Praying Mantis invasion

We have found many praying mantis' while playing outdoors lately. Last week I did an insect playgroup so we captured one to observe. The kids have enjoyed watching this insect and I think they are learning a lot. Will is obsessed with it and has captured another one, he is taking care of them.

Los Rios Apple Farm

Last week we went Glen Oak (about 70 miles away), to an apple farm. Luckily I went with a friend of mine who grew up there so I didn't have to navigate. It is a very beautiful area. I always enjoyed going to visit the apple orchards where I grew up in MI so I was really excited to go check it out. As expected it was different than any apple orchard one would find in the Midwest. The little town was nestled up int the mountains with the apple trees growing on an incline. There were also raspberry bushes, which we ended up picking instead of apples. The kids ate A LOT of raspberries so it took a long time to fill up out container. The warehouse where the apples were stored smelled awesome, we picked up some apples and apple cider to bring home.

Celebration of Fall

My MOMS club had a little celebration to celebrate the start of Fall. We made pumpkins out of tissue roll and orange fabric, did some leave drawings and ate a bunch of great food. Also, our local librarian came and did a story time in the park, which all the kids loved! BTW, If you notice Lily is wearing an outfit with candy corn on it. When we saw it in the store she said she had to have it because it was the candy that Grandpa used to give her and she really misses him...guess she has already figured out how to get what she wants with me!

Brother and Sister

I took these cute pictures of Lily and Benjamin together while at ChuckECheese. We don't really like taking the kids her because it is so overwhelming but it was our friends last day here and we wanted to spend time with them. I think its funny that is always looks like Lily is strangling Benjamin, I think in reality she is just hugging him, really tight!

Washing in the sink

Benjamin has figured out how to climb up onto the bathroom counter. The other day I caught both kids "washing" in the bathroom sink. I am impressed Benjamin can turn the sink on, but also need to be careful because he doesn't realize the difference between the hot and cold handles.

Playing Dress-up

Both Benjamin and Lily are now getting into playing dress-up. We only have a few "costumes" for them to play with but they really enjoy putting everything on and pretending they are someone else. I think Benjamin makes a very cute astronaut...look out NASA here he comes!

Park Play

Benjamin is almost 18 months and is getting more sure of himself everyday. He is really moving around all of the "big" playground equipment, which gives me heart failure but he is enjoying it. Another problem is Lily is always using him to test things and I am afraid she is going to push him off the play structure to see if he can fly...I know I always tested things like this on my little sis (sorry Lisa!!!)