Snow!

Of course, we were out in the snow last weekend. And boy did we love it!  It was exciting to wake up in the morning and see the ground covered white. Especially because we had the snowy forecast and we had the winter storm warning before we went to bed and to see the white beautiful snow in the morning and that the forecast was actually right?? Even better!

The kids were excited for the snow and to go and play and not all too excited to go to Sunday School. But, the fact that we got them up early and got to drive in the snow at 8:30 this morning seemed okay for them as they still jumped around a bit and trudged around the driveway before we made the drive to church.

When we got back?? It was a different story. They, upon arrival home from church, instantly got snowpants, boots, hats, mittens, and heavy coat on and were outside.  I had to make my coffee first and then slowly made my way outside to watch them laugh and jump in the inches upon inches of snow.  (now, the weather forecast confirmed what we thought - about 17 inches of snow and it is wonderful!)

The morning trip outside consisted of making the run down the hill for the tubes and packing it down.  It was slow going for the kids at first, but they enjoyed the journey.  They also got out their snowboards and made their way down the hills. Then, they both got out their little shovels and helped me shovel the sidewalk. Then, back to sledding, and back to tubing, and back to snowboarding, then off to the swingset and over and over and over.  And, the cherry on top - Hot chocolate!!

Happy boy

Little lady having fun in the snow.



Tubing.




Getting better at snowboarding




The snow




The snow draping on our swingset.




The same pictures as before - just a few hours later.  Where is the birdhouse?




Our deck.  It still hasn't been shoveled.



Unfathomable

You know... words just cannot express what happened today.  Normally, news about shootings doesn't affect me like this.  But I think it was the fact that it was kindergartners... an elementary school. where my Emma is... just an insane person affecting so many people.

This afternoon was rough for me, I am not going to lie.  I read about it at work and the rest of my coworkers and I just sat there, literally, stunned.  What do you say, really?  Other than thinking guiltily "Thank GOD it wasn't me" and then to think "God, what if it were me?" 

I started to run through the situation my kids were in.  Evan at preschool with a keypad to enter the building, but God forbid, he goes outside to play at least 3 times a day... what if?!

Emma at Elementary school with no school security and anyone can enter that building. Granted, visitors have to show an id, but that doesn't hold up against a person with a gun.

I don't know.  This is just constantly on my mind.  I have a heavy heart and I held me kids tonight until I got the "Mom, cut it out!"  They don't get it, which is good.  I don't want them to be scared like I am. Which.. is ridiculous, but still.

All I can say is I will pray for the victims and hope that bastard gets what is coming to him.  He got off easy, really. The coward committed suicide.

That's all.  As much as I want too, I know I won't be able to get it out of my mind for a long time.

To my faithful readers

Thanks for sticking with me during the dry spells of my blogging.  I just emailed my final exam and am done with my class, so expect a whole slew of blog posts (with pictures) coming up.

Hallelujah!!  Free at least, God all mighty, I am free at last!!

As if it weren't enough....

The kids put out their shoes for St. Nicholas!  We met with Evan's former daycare Mom Theresa and her family tonight to catch up.  The kids were so excited to see each and the adults were happy for happy hour specials - ha!

Of course the little kids got talking about Christmas and the elf on the shelf and that tonight is St. Nicholas night.  So we got home and what is the first thing that Emma does?  Put the shoes under the tree. St. Nick wasn't feeling overly generous though and gave the kids 4 quarters, an orange, and a candy cane.  I guess I don't feel as though I need to participate in every holiday tradition there is.  It gets too hard to keep up.

The real treat though was seeing them again.  Evan does miss going there everyday to play with his good friend Will and to receive the extra special care from Theresa.  She gave him a copy of his favorite book tonight The Ghost Train that she has read to him forever and he absolutely loved it!  We had to read it when we got home.

More to come later..... peace out.

Overdue update.

Emma is good.

Evan is good.

That is all.

