Tuesday 10 - Hello Fall! PS I love you!

It's Tuesday and rather than wish it was Friday I am making a Tuesday list because there's never enough lists.

1. Apples + Jonesy <3 

2. studiodiy's Lisa Frank halloween costumes.  Nobody be surprised if I dress up as a rainbow unicorn if I dress up. Link www.studiodiy.com

3. Collage Parties at the circle spark.  (PS this is one of the best things happening in Indy check it out already!). 

4. The first bounce house.  he loved it and dove in head first.

5. Thinking about the babies room.  I love this salmonish/flamingo color + gold.  Photo snapped of my Pinterest links are there.

6. short circles.  This is our small group that meets at our house.  It's a large group with lots of kids and we practically explode out of our house but it works.

7. Apple streusel Carmel cheesecake made for dessert at Short Circle.

8. Moments like these where I put away towels and come back to the kitchen to discover Jones had pulled every bag out of the new box from target and was playing amongst them.

9. Apple chips

10. I am not really a fan of quilt patterns but something about this quilt makes me want to make this one.

Quilt and photo by Red Completely Red - http://redredcompletelyred.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-to-get-over-our-fear-of-time.html?m=1

Pattern by Elizabeth Hartman 

http://ohfransson.bigcartel.com/product/fancy-fox-quilts-pdf-quilt-pattern

To the Orchard

I put Orchard on my fall list back in like July.  I just love fresh apples and making 1 million things with them.  And now with a baby he should get to do things like this too.  So I invited my family to join us. We went to Pleasant View Orchard because it's super close to us and they didn't charge admission for things like the playground.

I wanted to capitalize on scoring as many apples as possible and so we bought a bushel together as a family which worked out as like $8/person.  We picked our own apples - me mostly Jonathan with some Mutsu and Jonagold and Cortland tossed in.  

Anyhow it was a good time, it seems it was jones, Joes, and Dustin's first time to an orchard and that was fun.  Jonesy was adoreable in his lumberjack shirt calling all the apples balls and trying to scoop up the rotted ones under the trees.  He also was so glad to see all his people too he does so love everyone passing him around.  He can't seem to even bite thru the skin of softer apples but he sure did try on all sorts of taste testing. 

And now I plan to make Apple chips, applesauce, apple butter, Apple crisp, and if there's enough Apple Pie.  If I run out no worries because we will be at the pumpkin patch in a few weeks.

Book 53 - Down the Rabbit Hole

So despite finishing my 52 books I actually kept reading my latest finish was "Down the Rabbit Hole" by Holly Madison.  I have to say this was an interesting book about the life of a Playboy Girlfriend.  Some parts of the story are crazy, especially from someone who has no desire to be in playboy or be objectified like that.  But it was interesting, it left me questioning why this women would escape this weird scenario and still be involved and concerned what the playboy people think.  But it ends well and it was a good and interesting read.  

15 Month

Oh boy.  I wasn't going to use these photos for Jones's 15 month wall because he was a major grump and or watching the people nearby when I took the photos and well his fly is down!  But my friend is taking family photos for us soon and he had school pics taken last week so I figured this is real life.  We took them at the mural by the Education resource store/center on 10th Street, the location seemed perfect since we started school this month. 

Jonesy -

This month you started school.

You love school.

You hate getting dropped off, you want mommy to stay at school.

Your teacher says you are smart. 

She is very impressed with your verbal and signing skills.

Your favorite things at school are music, gym, and the sensory activities.

You were super sick this month and we were so worried because you wouldn't hardly eat.

You are back to normal now but won't eat your old favorite blueberries.

You loooove animals and often squeal when you see a doggie or cat when out for a walk.

You can make many animal noises and when we read the animal noise books you often tell me how it goes.

Your favorite books are Moo Baa La La La, and Dr Suess ABCs.   

You are really enjoying playing cars especially ones that you can put blocks, people and animals in.

You are learning to pick up toys.

You love to pull quilts off the sofa and onto the floor to snuggle.

You added the words - Keys, Up, Cheese, Amy, and Ride Bike to your vocabulary.

