Apples and Pumpkins

We celebrated the first day of Fall by going to the Apple Orchard! It was a perfect day, with the perfect weather. Crisp and not a cloud in the sky. Strolling around the orchard, taking bites of apples that had fallen off the tree, riding on the "cow train," picking out gourds, eating lunch by a pond under a willow tree, and then apple doughnuts for dessert. Sweet memories made.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around Here Lately

Eleanor is still continuing her potty training. She is having a good number of accidents, but we press on. Many days she spends just in undies and nothing else (well, except a bow of course!).

 

And Thatcher Reid (the children call him by his first AND middle name. I have no idea why!).....well, he is loving his solids. Last week I took a couple hours at the end of the day and made a ton of home made purees. He is loving it.
 

And Hampton loves his toboggan!
 

The perfect spot to relax......
 

And one afternoon called for my favorite chocolate chip bundt cake....and Everett got to lick the spoon.
 

A make shift tent.
 

And Thatcher is sitting up so well now! He likes his new view. Eleanor is "reading" to him here.
 

 

 

 

 

 

And this girl knows how to relax. This is HER chair and she will let anyone know that it is hers-ha.
 

Potty Girl

On a complete whim yesterday afternoon I decided to potty train Eleanor. I remember when I decided (at around this age, just barely 2) to potty train Everett. I got a ton of supplies-incentives, a new potty, learning to potty books, Elmo Goes Potty DVD. I was prepared-however it took him nearly a year to master it! So with Hampton, I prolonged this dreaded task. I waited until a couple months after he turned 3! Hampton did great and was very successful. So I wasn't quite sure with Ellie. However she has shown a lot of interest in using the potty and she had started telling me when she had to go. There was no avoiding it. But she has done great! She's had a couple accidents, but way more successes. I'm sure being able to watch her big brothers has mostly to do with that. And she has some really cute Tinkerbell undies. Go Ellie! We're now down to just 1 baby in diapers. It's a miracle!

 

Pretties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afternoon Homework

With Everett having homework now, we are entering new territory. I have found the best time to do homework is while I am cooking dinner. I set up Everett and the other children at the table with their "homework." It mostly involves coloring.

 

 

 

 

And I am so proud of Hampton-he finished his first 100 piece puzzle! We call Hampton our little puzzle genius. He is amazing to watch work a puzzle, and his persistence and patience at the age of 3 is  incredible. It took him 45 minutes to complete this puzzle and he had little to no assistance. Yay Hampton!
 

 

Church Picture

Everyone had to hold a baby for last week's church picture.....
 

 

Eleanor's Second Birthday

Our sweet girl has turned two! I can't believe how big she has gotten. I'll have more on her development and stats once I go to her 2 year check up next week. But, we did have a little family party for her.....
She got a few gifts. Mostly, baby doll items-which she is really into right now.
 

Pushing her baby doll around that we got her.
 

 

And baby a new high chair.
 

Ellie loves Minnie Mouse, so we had pink cup cakes.
 

 

Happy Birthday Eleanor Jane!!!