Okay, I guess that shouldn't be all.  All my faithful peeps out there in blogland maybe need more as I have been absent the past few days.

Thanksgiving was great.  Wednesday night we had J & MJ over before the holiday/family craziness and enjoyed wine, bread, cheese, and salami.  Plus, some double chocolate, pecan brownies that Evan wanted to make.  It was definitely a nice retreat before the holidays.

Thanksgiving here was brunch in the morning with the kiddos and Gaeb and her boyfriend Seth. Eric was on-call unfortunately and was unable to join the family.  We dined on Pioneer Woman Quiche and monkey bread.  After the food, we went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather!  We played the first annual boys-vs-girls football game in the front yard.  The kids had an absolute blast doing this!  Emma and Evan were running around, throwing the ball, and tackling each other. 

After the football game (which I am pretty sure the girls won :-)  )  it was a mad rush to clean the kitchen, pack stuff up and head to the farm for the next four days!  We had a large turkey, ham, riced potatoes, stuffing, dinner roles, green bean casserole, rutabaga, apple pie, pumpkin cake meal!  YUM!  The kids really enjoyed the food, but may have enjoyed running around the "new farm" better!

That night - following tradition - we heading out shopping.  This year, it was noticeably earlier for Kristen and I.  Or later... not sure how you want to call it.  Kristen, Kim, Aunt Rose, Cousin Keely and I headed out at 9:30pm on Thanksgiving night to hit up some black Friday deals in Eau Claire.  It was Sears, Walmart, K-mart, then the Eau Claire mall.  We found a few good deals, ate mall pizza at 1:30am and were home at 3:00 am.  Black Fridays in the past had Kristen and I heading out around 5am for deals... so this year was a bit different and we hit more of the crazy crowd.  We had a great time with Kim, Rose, and Keely though coming up with our shopping plan and putting our game face on.

Deer hunting was a bust for me.  I saw a few, missed a few.  AND vowed to actually practice some target shooting throughout the year to get ready and try to improve my rushed shots for when the deer run past me.  Tim was lucky, as always, and got 4 and my Dad shot 2.

Otherwise, that seems to be about it.  I haven't been good with the camera lately - other than the few instagram shots you may have seen to the right taken with my new phone.  I promise to be better - or, shall I say, I hope to be better!

Monster truck madness!

We went to a local auto parts store to see Evan's favorite monster truck, Grinder.  He was pretty excited to go and thought it was pretty neat that he got to meet the driver and got a signed picture of the car.  Saturday night is the big monster truck rally and a special night with Daddy.

You are drinking what?

Out of the mouths of babes.... Evan.

Guess what I am drinking, Mama?  Captain and diet coke!  (While playing darts in the basement with Tim)

Since that is a drink that Tim and I drink at times, I look at Tim suspiciously and he shakes his head and laughs.

"Evan- you are drinking a decaffeinated coke.  NOT a captain and coke you goofball!"

Homework

Here is a sample of some homework brought home by my kiddos.  Emma typically has math homework every night and is now doing adding, subtracting and math word problems.  (yea - pretty sure I didn't start doing word problems until like 3rd grade.)


"There are 9 turkeys in the woods.  3 flew away.  How many turkeys are left?
6 turkeys.
All handwritten by my little Emma.

Evan is working on letters at preschool and has a number of the week.   This particular week, the number is 12.  (random - but I will go with it)  The theme this week isThanksgiving so he did this drawing on what he is thankful for.



I am thankful for my mom and dad.  He didn't mention Emma. But I am assuming it is implied.  I hope... anyway.