You often tell me "No," and I try and encourage you to say "yes".

You are very quick to notice something new in the recycling bin that doesn't lock.

You are learning to identify people in photos.

The other day we took you to Bloomington and you walked thru town by yourself.  You stopped and inspected everything in windows, on the ground, in the street. You thought everyone was out to see you and were waving and saying Hi to everyone.  Priceless.

You play well with other kids and often watch older kids patiently waiting for your turn on the slide or to play with a toy.

Mommy loves your easy going attitude.

Mommy enjoys how you like to sit in her lap and play.

Mommy has been enjoying sitting at the table and eating dinner with you.

Daddy thinks you are getting so big.

Daddy doesn't like how you are pulling his beard in the mornings. 

Daddy likes when you want to snuggle him all tired.

We love you soooo much.  We can't wait to see what's next.

Love Mommy

15 Month

Oh boy.  I wasn't going to use these photos for Jones's 15 month wall because he was a major grump and or watching the people nearby when I took the photos and well his fly is down!  But my friend is taking family photos for us soon and he had school pics taken last week so I figured this is real life.  We took them at the mural by the Education resource store/center on 10th Street, the location seemed perfect since we started school this month. 

Jonesy -

This month you started school.

You love school.

You hate getting dropped off, you want mommy to stay at school.

Your teacher says you are smart. 

She is very impressed with your verbal and signing skills.

Your favorite things at school are music, gym, and the sensory activities.

You were super sick this month and we were so worried because you wouldn't hardly eat.

You are back to normal now but won't eat your old favorite blueberries.

You loooove animals and often squeal when you see a doggie or cat when out for a walk.

You can make many animal noises and when we read the animal noise books you often tell me how it goes.

Your favorite books are Moo Baa La La La, and Dr Suess ABCs.   

You are really enjoying playing cars especially ones that you can put blocks, people and animals in.

You are learning to pick up toys.

You love to pull quilts off the sofa and onto the floor to snuggle.

You added the words - Keys, Up, Cheese, Amy, and Ride Bike to your vocabulary.

You often tell me "No," and I try and encourage you to say "yes".

You are very quick to notice something new in the recycling bin that doesn't lock.

You are learning to identify people in photos.

The other day we took you to Bloomington and you walked thru town by yourself.  You stopped and inspected everything in windows, on the ground, in the street. You thought everyone was out to see you and were waving and saying Hi to everyone.  Priceless.

You play well with other kids and often watch older kids patiently waiting for your turn on the slide or to play with a toy.

Mommy loves your easy going attitude.

Mommy enjoys how you like to sit in her lap and play.

Mommy has been enjoying sitting at the table and eating dinner with you.

Daddy thinks you are getting so big.

Daddy doesn't like how you are pulling his beard in the mornings. 

Daddy likes when you want to snuggle him all tired.

We love you soooo much.  We can't wait to see what's next.

Love Mommy

2:12 best chicken soup ever

This technically is not recipe 2 but I never blogged meatball stroganoff.  So #2 I will blog that other one soon I am going to make it again first - the best chicken soup ever (no I did not come up with that title).  This recipe comes from Budget Savy Diva here's the link - http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2014/12/chicken-soup-recipe/

I followed the recipe for the most part - I tossed in like 1/2 cup of rice and also about 10oz more chicken broth because I cooked it in the crockpot for about 2 hrs rather than on the stove.  My guests seemed to like it and Jones also enjoyed it.  I liked it myself but I might have put in cilantro or peppers if They were here. 

My photo above is actually taken after I tupperwared it because I forgot since we had company.  But originally it had more broth before I left it on high for like an extra hour - DOH!  

Moments

Jones has been sick for over a week now.  Probably the sickest he's ever been.  He's been a devoid of all energy.  No desire to eat, and most times even play.  Per the doctor he has double ear infections, a virus and thrush.  

We've spent the time reading books and snuggling on the couch.  We cuddle for naps and give him antibiotics 4 times a day.  We drink lots of fluids mostly milk he's not interested in much else although he does enjoy liquid jello.  He has many explosive diapers and I feel like I am cleaning every blanket, every pair of pants, every surface because I cannot handle the smell.  

