crime scene

Once a week, I get to watch the youngest two kids of one of my good friends. I look forward to it every week. Usually our mornings are filled with play dough and snacks. Often a good fight with countless shouts of "Mine! NO MINE!" is involved. There is imaginative play, dance parties, book reading and dress ups. Laughter, tears and every emotion inbetween, which is expected when two two-year-old girls play together, right? 

But today was the best yet. After the aforementioned snacks, play dough and fighting, I rolled out my trusty IKEA paper and traced the outline of the girls' bodies for them to color. I imagined they would be interested for about three minutes and then wander off to another activity. I'm happy to report I was wrong. 

Both girls took their job of coloring their self portraits very seriously. Kate spent a long time coloring her toenails, fingernails and eye "browns". And Abby was meticulous down to (telling me how to color) the tiara-turned-necklace, beloved (giant) pumpkin rink and solo-jeweled shoes (the jewel on one shoe was tragically lost). They were so proud of their final creations. 

My house usually looks like a crime scene after these girls play together, and often it sounds like one. But today, the only evidence were two petite body outlines. And that is a line too cute to not cross. 

A day on the (red barn pumpkin) farm

Year two at the Red Barn Pumpkin Farm was a little chillier and winder than our first, but it still didn't disappoint. Plenty of fun in the corn crib, tossing bean bags, riding tractors (Kate was almost tall enough this year!), running through the hay maze and corn path and seeing how much our girls have grown in the last year! They didn't have any of our favorite local popping corn this time, but we took plenty home in our shoes. Until next year! 

Stone's Apple Orchard

We spent the most glorious autumn afternoon at a local apple orchard. We picked 20+ pounds of fresh, crisp apples. We wandered aimlessly through the tidy rows of trees (nestled next to the tidy rows of corn, of course). We sat on hay while riding a tractor (a green one). We admired the farm animals (Kate from a distance, Leah up close and personal). We basked in the radiant October sunlight (have I mentioned how much I love October?). 

And we will be going back next year (a little earlier in the season so we can snag some Honeycrisp).

And now for an abundance of pictures. After that, I'm off to make applesauce, apple juice, apple crisp and apple chips. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me. 

Star Student

Each week, a student in Leah's class is designated as the "Star Student" and everyone gets to learn about him/her throughout the week. This week was Leah's turn. We made her a poster all about her favorite things, how she spends her time and just some Leah facts (has your 7 year old been to more than half of the 50 states?!). My favorite was that we created the poster saying she had lost 6 teeth...and she lost one 10 minutes before the bus came as we were brushing her teeth Monday morning, so we had to quickly change the poster. She thought it was hilarious! 

The star student also gets to bring home a special book bag full of Little Critter books...and Litter Critter himself. We were able to take pictures of Little Critter helping Leah do all the things she does in a normal week: reading at bedtime, eating, sleeping, swinging, dancing and climbing on the ginormous tree the landlords cut down in our backyard. Doesn't everyone use a giant, dead tree as a play structure? 

Her class had a Q&A and asked her lots of questions, which she was more than happy to answer. It was a great week for Leah, who definitely doesn't shy away from being the center of attention. Love that girl. 

33

It's not a newsflash that I love my birthday. I mean, anyone who has spent any time with me in the last 33 years knows I love my birthday. I love all birthdays and I love celebrating them! And my birthday was perfect from beginning to end because of wonderful people the world over who took time out of their days to celebrate it with me. From friend dinners to Facebook, texts to treats, flowers to Facetime, candles to cards, (perfect) weather to well-wishes, lunch dates to long distance phone calls, mail to meals (cooked by my main man), it was wonderful. Thank you for making 33 magical from the beginning. 

National Homemade Cookie Day

Today was National Homemade Cookie Day. 

Now before you get all crazy on me wondering how in the world I know about these little-known, all-too-specific holidays, hear me out. 

