apple festival

Apples signify the coming of Fall in a true colorful fashion.

Did you know there are more than 7000 different varieties of apples in the world?

The apple festival was an amazing way to soak up the first tease of the upcoming Fall weather. 

Little legs were running from one thing to another all over the apple themed festival. 

The day was full of wagon rides through the apple orchards were you could reach your arm out to snag a juicy apple to snack on. 

Spinning and becoming dizzy in giant red apples.

Feeding Parakeets

 yes I am taking pictures through the fence I wasn't about to go in, birds freak me out

 and bouncing on the "big pillow."

With bellies full of kettle corn we headed to center stage to watch the magic show.

Then onto the pig races were we cheered on "Hama Montana," "Sarah Jessica Porker," "Justin Beiber-que, " and "Ham Hogan."

Finally we were on the hunt through rows and rows of loaded apple trees for the best Jonathan and Golden Delicious Apples.

After several "Knox pick them off the trees and not off the ground," We left the apple festival with 30 pounds of apples to eat, and share.

 (found these cute free printables to add to our treats to share with our family)

It's safe to say we took full advantage of the weather and any outdoor events we could find this weekend in St. Louis.
Like bundling up to cheer on the Cardinals on their win over the Mariners
(knox spotted the cotton candy vendor, which later ended up on his face, hands, hair and somehow my purse, and of course it was blue)

Also by Visiting Grants Farm
(I love Knox's hesitant face in this photo)

We are more than enjoying the apples and are very thankful for this weather, but I have to admit I am always ready for fields with seas of round orange pumpkins, which is just around the corner but until then, we will be snacking on lots of apples. 

"little ways"

It seems after finally finding a groove in life and  daily routines, changes hit and we start all over. Every year finding a new routine and new normal. 

Our new normal this year, consists of Knox finding his way at 3 year old preschool. I say finding his way because Knox always has his own "little way". This "little way" consisted of proclaiming over and over that he was not going to preschool. 

After a bowl of tears and shouts of "somebody get me out of this car!" There was no consoling this child, not knowing what to do I started praying as loud as he was  crying.  If he could make his proclamation, then so could I! 

I agreed to his terms,  if he found a monster cave at preschool then he was out of there!

After that little negotiation he hopped out of the car smiling and waved a good-bye with no tear in sight? 

When we had prepped Kase for preschool we celebrated at dinner.  Unfortunately Knox has fallen into the 2nd kid syndrome. Craziness at our home left no time for a pre-celebration. Feeling the guilt I decided to celebrate the end of his first week!  In true Kelly fashion my boys chose robes for their dinner attire. 

Ashley shared the idea of edible chalkboards which were easy & a hit. 

Edible Chalkboard: back of a hershey bar, let the kids write with toothpicks, brush powdered sugar in the grooves

So we made it. Another change, another milestone, another new routine. A little late on celebrating but better late then never. Even though I don't always understand Knox's "little ways" or how to handle them, I am thankful for his loving spirit and what God has in store for him. 

kicks & interests

When Scotty has an interest he puts a 100% into it. Whether it is a hobby or type of food he is all about it for a while and then slowly he moves onto his next thing. 

I am slowly seeing the boys fall into these kicks as well. They choose a toy or theme and play and play giving it their full attention and then move onto the next thing.

 

I have never been a collector per say but I guess I do, dare I say, get into kicks. No, I refuse to fall into the pressure from the boys in my house. Mine are not kicks they are interests.

So my "interests" at the time being are cookie jars.

 My vintage antique finds are at the top of my list. Like anything in my house (because I have a weird fetish about rearranging and moving things around, Scotty loves it, I say sarcastically) they have been displayed in many different places. Currently they are front and center on our kitchen table. Little hands love them as well.

Another needed interest has been adding non-fiction books to my reading list.  I am loving this book and the wisdom it imparts, as well as the girls that I am reading it with & of course a good cup of coffee.

Random quilts and blankets are a definite interest.

A major interest every summer and every season it seems are making memories.

A summer & the collections it brings aren't complete without spending loads of time with friends and having conversations at parks, by the pool, under the stars, and at the beach. Stretching the days out as long as we can, and savoring these moments that God has blessed us with.

I am beyond thankful that God doesn't have kicks or interests and that his love is unconditional and consistent & not just for a season in our life.