6 Miles

Last night James had praise team practice so we stayed late after AWANA while they finished up. The boys really enjoy listening to the team practice. They were sitting on the front row, pretending to play drums as the team was practicing.

Coming home we asked the boys what musical instrument they'd like to play when they get bigger. Will said he wanted to play the saxophone. We got into a discussion of where he’d seen that. (He remembered a man playing one on a street corner when we went to a baseball game during the summer.) Then Alex said “When I get super big, I want to play the drums!”

It was time for our annual visit to the Apple Orchard. This was year #3 for us and I must admit I wasn't quite as excited to go–but we had a fun day.

Here the kids were being taught how the flower turns into an apple, getting bigger and bigger. Alex sat with the class and acted just like one of the "big kids"–I was proud at how well he behaved and for the most part, paid attention.  

Then we went on the tractor ride to go to the pumpkin patch to pick out the class pumpkin.

After that we went to the building where they make apple cider and learned how they made that. Then we learned about bees and then we saw the "Gourd Lady" who showed the kids fun things you can do with gourds.  Then we had free time to take pictures:

We went in a corn maze.

And of course, we had to have an apple for a snack! (I have to add these are the first apples I've bought this fall. We have been SO blessed with people giving us apples, it's been wonderful!)

Then we played on the wooden play structures of a ship and Monster truck.

Then it was time to go home for lunch. The boys spent the afternoon outside as well as we work on enjoying every last bit of this warm, beautiful fall.  Oh, we did get some of the Apple Cider made at the farm–it tastes so much better then what we get in the stores! James said it reminded him of being a kid, they used to make it out of their fallen apples. I'm wishing I'd bought some more. The good news the farm isn't THAT far away (about 15 minutes) so we might go back and get some more.

This weekend my brother came to town for a music convention and a friend's wedding.  He and my parents came down Friday night for an early celebration for my mom's birthday. Mainly it was an excuse for us to get together and go out to dinner!

The boys loved seeing Uncle Doug.

We had a good time eating out, eating cake and playing a game. Then it was time for them to go and the boys to go to bed.

Saturday wasn't as much fun, but we got the garage cleaned out! It was a warm day for October and a dirty, hot job…but we've admired the effects since thing. Amazing how dirty the garage can get, and how nice it can look.

Sunday afternoon was a nice time of rest, and fun watching the Colts return to their winning ways. Then I had to do a store run (we were out of the basics–bread, jelly, milk and frozen waffles) and the boys had a long bike ride…meaning we ended the day just as tired as before! 

Today, as we were driving around to Preschool and Bible Study, I was pointing out how the trees are really starting to turn beautiful colors. "Look at that tree and it's yellow leaves!" I said. Alex said "Oh NO!"  "Alex, it's ok, leaves are supposed to turn colors in fall. They turn colors and fall down." Alex replied, "It's not fall, it's morning!"

I just looked at the site and realized I have not written a THING so far this month of October (the whole week if it ). Wow! It's been a bit of a crazy week. Thursday morning I flew out to Dallas to attend the MOPS International Convention.  It was an interesting time. I got to attend some really good sessions and some ok sessions.  Last year the General Sessions were amazing times of praise and worship and then some really good speakers. The workshops were ranging from ok to good. This year the General Sessions were ok. They had a few good speakers but most of the time didn't feel that meaty. And the singing time was just ok–though I did enjoy seeing Plumb sing a few songs Sat. morning.  The workshops I attended were all very good though. I did enjoy spending time with my friends from MOPS and deepening those friendships.  It was odd to be back in Dallas but not out of the Bubble of the convention at the hotel. I was sad I couldn't meet up with any old friends.

Sunday I came home and we've been working on getting back into the groove of things. The house is a mess, laundry is waiting in piles to be folded and I forgot to get the one thing I need for my snack for Bible Study tomorrow. (Whipped cream–I'm taking an apple crisp I made earlier and froze, but a topping would be nice.)  Right now we're experiencing some nice weather and it's supposed to rain the next day or so, so I promised the boys we'd go to the park.  But I was regretting that choice this morning as I looked at all that needed to be done and the gloomy sky outside.

In the end, we did go. We went to a park that has a creek and trails to explore. The best part for the boys was going down to the creek and throwing things in the water.

Yes, they ended up going in the water. Will is wearing his "nocolures", something I got them when I was on my retreat at Spring Mill State Park. We were going exploring, so those were required, of course! Sadly, the only animals spotted were a chipmunk and a squirrel (two things we see at the house daily).

We found shells on the sand bar as well.  It was fun until Alex tripped in the water and got soaked, then it was time to come home. Now, to get back to those items on my To Do list!