Hugs and Smooches

A few of these embraces look a little painful, agreed, but the girls were really feeling the love with these hugs and smooches!

Independent Play!

Over the past few days, Claire has suddenly shown an interest in independent play. I am ecstatic, as this means that I have a few minutes a day to tend to things without a child in arms. Kaitlyn, on the other hand, is still adjusting. Sharing is hard, especially when it comes to letting Claire drool on one of her Little People. Honestly, I've been pretty impressed by generosity...or at the very least, her restraint! There are a few things, however, she is not required to share, like her makeup from Aunt Jen--that is a "big girl" toy!

Getting So Big!

Claire is now eating three solid meals a day, so we decided it was time for her to try out the special highchair that Papa Hartings made. As you can see, she's doing great in it...even spooning the pureed peas and carrots (all over) herself!

Autumn Means Apples

Come autumn, I just can't seem to get enough fresh apples. So early Saturday morning, the girls and I headed up to Oak Glen with our good friend Jill to pick the finest apples in the region...or so we thought! It turns out that it's been bad year for apples, and so there were none left on the trees. Fortunately, there were plenty to buy, as well as sinfully delicious mini doughnuts straight out of the fryer, u-pick pumpkins still on the vine, and fresh-pressed cider. When we got home, we helped Matt and Alex make homemade ravioli before sitting down to a fabulous fall feast. Kaitlyn had such a great time, she told me at bedtime that we were going to pick Jill up the next morning to do it all again!

Fall Fashion

We went to Target on Wednesday and bought Kaitlyn a new outfit that she loves. It's chilly here in the morning, hence the insulated vest over dress and leggings...but she didn't take it off even when the afternoon temp reached 75! We're in full fall mode, making construction paper pumpkins and painting trick-or-treating scenes (Grandma is dressed as a pink elephant, and Papa is a rhinoceros!) Today, we're making Halloween sugar cookies--yum!

A Taste of Fall

The four of us were treated to a fabulous fall weekend in Michigan: bundling up in the chilly air, picking apples, playing in the fallen leaves, eating homemade chili and apple crisp, chasing Ollie in the yard, and lazing in front of the 50" TV. Kaitlyn summed up the weekend best on Monday when she said, "But I don't want to go home yet!" Thanks for the early Christmas gift, Jason!

Rub A Dub, Two Girls in the Tub!

Kaitlyn and Claire had their first bath together (with me crammed in there for good measure)! It was wonderful to see Claire smiling in the bathtub again, as Kaitlyn happily entertained her with giggles, splashes and a spluttery shampooing. Not a tear was shed...until it was time to get out!