September = School and Harvesting

A full week of school and everyone survived!  The afternoons and evenings were filled with bubbles, basketball, garden harvesting, frost, and food.  Adam, Ayson (and Amy one night) had fun playing basketball and a game of PIG.  We also threw the frisbee and filled the air with bubbles.  We had our first frost on Friday night and we were busy picking our tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, peppers, and grapes.  The only thing that was forgotten was the basil in the garden.  At least we have basil in a pot :)  We hope that all of our family and friends are doing well!!

A sunflower with a secret!

The pumpkins are taking over the perennial garden!

Fun at the park with bubbles

And a game of PIG

Yay!  The Deck and gate are done!!  

Hazy sun almost behind the mountain

Rematch!

 

Adam getting ready to jump in - to clean the pool.

He was thinking of putting the kayak in the pool and vacuuming from the kayak :)

BUT, he decided to just get it over with

Amy found the kids in the play room listening to classical piano music while working in their "Art Studio" making flip books :)  Too cute!!

It's Official, We Have a 3rd and 5th Grader!

A new routine started this week with the kiddos back to school 5 days a week with Amy and Adam transporting the kids to school (instead of riding the bus).  We hope that all of our family and friends had a relaxing weekend!  We are sending good thoughts to everyone.

First day of school on Tuesday - for the odd grades.  This was to allow a smaller group of students to learn the new protocols: masks, hand washing, distancing.

The kids insisted on wearing their masks for their picture.


Thunder LOVES the smell of Adam's dirty cow milking clothes :)  We think the kittens were born on a farm and most likely near dairy cows...hahaha.


Making Grandma's cookies on Wednesday - the kids had the day off from school while the even grades learned about the new school protocols.  Ayson and Addie learned how to make a double batch of cookies - (ahem, fractions :)


Yum!!!!


Amy's first time running and jumping off the deck into the pool!

On Wednesday afternoon, friends joined us for a last swim before the official start of school for all elementary kids on Thursday.




Trampoline fun while Adam works on the deck


A friendly competition of PIG


And frisbee fun!


A dragonfly resting on the petunias

The kiddos helping Adam on Saturday morning with the bolts on the deck.  Addie looks thrilled.

The kiddos found a rock in our yard that had a special message on the back: Regan's Acts of Kindness.  Ugh, a family in Syracuse is honoring their almost 4 year old daughter that was hit by a car and killed in the parking lot of her preschool - ALL while holding her Daddy's hand.  :(  

The acts of kindness are in tribute to Regan and Amy found out that our neighbor put the rock in our yard.  The kids want to place the rock at the "big park" next!




A sunflower getting ready to bloom


This sunflower was chewed on while a seedling and grew into three separate stalks!

Back view


Front view


and just because


The red raspberries are ripening again :)  


YAY!!!  Adam finished the railings and only the gate and pergola remain :)

Hello September and Labor Day Weekend!!

A busy week with Adam working on the deck and Amy working in the gardens and getting the kids ready for school.  We canned one last batch of tomatoes (we have no more quart jars), Amy made tomato basil jam, we made spaghetti sauce, and homemade pizza :)  We hope that everyone had a relaxing long weekend and remembered to be patient and kind with their fellow human beings.

Two crafts that Ayson made in less then 30 minutes: a recycle bin and and parachute


On Saturday, Amy and Ayson went to watch our neighbor fly his remote control model planes.  Addie did not want to go so she stayed home and helped Adam with the deck (putting screws in the tool so that Adam could secure the deck).
A bi-plane


Check out that smile!




A glider


On Saturday afternoon, Amy made another carrot cake from our own carrots- it went fast!!  This picture was taken not long after the cake was frosted - and was still warm...hahaha.


A turtle that Addie drew for a card (for Gianna at college)


Ayson and his homemade lemonade


YAY!  The deck is complete!!! Now just the pergola, gate, stairs, landing, a bench seat....
Fabulous job, Adam!!!!


Ayson working on his Halloween costume while Addie and Amy played Outburst Jr (with assistance from Adam and Ayson :)


Ayson's costume and latest obsession: Boris from Bendy and the Ink Machine


Ayson and Adam went to Hobby Lobby to pick out materials: Ayson wanted it to be an entirely homemade costume - no black turtle neck for him!!!  So, he bought thread and sewing needles and pins (yes, Amy has all of these materials but he wanted his own set:)
Ayson sewing the legs for the overalls.




Tada!  The overalls are almost complete!!


Painting Addie's nails for the first day of school.