Just Hangin' Out

Just hangin' out, as Mom realized I had no more diapers on my dresser in the middle of getting me ready for bed, so she had to go and get some from the closet.  Seriously, clothes are overrated, don't ya think?



Martin Mission #2

Andrew has been working quite a bit lately, both at his full-time job at CHL Systems and also part-time in the real estate and general contracting business (Marban Homes) that he is starting.  He is currently working on a large project for Marban that is set to end over the next few weeks, so he has been very busy keeping everything in line with the project timeline and budget.  So, he's been out most nights and many weekend days and nights.

Yesterday, though, he decided that he was going to take the day off today and plan to only work at night.  So, we decided that with the weather forecast being very favorable, that we would do our 2nd Martin Mission.  This is where we decide together on a place that we will visit as a family and then tell the kids that we are going on a secret mission, not revealing the location until we have arrived.  So, when we told the boys, they were so excited.  Actually, first they were excited that we'd be going to the Lego store again - our first Martin Mission - but when we told them that we don't visit the same place each time, they were filled with a new anticipation of this mystery trip we were taking today.

So, at 10:30AM the Martins set out on Martin Mission #2.  Destination: Solebury Orchards for apple picking followed by a visit to the Peddler's Village Scarecrow Festival.  Shhh....don't tell the kids until we get there :). 

Andrew and I were actually really looking forward to this as well because we realized that Daddy has never come fruit picking with us before!  I have always brought the kids either on a school field trip, with a playgroup or by myself when Andrew has been busy doing work around the house, to get everyone out from underfoot.  So this made our decision to do this even more fun since everyone knows that Andrew is the most scrutinizing produce selector around.  We knew we'd come home with a bag of the best, reddest and biggest apples that Solebury had to offer :)

The drive to Solebury is about 45 minutes so the kids were getting antsy asking why we were going far away today.  But, as soon as we pulled in and they saw everyone carrying large bags and baskets of apples, Ben started smiling ear-to-ear and Nate started to tell us that he likes to eat apples.  They were excited!

The excitement continued when we found out that the variety of apples in season today - Honey Crisp - were quite a far walk so Solebury was mandating that everyone take a tractor ride to the trees.  How fun!!

Can you tell that Daddy and Abby are having a fun day out, waiting for our ride to arrive?

Here it comes!!

Here we are on our tractor ride to the Honey Crisp orchard!



Let the apple picking begin!  The boys had so much fun selecting perfect apples, using the ladder (with Andrew) to go up and get them, and also sitting on Daddy's shoulders to reach some perfect ones, too.

Of course we couldn't go the entire day and not let Abby pick an apple! :)

After picking 20 POUNDS of apples, some of them seriously the size of softballs, we had a picnic lunch together.  Then, on to the second portion of Martin Mission #2:  The Scarecrow Festival.  Really?  Why don't we just drive around Telford if we want to see some scarecrows out by people's gardens or as part of their fall decor?  Why go all the way to Peddler's Village to see that?  Well, I never thought this festival would be too exciting either.  I much preferred to save my Peddler's Village trips for the Strawberry Festival or the Apple Festival.

Well, was I wrong!  I saw some photos of the scarecrows and just knew the kids would love it.  I always love Peddler's Village in general so it seemed like the perfect leisurely Saturday outing for us and I knew it was within 5 minutes of Solebury Orchards, so the idea for Martin Mission #2 quickly formed.

On display throughout Peddler's Village are scarecrows of every genre, which will be there for all of September and October and then judged at the end of October for a prize.  Most stores create their own unique scarecrow for the event and leave them outside their shop, such as a cupcake-shaped scarecrow from the bakery, a scarecrow strewn with grapevines from the winery, etc.  Locals can also submit scarecrows for the contest.  There are also some fun scarecrow building workshops and other fall-themed activities, along with the usual live music and festival feel of all of Peddler's outdoor events.  We didn't partake in any of the extra activities, just because it had already been a long day for the kids, but merely just walked around and took in the sights.

Below are some of our favorite scarecrows.  Enjoy!

Nate loved this "muscle man" since he is always showing off his big muscles to everyone - lol!

My personal favorite!  Mr. Angry Eyes.
"I'm packing your angry eyes just in case." ~ Mrs. Potato Head, Toy Story 2

Andrew's favorite - Straw Trooper :)

Ben couldn't decide on a favorite but really liked these three.  He loves Woody and has recently started liking The Cat in the Hat show on TV so he got a kick out of that one.  Plus, he likes pirates so he spotted the pirate one himself and was very excited about it!



Lunch Bunch

Here's Ben, dressed in his favorite new school shirt, which he picked out himself; with his backpack next to him filled with his homework (!!) - optional, but homework nonetheless; and holding his lunchbox, all packed with his lunch for his first Lunch Bunch and kindergarten enrichment session of the year. Wow, when did my baby turn into a little boy who picks out his own clothes, has homework and brings a bagged lunch to school since he'll be there from 9am-3pm??!! Well, all of a sudden this big boy is here at the Martin household and we don't even know where the time went.

