make me proud every single day to say I am your mom. I am so excited to see what you will do with your life, what you will be, and the places you will go. You have so many exciting things ahead of you. Thanks for letting your dad and I come along for the ride!

 

Love,

LB

Long Time No Talk

 

Blog, sweet blog. Oh, how I have neglected thee. I feel super guilty about it too. Seeing everyone else post pictures of their kids’ first day of school has REALLY made me feel violent stabs to the heart. You see, I have no picture to post because one does not exist. The bad thing about being the photographer in the family is that if you aren’t around to take it, it won’t get taken. So, because I leave before the kids wake most days…..there is no picture to share.

 

However, there are other pictures.

 

Before summer ended, we finally made it to a Twins game. My sweet friend has season tickets and we always manage to snag a game from her every summer. We even got a night game! It was super hot, even though it was evening, but we still had a good time.

 

Mike and I glowing and sweating before the game.

 

 

 

Don’t you miss Kirby?

 

 

 

Tony Oliva was walking the halls before the game. Poor guy was mobbed.

 

 

 

 

A hot, steamy, fun way to end summer 2011! 

 

 

 

Both boys joined football for the first time this fall. It wasn’t exactly my first choice for a sport for my children, but now that they have been playing, it hasn’t been too bad. However, the ambulance with sirens blaring did have to come to the football fields this morning. Never enjoyable to see that.

 

Observe Connor in his game today……

Watching for the ball carrier, minding his own business…..

 

 

 A nudge from behind. Hey, can you do that in football?

 

 

 

I believe they call this holding?

 

 

 

 

Poor boy thrown to the ground…..

 

 

I would roll over and play dead too, Connor.

 

 

He did get to play quarterback awhile and it’s quite comical listening to him call out the chant hut-hut thing.

 

 

Noah played immediately after Connor. The sun started to peak through the clouds during his game and we were even able to shed a layer or two.

 

Most of the game, Noah’s butt was toward the camera….

 

 

 

 

 

Mike helps coach Noah’s team so there were lots of these moments…… 

 

Noah is still playing baseball on Sundays. He plays double-headers. Between two football games Saturday and two baseball games Sunday, our weekends are pretty full. Somehow I have to fit in a birthday party for a certain 12 year old this month.

 

Hope your fall is starting off smoothly. I think I am ready for football, cooler weather, mums, sweaters, and pumpkins. Even if does mean winter is around the corner.

 

Peace,

LB