Apple Picking 2013

We had a spell of rain and nasty weather through the end of last week, but wedidn't let this foil our plans--Saturday morning, accompanied by our favorite Aunt Mimi, we loaded up the car and headed to Homestead Farms.  It misted on and off throughout the adventure, but that's ok, it felt like Seattle :). Hersh kept reminding us that it was "just a little mist."  We picked lots of apples, ate lots of apples, and cooked with apples--applesauce, apple butter, apple crumble pie.  On the way to the farm, Hersh said, "Ok, tell me if this is crazy..." and proceeded to make up all sorts of different kind of cookies that we could bake (chamomile tea ginger cookies).

Alte is having lots more happy awake time and has started to give out lots of smiles.  It is so fun to be experiencing this part of babydom!  Her favorite person, naturally, is Hersh.  Jacob and Hersh have decided that Alte's favorite part of her day is watching Hersh brush his teeth in the evening--even if she's crying, she stops for a few moments to watch Hersh brush.

Hersh is the "book sharer" in his class this week, so I will go and read to the class on Wednesday a book of his choice.  He has also been napping a bit more which makes us wonder if he actually figured out that napping makes him feel better.  In Hersh's class, they are studying the moon, and he is getting more interested in constellations.  Each night he and Jacob look up at the moon and then draw what it looks like in his moon journal.

Modeling Aunt Mimi's boots

Hard to tell, but there's a baby in there.

There she is!

Hersh with his "squash telephone."

Alte says, "Oh man, I'm not sure I want to be in this picture."

First fire of the season!

L, Hersh; R, Alte

We were at the thrift store when Hersh said, "Oh looook, there's a Kiddush cup!"

Superfly glasses!

Summer in October

It has been unseasonably warm the past week, so warm that it truly feels like summer.  Yesterday we went to the MoCo Parks Harvest Festival, which was a really awesome festival.  We saw lots of animals, made our own marbles, dug for potatoes, and took a tractor ride.  There were lots of other things to do, but this is all our time at the Harvest Festival allowed for.  The one problem--it was 90 degrees.  It was SOOOO hot.  Hersh and Lewes nearly melted and we did everything we could to protect Alte from the sun.  Regardless, we had a great time, will definitely go back next year, and hope for more Fall-like weather.

Since the weather was so nice, my urge to be near the water kicked in.  Unfortunately, we do not live close to the water (so sad).  Jacob suggested a visit to Lake Artemesia which is in College Park.  Although it's not the beach, it was nice to be outside on a beautiful evening, and enjoy the lake.  Today we had soccer, heard some great music at the Takoma Park Street Festival (if you're ever in the mood for a mountain dulcimer, bongos, and "stick" rock band, Takoma Park's your place), and Hersh and I went for a swim this evening--the water was so warm!

"Trees and Tractors" L, Hersh R, Jacob

"Underwater Turtles" L, Hersh R, Jacob

So hot.  Showing me his sack of potatoes.

We got to see some turtles a fisherman caught at the lake.

Alte's first hike?

Yesterday morning we decided to go on a hike, since Jacob is furloughed.  We are deeming this Alte's first official hike.  We left the house (accomplishment #1), drove for about 1/2 hour with no crying from either child (accomplishment #2), and found the park.  Jacob and Hersh got out of the car, and checked out the area while Alte and I stayed in the car and she nursed.  I then needed to change Alte's diaper, at which point Alte and I were ready to go (accomplishment #4).  At this point Hersh declared that he needed to poop, so Jacob found a nice grassy spot and Hersh took care of business (accomplishment #5).  We then petted some horses who had arrived in the parking lot, and were on our way (accomplishment #6).  At this point probably another 1/2 hour had passed, which meant that Hersh has used up most of his steam, was ready for lunch, and wanted to be carried.  We pushed on, searching for interesting things in the forest, and did our best to minimize our 3 year old from complaining.  Maybe a 1/4 mile in we decided it was lunch time and found a group of big boulders to climb.  We promptly had our picnic, played the echo game, and then headed back out.  We made it back to the car (accomplishment #7).  It might not have been the longest, most beautiful, relaxing, best exercise hike that Jacob and I have ever taken, but we did it, with our 2 children in tow!

Hersh has been saying, "what'd ya say?" to EVERYTHING.  It is frustrating as it is clear that most of the time he has actually heard what has just been said, yet has developed this habit.  We are no longer repeating ourselves, and are fairly certain that this will pass.  Hersh also seems to be dropping his nap some days, which makes for some very emotional afternoons and evenings.  I suppose that 3 1/2 is an emotional age, and as parents we need to try and keep our patience as best we can.  Hersh is clearly experiencing things very deeply because he will share with Jacob and/or I "secrets" about interactions with friends from school.  Also, periodically Hersh has been saying, "Government Shutdown!" And today he said, "sometimes the road is bumpy" referring to the road of life:)

Alte is having more awake, happy time, and her smiles are becoming more frequent.  She gives us some sleep at night which we are grateful for, and overall she is a wonderful baby:)

Mushroom, by Hersh

Caterpillar, by Hersh

The 4 of us

Hersh's picture of us:)