Leaf into fall

Nothing beats a jump in the leaves!

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Walking down a dusty path…

We took advantage of one of the last nice weekends of the year with a trip to Augusta. We usually take a drive out west each year to go leaf peaking. We headed out a little later this year so there weren’t as many pretty leaves but it was still a nice drive.

We decided to take a walk down the Katy Trail. Totally spontaneous, as you can see by Emily’s apparel. I think we made it about a mile or a mile and a half before she started to get tired. We decided that we needed to turn around otherwise we would have had to figure out a way to drag her behind the stroller because Stephen and I both said there was no way we were going to carry her!

Nothing better to top off a great day than a trip to the ice cream stand!

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Date Night

Stephen and I were able to sneak in a date night recently. It was short but tons of fun! We took the kids over to Grandma’s before dinnertime. Of course we had to get a picture taken per Emily’s request. Zachary was too busy playing to be bothered for many of the pictures. We clean up nicely, no?

Stephen and I ended up going out for a yummy dinner and bowling. I haven’t been bowling since college. It was so much fun! But imagine how it looked to other people. I was in a nice top and skirt. To top off my ensemble, I had knee highs rolled down to my ankle. Can you say “sexy”?

After a stop at Starbucks, we picked up two sleepy munchkins. What a great night!

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Thankful Tree

“Tis the season to be thankful…… These are a few of the things a 4 year old might be thankful for.

Sibling love

Doesn’t get much better than this

10 month mark sneaks up

It’s amazing how time gets away from you. In just a blink of an eye, Zachary turned 10 months old. Next I know, I will turn around and he’ll be one. I am not ready for that. Not ready for my little guy to grow up.

Month 10. Zachary spent this month attending a two birthday parties, Halloween festivities and playing outside in the gorgeous Indian summer that we had. He celebrated the birthdays of his cousin Chloe and his wonderful big sister’s fourth birthday. There were too many Halloween festivities too count. Although, Zachary didn’t know what all the fuss was about and took it all in stride. He didn’t even mind the costume.

We have tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible before we are stuck in the house. Walks have been a favorite around here. Also playing in our yard. There is so much to explore, so many leaves to eat. Zachary has no fear at times. He has no qualms about climbing up the front step to the door when he is ready to go in and crawling down the driveway is fun for him as well. He must have knees of steel because I know that would hurt me! He also got to experience a walk down the Katy Trail in Augusta. He wasn’t too impressed.

Zachary weighs around 21.4 pounds. Not an accurate weight but something to go by. I had him weighed when he went in for his follow-up flu shot. I have no idea how tall he is though. I would imagine close to 30 inches. He is quickly growing out of 12 month one piece outfits. If they have feet on them, forget it, they have to be 18 months. He’s long and lean. 12 month pants fall off of his tooshy though but a great in the length. There was no buying ahead of clothes this year.

Zachary is an adventurer. He loves exploring every thing in the house. His favorite spots include Emily’s room, the trash can, the bathroom and the fireplace. He would splash in the toilet all day long if I left the lid up. Zachary is definitely into most everything Emily wasn’t so I am learning new things that need to be Zach-proofed daily.

His best friend is still his sister. He lights up when she plays with him and she does a great job at entertaining him. He comes alive when Stephen gets off of work and heads straight for him when he walks in. Wish I got that kind of greeting! Wait, he’s always with me so that doesn’t work. Zachary has also been working on his third tooth. And it’s been a nightmare! He’s been super clingy and fussy. Time change hasn’t helped either. I know he will be back to his cheerful self in no time. Hopefully.

10 months…..Better start contemplating a party soon….

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Recycle City

Our playgroup is awesome. Not only are the moms great but there are always fun activities going on. This past week we took a trip to Recycle City to learn about recycling and trash. It was super fun and the kids had a great time.

When we first arrived, the kids got to watch the trash trucks dump their loads and listened to our guide explain how they sort out the recycle bags. It was pretty gross watching all the stuff come out of the back of the trucks. Surprisingly, it didn’t stink all that bad in the room we were in which overlooked the dumping area. Many of the kids were having fun playing “eye spy” with the trash. We saw pumpkins and more. They also played a video about recycling. Honestly, can’t tell you much about it other than it featured dinosaurs. Must have been memorable, huh?

We then headed out to put sort the recycling that we brought into the correct containers. We then walked over to the huge scale where they weigh loads that people come to drop off. The entire group climbed up on the scale and got weight. 2200 pounds!!!! I blame the excess on the pregnant moms in our group!

It was a super fun time and Emily really enjoyed herself. Zachary, well, he was happy to be out of the house. Thanks playgroup moms for a fun and educational trip!

Watching the trucks deliver the trash

Not super impressed

“Healthier” Banana Muffins

I have apples galore and what does Emily want to make?

Banana bread!

I had a really good recipe for a low-fat muffin but I couldn’t find it so I searched the internet for something a little healthier than your normal muffins. I am across one on allrecipes.com and tweaked it a bit. I think they turned out pretty well. Zachary ate almost a whole one with his lunch this afternoon so they can’t be too bad.

Healthier Banana Muffins- my adaptations are in parenthesis

1/2 cup white flour (Original recipe called for 1 cup white flour)
1/2 cup wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup mashed bananas (I used 2 bananas)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup applesauce
1 egg (I used 2 egg whites)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp nutmeg (my addition)
1/8 tsp cinnamon (my addition)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease muffin cups or use liners.

Mix all dry ingredients, except sugar.

In a separate bowl, beat banana, sugar, egg white and vanilla. Stir in applesauce.

Combine dry ingredients and banana mixture until combined.

Scoop into prepared muffin cups.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

We also added some craisins to the tops of half of them for added goodness.

Each muffin, without craisins, is approximately 75 calories. Not too shabby if you ask me!

Enjoy!

Emily’s birthday- Party #2

Emily thought she had hit the jackpot this year because she got to have TWO parties! Two cakes, two songs, two present opening fun. What more could a girl want? After having fun at the Kiddie Parade, we headed back to my sister’s for cupcakes and fun.

Thanks to my family for having us and helping us celebrate Emily turning 4!

Movie Star!

Emily received a movie star kit for her birthday. She is in LOVE! It came with a necklace, bracelet, earrings, silver stickers, eye shadow and lipstick. She has got some real skill in applying make up.