A Pony Tail ?

Really?

Getting the Christmas Tree

We went out to the local tree farm on this snowy day to get our Christmas tree. As usual, we found just the right one. With the dusting of snow that we got this morning, it was a nice wintry scene. Avery even got in the first sledding of the year.

F-L-O-R-I-D-A S-T-A-T-E

Go Seminoles!

Happy Thanksgiving

These pictures weren't from Thanksgiving, but we did get our first snow of the year last week, and Avery didn't waste any time getting outside to enjoy it.

Halloween

 

Avery Mouse and Pumpkin Paige!

Windy Sunday

We are all spending a windy Sunday at home.  I'm busy worrying about the potential for more tree branches to end up strewn about they yard (there is a big one sitting in the middle of the driveway), waiting for football to start.  Jen is busy making baby food for Paige.  Avery is attempting to see if he can possibly take out all of his toys.  And Paige is just being Paige. 

Jumpin'

Yup.

Daddy Daycare

I'm home with the kids today, and I have to say, it's going pretty smoothly so far.  Avery has taken quite well to being a big brother, and that's a huge help.  Hope things are going OK for everyone.  -JGR

Happy Birthday Dad

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you.  -Jason

Avery-isms

We went to the Common Ground Fair last weekend and met Pepe and Meme there.  We had a really great day!  We'll post pictures soon, if our home computer cooperates (it died for a bit last weekend).  I don't have photos to post this morning... but wanted to share a few Avery-isms that have made us laugh recently.

This morning...
Avery has been very interested in clocks and telling time lately.
A: Ma, its 5 - 5 - 3 (reading the numbers, individually)
Me: Yes, its 5:53 (saying the time)
A: No, its 5 - 5 - 3 (again reading the numbers, individually)
Me: Yes, its 5:53 (saying the time again)
A: You're not spelling it right, Ma

Last night:
A: Where's Gram Fiddles?  (after we tried to call her and couldn't reach her)
Me: She's at school
A: Big people don't go to school

Last night:
While Jason was cleaning the kitchen and I was feeding Paige, Avery was very, very quiet.  This generally means he's doing something he should not be.  When we went to find him, he was quietly sitting cross legged on the couch with a paperback book that illustrates signs for every letter.  While he can't read what the signs mean, he was practicing them... and doing a really good job!  What three year old cops a squat and teaches himself sign language?

Also last night:
Avery has recently been more interested in the phone.  He likes to dial when we call the Gram's and recently answered the phone while I was away (with dad's supervision).  Last night the phone rang three times and we adults were simply too exhausted to answer.  Finally, Avery went running for the phone.  When he had finally retrieved it and brought it to us, it had stopped ringing.  Quite complexed he held it up to us and innocently asked, what numbers do I dial?

Paige is also a complete riot these days!!  She's a complete joy beyond mere words can describe.  She is absolutely in love with her dad!  Whenever he's in the room, she squeals at the top of her lungs.  Last night while talking to Gram Fiddles on the phone, she was happily screaming so loudly, and so consistently, it was impossible to chat.  Also impossible, because we couldn't stop laughing at her.  She's a daddy's girl for sure!

Have I said recently how happy I am to be a mom?

Lamoine State Park Camping

We went on what will likely be our last camping trip of the year this past week/weekend. We chose to revisit Lamoine State Park, which turned out to be a great choice. Aside from four or five prime ocean-side sites, we had our pick of campsites. While it was cold on Thursday night, it wasn't anything that some bundling up, a little extra time next to the campfire and zipping up the sleeping bags at bedtime didn't fix.

The park is great, with lots to do for Avery, including a great playground, lots of rocky shoreline to explore and plenty of wild apples to throw into the ocean. And let's not forget the food--one of the best parts of camping. Avery can be seen below eating a breakfast on the front step of the camper consisting of staple camping treats, Pop Tarts and Apple Jacks.

We went for a hike in Acadia on Friday. We climbed Day Mountain, and threw in some lengthy intended and unintended detours, which include a not-for-the-feint-of-heart bushwack along the base of some cliffs to see some caves. Then a shortcut that ended up putting us back at the bottom of the mountain again so that we had to start all over. Below you can see Avery the weary hiker during that hike and two other weary hikers at the summit.

My own favorite part of the weekend was hanging out with Avery climbing rocks and cliffs along the shoreline at high tide to find pockets of wild apples dropped by the trees overhanging the shore. We took turns tossing them down into the ocean before scrambling some more rocks in search of more apples. We also took a trip over to nearby Lamoine beach for some sand-digging.

Deja Vu

Avery June 2005

Paige September 2008

Grandparents

We visited the grandparents this past Sunday since it was Grandparents Day.  While at Gram Richard's, Paige took a nap under a blueberry bush while Jen picked berries.  We had some nice visits on a lovely sunny day.

