Walking home from the park

Aren't they just the cutest kids on the block?

Applesauce

Our friends Leo and Maria (Allegra's mommy and daddy) have an apple tree in their front yard. This year they had a bumper crop and invited us over to pick some of their extras. We ended up picking what seemed like 200 apples but I was ready to make a ton of applesauce. I have great memories of making sauce with my mom when I was little so I was ready to renew this tradition.

Well, I am currently on weekend number two of apple fest. Last weekend I spent a good part of a day coring, peeling and cooking apples for sauce and apple butter. The sauce turned out really well but the apple butter was too runny. Later I found out from our farmer at the market, Betty, that I should have baked the apples instead of letting them cook on the stove. Next time!

Today I've got a crisp in the oven and I'm going to go for another round of sauce. We already have eaten half of what I made last week so if I want to store any up for the winter I better get cooking!

School Carnival

Despite the chilly, rainy weather (and a half sick husband) we decided to take the kids to the school carnival tonight. Steven was really excited to see his friends and teachers - he was such a different kid. I think the difference was that he was comfortable in this atmosphere whereas in other crowds he doesn't quite open up so quickly. He had a fun time playing the kiddie games (lollipop tree, bowling, cake wheel) but his favorite was the inflatable bouncer. Immediately when he saw it, he sat right down and threw off his shoes - he couldn't get in fast enough.

He was even so bold as to talk to the clowns - who, by the way, gave us enough tootsie rolls to be stocked up for Halloween. I really hate tootsie rolls.

Run for the Polar Bears

Today the kids and I did the 1-mile family walk at the zoo to support Polar Bears. Tommy's work let's us sign up for run/walks pretty frequently - what a great perk! Unfortunately, it was the third Saturday so daddy had to work but we had fun nonetheless. We definitely didn't break any records, except for maybe eating because both kids had funny snacks, goldfish, bananas, mini cupcakes, part of a brownie, orange slices and a wheat roll during and after the race. You wouldn't think that riding in a stroller would make you so hungry!?!?

Has it really been a whole year since the last race?

Happy 3rd Birthday, Steven!

Paci Party

Tonight was the night ... the Paci got tossed!

We've been tired of the pacifier for awhile and have been talking to Steven for weeks about tossing them in the trash. Tonight we celebrated the end of the paci by throwing a party. We decorated a trash can, made a ceremony of collecting the pacis, tossed them and had a reward waiting.

Then, bedtime came and there was no more celebration. An hour and a half later, in mommy and daddy's bed, he finally fell asleep. I hope tomorrow night is better!

Car Games

I wish our kids were old enough to play License Plate BINGO. We saw Alaska AND Hawaii on our drive back from Arkansas this evening. In fact, we technically saw two Alaska because it was a giant school bus (aka RV) pulling an SUV, both with Alaska license plates.

Nap time

She had such a hard day, full of playing she just couldn't wait to get inside to her bed.