You Know It's October When .... You Go To a Pumpkin Patch!

The highlight of our weekend was going to the Pumpkin Patch. The kids had the best time. They loved climbing the hay bales, playing with the kittens, going through the maze, riding the train and basically running amuck. It is fun to watch Sarah with all of these firsts. She acts like a pro. It seems like she can't be overwhelmed by any situation. She is always ready to just take it all in!

Look at how crowded they were all in one compartment

E is for Eggs

John and Kate are in a fantastic preschool. This week they are working on the letter E. This is what they looked like when they came home today. And it was not just any egg on their faces, it was and Emu's Egg!  I think they are happy children, but they don't always look happy when I am trying to capture their darling faces.

It's been awhile since I've taken this little adorable girl's picture. Can you believe how long her hair is now? It was above her ears in China three months ago. I wish my hair grew that quickly. Sarah continues to be a total joy to everyone of us, and the most perfect addition to our family. 

She is talking SO much. She can say everyone's names, tell me what she wants to eat (which is constantly), and use a lot of three word sentences. I think she has a gift for languages. I am pretty sure she can totally understand everything I am saying too.

We love this little sweetie! I still have the problem of not being able to stop while I am taking her picture. They are all so cute.

Kate Is A Ballerina ... At Last

Kate has finally started her ballet classes. I say finally because she has been patiently waiting to take dance for at least two years. She watches her sisters dance with envy and admiration, and has been dreaming of the day when it would be her turn.

Well, she started ballet two weeks ago and she LOVES it. I only have her dancing once a week, but I think she could handle dancing every day. It is so fun to watch her get an activity of her very own.

The kids recently had a doctor's visit followed by vaccinations. They were not happy about it. We celebrated their bravery at the happiest place we know ... Target. It is amazing what popcorn and icees can do for the soul! 

I'm Not a Farmer

This weekend was harvest time for our turkeys. We knew it was coming, so on Friday we let them out of their pen and let them have the entire day in our garden. We let the chickens out too so they could all eat the left overs from the vegetables.  I loved watching them out there and spent a chunk of the day sitting with them, watching them, photographing them and enjoying them.

Saturday I drove our turkeys to their final resting place, dropped them off and cried. Yes, I cried on the way home. I felt so horrible about it. I just kept thinking, I'm not a farmer. I'm not cut out for this. It has been a couple of days now, and I am feeling a little better about it. The real test will be when it is Thanksgiving and time to eat turkey. Will I be able to eat Hank and Chris? I hope so!

A Day in the Life of the Littles

Sometimes it is so entertaining watching my kids be kids. They found these tutus from Kate's ballet birthday party. Lydia immediately started playing Bibbity Bobbity Boo on the piano while the littles danced and danced and danced. 

The highlight of the day, as silly as this is, was when Sarah tried a snicker doodle. We can't get our little cutie to try very many new flavors, but she tried a cookie and I could not have been more proud of her.

It is rough to be surrounded by girls

At preschool John and Kate were learning about the letter A and had an Academy Awards to end the week. They were supposed to go as celebrities, so I sent them as Audrey Hepburn and Clark Gable - I went old school people because those are the celebrities I grew up loving.