Paynes Prairie

We are going camping - I want to see some Alligators!Yeah, I started to come down with a cold the morning we leftour little campsite in the woods
Kelsea thought it would be fun to run instead of riding back in the trailer. I thought so too, then after about ten steps remembered I had a cold and wanted to be carried.

snuggling with Daddy 'round the campfire

out early the next morning to watch the fog clear off the prairie
hiking - Daddy is super excited about Bison.

lots of alligators

Luke's Lizard

This is Luke's beloved lizard. He found it one morning, hiding in a nook in his kitchen and managed to catch it himself. It was the first lizard he ever caught unassisted. He was so proud, so happy, so in love! He was carrying it around, hugging it, kissing it, telling his new friend about all the fun times they would have, eating together, sleeping together, taking baths together, going to the playground and down slides...
Then the lizard bit him. "Lizard Bite ME!!! Out, Out OUT!" The lizard was promptly released outdoors by Luke. Momma kissed the finger.

Kelsea!

Luke said "Kelsea" for the first time today!

facepaint

juice

We're getting ready to juice with Daddy -this is a Kohlrabi from the garden It isn't going in the juice, but this is: Home grown Beets, Kale, Parsley, Carrots from the farm and one big green apple. We like to snack on the pulp that comes out while we are waiting on the juice

first dream (that you could tell us about)

Late last night Luke crawled into our bed and in the wee hours of the morning he started talking in his sleep "chick, in! "chicken, in!", something that we've never heard him do before. When he woke up in the morning we asked if he had been dreaming and for the first time he said "Yes!".
Momma: Luke, what were you dreaming about?
Luke: Chickens! Out. Eat. In. Two Eggs!

wish list

Note from Mom and Dad on Christmas:

This is for those of you who have asked what (we want for) the kids for Christmas so here goes:
Please help us in raising children who know what this holiday is really about. Help us to balance the wants with the needs and present them with what will help them to grow in a way we would want them to go. Let’s bring in toys that are responsible – even in this small way our monies will shape their future, both in where the money goes and what it brings home to them.

Ideas:

• Cotton clothes, practical for playing in, Luke in sizes 2T and up and Kelsea in size 5T. Old Navy and Target’s Cherokee brand seems to fit the best right now, as they are both on the slender side.
• Books appropriate for ages 4-8 or Magazines like “Highlights High Five”, “My Big Backyard” I’ll update the Amazon Wishlist that can be found under “Kelsea Adams”
• Memberships to places we can take them to visit year round, like Selby Gardens, Mote Marine, Children’s Garden or an Annual State Park Pass.
• Waldorf or Montessori style toys – toys that are real things (musical instruments, gardening tools, art supplies) or that encourage creative play (play food or dishes, dress up).
• Stocking ideas: Lara bars, Aura Cacia or California Baby soaps, boiron care kits, toothbrushes, poufs/washcloths.
• Kelsea is very into bird watching right now, particularly blue jays and would enjoy binoculars and a squirrel proof birdfeeder. She also enjoys playing dress up and role playing, so play silks and outfits of different professions would be wonderful. Also along this line would be a cash register and more dishes (preferable from Green Toys) for her restaurant and tea party play. Another favorite is her “school” activities, craft or science projects she can work on her own.
• Luke would love an indoor trampoline (like these) additions to the kitchen like dishes and cookware, almost any sort of sports equipment or tiny outdoor gear (headlamp, fishing pole). He also enjoys playing with Schleich animal figurines, particularly if they are animals that he knows the sounds for.

These websites are great for ideas: http://oompa.com/, http://www.willowtreetoys.com/, and http://www.threesisterstoys.com/. Locally Toy Lab and Learning Express carry these types of toys.

Halloween

Roar!!!

Luke (who we never thought would decide to wear this) happily donned costume at the last minute and gave us his very dragon impressions.

Conlan's Birthday

The pictures don't quite do it glory - it was POURING rain and the boys were having a blast splashing around in this puddle.

Kelsea Candids

Kelsea loves to play with the camera and I am her favorite subject!