Get Lost

Well, it may be hard to believe but Fall is here! All of the beautiful festivities are right around the corner and yours truly can hardly wait! Zoo Boo, Street Fair, pumpkin and apple picking...it's my very favorite time of year! Tonight we visited Hobson's Farm with the Semmler Fam and had some great kid-sized fun.

For starters it was dark when we arrived...and dark for all of the activities, but we made it work! We fed some animals...I'm still not sure what we fed because it was so dark. I think we fed goats, a miniature horse and a donkey! After that we decided to head out to the corn maze - prepared with our make-shift flashlights...our cell phones. We ended up getting lost...but just a little. We found our way back out, and the kids loved every second of it!

After the corn maze we made many trips down the roller slide (FUN!) and then did a lot of jumping on the giant pillow bouncer (SERIOUS FUN!). I don't know about the other adults in our party, but I definitely had a few moments where I felt like a little kid again. Those things ROCK! I loved watching Cary and Rick bouncing high into the sky and their little 3 year olds bouncing up and down on the bouncer like popcorn. They weren't REAL sure about what their Dads were doing, but in the end they enjoyed it...and let's face it...it was really funny for Robin, Austin and me to watch!

We sat for a few moments by the fire and were back at it in the soybean maze (much easier, by the way). McKinley and Savannah enjoyed a few rounds on the corn 'train', and gave our furry friends a late night snack.

Two hours flew by! We are already planning a 'next time' but want to be there longer and earlier. Great time with great friends!

Happy Fall!

....Almost!

Lynn

Down on the Farm

This morning McKinley and I visited a farm on our play date with Kylie & family, Robin & family and a few other friends and kiddos. We drove into the country to the home of The Wrightsman family. Of course, it was raining...but we were prepared! McKinley had his rain boots on and was so ready! We did have to patiently wait inside the house for a little while, but eventually the rain let up a bit. The kids headed out to pick some corn to feed to the horse, then we headed out to the fields of animals. The horse was a wee bit intimidating for the kids and most of the ears of corn were tossed just inside the fence. The horse did not care! It was a real treat for her to get more than one ear of corn per day and so she happily chomped away, oblivious to the children standing around her, mesmerized.

Then everyone stepped inside the chicken coop. WOW! Turkeys, baby chickens, big chickens! EVERYWHERE! All of the children took right to feeding them, so excited! I looked away for just one second, turned back around and McKinley was fully-engulfed in feeding turkeys that were nearly as tall as him. I briefly thought to myself...huh! there IS some of me in him! I mean, you wouldn't know it by looking, but I grew up in the COUNTRY. We didn't have farm animals, but my grandparents owned farmland, my parents and I lived on 3 acres of beautiful country with a HUGE red barn, a little creek running through and wild animals abounding. It was a great upbringing and I treasure beautiful memories from it. I loved playing outside at my grandparents home and getting to do things like gooseberry, raspberry and blackberry picking. Anyway, there's my boy...clearly enjoying every second with these animals.

Soon it was time for the highlight of our visit...the alpacas. We've been around alpacas before at St. Mary's, and knew they are kind animals, so I was so excited. I actually stood eyeball-to-eyeball to them! We went INSIDE their little field and were standing next to them. Those alpacas RUSHED to the children (who were holding big buckets of feed), but they were so gentle and a bit taken by their little feeders. I got some amazing pictures of the whole thing, but I LOVE this one...this little girl stood and looked right at my camera! FUNNY!

And the look on this one's face...I couldn't stop laughing when I downloaded these photos!

After we were finished feeding the animals it began raining again, so we went inside to see if the chickens had laid any eggs...and they had! So each child got to collect an egg for their very own. McKinley was thrilled with his pick...and even more thrilled that Savannah placed her egg inside his bucket. He was so careful with them! Precious.

The day wasn't over yet! We took our eggs and moved onto the pear orchard where each child picked some pears to take home. The rain continued and the kids were hungry, so we went inside where the farm owner fed the kids pbj's, fresh eggs and cookies.

Can I just say how well McKinley napped? Frankly, me too. I don't often nap but man! Between the cool, rainy weather, the early morning drive and all the events piled into two hours on the farm, this mama was POOPED!

We had such a great time and were so thankful for the invitation. McKinley learned a lot and enjoyed his time with his friends...new and old...furry, feathered and otherwise. Despite the rain and the first real day with a fall chill in the air - it was perfect.

Lynn

Pink Firetrucks!

Have you ever???