Preschool for Evan

We are officially on Evan's second week of preschool.  So far, I think he likes it.  He comes home with neat little art projects and fun stories of everything he does during the day.  Last week he got to be a scientist and analyze the weight of cooked noodles versus uncooked noodles.  He was a fisherman and got to fish for something.  He gets to play outside every day on a neat little climbing area.  And - he gets to try interesting new food - such as beets - and cottage cheese - and a sweet potato hotdish puff thing that he is having for lunch tomorrow.  So - many new experiences for the little guy.  Sensory overload of sorts with the new kids, the new foods, and the new activities.  It is emotional overload for his poor Mama.  Overall - the little guy is doing really, really well.  Other than hiding behind my legs when I drop him off and he looking up at me with his big, blue, unsure eyes and saying "Mama, can you stay and play with me for a little bit?"  So, we get out the blocks and the trucks and I try to corral other little boys to play too.

It is going much better than I thought.  He did cry last Thursday about 20 minutes before I got there to pick him up for some reason - the reason I am not sure about.  So, when I arrived, he rushed over to me and wrapped his little arms around my neck and started crying again.  In the mornings I think he may be trying to be tough and not tearing up a bit as well.  I think I can see the unease in his eyes and the nervousness of being in a new place.  I reassure him, play with him a bit, and then I go.  Normally, I get the "It's okay Mama, You can go to work" and then I sneak out.

The reports (both written and oral) from his teachers have been really great. They say he is listening well, playing well, eating well (other than the beets and cottage cheese) and fitting in pretty good. My nervousness at the transition is halfway gone, but will be totally gone once he rushes in to play when I drop him off and only glances back to say goodbye.  He hasn't done that yet, but I look forward to the morning when he does. 

I am happy that he had a short week last week (as I was off on Friday) and will have a short week this week due to Thanksgiving to help with the transition.  Overall, I am pretty proud of my little guy for how he is handling everything.  I made the comment this past weekend of Evan being in daycare and he had to correct me and say "Mama, I am in PRESCHOOL now. Not daycare" So I think he does like it and is proud that he is old enough to go.  He just isn't confident there yet.

That's it. That is the updated report.  Hopefully an even better report to come.

You know you are getting used to working in a manufacturing plant when:

You know you are getting used to working in a manufacturing plant when:

1) You start wearing less and less eye make-up because you figure, “What the Hell” no one can really see my eyes under my protection goggles anyway.

2) Your language is sounding more like a truck-driver and less like a person who used to work in a corporate environment and needs to be PC all the time
      a. We are NOT PC here – not even close

3) Steel toed shoes feel more comfortable and you are envious of someone else’s pair as they look more “trendy” than your run-of-the-mill Red Wings. Then – you ask them where they got them.
      a. Sad to admit, but I have done this…
      b. The nice thing is that we have Shoe trucks that come once a month to the plant and offer the latest   and greatest steel toes. I get a $65 stipend each year for a new pair. No Manolo Blahniks yet, but I may start a petition.

4) You realize you can sleep in longer, as your morning routine is now: throw on some jeans and a long sleeved shirt, brush a tiny bit of makeup on, and put hair in pony = done.
      a. The plant is typically freezing, so a fleece or fleece vest is put on immediately upon arrival anyway

5) Over lunch during an all day meeting, it seems perfectly normal for your team to Google “Sports figures with the most kids out of wedlock” and proceed to laugh and tell off-color jokes the rest of the day about it
      a. True story – and the results are sad and hilarious at the same time. Pull up the totalprosports link – it is ridiculous

6) You consider putting a Carhart coat or vest on your Christmas list (but resist the urge), to, you know… fit in with the “cool kids”

So –that’s it. My new normal --

I emailed this to my dear, previous Coworkers, so they could either be jealous or mortified!

Here goes nothing!

Here he is on the first day of preschool.  He said he wasn't excited but went in like a trooper.  He found his locker and then hung behind my legs.  After we found some toys for him to play with, he seemed a bit better.  Then he did the "I am okay Mama.  You can go."   Then, one more hug and I was off to work.

Saying goodbye

Today was an incredibly emotional day.  It was a day that I had been dreading for about a month.  Today was Evan's last day with his beloved daycare provider, Theresa, as he starts preschool on Monday.

