Summer snaps

Below are a very few photos from the summer. We had a great time enhanced by amazing weather.

Caleb in the rose garden at Blenheim

Adoring big brothers

The grandparents came to visit and meet Hannah.

Gigi and Papaw

Papa John and Nana

Sweet cuddles

Train ride at Blenheim

Hannah's four days old @ Blenheim.

First time big brother

Feathered Friends

Our garden hosts a lot of birdie visitors - Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins, House Sparrows, Crows and Wood Pigeons, Collared Doves, Blackbirds, and Magpies. Red Kites frequently fly above and Goldfinches pop in on occasion, though they haven't been feeding here. I need to find out what kind of feed our neighbor uses to attract Goldfinches as they're among my favorites.

Here are a few photos of some of our visitors.

A Very Cool Den

We examined Snowdrops on our way to the nature reserve.

In the reserve, the boys discovered a really cool den.

Snow Days

The boys were so excited about our first big snow of the season. They ate a quick breakfast and were out by 7:30am.

Wee Snowman

The first snow melted, but then we were pelted by some extreme winter weather.

That second snow stayed around for a while and was eventually washed away by some rain. I was considering putting our snow gear away, BUT yesterday morning we woke up to this:

Cooper's special dinner

We've now had a special dinner with each of our three boys. We'll have to start the process again soon as everyone has loved doing it.

Cooper chose Chinese. Good man.

Nature Reserve in Autumn

After school hike through the reserve...

Isn't the Kilns gorgeous in the fall?

Old Bread = Happy Ducks

Caleb made a food trail.

Noah took "rests" all over the reserve. He was highly amused.

The days are getting shorter.

There's Noah again.

Captain's Cocktails

The boys have been begging to use drink recipes found in their pirate activity book. We finally picked up ingredients yesterday and set to work concocting today.

Cooper's ingredients included coconut milk, Greek yogurt, banana, and pineapple juice.

Caleb set to work cutting a banana.

Noah worked the hand blender.

Noah and Caleb's ingredients were kiwi, bananas, milk, and pineapple juice.

Happy Birthday to me...

Nick picked up some sweeties for the boys and me.

FYI - My birthday was last week. I've just gotten around to posting photos.

Sleepy Time

It takes some serious sleepiness to fall asleep with a noisemaker on one's face.

Surrounded by fluff

Passing the time

Thorns and Roses

Yesterday, I was inspired to hack off branches from our thriving rose bushes at the front of the house. You can have too much of a good thing. Unfortunately, I was using dull garden scissors which required a two-handed grip and some serious twisting to make the bigger branches give way. I jumped to grab the higher branches and pulled them within cutting reach which created a lot of tension. That tension was the cause of some serious pain when one of the branches slipped out of the dull scissor blades and a centimeter long thorn lodged itself in my arm. Ouch. 

I was well cared for by my boys. Cooper made me a little present, and Caleb gave me one of his Buzz Lightyear band-aids. What else could a girl ask for?

My sweet boy made this centerpiece "to make me feel better."

Here's an up-close look at his creation.

Here are a few of the treacherous roses. At least they look pretty.

After School Picnic

The boys and I trekked to the nature reserve for a mini hike and a picnic.

Map consultation

Nourishment

Relaxation

Silliness

New Gear

Balancing Act