Overheard this week...at the baseball game

So I know most of the parents on Leyton's baseball team, but not all of them know me. No big deal, I'm usually hanging out with the kids anyway. I was sitting in the bleachers this week with the rest of the kids and one of the moms was behind me (her son is in the boys' class at school). Anyway, she saw me sitting with the kids and of course asked if they were all mine. "Yes." And then the usual, "Oh, wow, you sure have your hands full." And then the response, "In a very good way." Then she asked me if I had four children. Hmm, I wondered why, then, I was there for the game - and every other game as well? I explained that I had five and that one was on the team. So, obviously she didn't really know who I was or anything. No big deal. Her husband is helping coach. I don't really know him either, but do know who he is, and actually feel a little uncomfortable around him for some reason. He sat down with his wife and was talking aloud. Glad I overheard this, but he said when Leyton went to bat, "Leyton, now that is a good kid. He's a really nice boy. He listens, he really wants to learn. He's just really a great kid." I totally didn't expect to hear that, but it sure made my day. I'm proud of all of my children and I love my family so much!

Walk On...

Anne's doing more every day. So fun to watch her. She can make it across a room if she wants (and truly, more importantly, if no one comes near her & throws off her balance!). She'll stand up first, and clap for herself, and then get going. I bought her some cute shoes today. I need to take her picture in them because they're just too cute. Hard to believe 15 months is coming up in a few days. What a character.

Life Keeps Going Even if...

I don't get a chance to blog about it. But, I'm trying to remember all the things so I can get them on here & not forget!

Newsflash: Steps have been taken!

Just updating...Anne did it. First steps - probably about 6-7 this morning. Fun, fun. I'm sure she won't quite adopt it as her normal mode of transport, but fun to see her do it!

Standing Proud

Miss Anne standing tall...just wanting to step, but not sure she should do it. I love when she stands and puts her hands up in the air.

Orchard Pictures

A Day at the Orchard

What a fun day! Saturday after Patrick was finished working, we decided to do something I'd been wanting to do since last year. We went to the Wagon Wheel Orchard and the kids picked apples. It is a nice little farm, which by address is in Gardner, but upon driving, I totally did not feel like I was in Gardner. Thought in my mind, "We're not in Kansas anymore" (ha, ha). Well, it wasn't THAT far away, but I had never been that far out before, that's for sure! Well worth it, though.

The orchard is owned and run by a family that lives there onsite. They have 550 varieties of apples! I didn't know there were that many! Some are for people to pick, and timing determines which varieties are ready for picking. Some are test varieties for the USDA also, so those never get picked. This weekend, we were able to pick Golden Delicious, Liberty, and Johnagold apples. Yummy.

The kids really had a great time. The hay rides weren't running that day, but we did see some chickens and goats and also got to feed the catfish in the pond. They had a nice campfire site there that Nathaniel and I enjoyed and talked about campfire songs and cowboys. Then we sat there and just enjoyed how quiet and peaceful it was out there. It was not a crowded place, so the kids could pretty much run free through the orchard. So much fun and VERY relaxing, actually. Just what we needed after a very hectic week. It led to Nathaniel telling me that we should move to a farm. Then that led to me telling stories about living on the farm including: the creek, the animals, taking out "the garbage" ("Yes, Nathaniel, that was one of our chores - no garbage disposal!), burning the trash ("Yes, we burned it. No, a trash truck didn't come to our house."), and of course - washing & drying dishes. It was great.

We brought home three nice bags of apples - all sizes of apples - some were very small & cute. They have all been eating them like crazy. They sure are good. Trivia: I really have never bought bad apples, but at the store, they can actually be up to a year old (they get stored in buildings with no oxygen)!

A few pics coming...

Thoughtful Nephew

Today I had the pleasure of watching my sweet niece Mya for the morning while Beth had a doctor appointment. It turns out Mya got to spend some extra time with us in the flow of the events of the day. What a sweet baby! Nathaniel had asked me to get some batteries for him for his Nerf gun. I told him that IF I went to the store, I would get some. When I picked him up from school, he asked about the batteries. I told him I didn't go to the store since I stayed home more of the day. His reply was very thoughtful. He said, "That's ok, Mom, because that's [meaning Aunt Beth going to the doctor] more important than playing."

Fun Weekend

So we'd really like it if every week could have a three-day weekend! It was so nice having the extra day. We didn't really have a lot of plans, but that's what made it even better. Friday night I worked. Saturday, we grilled and did some house work. Sunday we went to Mass and then I got a new car! Well, not really, but it looks like it! I spent about 4 hours cleaning my car - all the car seats came out and even got the actual seats of the car moved to clean under them. That hasn't been done in a LONG time! I cleaned leather, used lots of Armor All, and the kids actually vacuumed it. They each wanted a turn & I wouldn't turn that down! They did a great job. I even got my Little Green carpet cleaner out there & shampooed the carpet. We'll see how long it can stay clean. The Lees came over for a little visit & brought cupcakes - they were a hit! Thanks, guys! We ended the day with bike riding and visiting.

This morning, Anne & I were the first ones up so we went for a nice long walk this morning while everyone else slept in a bit. We spent a couple hours this afternoon with me shopping with the kids: a bit of clothes & each bought a small toy. Amazing how much time you can spend in one store with four kids trying to choose something. Tonight we went to dinner at Sweet Tomatoes and then had sort of a family game night. We played Trouble and the War card game.

Tonight Patrick is enoying seeing football back on TV and I'm trying to plan out the week we'll dive into in the morning. Back to the routine!