Apple Picking!

I just love having such a talented mother-in-law, who can capture such special moments with Abby and Benjamin! This photo session started off a bit rough. Abby wasn't cooperative AT ALL! She needed a nap, and she was cutting her canine teeth. So, we focused on Benjamin. He LOVED the attention. 

Abby decided to join in after a little while. Her attitude often is, "Anything he can do, I can do better." 

And, we may have strategically placed a pacifier on the top rung...

Abby took a nap, and we changed Benjamin's shirt for an old-fashion "back to school" look that Jan needed for some promotional materials. Abby was in a much better mood, and Benjamin was willing to cooperate with the promise of a chocolate milkshake.

Jan had to Photoshop the photos, because two days prior, Abby fell flat on her face and skinned her nose. See exhibit A:

Benjamin tried to make Abby keep her bow in her hair. She thought it was a delightful game!

 I had to make do with 2T pants for Benjamin. Clearly, he has outgrown them. 

We left with a LOT Of apples. I spent an entire week freezing and canning them. It is such a blessing to have access to so many apple, pear and peach trees. Thanks Aunt Keri and Aunt Rachel!

September fun

It has been a crazy busy month, and it has flown by! Here are some of the highlights.

Benjamin and Mommy have been going to the Build and Grow workshops at Home Depot. Benjamin LOVES to help nail projects together, and then paint. It is the most excited he has ever been about arts and crafts.

We had some cool weather hit, and then all of a sudden we were back in the 90s for a couple days. So, we got the baby pool and the hose out. The kids played for nearly two hours!

Benjamin had his third visit to the dentist.

We went to see Papa for a weekend, while Jeremy studied for his board certification test.

Abby was terrified of Aunt Keri’s barn cats at first, but then she started chasing them around, and I had to drag her away from them!

While in Bluffton that same weekend, we picked A LOT of apples from Aunt Rachel’s farm. Benjamin helped me for an hour, before the novelty of slicing apples wore off.

We have also made a few trips to the zoo to enjoy the nice weather.

Abby is getting so big, and she wants to do whatever Benjamin is doing. So, she tried out his glider bike. Papa got Benjamin his own bike, so now they both are able to ride.

We also squeezed in another trip to the Glendale Gardens. Abby got SOAKED, but had so much fun playing with the water pump and buckets. Benjamin and his buddies spent quite some time looking at the tadpoles and frogs.

The kids had a great time at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Benjamin had forgotten all about his past trips there, so it was like a brand new adventure.

This month, our Recharge! group went to the Niederman Family Farm to walk through the corn maze and go on a hay ride. The kids had a blast exploring the maze!

OK. That’s enough photos for one post! I have been on deadline for a freelance writing project, and I have not had a minute to spare (aside from the millions of other activities we had going on).

Preschool!

Benjamin started his first year of preschool this past September. I am finally getting around to posting the pictures!

On his orientation day, he asked at first that Mommy not go with him. He just wanted Daddy and Abby. He also requested that Abby wear a dress and a matching bow. He took special care with his outfit, and he was beyond excited to meet his new teachers. I had a meeting that morning for MOPS, so, he was a bit disappointed in the end that I wasn’t going, but he had a great time!

Here he is on the actual first day. He wanted to be sure both Jeremy and I would take him, and be there to pick him up. But, there was no hesitation on his part. He just walked right into the classroom, introducing himself to his new friends. I cried the whole way home.

Our goal for Benjamin this year at preschool is that he will learn to share well with the other 10 children in his class, and that he will improve his fine motor skills like cutting, drawing and writing. So far, he is doing great and having a great time. We are so proud of him!