Heritage Farm

 

There is a little place in Plano called Heritage Farm. On Fridays they put on special programming, so we drove over to take in the E-I-E-I-O of it all. We met our friends D & A there, which got everyone all amped up and excited. 

We listened to a story about a little scarecrow boy read by a real farmer, 

then we visited the stations around the farm. 

We started with planting seeds. Dub got to dig a hole, drop some pumpkin seeds in, top it off with soil, then water it. Then he tried to manage everyone else who was working on planting. And when we had to curb that, he decided planting was for the birds.  Off to explore the hut.

Our second station was the apple orchard. The genius staff planned a game of tag that involved picking up some apples from the orchard. Running some energy out of toddlers is always a good idea, in my book.

From there, we were able to grind up corn and feed the resident chickens and turkeys.This mainly involved throwing the corn pieces towards the animals because mama was afraid that the crazy beasts would peck some fingers. W also was able to pick up eggs in the hen house. 

A tractor hayride was next - at that point we were all getting kind of hot and ready to wrap things up. For some reason, W hates hayrides. I always think he's going to love the experience and he always tries to get off of the thing like a coach passenger on the Titanic. We made our scarecrow craft, then we hit the road. 

It was a neat experience overall - one that provided the best nap in weeks. :)

Thanks, too, to Aunt Susan - who watched Ev so that W and I could spend time together.

Johnny Appleseed Day

Sometimes I get out of the baby haze and manage to do something "educational" for Dub. On September 26, one of TWO days every year that Johnny Appleseed is celebrated, we did a few related activities. I created a board on Pinterest because there are so many great ideas already in existence, and I just used my favorites to create an apple themed day. 

We started by slicing apples, dipping them in pancake batter, and putting them on the griddle. Dub helped make the batter and helped use the toothpicks to dip the apple rings, so I thought he would love the final product. I think the look on his face says it all, don't you?

 

We read some books about old John Champman and about Apples in general - a way to kind of spark up interest. Then we made our own applesauce from scratch. 

 

And we finished up the day by inviting our friends Stephanie and Andrew over for some fingerpainting and apple coloring.

 

 

I tried to teach him the Johnny Appleseed prayer song, but that didn't go over too well. (Right now, he's stuck on Raffi's "Brush Your Teeth". :) However, he liked helping around the kitchen and painting stuff, so it was all a success in my book.

 

The Boys - as Captured by Emily Mulkey Photography

We had Emily Mulkey of Emily Mulkey Photography take Everett's newborn photos and we couldn't be happier with how they turned out. Emily did Wyatt's pictures, too, and they are still my favorites. 

So, thanks to Emily, Aunt Sue, and some marshmallows, we were able to bribe Wyatt into a few family friendly poses. 

Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot:

I cannot get enough of this cuteness! Wyatt tries to Eskimo kiss Everett all of the time and then he ALWAYS says, "he's so tiny". Those two have had a lot of cute moments. Ev can be in a real freak out over tummy time and Wyatt will come over and say, "it's ok, Ev" and Everett will stop crying and just stare at Wyatt. Love it. 

Don't love the feeding schedule or how limited things are with two monkeys, but things are still evolving. Slowly. :)

Preschool

Today was W's first day of Preschool! Yay for everyone in the house. 

We decorated W's door so that when he came out this morning, there were streamers everywhere. Then we wrapped some of the banister, his breakfast chair, and left a present for him. Needless to say, he was pumped. 

We did a photo shoot in front of the house before he got into Daddy's Jeep and left for school. 

Jason took him into his classroom and said that W walked ahead of him the whole way there. In the classroom, he apparently had a hard time with sharing...but had no problem with kicking his parents to the curb. No tears were shed.

When I came to pick him up this afternoon, he cried because he didn't want to leave. I even offered up a slush as a bribe so that we could hit the road - no dice. He told me "No, Mama".

So, we are all pleased that preschool was a success on day one. We love his patient and wonderful teacher, Ms. Amanda, and we are looking forward to what the year brings. 

I can also say that I enjoyed spending some more one-on-one time with this guy...who is four weeks old today. I can't even believe it. I really don't know how people have more than one child. Maybe it gets easier, but...dang. For now, I'm glad my friend Cabernet is here to help me through. :)  Cheers.

 

Hello, Baby!

This week we have been blessed to have folks bringing us dinners. Aside from seeing other humans, it has been lovely to have meals all worked out. I have noticed that on any given day, someone doesn't make it out of pajamas - either me, Ev, or Wyatt...and sometimes, Jason. We just kind of rotate pajama day. 