Theresa has been in our life for 5 years and we trusted her with the most important thing in our lives - our children.  We interviewed, reference checked, stopped in, and agonized over this choice and in the end, we decided to go with Theresa and for that, I am very thankful. She made my transition back to work tolerable, my progression from 3 work days to 4 work days and to eventually 5 work days manageable.

Emma started there when she was about 16 months old, when I started work at Cargill. I worked only three days a week then and loved being back in a work setting, but having four days with my little girl.  Emma wasn't so sure about Theresa's at first and being away from me and Kristen (who watched her for the first year).  Emma refused to take off her shoes and coat until about the second week there and after that, she was all smiles.  Theresa has a daughter, Breezy,who is a year older than Emma and they instantly became friends.  Breezy is actually here tonight on a sleepover and those girls have grown to be almost sisters in the years they spent together.   Emma easily fell into a pattern at the house playing dress-up with the girls, house in their little basement tree house, and loving the comforts Theresa provided.

Emma - the first week there

Halloween with Madeline (left) and Breezy (right)

Then, along came Evan.  She met Evan when he was about 5 days old and saw him basically weekly since.  Honestly, I kind of think that Evan took a special place in her heart (which made this whole thing even harder) as her own son was in high school and she had Evan since he was 12 weeks old.  Evan's first week there was a week of stubbornness, just like Emma. Evan refused to drink from his bottle for about the first 3-4 days.  That is not the way an emotional,  hormonal, Mama just back at work wants to have it!  Theresa called me a lot so I knew what was going on, tried to feed him his bottle a lot, and then just comforted him when he needed it.

Dec 2008 - Evan a 3 months

Halloween 2009

The group - Feb 2011

Throughout the years, there have been many birthday parties, holiday parties, smiles, laughter, and tears at Theresa's house.  She has kissed boo-boo's, put kids in naughty chairs, and has probably seen a few of their "firsts" but was kind enough not to say anything so I could feel like those memories were mine first.

While I know, deep down, we are making the right decision for this point in our lives, it doesn't make it any easier.  I was close to tears all day today and I just couldn't get over the sad, guilty, lagging feeling that was hanging over my head.  Most of all, I don't want the kids to forget the person who loved them like they were her own and then had to say goodbye. 

It comes with the territory, I know.  Daycare providers know that they will say goodbye to the kiddos they helped raise, but in this instance, since we decided to make the move away . . . I feel horrible.

The families will keep in touch, I know that - or I really, really hope that.  Emma and Breezy will still want to chat on the phone and do sleepovers. The adults and kiddos will go out for food (we have plans for one in two week), try to make bowling happen, or play cards together to keep in touch. But still, the comforts of home that Evan knew when he was NOT at home is now being replaced by a more sterile school setting with unfamiliar people.  He will do fine, as will I, but this transition stinks. 

These past few month have been an emotional roller coaster and what can I say, I just want to get off the damn ride.

The cavity conundrum

Every night, I have to remind my children to brush their teeth.  Well, this particular Saturday night was no different.  Either was Evan's response  "No - I don't WANT to brush my teeth."   sigh....

So, I went into my normal speech "Evan - if you don't brush your teeth. You will get cavities"  and when he asks what cavities are (because I am prepared for this question) I know how to respond.  "Cavities are little holes in your teeth that you get from not brushing your teeth and keeping the sugar on your teeth. They hurt a lot and we need to do everything we can to not get cavities."

He ponders my answer and runs off to brush his teeth and go potty.  While he is at the toilet, he looks at me inquisitively and asks "So... if I don't go potty, will I get cavities in my pee-pee?"

