Rainy Day Fun in the Kitchen

Yesterday afternoon was a chilly and gloomy day outside, so we spent the afternoon baking in the kitchen.

Ella opted to make pumpkin muffins, so she mixed the ingredients....

....took a quick sample....

....poured the batter into the muffin pan....

....and waited while Aidan had his turn.

Aidan chose to make banana muffins, so he mixed the ingredients....

....took a quick sample....

....poured the batter into the muffin pan....

....and joined Ella in waiting to taste their creations!

Finally, they were finished cooking and the real fun began - eating their muffins!

Wordless Wednesday

A Welcome Change

We have not seen rain or temperatures below 90+ degrees in well over a month, but finally, the skies clouded over and rain began to fall from the sky on Sunday afternoon. It kept up overnight and throughout the morning today.

After preschool, we just had to get out and enjoy this welcome change in weather (and temperature!)!

"A" is for Apple

Keeping with the theme of the letter "A", the kiddos discussed apples throughout the week, concluding with an apple tasting party on Friday in which each child brought in an apple of varying color and got to sample them as a grand finale.

We decided to put our own finale on the week and went apple picking today in Flat Rock, NC to a wonderful place called Sky Top Orchard.

What should have been a quick two hour drive took a bit longer with the multiple potty breaks, but we eventually made it there and were not disappointed - it was incredible! The views were amazing and Ella and Aidan had so much fun that they still have not stopped talking about their adventure!

All the apples they could pick and eat....

....a tractor and hay ride through the orchard....

....and apple cider doughnuts paired with apple cider served in cute little apple shaped cups.... 

 

....all made for a very memorable and fun day!

"A" is for Aidan

The focus of the past week in preschool has been the letter "A". The kids all learned about the difference between upper and lower case, and how to draw the letter itself.

Apparently, it made a big impression on Aidan and he now loves to tell everyone exactly how to draw both the upper and lower case "A".

Flashback Friday

1 Month Old

40 Months Old

Funny how some things just don't change!

Wordless Wednesday

Sick Day

What made two sad little ones with runny noses feel better when their Mommy kept them home from preschool yesterday?

Enjoying a picnic (or, "picilic" according to Ella and Aidan) lunch and watching the planes take off and land!

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Escape

This past weekend, for the first time ever, Mike and I escaped for a quick beach getaway - just the two of us.  

Although I have now been told that I am terrible at being away from my little loves, we both managed to relax and unwind for a little while. Naps poolside, long walks on the beach, dinners by the water, and simply not having to be any place at any certain time were so foreign to us, yet so deeply enjoyed.

My parents are amazing - and had such fun with Ella and Aidan. They came bearing fun new presents and spent the weekend enjoying fun lunches out at their favorite Mexican and German restaurants, taking long walks and tricycle rides, and playing in the park.

I don't know how in the world to thank Opa and Grandma Shushi - there simply are not words. 

There is something so comforting in leaving your little ones with grandparents who absolutely, wholeheartedly adore the kids. They did not plop them in front of the television as a babysitter (which I despise!) - they treasured every precious moment and were active participants in simply having FUN with Ella and Aidan and delighting in the amazing little people that they are all too quickly becoming.