La Kermese Parade '13

This past weekend was the La Kermese festival. While we didn't partake in the festival, we did go to the parade with friends again this year. The kids love a parade and they also love getting toys from the vendor afterwards. Funny thing is, they got the same exact toys as last year :)

 An orange lollipop? Yes, please!

 She just loves a reason to wave her flag!

 Seriously, how cute is she?! :)

A Busy Weekend in the Kitchen!

This past weekend we were very busy in the kitchen. It's rhubarb and strawberry season here and we had lots of favorites to make and some new recipes to try. We went to a friend's farm and grabbed some rhubarb from her and Caroline "borrowed' a fresh egg and headed home to cook. We made Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake, Strawberry Rhubarb Italian Sodas, Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, Strawberry Chipotle Jam, and I whipped up some Lobster Roll appetizers. Yup, you can find all of these on the blog now or very soon!
So, we had our little helper in the kitchen, where she loves to be. Daddy also got in on the action with all of the canning! We had some visitors in the shed so he had to stop working on it!

 Last week there were eggs, now there are at least 3 tiny mouths!

 Letting the lobster stop and smell the flower before...

 Helping Daddy make Strawberry Rhubarb Jam just like he 

used to with his Grammie

 Snow White hard at work!

I was worried having only one grape tomato plant wouldn't be enough this year,

this thing has grown massive and has a ton of flowers. Come on, bring on the tomatoes! 

Random Photo Catch Up!

The past few weeks have been very busy. I know I say that often, but with normal day to day things going on, appointments for the new baby, summer time fun, house work, weddings, etc. it's been a little chaotic! So, I thought I'd start with a random photo post and work my way through what we've been up to. Hopefully, getting them all out of the way and by Friday being back on track!

 Using her new scissors at home &

showing Mommy just how well she does. 

Kiddo can cut for an hour without blinking :)

 Her happiest spot, holding a baby. 

She got to see two newborns over Father's Day weekend!

Here she is with Adam, Connor's baby brother. 

 Helping Daddy with the pool on Fathers Day

 Her new favorite sandwich, French Toast sandwich sticks!

 Lunch with my buddy :)

It's rough being a Diva :)

A New Addition...

There is no hiding it any longer! We are expecting our second child the end of Nov. (give or take a month since it's me!) Now, if you want to learn more details watch the video as Caroline will share them with you :)

Sunday Evening

Yesterday was a lovely day spent at home. No errands, no pressing projects, just getting some things done around the house while enjoying the day. Even though Alan spent most of the day working on the shed, even he enjoyed the laid back pace of the day. Caroline and I spent a lot of time on the deck, she playing with her water table and me doing a little of this and that. At one point, just before dinner I decided to take my camera out and shoot something other than food! Then, I realized I still was, my flowers were chives if you want to be particular, so I turned directions and took photos of my little peanut, whom flowers can not compare :) We ended the day with grilled pizza and ice cream cones and closed another good weekend.

Friday photos

Here are some random photos from the past week and a half. I got kind of busy and with all of the other posts these just got put in a folder on my computer. I went through some that I thought were cute and figured I'd share :)

 After nap I often find Caroline in her playroom reading to her friends

 Using a drum as a pillow?

 We took advantage of a rainy day and went to the Bounce Zone with friends

 I found her like this one morning, 

she had just woken up and already dressed up and working! 

Hmmmm

 My big girl!

 This picture is almost identical of one of me when I was her age,

she is definitely my daughter!

 Finally some nice weather to get out and play, 

but it didn't last long!

 Hitting a few art galleries on a Friday evening

 90 degree weather calls for some pool fun!

This is her drawing of Nanny

It really looks like a person! We were impressed!

and below, we've been big on dancing, she stopped doing her leg kicks etc ala ballroom but it was still cute!

Pre-school Trial Run

Caroline had her first day of pre-school, sort of, today. This was a big deal since she has never gone to any type of daycare setting where there are no parents or grandparents and lots of kids etc. Even at gymnastics or at swimming there wasn't that much interaction and we were there.

She was very excited and woke up bright and early, which was good since normally her wake up time is after the school starts at 8:30am! We got dressed, snapped a few pictures, and were on our way. I gave her a little pep talk about what to expect, asking teachers if she needed anything, etc. and we arrived. We walked in and Caroline went straight for the toys she knew from our walk through session last week with Daddy. While she played I chatted with the teachers and she was introduced to her "buddy." She gave me a quick wave when I said, "Good bye" and that was that. I waited a few minutes in the parking lot, I'm not going to lie. I had the phone volume on high and was ready if I was needed. I wasn't though. I came back 3 hours later and peeked in the window and there she was, at the table with the other kids, playing Play-doh. She fit right in. The teacher said academically she had no concerns, Caroline already knows her colors, numbers, and alphabet and, knew answers and asked appropriate questions.  I told her I was a little concerned with the social aspect of the kids, teachers, and leaving me. She said she wouldn't have known that Caroline had never been to daycare. She had no separation anxiety, followed directions, was considerate to other kids, waited in line and did really well. She said I did my job well. I was a proud Momma! So proud, when she handed me her Fathers Day card she made for Daddy and the activity she did, which involved using scissors for the very first time, I about cried!

We chatted on the way home, after I finally convinced her it was time to go, and she was hungry and tired. She couldn't wait to show Daddy her crafts and tell him about her day. Now, we just have to go the whole summer before we can go again :)

 Her very first time using scissors!

She told everyone there she shouldn't play with them and

told me as soon as I got there that they let her use them :)

We told her they were safe pre-school scissors :)

 Her Fathers Day card :)

 Enjoying a little R&R before nap time :)