Jason has been going back to work a little at a time, which I joke, is kind of like training wheels. And, luckily, Gabby is back from her cruise and has been a little worker bee, helping out with Wyatt, the laundry, the shopping, and whatever else needs doing. Lifesaver, for sure since I can't drive, pick up Wyatt, bend down, etc...

I'm serious here...

So - Ev has been receiving visitors in small amounts. 

Aunt Katie is our biggest fan. She always brings some sort of dessert offering, sometimes a present, and she loves on both of her nephews. As always, she has been a big help and it's been fun seeing her with the babies. 

Hi, Kitty.

Is that a bink? I better take a closer look...

Today, all of the aunts (and one in spirit), visited with Ev. They brought great grandma with them, and we had a very good visit.  Laura and Donna were nice enough to bring dinner for everyone. Sue brought a delicious chocolate zucchini cake. Mom brought champagne. Four hours FLEW by. Wyatt loved the attention, especially from Uncle Evan John. It was great to have everyone, and especially great to be able to take these sweet pictures of grandma and Everett.

Aunt Donna - loving some baby!

Cousin Laura and Sleeping Beauty

A Sweet Kiss

Great Grandma and Baby Everett

And, of course, my big boys have been keeping busy. They did some swimming on Saturday - before the rain and the cooler temps (high 80s in August? What??) descended. Aren't they precious together? Jason has been super dad, taking on all kinds of tasks. But mainly, he has been extra good with Wyatt, making sure to give him lots of attention. They've been cute together. Jason's latest feat: he taught W all of the words to "The Eyes of Texas" - just in time for football season's start up (9/1). 

Big Mouth Frogs!

Splashy McSplashy

Daddy's going to get you!

It has definitely been an adjustment period, and there is more to come. 

However, we've been lucky to have such nice support. 

Thank you.  :)

 

Happy Birthday, Everett!

Everett Reed Cassady

Monday night we were out at dinner when my water broke. After scrambling around packing bags and calling in reinforcements, I checked into the hospital with my two trusty c-section sidekicks: Jason and Katie. 

Katie and Jason - suited up for the OR

Hey, World - kind of bright out here. And cold. Not impressed. Put me back.

At 6:16am on August 7, 2012, Everett Reed Cassady put in an appearance. 

He weighed in at 7lbs 4oz

19 inches long

and with some pretty dark hair. 

Introductions all around...

Aunt Kate and Ev

We spent a few days in the hospital recovering, and were set free this afternoon (Thursday).

 

So far Wyatt has shown mild curiosity about his brother, but is more concerned with Aunt Sue leaving. (He doesn't want her to...).

Aunt Sue holding Everett

We've had so much help from family - it's been great...especially the help with Wyatt. Thank you. From the turkey sandwiches and crabcakes, to the late night phone call to drive across the neighborhood/across town and stay with Wyatt - really, thank you. Y'all made it easy to have a baby. :)

Brothers. I'm already worried about the mayhem!

 For now, just a typical Thursday night over here. Jason is watching a recorded Olympic soccer game. Wyatt is asleep upstairs. I'm blogging. And our baby is asleep in the middle of the bed. :) Content.

Ev's Room

 I finally have Everett's room the way that I want it - all it needs is a baby at this point. 

Dr. M. moved my c-section back to 8/21 so now it is a race to see which comes first - Everett by his own accord, or Everett by force. His actual due date is 8/22. Wyatt came a week early, so I'm hoping these brothers can share at least that. I'm ready. Well, I'm not ready right this second, but I'll be ready a week early for sure. :)

Back to the task at hand - Ev's nursery. 

Here it is!

Changing table and crane mobile

Hanging these letters was beastly. Pop Pop was a real trooper!

Re-purposed artwork from Wyatt's nursery

Restoration Hardware's Stroller Blanket. Love. Wanted this for Wyatt, but couldn't justify it since we already had 100 blankies for him. Couldn't be happier with this piece.

Toddler pillow with monogram. Love.

Crane Mobile made from the pages of Little Women. From Etsy. It's precious.

Room with a view.

So - that's the way it all turned out. I was able to talk Jason into painting a blue room blue and he has been very complimentary of the way it all turned out. He's also been super sweet about bankrolling the whole project and not being too fussy. ***TOO***. Keisha did a great job helping me get all of the pieces in order. Pop Pop was so helpful and patient with hanging everything - excluding me, so...I appreciate that. Gabby and Katie watched Wyatt so I could help supervise Pop Pop. Also helpful. I think we've got a winner of a room. Can't wait to spend many-a-sleepless nights in there. Coming soon. :)