We practice making animal noises and I teach him new animals to add to his arsenal like the crocodile and wolf.  We also try and sing the alphabet song.  He likes to hum along but makes no attempts at letters.  We also work on identifying his people on the wall of pictures in the living room.  He points out Auntie Lita, Daddy, grandma, baby (himself), Joe and sometimes Auntie Lo.  He refuses to find mommy.  Go figure.  

Today finally he feels better.  He eats a normal meal for breakfast.  He wants to play puzzles, blocks, cars, and in his house.  He helps me fold all the clothes of his I have purged of the sickies.  He has a little excitement in his steps and kisses me with joy as we play.

This is real life.  These are the moments.

Book 52 - Everything I never Told You

The last one done!  And would you believe I finished another since this one.  Book 52 was "everything I never told you" by Celeste Ng.  This book is pretty much on everyone's book list so I put it in my library queue months ago.  It was a fast read but it wasn't really my cup of tea.  I felt like the author was trying to keep us in suspense and then it turns out it was all like "that's it".  I did like how the story was told from several points of view and it was well written.  But it wasn't my most favorite.  But either way I made it to Book 52 finally clearly I should shoot for about 10 books a year that's more realistic.

Oh goodie a girl!

I love my boys they are great.  Jonesy is very much a boy.   But the other day we got confirmation that the newest family member will be a girl.

I am pretty excited about that even though it means we will need to clear out the spare room.  I look forward to purchasing some pink girly stuff.  We are pretty much decided on her name as Thea Corrine after two awesome people we know, although certain best friends of mine are petitioning hard for Lynley Kathleen.  

Regardless I am excited for this new journey.

511.5/1000 Miles

In August I added 72.5 miles to the tally.  Not amazing numbers at all. But considering at least 5 times I noticed my Fitbit was dead after taking an evening walk, and another several days where it was left in the bathroom after showering it's something.  It took me to half my total for the year only 2 months past the halfway point.

At this point I need to recommit to actually trying to hit my daily step goal and to keeping the thing on and charged up.  Jones is a good motivator he has learned the words "ride bike" and often requests "bike rides" after school. But at the same time he's been going to bed at 8, and sometimes those precious few hours don't have time for a walk on the treadmill or a stroll around the block.  Anyhow I am going to target for at least hitting 110 miles in September.

August - Family Photos

I August I remembered family photos twice. at the fair my camera actually took about 10 snaps that look similar to above but in one this one jones is looking.

And then again at the Chreece festival. Again we have about 10 of the same shot but most jones is not looking.

Tuesday 10 - Hello September

Every week I think about these lists.  Most weeks I forget about doing it but today I made the time.  So here we go:

1. Chreece - Midwests Hip Hop Festival.

I am not a huge hip hop fan but I follow some local hip hop artists on Instagram and when I saw this idea of Oreo Jones I wanted to attend.  We just did the free outside shows but we really enjoyed ourselves.  

2. Adding new "celebrities on sticks" to our Leftforyou project.

3. Jones + corn on the cob.

His determination and desire for it to be on the cob was priceless he screamed when I was cutting it off. I ended up giving it to him hot, because he was so insistent. I love this kid

4. Bradley Theodore 

I have been digging Artist Bradley Theodore lately I love his style and color choice. http://www.bradleytheodore.com

5.  Spark Circle 

I love this idea and I am very excited to see what happens with it.  http://circlespark.org/

6. Looking forward to getting week in the life together

7. Homemade Popsicles

My favorite new recipe is cherries and pineapple juice hello amazing.

8. New quilt finish.  Photos coming soon

9. Jones'a new exploring phase.

This often means going left when I go right, opening something I say don't, or simply just crawling under a blanket because it sounds good.

10. Jones + pool floaty.

See #9.  He calls this "ball" but he often carries he from his room to the living, loved to spy at me thru it, and walk with it on, he also actually loved it at the pool as well but it's slightly too big to let him be in it alone.