Gemma's Violin Concert

Gemma had a fantastic recital today with her violin! Truly the best performance of that first piece... I guess she's been waiting for the right audience!

Eleanor's Revolutionary Speech

Eleanor's class is studying the Revolutionary War, and each class member had to give a speech as a character, either a loyalist or a patriot. This is Eleanor's loyalist speech...

Closer to Fine!

Eleanor's rendition of "Closer to Fine" was a rousing success at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Variety Show last night! She came home from an earlier performance talking about all the high-fives she got in the hall and all the "Great Job!" comments -- "Even from the BOYS!" Here's our video!

Pool Train Party for Levi

We had a great time with our cousins when they invited us to Levi's 3rd birthday party. Happy Birthday, Levi!

The girls both wanted to sit by Jude.

The Thomas cake was a big hit.

AnaLeah had a little time with her mom...when Auntie Marsey was hogging that cute little cuddlebug.

Eleanor's latest songwriting venture

This was written independently under her stage name "Crystyl", with dad filling in accompaniment after the fact...

More AnaLeah Joy

Welcome AnaLeah Joy!

The Jungle Picture by Gemma

Gemma just finished this up. She took it into school for show and tell, and her class immortalized it by putting it on the timeline of their day today!

Eleanor's First Concert, November 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

The girls went out sledding in their pj's for more than an hour. It's chilly, but beautiful. Their favorite sledding hill is our driveway. Good thing we have studded tires on our van!

Gemma's Violin Recital, November 2011

Happy Halloween from Hogwarts

A trip to Ricker Hill

We enjoyed a gorgeous day of October summer.

After a well-played soccer game, we headed off to Turner for some more apples with Eleanor's friend Hanna. The orchard is at the top of a hill and provides a truly scenic view, though fall colors are not under way this early.

As if the scenery and excellent apples and pumpkins did not make it worth the trip, there is also a great kids activity area by the farmstand with a corn maze, duck races, bouncy houses, animals, a large sandbox filled with corn kernels, big piles of hay - All kinds of farm fun. As Jud said, "Who needs Disney World?"

Common Ground Fair 2011

While seeing the animals, especially the border collie demonstration, is always the top priority at the fair, there is plenty else to do. The kids area has lots of activities, including face painting. We also enjoyed great music (Belfast Brogue) and visiting with George and Cevia and others who came to listen. The really excellent organic versions of fair fare were a pretty big hit with the 8 and under crowd ( okay - maybe with the 98 and under crowd...) Can you believe that wee Gemma could make her way through her own fried dough?

An artist and a hula pro

Gemma starts soccer

Gemma looked like a natural her first time on the soccer field. I'm pretty sure she was having fun too, as she several times jumped up and down and giggled while playing. Another parent commented it was a bit like watching a Foosball game, with each child standing in their position waiting for the ball to come to them. I think we may be watching a lot of soccer games in our future.

Rocky Ridge

We made a quick trip to Rocky Ridge for our first bags of apples for the season. I love that place! Glad there are things to do other than picking as we got 31 pds in minutes.