But, boy oh boy, is he excited to be growing up. He has fully embraced this "big-boy-ness" and just loves the idea of being at school all day long one day per week. He'll have his regular schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday - being picked up before lunchtime - but every Thursday he will stay for the afternoon kindergarten enrichment session with his 3 buddies - Tyler, Samantha and Alyssa (among some other kids). He is enrolled in the art session, since Ben could do projects all day long if we let him and it works best with my schedule for Thursdays to be his long day.

After his morning preschool session is over, the kids who are in his enrichment class all eat lunch together in the kindergarten classroom (wow, now that is very exciting to Ben!). They have indoor play, outside or gym recess, and a half hour of rest time, where they lay on a mat and listen to music. Then they do their art session, have storytime and head home at 3pm.

Ben had such a wonderful time today at his Lunch Bunch and art session. He was so excited that he didn't have to do his quiet time in his room today and could instead do fun things at school. And of course he let Nate know about all of the fun he'd be having while Nate was napping...ohhh, about 10 times :).

We're looking forward to next Thursday already!!

1st Day of School Lunch

Today was the first official day of preschool for Ben so we went for a celebratory lunch afterwards with some friends. Something suitable for the occasion, something really classy and chic. Yup, McDonald's. They do have a McCafe bar now with lattes, frappucinos and the like, so that brings it up a notch (or two or three) to me. Have you tried the frappes yet? Uh, you just may change your opinion of the Golden Arches once you do.

But alas, Amy, Dave and I took the kids to their favorite restaurant for a fun after-school meal and, of course, some play time in the outdoor Playland. Crystal has been home two days after having Baby Luca Anthony, so dad was represented from the Savignano household while mommy got some rest at home.

The whole gang giving their biggest and brightest cheesy smile! It's amazing how silly a group of 2 to 5 year olds can be when you get them together! I believe only moments before this, they were using their imaginations while eating; that is to say that their apple slices and french fries somehow became claws! They all did manage to eat just about everything, though, so that always marks a good meal :).

Nate and Brianna are also in this photo, the two 2-year-olds who dream of going to school like their older siblings and are in denial that they have to wait a whole 'nother year :(

Hi, Sammie! Sorry Nate stole your seat with the "big kids" and you are peeking out at the bottom of the photo! Will you look at all of those smiles? It must have been a great first day today. They are off to a bright new year of learning new things, making new friends and having a new teacher. It looks like they all should be singing "It's the mooooost wonderful tiiiiime of the year!" with the moms and dads :)

Abby's Wild Side

Grrr! She's crawls everywhere with speed. She has crazy bed head in the morning. Every morning. She eats peas, beans, broccoli and (gasp!) dare I mention the dreaded meat. She wears leopard print. She's wild. She's crazy. She's Abigail and she is developing such a fun little personality on her own as she nears her first birthday.

She loves to pose for the camera. She loves to make silly faces when she's playing. She will look at you and shake her head "no" whenever you use the chiding tone of voice - "Abigail...no!" And then she will continue to do whatever it is she just shook her head "no" about! She laughs at just about anything, especially the daily entertainment we have here at home called Ben and Nate :). She just may be developing a head of auburn hair and she has those beautiful blue eyes. She's our precious little girl and is such a joy to our family! Can you believe that she is nearly 11 months old? We certainly cannot :)

Stairs

I love trying to go up the stairs and almost have it completely mastered. Don't I just look so proud of myself?

1st Day of Pre-K 2010

Today was, well, kinda the first day of Ben's second year of pre-K. Actually, it was his orientation and his first day of school will be next Tuesday, but he is convinced that today was the first official day of school so we're calling it just that! And so Benjamin's final year of pre-K begins and he is really looking forward to his year in Mrs. Fretz's class. He knows 3 girls in the class already and always makes friends easily so he is excited to see who else he'll get to know this year.

This year Benjamin will be going to school three mornings a week and will be staying for a full day on Thursdays as part of Indian Valley Nursery School's kindergarten enrichment program. He'll be staying with the other full day kids on Thursdays in what's called "The Lunch Bunch," where they eat their bagged lunches together and then have recess. Then, after recess he will be doing arts and crafts all afternoon until 3pm. His three friends will be doing it with him and it will be a nice break from having quiet time at home once a week. Something special for the big boy to look forward to.

This year, since Ben is now an "upper classman" :), his classroom is on the second floor of the building. There is another Benjamin in his class this year so our Ben will officially be Benjamin M. during school and the other little boy will be Ben S. Knew that would inevitably happen one day. I remember being one of seven Liz's in high school....and I survived! :)

He will have the usual subjects of gym, library, art, show and tell, Bible time and will have some fun field trips again this year. They will hone in more on handwriting, letter and number recognition and other skills to prepare for kindergarten. We have been so pleased with Indian Valley Nursery School this past year and are looking forward to another wonderful year with them! And in one year, we'll have a kindergartener and another pre schooler in our household. Nate is practically counting down the days until he can go to school like Benjamin :) Actually, he is in denial that he has to wait another year to start and insisted on being a part of one of Ben's first day of school photos this morning!