Portland Seadogs Game

On Sunday we went to a Portland Seadogs game.  It was a sunny, warm and breezy day--a great day to see a game.  It was a company outing, so we enjoyed the game from the picnic area in right field.  Avery was given a signed ball before the game, saw Slugger and gave him a high five and a hug, and since it was fan appreciation day, got to shake hands with a player that walked through our section thanking fans.  Oddly enough, it was also the day that employees of Otis Credit Union had their company outing, so we ran into a bunch of people that we knew from our hometown.

  

Roll Over

A few days ago... up on her side, but not quite over.

This afternoon...definitely over. 5 months 3 days old, completely rolled over. (FYI-Her head is not smooshed in the pillow, as the photo might indicate)

If she looks a little more "padded" than usual, its because I am cloth diapering at home. I tried with Avery but just couldn't get the hang of it. I am really enjoying it now. We still use disposables for daycare and occaisional use. Yup, this working mother is breastfeeding, making homemade baby food and cloth diapering!

Folk Festival Part II

We attended the Folk Festival on Friday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Amy and Isabelle joined us on Sunday. Avery and Isabelle enjoyed the children's area where they participated in various activities and crafts. It was really sweet to see Avery start dancing and grab Isabelle's hands. Paige loved the music too and started kicking her feet and bobbing up and down whenever a song started. We all enjoyed yummy treats too. I especially appreciated the free organic samples of graham crackers, 100% juice, chocolate milk and yogurt. Healthy treats for the little ones! By the end of the afternoon, Avery and Isabelle were happiest in the green grass along the river bank so we headed home to let them play on the swingset. Thanks for taking photos Amy!

Folk Festival

This weekend is the American Folk Festival here in Bangor. We all went last night, enjoyed and participated in the parade, which was led by a steel drum group called CASYM. The we watched a great performance by Genticorum, a talented Québécois group. It's a great event for our area and it's nice to run into people that we know. We plan to go back tonight to enjoy some more music after it cools down a bit.

Home Day

Avery is writing his name by himself! That's a big A, an upside down V, an E, an R (the only letter I helped him with) and Y that looks a little more like a T. Not bad - he's not even 3-1/2 yet! I'm quite proud, as you can tell. He completely amazes me. His drawings are really starting to resemble objects now.

Today was a home day for the kids and I. Since returning to work, I have only taken 3 days off... that's good for our finances but not so good for spending time with the kids. I'm going to try harder to work a 4-day week.

This morning, we set out for the library. The goal was to get the daily free tickets to the Children's Museum. Thankfully, I had not shared this with Avery. We were not early enough to get the tickets to the museum. I had taken some cash with me, just in case this happened, so we could go to the museum anyway. I didn't need the money... the library was having a free Teddy Bear Picnic and Avery had a bear in tow!! We sat outside (it was absolutely beautiful weather) in the children's amphitheater, listened to several bear stories, had a snack of apple juice and teddy grahams, played parachute with new friends and their bears, walked in a parade through the library and made bear crafts. We even saw a familiar face, as our neighbor is a librarian in the children's section. It was a really nice morning.

We'll try to get new pictures up soon! Both kids are napping at the same time... need to try to clean up my house before hubster arrives home...

My New Toy

Finally, after months of hemming and hawing, I bought the new chainsaw that I have been looking at.  I used my father's old Stihl 028 last fall when my Mom and I took a couple of cords out of the woodlot.  Despite being 25+ years old, it still runs extremely well.  It's had trouble with the starter recoil a few times in the past, and it broke again.  I know it needs a new sprocket, which will require an overhaul of the whole sprocket assembly since the old style sprocket isn't available any more.  Also, it was made before chainsaws were equipped with chain brakes, which makes it a bit scary to operate.  In short, it was time for the old 028 to be retired.

The new chainsaw is a Stihl MS 270.  I plan to head down to Livermore tomorrow to finish cutting and splitting the wood we cut down last fall.  It will be nice to have a reliable and safer saw to use.  The reality is that it's a good investment, costing the same as 100 gallons of heating oil.

A Post for the Canadians

Canadian Jenn sent this beautiful outfit for Paige. Note the lace cuffs on the leggings. I had dressed Paige and Avery came into her room and just said "aaawww". (And the lovely quilt was made by my Gram)

Family Weekend

This weekend was spent with family. Saturday we spent the day celebrating Isabelle's 5th birthday poolside. Sunday we spent the afternoon enjoying lobsters and corn on the cob during Byran's weekend home.

Our Happy Kids

Paige gains more control of her hands every day. She's reaching for objects and holding them now. We play a lot of "pick up" with her.

Avery spent the day in his pajamas today. He helped his dad edge the driveway this morning. He also enjoyed climbing in a tree in our front yard.

Our Little Artist

Avery enjoyed "painting" butterfly cookies for Gram Fiddle's birthday. The recipe was from my Sesame Street Library books making it even more exciting for him!

The first drawing is a box truck. Do you see the orange sun above it? Its a lovely circle with rays!! The second picture is of the letter A and H. And the last picture... train tracks of course! He drew about eight different colored tracks on this drawing. Do you know why there are so many, he asked. The answer he had... because there are so many branch lines. Yeah, we read lots of Thomas the Train! His drawings are really starting to resemble objects.