This evening the THFD hosted a Pink Firetruck event to raise money for various breast cancer charities. When Cary heard that the combination of FIRE TRUCKS and breast cancer awareness were combined, he knew that Lynn & McKinley HAD to be there! So, we headed to the event and were definitely taken aback when we spotted the PEPTO-PINK Firetrucks from far away.

WOW!

McKinley had a blast checking out each truck, even red and yellow trucks from the local fire departments were there as well! It was so interesting to see the pink trucks, which were decorated with thousands and thousands of signatures of people who had visited the truck, dedicating their visit to a the memory of a loved one, or in honor of someone who was battling the disease.

My only complaint was that the 'pink' firemen weren't exactly forthcoming with information. Matter of fact, not one of them uttered a word to us. I would have liked knowing more about the trucks. I did figure out on my own that two of the trucks were named for two particular women who lost their battles against breast cancer. That gave me goosebumps. Otherwise, I know very little of the trucks, only that they were really, really...PINK!

Fun little outing for a good cause!

Lynn

McKinley, Snack Helper

Today was McKinley's very first day as Snack Helper at Preschool...and to say he was thrilled is a great understatement!

Together we went to the grocery store - which we do often, but this time McKinley was very eager to be my assistant and help choosing everything for our recipe. The school follows very strict guidelines when it comes to food and snacks (which seriously thrills me to no end!) so we chose a yummy applesauce muffin (with hidden carrot puree! haHA!). Another reason for choosing the applesauce muffin was for the sake of the Letter A, this week's letter at school. And along with our applesauce muffins, we chose a yummy Apple for Gigi, the class Guinea Pig.

Together, McKinley and I prepared each part of the recipe, McKinley 'dumped' all of the ingredients after I measured them out, and he also mixed everything up really well! We topped the muffins with the yummy oat strusel and let them bake away! I packed the mini muffins in little Toy Story sandwich bags, one for each child, and the Apple for Gigi. And lots of milk...did I mention we fed 15 kids and a Guinea Pig?

And today? Well, it was a huge success for McKinley! Having been VERY eager about today's job and asking about it every day since last week, he was even happier to head to school than ever! He told me he got to feed Gigi her apple, part of the Snack Helper's job duties for the day. I think that was his favorite part of the entire day!

Can't wait until our next Snack Helper day!

Lynn

Daddy's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Cary!

Today McKinley and I went to Hallmark to choose just the right cards for Cary. McKinley picked out his very own card - a Mickey Mouse one! He was so excited to choose one for his Daddy and couldn't wait to give it to him.

Cary chose to have dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise, where they ended our yummy meal with a little ice cream sundae and a loud announcement of the big bday. My favorite part was that they took a photo of Cary & McKinley with the sundae. Love it!

After we put McKinley to bed, Cary and I hopped in our own bed armed with our laptop...the PERFECT way to end a great birthday is to watch a live concert of John Mayer at Red Rocks in Colorado streaming live on the internet, from the comfort of our cozy, warm bed. Awesome. I feel like we got to go AGAIN!

Cary, we love you so much and wish you a very happy day!

Lynn

Sunday School!

We are so excited for McKinley. Today he started Sunday School. Only a little over a month in and his 3rd birthday has brought about so many changes and steps toward being a big boy! It was sweet to watch how enthusiastically he interacted with the MANY other children and his two teachers at Sunday School. He had a ball and didn't mind a bit when we stepped out to attend mass.
I didn't take any pictures...and I'm mad at myself for that, but I left the camera in the car. Me with no camera? Geez, I totally know better.
Regardless, McKinley will no doubt make many wonderful memories here. We are very proud parents, watching him expand his world one little child at a time!

Lynn

Preschool pics!

I'm so excited!
I just checked my email and discovered a fun little treat from Miss Kymberli, McKinley's preschool teacher in my inbox. She and Miss Lori captured some very sweet moments of McKinley's first day of school. When I saw them tears came to my eyes. It means so much for us to be able to SEE and hear so much about what McKinley does everyday, and these little updates via email are precious and treasured.

Can't wait to see what else is to come!

Lynn

Lynn

Back for more...

apples, that is. Yesterday the three of us headed for Anderson Orchard for our second visit...with many, many more to come I'm sure. We pulled up the gravel drive to the huge open barn and I could just feel any leftover stress just melting away. Once inside the barn we ordered two apple slushes (to die for...delicious) and two nut-crusted caramel apples before we headed out for some u-pickin'. We sat down and all devoured our little treats - it was MUCH warmer than it was the last time we'd visited in the Fall of last year, but it was a gorgeous day.

