We went to the Audubon in Sharon for their annual "Enchanted Forest". A guide took us through a pumpkin-candlelit path where we ran into costumed animals who taught the kids a little bit about them. The path ended at the Center where we had hot chocolate and got a hay ride back to our car. It was so cute! We'll do it again, you'll have to join us!
The girls went on a school trip to Hahn's Farm which is by far the best farm we've seen so far on this side of the Hudson. There was a hay maze, a huge hay tower to climb, hay animals, and a petting "zoo". They had a blast, I'm glad I was able to meet them there!
We may skip trick or treating this year because I'm not so sure how they do it, lol! Don't fret, the girls will not miss out. The town of Millbrook gets all festive. So Saturday we'll go over there with one of Kaitlyn's friends for the trunk or treat, cider and donuts, parade, and a possible magic show? That's what they did last year...so I hear. After that we're heading to the hospital where Daisy was born for a bunch of halloween festivities (including horse and carriage rides) they'll be hosting. Sounds like a lot of fun. And if they're not too exhausted, we'll go to the chapel that night for their trunk or treat. So I don't think they'll feel too deprived, but we'll see.
1. I'm so awesome 2. The hot chocolate at Belgique Patisserie will have you asking, "Jacques, who?" It's like liquid dark chocolate and is unbelievable. Words can't describe the deliciousness! The homemade whip cream is like the icing on the cake! And they have artisan belgian chocolate, think Neuhaus, but fresher because it's made on the premises rather than imported. But expect to spend a fortune. 3. The corn maize at Ellsworth Hill Farm is really fun. 4. You don't want to miss the fall folliage! 5. I'm still awesome 6. Hodgeson's and Lawrence Family Farms are great farms for kids 7. I know a great B&B for you to stay at ;) 8: The man voted best chef in the Hudson Valley owns the restaurant just down the road. 9. Some great little shopping towns around us: Millerton (voted one of the top 10 in US by Frommer's), Millbrook, Rhinebeck 10. Someone as awesome as me can only have spectacular friends...We miss you awesome people!
I told El the next time he drives into work, he has to take me (and Daisy and Maddy) with him! So I hope to see you guys soon.
Because of my new forced diet, I've had to find some new recipes. Here's one I loved!
Quinoa Tabbouleh 1 cup quinoa 1/2 tsp basil 1 cup chopped parsley 1/2 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup chopped scallions 1 TBL dried mint 1 garlic clove, pressed 1/4 cup olives, sliced, I LOVE the Castlevetrano kind. 1 tomato, diced salt and pepper to taste
Cook quinoa according to package. Let cool. Meanwhile, place all ingredients except olives in a mixing bowl and toss together lightly. Chill at least 1 hour. Garnish with olives.
Serve with hummus and pita pockets. If only I could get some falafels up here!
Maddy woke up from her nap and said, "Crib hurt me, see?" I looked at her toe and saw the nail was broken so I said, "Oh, did your toe nail break?" "Yea," she sadly replied. "New!" "You need a new one?" "Yea." "Where could we get a new one?" "Ummmmm ... Freshtown."
Instead of a 3 month post for Daisy, I thought I give a little on everyone.
Daisy is 3 months old. She's awake more often during the day and I don't think she's too happy about that. She really just wants to sleep and makes sure we know she's not happy. But she's a good baby, generally content just laying in the car seat observing everything. She laughed for the first time tonight. It was totally unexpected but super cute. She's "talking" so much. I just wish she would sloooow down.
And sometimes, she has curly hair. ... Meet Ella! lol!
Maddy's personality has been exploding without her sisters around. She is hilarious and definitely the clown of the bunch. She is very exhausting. With her sisters gone, I have a lot more entertaining to do. She still loves being a big sister, just not when I'm holding the baby. Her tempers get quite heated, but thankfully, she has hit the baby in the head with a toy only 2X.
She gets into a lot of trouble when I'm busy. ...
Abby loves school. Though I'm not sure she likes coming home...she's such a grouch and irritates her sisters. She finds great pleasure in making Kaity and Maddy upset. But she draws only happy pictures so I try not to worry. She wants to be an artist who rides horses when she's grows up.
Kaity is doing so well in school. She got 100 on her first spelling quiz, but she spelled and wroted her words in the right hand column backwards. Imagine the concentration that must take!?!? Her front tooth has been hanging by a thread for months. She looks so silly. I hope it falls out before the other grows in!
El is taking the Dutchess Co police officer exam which would be awesome. Half his day (almost 6 hours) is spent traveling to and from the city.
I am exhausted. I miss sleeping. I don't like 3 hours a night....it's just not working for me. It makes me a cranky mom with little patience for the whining and fighting that occurs the second they walk through the door after school. After 2 visits to the ER, one was scheduled, I found out I have gallstones! Actually had gallstones, in Brooklyn, they dismissed it as gas and constipation. So I'm getting ready to schedule surgery. I'm still struggling to make this place home. I miss going for walks...over here, it's walking to nowhere with no one. Well, Maddy comes along and she whines because she wants to walk, but we don't have sidewalks so it's not going to happen!!!!
Now that we're in the middle of the Hudson Valley, we have tons of options. My favorite farms (those that have kid friendly activities) are on the other side of the Hudson so we decided to try a new one and one close to home. Ellsworth Farm
The corn maze was a lot of fun. We must have been in there for a half hour at least, but we did beat some of the other people. Other than that it was only OK. It was fun to get out after a week of rain and another week of rain forecasted.
I'm a FULL time mom...Duties include but not limited to: milk production, preparation of numerous daily meals in hopes that the girls will eat something other than cheerios, cleaning, play-doh, cleaning, painting, cleaning, coloring, trying to provide an educationally stimulating environment, ABCs and 123s, laundry laundry laundry, Noggin, cleaning, wiping away tears, cuddling, hugs and kisses, fixing boo boos, chase, laughing, answering the same question over and over, visiting the tickle monster, time for myself ... none, sleep ... huh? Did I mention cleaning?
