Caterpillar Farm Operation

Not really sure what is going on around our house the past few days but we have found over 30 caterpillars. They were two different kinds. We knew there was one nest in the neighbors apple tree just over our drive way. Those all came out on Sunday. We kept them but they didn't make it. Today we found a TON more (17) and we have kept them and put them all in cups with some grass and a stick. So we have 17 cups all set up with one caterpillar in each. Last year we found the same kind and they made their crysalis and turned into butterflies. It is kind of exciting to see what will happen. It will be our science experiment for the spring I guess!







The other news is that Avery has decided that he will not be taking the training wheels off his bike EVER again! He was all excited to go ride his bike again yesterday before supper. His second try he got a little wobbly and neither one of us was close enough to catch him. He ended up with road rash on his face. He was not pleased and refused to even eat supper because he was so upset. He said to me 'you should have caught me'. When I told him I was too far away to catch him and he then said 'well then daddy should have caught me!' Broke my heart. But we put the training wheels back on and went for a walk later after supper so he isn't too freaked out although he is a little more gun shy!

Fabulous Weather

What a great weekend! The weather has been great. The boys got to get their bikes out today to ride. They both needed a lesson before they could get going! How soon they forget things. We also got out the grill tonight. Man did those brats taste good! Our local DQ opened today too so after supper we got some blizzards.

Both the boys have been little comedians today. Blake told us on the way to hockey that he sure wished it wasn't 52 degrees. We asked him why and he said 'because I'm hot!' Of course we had our winter stuff on because we were headed to the arena! Then tonight after we put him to bed Avery came out to the living room. I asked what he wanted and he said 'Mommy, thank you for giving me my toys back.' Mike and I were both laughing. He had gotten his toys taken away over a week ago because he wouldn't pick them up. I finally gave them back last Friday. Funny that it took him so long to tell me thank you!

Busy Month

Wow has this month been busy. Since Blake started skating we have been doing that every Saturday and next week he starts practicing. We went to the Scarecrow Festival at Emma Krumbee's in Belle Plaine and the kids had a blast. It is expensive for everyone to get in and then do any of the extras like ride the ponies or pick out a pumpkin but they enjoyed it. From there we went to pick out some pumpkins at a greenhouse down the road. I posted some pictures below:







The following weekend we had a birthday to celebrate...Blake turned 5! I can hardly believe that he is 5 years old already. Next year he will be going to kindergarten...what a change that will be for us (mostly me)! Friday of that weekend mommy got to go to a concert. It was very fun but also very late. It was a busy weekend to start out that way but it was fine. Saturday morning we had a 'friends' birthday party for Blake. He invited 4 friends and we went to the local craft store to decorate pumpkins. I think the kids really enjoyed it!

Pumpkins decorated by the kids

Then that afternoon we all had time to take a nap and get ready for the family birthday party. Blake got lots of clothes so he is decked out for fall. He only got a couple toys which was a relief for mom and dad as the house continues to be packed with toys. He did however get his one and only request for his birthday...a new John Deere bike! He was so excited. He is having some trouble getting on it by himself and starting but he LOVES it. That also gave Avery a chance to get a bigger bike. He gets to ride the original John Deere bike with the training wheels. Last night I took him for a walk and he did great. They are growing up so fast.

This past weekend was also a busy one. Blake got to go duck hunting in the boat for the first time ever. He was so excited. He wasn't feeling well all weekend but didn't want to miss his chance to go do that with his dad. He had a lot of fun and never asked to go home once according to dad. Then on Sunday mom had a wedding show to do for her dessert business. It was a long day but hopefully worth it in the end.

So that is our month in a nutshell so far and we still have Halloween to get to yet. Avery has decided to be an apple tree for Halloween and Blake a hockey player. Can't wait to see them out there in their costumes!

BIG NEWS!

Well, we have been pretty boring since all the puppies left so I haven't posted anything. I have some pictures to add later but, we have some awesome news....Blake has learned to ride his bike. We are still in practice mode but he has only tried it 3 times and had already gotten it figured out! We need a little bit more use of the brakes but otherwise he is getting the hang of it!

Sorry this one is crooked!

Avery has also started to master the art of pedaling the trike. They are both getting so big it is just amazing!