Milky Way Farm

Our new favorite spot to go as a family this summer was Milky Way Farm in Chester Springs.  We had been there a few years ago for a birthday party but never went back until Abby had a field trip there this spring.  It is a working farm, so her class went and met the owners/farmers and learned all about the cows and other animals they have there.  Since her field trip, we have made many visits to the farm as a family.  Our kids love to visit the pigs, cows, ducks, & sheep.  Best of all is the creamery where they make the most delicious homemade ice cream EVER.  Last week we visited the pumpkin patch at the farm and picked our own pumpkins, visited the animals, and then enjoyed a yummy ice-cream.  I love that Abby & Alex always gets their favorite, Molly's Mint Chocolate Chip - but Chris always tries something new - this time it was Polly's Pumpkin Pie.  Here's some pictures of our pumpkin picking adventure...

Sweet Abby

Abby: When I'm a mom, can I still call you Mommy?

Me: You sure can...

((Smile)) This girl makes my heart melt!

Virtual Bouquet

Straight from my garden to you! Hope this brightens your day! :)

School Days

Thursday was Chris & Alex's first day of pre-school. This is Alex's first experience with school so it was a bit hard for me to think of my baby being old enough for school! It went pretty smoothly - except for the part where the teachers had to pry both Chris & Alex away from me!! They both fussed a bit when I left, which in turn made me cry as I walked out to my big, empty car. Boohoo! But luckily that only lasted a few minutes for all three of us. The boys both were fine within minutes & I was able to go and enjoy a quiet breakfast with my good friend Shannon. Three hours later I was there to pick them up & find out how their morning was. They both loved it! During lunch I asked them both what their favorite part of the morning was. Their answer? Seeing each other on the playground. :) So cute. I just love my boys.

Alex was able to go to the library on his first day to pick out books. I asked him what books he got. "Green books - because they're my favorite!" No...he's not that environmentally conscious already...they were actually two books with green covers. He didn't even care what they were about as long as they were green!

Here's a picture of them on their first day - and also a picture of Abby from her first day.

Back By Popular Demand...

I'm baaack!

Ok ok - so I've read the commentary on my blog (& my sister's blog!) wondering where I've been and when I'm going to start updating my blog again.

Well...here I am. I have no good reason as to where I've been, no excuses this time. Hopefully you will show your love & let me know that you're back following along with me.

Now back to business...


Abby started 1st grade this week. This is her first experience with all-day school and she was very nervous about it for the week or so leading up to her first day. She cried herself to sleep most nights and would spontaneously burst into tears throughout each day. So I was really expecting a horrible first day for her! Much to my surprise on Monday morning, she woke up in a great mood & started getting very excited as she got dressed & ready to go. By the time we got to the bus stop she was fine and got on the bus with no tears or fears! She lasted the whole day without tears and ran off the bus in the afternoon shouting "I love first grade!". (Mommy - on the other hand has teared up at various points throughout each day missing my sweet Abby.)

I absolutely love her teacher so far and so does Abby. On her first day she was given a homework assignment to bring in her 'forever' book to share with the class. A Forever book is a book that may not mean or look like much to someone else, but it is a book that is special to you. A book that whenever you read it or are reminded of it, you will forever recall special memories about it. Abby had 2 Forever books - "Bear Snores On" by Karma Wilson and "Disney Bear's Magical Day at the Magic Kingdom" - (a book we got in Disney). She took "Bear Snores On" into school with her and tomorrow she has to present it to the class and explain why it is special to her.

I just love this concept!!

My forever book(s) are the Little House on the Prairie series. I remember my sisters and I squishing together on one of our little twin beds every night to listen to my mom or dad read us a chapter or two. I can still picture the blue flowered wallpaper and my Holly Hobbie sheets.

So my question for you is this....What is your Forever Book & why?

I can't wait to hear from you all!

Alex "Big Boy" Plousis

Well it's been a week with out the flower, (that's how Alex says pacifier)!

We've been halfheartedly trying to get rid of the flower for a while now. I would try to hide it from him, but he would throw fits that I wasn't in the mood to deal with, so I would cave in and give it back to him! :) But over the past few weeks, Alex would randomly hand me his pacifier and say "I'm a big boy, I don't need this", so I would take it away until he asked for it again, usually at bedtime.

So last Sunday I decided to hide the remaining 'flowers' for good. I was prepared for a fight, but it went a lot smoother than I expected! He only asked for it a few times at bedtime, "I want my flower!" Jim and I would just tell him that he doesn't need it anymore because he's a big boy. And - to my surprise - without any fighting or tears he would just lay down and go to bed! Yea Alex!

On Saturday, we were in the car driving to Jim's parent's house (in a torrential downpour!) Trying to keep the kids entertained, we were discussing their names. Jim asked Alex what his middle name was. Alex's response..."BIG BOY!"

Gotta love it!

Long Time No See...

I have no explanation as to where I have been over the last 4 months...except that I have 3 kids that have been non-stop lately, a husband who has been traveling for work, and a computer that would randomly shut-down on me. But the kids are in bed, Jim is done traveling for the year, and we have a new computer...so now I have no excuse!!!! I won't even begin to try and catch up, it has been a busy 4 months. I will try to fill in the gaps in some future posts...but don't hold me to it!

Tonight I just want to post a quick note about Veteran's Day today. I really only know a few veterans, but the most important and most influential to me was my grandfather, Spence Goldsborough. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. during World War II, a member of the Greatest Generation in the truest sense. He passed away suddenly in August and I miss him dearly. I'm not sure if I ever thanked him for his service to our country and for preserving our freedoms. So don't let today pass you by, thank a veteran for giving us the freedom to live in this great country!