While I wasn't prepared to answer THAT question, I think my laughter and emphatic No!  did jut fine.

trying to figure out Instagram

Please be patient :-)  I recently upgraded to a new phone -- Samsung Galaxy SIII (which I love) and I am playing with all the new gadgets.  Stay with me as I try new things and try to upload pictures from Instagram to my blog.  I didn't do it right :-)

Evan and his wagon.

http://instagr.am/p/RjU8zst2ZF/

At the pumpkin patch last weekend

http://instagr.am/p/RjVXF1t2ZY/

Random Fall pictures

And... because I haven't gotten to it yet - here are some random Fall pictures!  We had a lot of fun playing outside this Fall. The leaves fell off the trees in droves and the kids took advantage of it.  Some of the leaf piles we raked were taller than Evan - no lie!

So - here are a few pics of the kids playing in the leaves and playing with our neighbor's (J and MJ) milkweed pods.  They have the natural Minnesota prairie as part of their lawn and part for their front yard was full of milkweed pods.  In case you didn't know . . .   Milkweed pods + kids = tons of fun

The lawn, after they were done playing, was white.  Sage was having fun chasing them and the kids were having a contest to see who could blow a seed up in the air the farthest.  Evan got one all the way to the garage.

Then - the leaf pictures!  Here they are - buried.

And - really buried in the leaves!

This was a favorite weekend pastime this fall :-)

Happy Halloween!

What a fun night we had last night! The weather couldn't have been any more beauitful and the kids couldn't have been any  more excited.  Our plan was to get out trick-or-treating around 6pm, but the plan went awry when some neighbor kids came to the house around 5:15 for trick-or-treating!  Then.. it was rush around to find the candy, rush around to find the candles to light the jack o'lanterns, rush around when the next neighbor kids came around and on with the chaos!  Fun chaos though!  As mentioned before - the kids were so excited!

Earlier that day, I went into Emma's classroom for her little Halloween party.  The parents got to help the kids come up with their own play based on their Halloween costumes.  The kids got to come up with the story, design a backdrop, and act it out in front of the class.  At Emma's table there was a witch (Emma), SpiderMan, Batman, and a girl who was a character from a musical movie on Disney (cannot remember what it is called - Friday Night Musical.... Highschool Musical... something like that).  Their play was called the Deep Dark Forest and all the characters were in the middle of the forest when a werewolf jumps out at them.  Emma flies off to get help, the singer starts singwing to distract them and SpiderMan and Batman try to fight off the werewolf.  They were able to subdue the werewolf and spin a web over it by the time Emma gets back.  Emma comes back with another witch and warlock (sp?) and then casts a spell on the werewolf to make him nice.  Then, they go back to Emma's cottage where she makes stew and they have a dancing party to celebrate that the werewolf is nice.  Pretty nice story, eh?  The kids did great - Emma had fun and then I got to eat lunch with her in the classroom.



Here is the group of kids in the classroom with their background they created.

Now - back to trick-or-treating :-)


We rushed through supper, but needless to say the kids were not overly hungry.  Emma changed costumes at the last minute due to her witch dress being itchy (even though I tried to explain to the monkey that her coat would be underneath it) and decided to be Astrid from How to Train your Dragon again. Evan was a dragon.  (Hmmm.. maybe Emma wanted to train Evan?? from the picture below, you may think that!) 


Evan wanted no part of taking a picture with Emma.



However, on his own, he was all smiles.



Happy and ready-to-go Astrid.



The front of the house decorated with pumpkins.




In the boo train




The twins were dragons too, so we had a dragon train.  Evan and Charley are in the same costume.
(Charley is wearing a dragon costume that Evan wore 2 years ago.) 



The boo train and driver.

 We got out around 6:15 and around 7:45, the kids decided that it was time to head home..   By this time, Evan was dragging his full candy bag. 



The loot!!




Nope, not the best picture of Emma - but still a happy Emma!

Overall, it was a great, great night.  Being outside on the lawnmower was so nice and the kids had such a great time.  Now - only 8 weeks until Christmas :-)

First day of preschool!