About five years ago, when we were living in California, I had the pleasure of knowing a wonderful woman named Michelle. Michelle is someone I truly wish everyone in the world could know. Or at least meet. She is happy, and kind, and smart, and funny, and giving, and fun. She knows when to be serious and when to joke around. She has spunk and style. And she makes you feel like YOU are just as incredible as she really is. Well, every October 1, Michelle would bake up lots and lots of cookies and open her home to family, friends and neighbors to celebrate National Homemade Cookie Day (which, by the way, is a real thing!). 

After I moved from California, I always forgot about it until the day of, and then remembered Michelle, and California, and all of my friends there, fondly. I move around so much and get to meet so many wonderful new people, I might as well bring the best of what I have experienced along with me, right? 

So this year, I decided I would channel my inner Michelle, bake up (not quite as big of) a storm and invite some friends over to celebrate. 

So, 224 cookies and roughly 35 people later, Michelle now has a fans in Iowa. I chose six different recipes (from six different family members/friends). I had everyone vote for their favorite (it was a tie between peanut butter and chocolate chip). And at the end of the day, I texted with Michelle. We exchanged recipes and talked shop for next year...because this will definitely be an annual event. 

And poor Kate. She was so patient, not eating any of the cookies until people started to arrive. But once she started, she didn't stop. I'm not stretching the truth at all when I say she had cookies for lunch. Probably 11 of them. And that is it. Except for the batter from the beaters. She ate that too. 

September in an instant

As I was compiling this collage, I had an overwhelming feeling of happiness and contentment. This isn't to say the entire month of September was nothing but sunshine, but I just feel grateful. I look at these pictures and I know it's these small moments that will continue to make me smile as the years pass by. It's the things my girls are learning, the experiences we are enjoying together, and the family and friends involved. 

Plus, it's FALL and I am certainly going to enjoy it while it's here. 

The days have felt hectic, but in a more organized sort of way. Leah is in a routine and we've had multiple "good days" at school after a rocky start. Kate, though intense, is truly a joy to be with each day. Ryan works hard all day and comes home to work hard for his girls at night. 

The days are messy, hectic, long and loud and I'm so lucky for the reasons they are. 

Starved Rock

Ah, camping. We had it on our bucket list all summer, but after being in Utah for nearly a month and then Ryan traveling for most of the second half, it obviously didn't happen. 

So, we marked our calendars to go with some friends the night of September 5th...and then had a conflict. Thank goodness, because the night of September 5th just happened to include a torrential rainstorm. Seriously epic. And the night of September 26th, when we finally ended up going, did not. 

In fact, September 26th was one of those glorious yes-we-know-it's-fall-but-here's-one-last-awesome-glimpse-of-summer kind of nights. 

We chose Starved Rock State Park in Illinois and had a great time with the Johansen family. If you ever want to go camping with people who will be prepared for anything, this family is your guy. Plus, they're fun to boot. So, win-win. 

We roasted hot dogs for dinner and s'mores (with nutella instead of chocolate) for dessert. Our brand new dutch oven was inaugurated with some seriously delicious peach cobbler for a late night snack. Kate was entertained by the flashlight and glowsticks until it was time for bed. Both girls went to bed peacefully, willingly and quickly (which was a complete 180 for Kate from last year) and we all slept soundly through the night. Really, we did!

We woke in the morning, played a bit on the camp playground, ate french toast and breakfast casserole, packed up and went on a beautiful hike. 

The hike was supposed to be to a waterfall, but since there was no water falling, it was just a hike through a beautiful canyon right along the shore of the Illinois River. I rocked the backpack while Kate only whined a little, and Ryan and Leah walked tandem for 3 of the 4 miles (and Leah on his shoulders/in his arms for the other mile). Leah seriously killed it on this hike. And my quads were killing after climbing all those stairs with Kate riding on my back.

We finished off the day with a picnic lunch on the beach of the river, basking in the sunshine and enjoying our company. 

It really was a picture perfect weekend. So much so, that we determined right then and there we would come back next year for two nights. Here's to hoping that no matter what day we choose, we get September 26th kind of weather.