Weekly Update

Life has been a little hectic, but good. It was not the greatest weather out last weekend so we didn't do a whole lot. It was a little disappointing since we were supposed to Trick-or-Treat at the zoo, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise as we were able to get a ton of things done around the house (small, annoying things I had been avoiding...)

Today's post is really just a mish-mash of things from last week.

Maddi in a cute outfit courtesy of Nonna Barbara and Papo

Part 3 of Owen's Science Mini-camp

Maddi and her best friend at school, Noemi (born 7 days after Maddi)

For Saturday's date night, Brett and I did a craft. (Can you tell who's week it was to pick?) We made a cheesecloth ghost. Super easy, fast and fun. Unfortunately I deleted the link to the instructions, but I'm sure you can Google the craft and find a ton of instructions out there.

Our supplies

Here is the mold. Originally I had crafting wire out, but Brett had the good idea of using a wire hanger. He's so smart.

Laying out the cheesecloth

Spraying the starch

The finished product (not too bad!)

Speaking of homemade, we received some goodies in the mail from my favorite crafty Aunt Lu and her husband Ed. They always send the best packages! Here is what was inside:

A bunny for Maddi

A cute hat and some booties for Maddi

Even Owen wanted to try on the hat too!

And some adorable bibs

(sorry these pictures are vertical, sometimes it just works out that way on blogger and I have no idea how to fix)

They also sent Owen some pop rocks and a dinosaur keychain that lights up and roars. A hit for sure.

Thanks guys!

I also wanted to post a picture of a homemade blanket we received from Bonnie Wrobel (our friend Jeff's mom.) Her mom made it for Maddi and it's just beautiful. Love handmade gifts!
The next post will be a big one since we are off to Toledo this weekend to celebrate Owen's birthday and Halloween!

Good Big Brother

We had a low-key weekend which was SO needed. Nothing eventful enough to even take pictures of. Probably best since little Maddi has come down with a whopper of a cold.

There was some time for sibling love though. Owen fed Maddi a bottle for the first time on his own. He thought it was great. So did she. Ok, so did we.

Owen added spiders to our fence that he helped our landlord, Merle, decorate.

Maddi Tries Cereal!

Maddi tried cereal for the first time this past Wednesday:)
She especially enjoyed sitting in the big girl chair at the table and wearing a big girl bib.
The cereal, not so much.

Owen also enjoyed moving to the other side of the table for a new special seat!

This week Owen began a science mini-camp at school.
Day 1 they learned about vibrations. Cool! The lesson was about the sense of hearing.
Day 2 was the sense of taste. As you can imagine, Owen was not real into this one. He did taste the blue vinegar and that was pretty much the end of tasting anything.
He wore his cool science shirt that I found. Just like Daddy!
I think we've reached the end of taking cute pictures, and have moved into silly pictures or no pictures at all. Boo.

Welcome Back Summer!

Not only was it warm this weekend, it was down right hot!!!! Apple picking and 86 degrees don't usually go hand in hand but I'll take it.

On Sunday we went to Apple Holler in Wisconsin. So, the heat could have played a role, but overall it wasn't quite the day I had expected. This place was super crowded, expensive and there were about 10 apples for a1000 people. I realize they probably can't control the apple crop, but they should at least be upfront with people.

Nonetheless, we still had fun as a family and there were a lot of activities.

We started with a hayride around the orchard which of course Owen enjoyed immensely. The leaves were changing so it was really pretty against the bright blue sky.
Finally found some apples!
Most of the apples remaining were really low which was advantageous for Owen.

Picking his first appleApple Picking

Lots of room for a little boy to run!

Had to get this shot of Owen eating canned peaces at an apple orchard. Nice.
Maddi got in on the action too. (Don't worry, she doesn't have teeth yet.)Here are some highlights of the activity section:

Beehive (Owen was obsessed)

Golden Goat Bridge

GoatsTrain Ride x 2

Pony Ride (that we waited in line for 45 minutes to do)

Owen deciding he was done with picture taking and threw a fit. We left after this was taken. Pretty funny to me though.
Sunday night we went to visit Andy, Jill and Baby Lily. We hadn't seen them since Lily was 2 days old (she is now 4 weeks) so it was fun to hang out. It was also to celebrate Jill and Brett's birthdays on October 11! Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!

Owen had fun playing "hospital" on their couch. You had to sit under the pillows to get fixed. Quite the imagination.

Owen admiring baby Lily

Jill and Lily

Saturday was spent running errands and catching up on life but we relaxed and had fun as a family too.

Maddi playing on her quilt from Nonna Barbara

Daddy and Maddi playing

One of my favorite pics!Brett and the kiddos

Owen making Maddi laugh

Owen playing with sissy in the morning

Not sure what Penny was doing here. Maybe she was looking for food. Maybe she thought the frogs were food.

All in all a good weekend.