Evan started his first day off preschool today!  He has been so excited since we have starting touring them.  So when the big day came to test them out, he was all ready.  He packed his backpack the night before and even remembered that he needed a toothbrush as they brush teeth after lunch.  Throw in duckie, a blanket for naptime and a change of clothes and he was good.

The day went well without any  problems (other than disappointment that the bus wasn' t picking him up) and I will say it was a success!!  The teacher gave me a good report and Evan starts full time November 12.

(pics from the daily report we got today)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The nice sign on his room when we arrived.



His new preschool - very convenienty located 4 miles from my work and a block away from a grocery store

A shrine to a tooth

The biggest news around here this week is a big gaping whole. . .  in a little girls mouth :-) Emma has been so excited to get a loose tooth and finally a week ago she had one!  We were eating supper and she told me that her tooth hurt.  Nothing thinking anything of it, I did the "oh yea?"  and went back to eating.  Then.. she gave me a sidelong glance and said, "Yup - it hurts."  She showed me which one and I went to feel it and it was loose!  Really loose actually.  She has been telling me for the past year that she has had a loose tooth (really just wishing it) and I always had to give her the bad news that it wasn't loose. So, I think she was unsure what it would be like so didn't get excited about this one until it was confirmed!    Once I gave her the news, she was so excited - and - pretty insistent that she couldn't eat anything until it came out.    I assured her that it was okay and that she could chew on the side of her mouth, as her loose tooth was a bottom front tooth, and she went back to eating. But - totally insisted that her apple be cut up in small pieces.

After that - the tooth was all we heard about. And what the family heard about.  She had to call Nana and Papa and tell them.  Then, she had to call Kristen and tell her as well.  Yes, she was incredibly excited.  The neat thing is that the tooth right next to it is loose as well - but not nearly as much; just a small wiggle for that one.

Then - the big day!  Thursday I came home from work and picked her up at Kristen's.  She ran over to me and yelled "MOM!  MY TOOTH CAME OUT TODAY IN THE LUNCHROOM!  I WAS EATING MASHED POTATOES AND IT JUST CAME OUT!"   Then - a big open smile and more "SO - I WENT TO THE NURSES OFFICE AND THEY GAVE ME A LITTLE BOX!"

It was pretty cool actually - she pulled out a little purple plastic treasure chest that her little tiny tooth was in.  Then - the questions about the tooth fairy, what she should with the tooth, that she wanted a toy from the tooth fairy, etc....

So, that night, I told her to put the tooth in her treasure box and this is what I found:

A shrine to her tooth-----

I thought it was hilarious!  She loves decorating and this just proves it.  The little treasure chest is sitting on top of the pickle flavored chapstick - I just accidentally cut it out of the picture  :-(  Then, the tooth is sitting on two erasers, surrounded by a blue plastic bracelet and then, the shell necklace around it.


And - a big smile --

And what did she wake up to the next morning?  A nice note from the tooth fairy and $2.50.

Congratulations Emma!  I was so happy to stop by :-)  The tooth is really nice - I hope you won't miss it.  I hope to see you again in a few days.  Keep wiggling that tooth, okay

Now, she keeps wiggling the other tooth with hopes that it will come out soon!

Going crazy

You know... I think I heard somewhere that there are 3 major changes in life that can make your life spin... new baby...new spouse... new job. Unfortunately (or fortunately I guess) we are going through two of those things right now.  Tim enjoys his job a lot so far, which is really good.  It feels good for him to be back at it.  To say it is put our life in a bit of a whirlwind would be an understatement.  We are still figuring things out.  I drop off Emma to Kristen's, he takes Evan, I pick up both after work and then go home and try to figure out supper...

So- now come the fixes... Let's Dish to help out with meals, someone to come in and clean the house once a week, and another huge change for the Heuer house - moving Evan into a daycare center where he can go to preschool and be closer to me.  Sigh..... all good things  -  but overwhelming.

