Apple Picking

Donald and I took Abby and Emily to Blue Ridge last weekend to pick apples. We took Emily last year and had so much fun that we decided to make it a yearly tradition. Despite the long ride up, the girls had a good time eating apple fritters, taking a wagon ride, and picking lots of different types of apples. Check out Merciers Orchards at www.mercier-orchard.com for more information. They actually grow lots of things - apricots, peaches, strawberries - and you can bring your family to pick any of it. Good humor was fading by the end of the day but we made it home with no casualties- thank goodness for mobile DVD players! Now I've just got to figure out what to do with all of these apples...

And we're off! They like to sit in the "way back" of the car when we go on trips.
A little photo op before getting started

The girls were crazy for these coon skin caps.

We said no to the toy rifles but eventually gave in to the caps.

Huge candy apple - yum!

Abby opted for the marshmallow pop instead of the candy apple.

We opted for the dinner plate-sized apple fritter

Remnants of candy apple

Beautiful views!

Taking the wagon out to the orchard

Abby perfected the "twist and pull" method

This apple was almost as big as her head!

Stopping for a snack

A little help from Dad is always nice

Gorgeous!

Happy Fifth Birthday!

Can you believe it? Our little girl turned five years old this week. It seems like only yesterday that I was holding her in one hand wrapped up like a little pink burrito and a hot Krystal hamburger in the other. Thanks, Auntie Yam, for preserving that moment on film! Her fifth birthday party was quite the event. She wanted a rock star party with all of her friends, so we opted to rent a ginormous Hannah Montana jumper and cotton candy machine to enjoy with her new friends from school. On her actual birthday night, our family joined us for Chinese food (her choice) and ice cream at Bruster's later. She woke up on Wednesday morning and told us that she was surprised not to feel any different now that she is five. Such a funny girl!

Getting in some jump time with Abby and friends

Don't you just love Hannah Montana? Are you catching my sarcasm? Cause I'm laying it on pretty thick.

Al tatted up after the party. We had to remove three of them before school on Monday because you know that rule...you can only wear one temporary tattoo to school. That IS a rule, right?

Totally crashed out in the car after the party

Helping Mommy make cupcakes for her friends at school. She looks a little sugar-crazed.

Such a good helper!

First birthday gift of the day. The cats were very intrigued by the netting.

Don't worry - it has an earphone jack!

This guitar and its tiny amp are possibly the cutest things I've ever seen. Next to her, of course.

I love this picture!

A little extra rocking out before we headed off to school.

What a lucky girl - she got to visit the library on her birthday! Love the birthday crown!

Sharing her new toy at Chin Chin

Abby is an excellent helper.

Meet Mr. Disco Cuddle Snuggles - He came all the way from Vermont and even spent the night in the airport!

Donald got this great picture of Emily blowing out the candle on her "cake". I love it! Hope all of her wishes came true!

Picture Day

Just wanted to share this picture of Emily in her rock star picture day outfit. Good thing this dress was terribly inexpensive - I would have paid a fortune for it just to see the big smile on her face when she put it on in the morning! Speaking of my little rock star, she's sitting behind me in the computer chair singing Adam Lambert's "What Do You Want From Me?" in my ear. Where does she learn this stuff? I guess I need to download that so that she can sing it on the karaoke machine I bought her this weekend. Don't know what I was thinking with that purchase. At least it has an headphone jack! Also, hearing Emily and Abby give the weather report using the karaoke microphone is priceless. Have a rock star Monday!

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Can you believe it? Emily started kindergarten this week. I am so excited to have her at school with me each day. There have been some tears - apparently, she dislikes PE much the same way Mommy did at her age - but overall, she loves her teachers and enjoys spending time with her friends. So far, her favorite things to do are go to music and art class; however, after her first class visit to the library next week, I'm hoping that she'll add library time to that list! We've almost finished one full week of school and if she's as tired as I am, she's gotta be exhausted! Enjoy the pictures!

Posing in her newest rock star shirt with Peace and Wolfie before leaving the house. They go with us to school each day and spend the day in my office.

Big girl with the backpack!

Snuggling with Curious George in the library before heading to class

Fortunately, Daddy was able to come with us on her first day of school.

She still has sleepy eyes! So early....

So much for naptime at school. She fell asleep in the car clutching Wolfie and her new pencil case and slept for over an hour when we got home. She would have slept longer but I made her get up. To let you in on a little secret....I took a nap, too! Wish I could have one during the day!

Twins!

I snapped this picture of the boys during naptime the other day and wanted to share it. I can't tell which one is which! By the way, naptime is pretty much all afternoon long until bedtime for adults begins. That's when the night crazies come out! During night crazy time, Ringo has managed to become stuck in his litter box and lock himself in Emily's bedroom. What next?

Swim Show

Abby and Emily performed in what was (hopefully!) their first swim show with Ms. Betsie last week. It was quite the spectacle - all of the students did their best dive and swam the length of the pool to receive their medal. Two teams of synchronized swimmers performed, as well, which was really cool to watch. Emily and Abby both did a great job, although Emily had a bit of stage fright. One of my friends mentioned later, "Boy, she looked terrified!" They both learned so much this season and are really good swimmers now. They were so proud of their medals! We went out for Chinese afterward and our favorite waitress brought them each ice cream with candles. They felt pretty special!

Getting ready to head out for the show

Waiting around (and sweating!) with all of the swimmers

It was super bright and super hot, so everyone is squinting in all of my pictures!

Well, you can't see me squinting behind my super enormous shades.

Checking out the scene

Again, I love the straps on her goggles. Yoda wins a medal!

Take the picture and find me some air conditioning!

Rock Star!

Most of you know that Emily is going through a rock star phase. I snapped this photo of her while she was all tricked out in her best rocker gear before we headed out to do some errands. A funny story to go along with her rocker fixation - tonight I was shopping for a Bible for Abby to take to school this year. I happened to mention to Emily that I saw a "God's Little Princess Devotional Bible" at the store. She told me that she hoped that I didn't buy that for her because she was God's little rock star. Nice!

Fun with the Zoellers

Our good friends, the Zoellers, recently came to visit and we all had a great time watching the kids play together. Maren, Gavin, and Emily had loads of fun playing store, sliding, drawing, blowing bubbles in their fruit punch, and running around naked (well...that was just Maren). Can't wait to get together again soon!

Gavin and Emily took these pictures of each other. Aren't they sweet? Gavin's picture of Emily made my heart squeeze a little bit because it's so beautiful.