Common Ground Fair

By 7:45am we were in the car, ready to go to the Common Ground Fair.  I had lots of warm clothes packed, lunches made and big plans to beat the crowds... wow were we off!  First of all, within ten minutes of the drive, we all were shedding layers and I had second thoughts about wearing jeans.  We also hit the Unity area fairly early but there is absolutely no way to avoid the crowds and lines of traffic.  Luckily the lines were moving and we didn't have too long of a wait to park.  It was very hot out, mid to high 80's and we were in long pants... luckily I could shed layers on the kids but I was stuck with mine!

It is almost impossible to meet up with people at the fair unless you come with them or run into them by accident.  We did run into a few friends on our way in but cell service is close to nil there.  Mimi was stuck in traffic for quite a while too but we did get just enough signal to play the, "Where are you right now?" game.

We spent some time looking at the animals, the solar power sections and the crafts.  It was so crowded there, more than I've seen it before.  We totally avoided the food booths and found a nice shady place to have lunch.  It was very warm outside, enough so I didn't want to be in direct sun.

After hanging out in the shade, Jay wheeled the kids around in the stroller while Mimi and I hit the t-shirt booth.  The rooster was the logo this year and it was really cute so I bought one for Tucky.  They didn't have any in Brooklyn sizes...she'll have to wait a few years.  We wanted to hit the road around 12:30ish so the kids could have naps so we decided to start making our way to the car.  They were pretty spent at this point too.  On the way out we walked by the hill with tons of kids sledding on cardboard.  Daddy found a piece for Tucky and away he went.  He slipped off a few times but he had a lot of fun doing it too.  There were bodies flying down all over that hill.

We had a bit of traffic to fight through on the way out so neither child fell asleep right away.  Brooklyn eventually took about a 30 minute nap but was woken up by big brother who was refusing to nap and getting ansy.  So that meant that Mommy didn't get a nap either....and it was a longer ride home, although they both did really well.

It was a lot of driving for a couple hours at the fair but we're all glad that we went.  Next year we'll be either riding in on the train or pedaling in on bikes.  We're also glad that we got to hang out with Mimi!  Early bedtime for the kiddies and a day at home Sunday!

Apple picking w/Auntie Amy

 Lovely day to pick some apples!  Friday afternoon, no crowds, partly cloudy, warm enough and big, fat red apples!  Auntie Amy came over this afternoon while the kids were napping and we decided to do a little apple picking when they woke up.  I have been wanting to make some fresh apple sauce and nothing beats fresh Maine apples from the orchard!

We started out with a little treat from inside which Brooklyn got a hold of and refused to let go of.  The Macintosh apples were bright and red, plus super tasty.  Tuck set out eating one right away.  We had to walk around a bit to find some low enough for Tuck to pick.  Once he did though, he was actually really careful about which ones he picked.  We started filling up his bag, which he said was too heavy for him.  Amy picked him up to allow him to reach the higher ones and he loved that!

Brooklyn also got a hold of an apple and pulled it right off the branch and proceeded to munch on it for most of the time we were there.  She refused to give it up and fussed when I finally got rid of it.  Funny little girl, but very set in her ways for not quite 9 months old!

 We spent about 45 minutes there picking apples and taking pictures.  It was a lot of fun and we got some great pictures, if I do say so myself.  The kids loved picking apples and we also had to stop by the pumpkin patch for some pics.  Brooklyn was all about the pumpkins!  Tucky gave her a super sweet big brother hug and I just happened to catch it on film!  I love that picture!

We're glad we squeeked in some apple picking this afternoon because it wasn't crowded at all and we pretty much could go anywhere we wanted to.  Thanks Auntie for hanging with us this afternoon!

My two little munchkins, precious moment for Mommy!

I think we've officially hit the "WHY" stage...

I stopped at Cindy's this afternoon to pick up the kids and she said, "Karyn, I think you're at the 'why' stage, every other word was 'why' today!"  I have not heard him say why before, ever and I was thinking it wouldn't be long!  For some reason, today was the day that it came shooting out of the blue and was a participant in every conversation we had this evening. 