Evan is excited about preschool and I am excited for him.  We have been tossing around the idea of putting him in Kindergarten next year (with a Sept.7 birthday, he is on the cusp of going either way) and if we really want that, both Tim and I agreed that it is best to get him in a more structured learning environment now.  This is an incredibly hard decision as he has been with his current daycare situation since he was 12 weeks old.  It is emotional for me at times as I just don't know.  I do think preschool is good, but that doesn't make the emotional part any easier.

My job is going well.  It is so different, but good.  I cannot remember what all I posted about it, so I apologize if you are reading it twice.  I work in the doors manufacturing plant and am involved with projects bringing in new equipment or process improvements.  It is an incredibly casual environment and requires me to wear safety goggles and ear protection, pretty much all the time unless I am sitting in my desk.  I have also invested in a nice pair of Red Wing steel toed shoes that I get to wear as well. (although not all the time)  So yes, my environment is much different than my posh environment from before.  But, my new gig is good - really good!

Anyway - many changes - some stress - but, we will make it through.  I think the kids are feeling all of the changes as well as there have been some struggles as of late.  But - give us a month and hopefully we will be in a schedule and back to normal.

Fall on the farm

I posted a few weeks ago about our trip to the farm - ahem... the black eye :-) (which, yes, I have been giving Dad crap about this every chance I get) but I am not sure if I posted much else about the trip. The main reason we were going down there was to help put in their wood floor and see the progress on their new house, however, we did a lot of fun outdoorsy stuff as well.

The kids love playing with the farm toys, the swingset, riding the gator, going in the barns, and going out to eat while on the farm.  They get there, instantly claim their beds in the spare bedroom and put clothes in the dressers (which I think is hilarious. Even if only there for a night, they put their clothes in the dresser) and go get out toys or go and play outside.  They can play for a long time by the backdoor and patio playing with the farm toys, crushed rock, and whatever else they can find.  Evan, for one, really enjoys going hunting for treasures at the farm right by the pole shed.  Dad and the guys do a lot of fixing of farm equipment there, so Evan finds lots of treasures like washers, welding sticks (or whatever they are), corn, fun rocks, screws, plus other random little things.  This particular weekend, it was beautiful outside so they were playing out there a lot.

Evan'isms

He has had some good ones lately --

Yesterday after bath, he was in the bathroom combing his hair.  Now, he is very particular about the way he combs his hair.  He likes either his "Justin Bieber" do or his normal front weird comb thing.  Yesterday, Tim was helping him comb his hair and tried to comb it to the side and Evan wouldn't have any part of it. 
"No Daddy - not that way.  I am trying to comb my hair just like yours so I look like you!"  So - then we spiked it :-)

Then, he was helping clean up the table after supper and for one day, his favorite phrase was "Yup, I am like an oil machine."    Which, made me stop and pause for a minute.  Then, I had to ask him again what he said.  "MAMA!  I said I am like an oil machine!"  Then, when I asked him where he heard it, it was some movie - Cars maybe - where Lightning McQueend said he was a well oiled machine. 

Evan thinks he is too, apparently.

The apple orchard

A few weeks ago we went to the Afton Apple Orchard  -  which was a great time.  I have taken the kids there in the past, but this was Tim's first adventure.  We met Eric and Jordan there as and went to pick some apples.... and do all the other fun stuff as well.  Afton Apple has a lot of climbing structures, swing sets, hay bale climbs, petting zoo, you name it - all the fun fall stuff, they had it.  Plus - a yummy apple cafeteria.  I am a huge fan of the apple donuts, apple brats, apple pie, caramel apples and all that yummy appley-fall-food.

So, after playing with all the extra-curricular activities there (and a ride in the cow train for the kids) we boarded the hay wagon and went out to the orchard.  Really, the only apples we could pick were Haralson's, but that was okay with us as that is the apple of choice in the Heuer house.  The kids had a great time picking apples, riding the hay wagon, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

The pics to prove it :-)

Riding in the cow train.



A nice shot of us with the play structures and things in the background.