Open Wiiiiide!

Here is Abby enjoying a piece of leftover banana coconut cream pie today. Well this certainly beats finger foods and canned pears anyday, now doesn't it? We don't think she could have opened any wider!! And you should have heard the protests when it was finally done! :)

Martin Mission #1: Lego Store

Today Andrew and I started a new tradition in our household. It is something called MARTIN MISSION, where we decide on a fun place to visit every once in a while, tell the kids we are going on a Martin Mission but not reveal the destination, and then take them there. They were so excited at the idea of going on a secret mission!

So, operation MARTIN MISSION today: the Lego Store at King of Prussia Mall. Both of the boys love their Legos, particularly Benjamin who could spend the entire day doing his sets over and over again. But, Nate can also put together a mean Duplo so he mustn't be left out of the equation :). So, we put the kids in the car, took the half hour or so ride and arrived at the mall. We told them to look for something exciting as we walked through the mall to our unknown destination. We passed several *overly exciting* clothing and accessory stores and then we arrived at the destination. Benjamin spotted it from several stores away and literally lit up upon seeing his favorite logo in the front window. "Legos!"

So, we walked around, looked at some of the creations on display, ohh'ed and ahh'ed over the Wall 'o Bricks in the rear of the store and then the piece de resistance came. Our family had been given a gift certificate to buy something fun together so we decided to let the kids use part of it to each pick out a new set of Legos. They paced the store, trying to decide which set to pick out and finally decided on a Duplo garbage truck for Nate and a 3-truck set for Benjamin.

After we got home, they headed right to their table in the playroom to open their packages and start building. What a fun outing for the kids!

Makin' Pies

We had a small gathering for Labor Day weekend with some friends, to celebrate the end of summer. I am always sad when summer comes to a close since it is such a carefree time with beautiful weather, no school, various trips and travels, no coats. But, I do love fall and am usually ready for the change in seasons by this point in the year. So, it was fun to have one last BBQ this year and we were blessed with perfect weather for the occasion, too.

While Benjamin was outside with Andrew riding bikes and playing in the yard, and while Abby slept, Nate wandered inside to see what I was up to. He caught me just about to start making some cream pies for our BBQ. So, the little chef, of course, wanted to help out. Well, who wouldn't want to help out when you get to lick fresh whipped cream off of the beater and, even better, get to do this unbeknowst to your big brother :)

I'm a Big Boy Now!

So, Andrew and I are about $40 richer each month again. Yup, that's right, we decided to take the plunge (or should I say "plunger" - hee hee!) and take Nate's waking up dry each morning as a sign that it was time to say goodbye to the 'ole Huggies. It's been about a month and he is now fully potty trained, wearing his undies during his nap with no problems and waking up dry each morning, despite still wearing a Pull-Up at night (hopefully not for long). So, this post is in honor of our "big boy," as he likes to remind us many (many!) times each day :)

He was about a month shy of being 2-1/2 years old when we kissed the diapers au revoir, which is exactly the same pojnt when Benjamin potty trained. So, we are counting ourselves lucky that both of our boys have been fully potty trained before they were 2-1/2. By today's standards, especially for boys, this is young so we are very happy with both of their progress. That's not to say this happened without some coaxing. Yes, jelly beans are always involved in potty training at our house, Benjamin wore Pull-Ups at night for a long time and Nate needed a little nudge to get over his fear of the big bad potty at first. But after these bumps in the road were hurdled, we have come out unscathed with two potty-usin' fellows.

So, here are some pictures of the newest big boy in the Martin household, sporting his BVDs. He was having a case of the sillies this particular afternoon, and unfortunately he was in his plain blue undies instead of his more exciting Toy Story 3 ones that he got to pick out at Walmart after doing well for his first week. Man, we love dropping our drawers and showing everyone who visits the infamous "Buzz Lightyear Underpants!"

So, introducing Nate the Big Boy. He wears undies. He sits in a booster seat in the car. He likes to do things on his own and remind me all day long that "I'm a big boy now, Mommy." He has always seemed so much older than he really is since he speaks as well as any 4 year-old. But even so, it's still quite the wistful feeling for a mom, seeing your kids grow up. My little Natey is getting bigger and I love to watch him do things on his own and figure things outs. But, he does still remind me that he's a baby sometimes, like when he whispers to me every morning when I go in to get him out of bed, "Pick me up, Mommy, I'm a baby." And he wraps his chubby little hands around my neck like he has always done. Then, I am reminded that he is still my baby who just happens to be growing up little by little.