Jay and I kept looking at each other and laughing because he kept asking, "why?"  This is the start of the next....several years, I know!

 Ms. Brooklie has had a great week!  Both kids had rough days Monday, very little sleep and Tuck turned into a slight monster that day.  The lack of sleep must have tired her out enough to sleep through the night!  I woke up at 5:30am to babbling in her crib, such a pleasant surprise.  It was short lived, however, and we're back at our 2-3am feeding, but that's quick and then right back in the crib so we are all doing much better now!

She is a silly little peanut, full of smiles and loves people!   She is such a flirt already and just really loves to be around people and her big brother.  Cindy swears she heard her say "Tuck" four times the other day, one of the other moms heard it too!  She says "Daddy" all the time but I'm not sure when I'll hear my first "Mommy" though.  It's okay, she's an excellent snuggler so I'll take it.  Brooklyn is not into crawling or spending time on her belly, it's sitting up for her!  She'll spend hours sitting on her bum playing but has no desire to move around, it's actually quite funny.  She is just content doing what she's doing.

So Tucky continues to amaze us daily with his ever growing vocabulary and amazement with the world.  He can explain the hot water solar heater system to anyone who stops by, can identify a bunch of different birds at the feeder, name every construction vehicle on the road and is picking up lyrics to songs.  I'm amazed at what he has to say and especially at what he observes, he's way more observant that I have ever been!  I love the fact that he's so into books, words and letters.  He is constantly pointing out letters he knows as we drive in the car and naming things, he knows A, B, C, D, T and O very well now!  We have our phases of train only books but he's open to everything but especially likes the little kids Nat'l Geo mag I got him about animals.  Today he told me he read a book with his friend about a "Kan-ga-rooo pouch."  Love it!

So needless to say, we are definitely enjoying watching our little ones grow and amazed at their curiosity everyday! 

Cutting wood and hanging at the house!

Good weather, no plans = fun weekend at home with the family!

The kids and I had a great day together on Friday, hanging out with a few friends and just staying put!


Jay had really wanted to do some wood splitting this weekend so he and Tuck helped get our neighbors machine going again.  He had been collecting wood and it was super dry so he helped teach Tuck how the wood splitter works and how to be safe around it.  I was quite happy to look out the window with Brooklyn and see them both in ear muffs!  Actually, Tucky had his work gloves on and was helping carry wood to the
pile.  They were both so happy working outside together and it was really fun to watch Tuck!  He's becoming such a worker already and loves to be a big helper, well anything with Daddy of course!

 Brooklyn and I hung inside and I worked on organizing pictures and videos off my computer.  I guess you could say I have taken a few of the kids...haha  We had talked about going apple picking but that didn't quite work out with naps and then when Tucky woke up he wanted to work on the wood some more with Daddy instead!  She and I played blocks inside while they worked.

Eventually it cooled off a bit so I dressed her up and decided to get her outside again for some fresh air.  I wish I had a picture but unfortunately didn't get the chance to get one of her on the bike!  I used Tucky's helmet over her fleece hoody and strapped her in!  She absolutely loved it!  We only went up and down the road a couple times but I could tell she really liked it!  Of course Tucky got a ride too!

We played more blocks and Brooklyn tried to eat them as Tuck built towers.  He also made some tunnels for his cars to go under, pretty creative little bugger!  He also asks to paint just about every day that we're home so we dragged out the paints and sponges, letting him experiment a little.  He made some really nice paintings and had a ball at the same time.  Tucky actually sat there for about an hour and made three pictures while Brooklyn and I looked on and helped if needed.

Today was a Daddy day!  Mommy got to sneak out and go play golf with the family while Daddy stayed home and hung out with the kids!  They had a great day and I missed them, although it was super nice to get out and play a good 18 holes at Old Marsh in Wells.  Back to work tomorrow...