We didn't buy any pumpkins there, but still wanted to pose for a pic there.



Thanks to my Mom

for baking with us when we were little kids.  I loved helping her bake apple pies, make freezer jam, bake cakes and learn about being in the kitchen.  Because of that and my enjoyment of those things now, I do it with my kids!   Sunday, I made some apple pies to put in the freezer and with the extra pie crust the kiddo's made their own mini pies!  (just like we used to do!)

They had so much fun peeling the apples, putting in some sugar and cinnamon, and rolling out the pie crust. 

They turned out really good!

Where milk comes from...

I am unsure how the conversation started, but Evan and I started talking about milk and where it comes from. Well, I am thinking "this is an easy one!" so I tell Evan that milk comes from cows - obviously!

He looks at me like I am crazy, laughs and says "MAMA!! Milk doesn't come from cows!"  Like it is the most ridiculous thing I have ever said.

I get a bit worried and say "Evan - milk DOES come from cows.  Papa has cows.  Papa milks the cows!"

Again, he laughs and is all "Mama! You are so silly!  Papa doesn't milk cows!"

. . .  ummm. . . .what??

So, I tell him again about the cows on Papa's farm, he has seen them, Mama has milked cows, all that stuff and tell him that he could milk a cow there the next time we are there.

Still - more laugher and he says "EW! Yuck!  I am not milking a cow. That is gross. They step in mud and poop!"

I am unsure where I went wrong with this little boy. :-)  Granted, we don't often go into the parlor often when they are milking on the farm, but apparently we need to go there a bit more. 

Duck Hunting

Tim has been gone a lot on the weekends now duck hunting and, of course, the kids have many questions about it.  So - today, Emma went with him!  She was so excited to have the chance to spend some quality time with her Daddy, see Sage in her element finding birds, and to be outside.

Although they didn't get any (but they saw some!), she was so excited when she came home to tell me about the decoy's, the lake, and the hot chocolate and snacks that Tim packed for her.  Tomorrow or Thursday is Evan's turn to go.  Whenever Emma does something, Evan has to do it too!




She really enjoyed going shopping to Gander Mountain to find the appropriate attire.



Happy Birthday Tim!

Last week, Tim celebrated his birthday. Birthdays are very fun with little kids around because to them, birthdays are a reason to celebrate, buy balloons and flowers, open presents, and eat cake.  If it were just Tim and I, it would be much more simple. However, if it is your birthday and the kids know it, they have to celebrate!

Emma had soccer the night of Tim's birthday, so we weren't really planning on celebrating much that night.  But, they had to do something, so after the soccer game we went to a close grocery store and picked up some munchies.

Cupcakes for the kids and sushi for Tim and I --



The picture doesn't do the sushi justice, but it was fabulous!



 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Then, we celebrated on Friday with Eric and Gaeb and their significant others.  Spaghetti, meatballs, breads, cheeses, wines, assorted salami's and cake.  It was yummy!

Of course - the best birthday present - a job offer! (although that came the day after!)

And - to make my father feel bad. . .

My black eye.  This picture was taken on Monday, when it wasn't completely horrible yet.  Tuesday and Wednesday the black/purple part spread across my whole eye and down towards the nose. It was lovely really.  Now, the purple is receding and turning yellow.

And yes - he hit me with a hammer.  :-)

The best news ever!!

Tim found a job!!!  He received an offer about a week ago with Best Buy Corp - he will be working on their desktop support.  Most importantly  - he found a job!  To say we are excited is an understatement.  He called me at work when he received the offer and a huge weight just melted off of my shoulders.  We are excited, the kids are excited (Evan's response?!  "Yea! I get to go to Theresa's everyday!"), and well, we are just excited.  He starts next Monday and we have started to work out the details with daycare, school, and everything that goes along with having two full-time working parents, two little kids, first grade, daycare, and a parent in school. 

Anyway - the mood has changed in the house a bit and we are celebrating!