We piled in the car and began our drive through the HUGE orchard, choosing the red raspberries first.

McKinley designated himself as the holder of the raspberry bucket, which held true during the entire visit, we all dove into the bushes (though carefully...STICKERS!). I'm pleased to report that we scored 2 and a half pounds of gorgeous, ripe red raspberries. The bushes went on for what seemed like miles. Acres and acres, rows and rows of raspberries!

Soon we were back in the car driving through the orchard, trying to choose our apple varieties. We chose Galas, Honey Crisps and Mollies Delicious. And were they good? WOW. We each sampled an apple - who can resist? - and took turns picking some of these beauties.

McKinley loved twisting the apples on their stems and giving them a gentle pull. We ended up with a full peck of apples! What a steal at $7...I'll pay that for the stress-removing qualities of the entire experience alone!

Once we were finished, we headed back to the barn for a GIANT (seriously...GIANT...2 feet long) watermelon and some popping corn and a promise to return very soon for some wonderful pumpkins! ...and probably more apples....and raspberries!

This was the perfect way to spend the afternoon with my family.

Lynn

P.S. Below: McKinley's own photography! Not bad, eh?!

Day One...Take Two!

I'm happy to report that McKinley's first day of school did go off without a hitch! This morning when I woke him, he was so excited! The look on his face was priceless! I said, "Good morning! Guess what? It's time to go to school!" He replied, "NOW????!!!!!" with a big, toothy grin.
I AM enjoying this now...because let's face facts...he is MY child. He will NOT always be THIS happy to be woken to go to school...something tells me particularly in his senior year of high school. But for now, he is pleased as freaking punch...as are we.

Below: walking in the front door, the look of brief confusion and washing hands before we go inside the classroom.

HOLY MOLY, WE HAVE A PRESCHOOLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lynn

Missing

Today is the very first day of preschool...and McKinley won't be in attendance. Sadly, he is missing his very first day because he is ill. We're heading to the doctor soon, but I'm certain it is bronchitis. Poor boy...it has been a very long night for us all. There have been several bed sheet changes and the first real 'puking' for McKinley. Let's just say, that is NOT his favorite thing to do.
We are so blessed though, because this is the first time he has ever been this sick. Timing is bad, but we will nurse him back in no time so he can go play with Miss Kymberli, Miss Lori and all his new friends!
I'm declaring an all out war on this!
First day of school...to be continued.

Lynn

I HEART DATE NIGHT

...especially when they involve sitting (or standing) next to my handsome hubby while John Mayer serenades me.
Yes, he was serenading me...
and about 25,000 other people too, but who's counting?
Wow! We had the BEST time. How refreshing!

This was his best concert EVER. People are talking about it all over the country already! I am so glad that we had the opportunity to be there, much less be as close as we were! Once again I was shocked to learn that still photography is permitted --- after I left my camera in the car, not wanting to risk having my precious keepsake taken away. Well, dang. I missed some fabulous opportunities to photo John Mayer while he made his guitar sing like no one else can. He played his guitar behind his head. He played his guitar on the ground. He played his guitar practically upside down. And it was incredible.

He had real conversations with members of the audience. He made FUNNY jokes, he signed autographs on tour t-shirts and threw them into the crowd, he joked about his repeatedly reopening fly! It was such a great night!

I am (and will be) kicking myself for not having the camera...next time and I won't forget!

Thank you, Cary for a wonderful evening!

I love you!

Lynn

Goodies in the Mailbox!

So, back in mid-June McKinley modeled for our friend Wendi at InBloom Photography in Bloomington. Got the photos in the mail today. So in love. These are amazing. The clarity. The location. The subject, of course.
Wendi seriously rocks.
The mail made me a very happy Mommy today!

Lynn

In the Trenches

Break out the camoflage and war paint...it's ON!
We.Are.Potty.Training!
T-minus 14 days until McKinley starts preschool - THE date he MUST be potty trained.
I'm pleased to report that things are going swimmingly! Awesome, in fact!! I am so proud of McKinley - we all knew he could do it. Within three days he begun telling us when he has to use the bathroom and has been accident free almost that entire time. I'm sure we'll have a set back or two, and of course the occasional accidents - it IS a learning process. But McKinley makes us so very proud and has taught US a thing or two as well about patience, learning and how far a little encouragement really goes. I could think of a 'few' people who could use that lesson for themselves!

Yay McKinley! You rock!
Lynn