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| Helping get ready |
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| estimating game |
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| making sock monsters |
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| worms in the punch! |
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| pinata time |
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| monster cake |
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| cake pops |
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| presents |
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| playing with a new toy after the party |
I started this list last summer and thought it would be fun to look at again this year. So, I updated and reflected on all the fun we have already had and the things I would like to do in these (hate to say it) end-of-summer days.
X-camp at Branbury
__-bake bread
X-July 4th parade and festivities
__-family parties—including Nora’s 85th
__-try fishing
__-make a book with J
__-see a Circus
__-start losing weight instead of gaining it
XXXX-SWIM SWIM SWIM (lake, river, pool, pond; anywhere and everywhere; as much as possible)
X-swim lessons for J
__-a class for me? sewing?
X-Addison County Field Days
__-make something out of wood
X-summer soccer for J
__-new, healthy foods
X-pick strawberries, raspberries, and blue berries
X-BEACH!!!!! (I wrote this at the beach actually ;-)
__-put food by—freeze and can fruit and veggies
X-veggie garden
__-ORGANIZE HOUSE!!
X-donate lots ’o stuff
X-hike (here behind our house and other places)
__-read my own books
X-festival-on-the-green
X-boat ride
X-Selma visit
__-Visit museums (Shelburne, Rokeby, Echo)
__-Invite more people over here
__-crafty projects
__-less TV (which means ending my habit of turning the TV on for J while I take my shower . . . yikes)
__-go to a baseball game
X-hang out with J and friends at his school
__ -visit state parks and historic sites
X-stay home and do “nothing”
X-girls night out
__-Echo lake?
X-craft nights with my crafty ladies
X-catch up with old friends
X-plant some flowers
__-ride a horse
__- PROJECTS with J: crafts, learning, nature . . .
X-read lots with J, and visit the library every week
Last month I went through a baby booty knitting obsession. These are so quick and fun! They challenge me just enough, but not as much as the sweater I am knitting for myself (that’s another story . . . it’s been in the basket untouched for over a month with only one sleeve left to do . . .). These girly ones I gave to a friend who helps me an unbelievable amount at playgroup and recently welcomed a little girl named Mitzi! The pattern is free on Ravelry.com (THE site for the knitting obsessed); just let me know if you want more info.
I have a TON of pictures I am behind on posting . . . soon I hope . . . but we have been so busy having fun!
I don't think I have ever done so many holiday activities, but we are really having fun this season. Joseph is at a very good age for enjoying the festivities!
We went into Middlebury for their big holiday day, just as we did last year. We visited the train exhibit and other exhibits and activities at the Henry Sheldon Museum (always our favorite), the gingerbread house competition at the Folk Life Center, a clown at the library, and of course Santa at the Community House (Santa is still pretty scary for J, hence the funny face).
After that we met up with Brad and Bob (granpa) to hunt for a Christmas tree in the Lincoln woods where I grew up. This is the first year since Joseph was born that we have done this and I think we will make it a tradition. We had a really wonderful time and went on quite a trek!
Impossible to get everyone to look normal.
So beautiful!
And we eventually found a tree! Quite a good one actually.
Decorating.
We also met up with Bob for a Hanukah party in Middlebury. Again, Joseph was able to enjoy this much more than other years. He even one a long game of Dreddle and joined up for some Islreali folk dancing. This was very special for me since I adore dancing!
Another very favorite part of the season for us is crafting! I made the wreath and the Joseph and I made the garland. I even let J use a real needle. He worked very hard at it, but I realized that we wouldn't be making enough for the tree and put it on the wreath instead. I love it!
Enjoying the snow and stacking wood.
Since we now have three kitties there have been numerous ornament casualties. J and I have been working on making unbreakable ornaments,.
Gingerbread houses are Joseph’s very favorite passion right now. Above he is “posing” with the one he made at school. I thought it was pretty neat that they actually made the structure themselves. The day that they were to decorate Joseph was so excited he woke up at four in the morning!
This weekend we went with Grandma to NY to make gingerbread houses and cookies with cousins Bri and Jacob. Joseph had been dreaming about making his house all week and spent a LONG time on his masterpiece. I could not believe how he lined up all those tiny candies.
