Our trip up to Canada and New York

Kenny started a new job at Augusta Health in Fishersvilleon November 5.  His last day at UVA was October 19.  Because it will take a while to build up PTO, we decided to make a trip to NY in between the two jobs.  We left on Saturday, October 20th and drove a few hours to PA where we stayed for the night on our way to Tillsonburg, ON, Canada to visit Kenny's Grandma.  We stayed for a day and then headed to NY to visit my family.
I was so impressed with how the girls were in the car and how they were at Grandma D's house.  I brought a bag of toys but they were most impressed with a polar bear sculpture Grandma kept on an end table.  We got some cute pictures of them hugging and kissing the bear.

It was a long drive on Monday.  We would leave around naptime, hoping that Jenna and Rachel would sleep in the car but that really didn't happen.  Rachel never naps as long as Jenna and she would wake after 30-40 minutes and then wake up Jenna.  At least they were kept busy with books, toys, and movies.

On Tuesday, we visited the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester.  Kenny and I had gone to the Strong Museum when we were dating but had never been since it was renovated and made into a fantastic Children's Museum.  Tuesday was very rainy so it was the perfect day to go and spend the morning there.  They really enjoyed the Sesame Street exhibit and got to drive a taxi with Elmo in the backseat! We all loved the Wegman's grocery shopping.  Each girl got a cart, picked 5 items, got to scan them, get a receipt and then put their items back.  It was SO well done and they loved it!  We rode a train, a carousel, and then got some souvenirs from the gift shop before heading home.  They napped well that afternoon!

  

 Wednesday was a day we had set aside to visit my grandparents in Wolcott.  I loved seeing Jenna and Rachel playing with toys that my cousins and I had played with.  There were Fisher Price Little People, the school, big trucks, balls, and a little rocking chair.  I didn't even have to take out the toys that I brought.  While the girls napped, Grandma and I chatted.  I have always enjoyed talking with my Grandma!  Kenny went with Grandpa to the orchard to find any apples left on the trees.  When the girls woke up, we explored the yard and the apple boxes.  It was a beautiful fall day.  I'm so thankful to be able to spend time with my grandparents.  Jenna and Rachel were so happy and friendly with them and with other visitors who stopped by!

Rocking in the big chairs as Great-grandma looks on

They wanted to play in the mud puddle so I said "Keep your hands up!"

Catching up...Visits in October

October was a packed month.  Each weekend we had something planned!  During the second weekend, Sandra and Steve were here to visit.  Jenna and Rachel LOVE their Aunt "YaYa" and "Unc. Steve".  We had fun things planned.  On Friday we went to the Green Valley Book Fair.  I love going there and always leave with a basket full of books. 
 We went to a farm in Harrisonburg on Saturday.  They had animals to pet, a carousel  and a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch.  It was a cold day but sunny and we brought home some pumpkins.  

 The girls love Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton because we go often to feed the ducks.  On the weekends, there's a train and we hadn't been yet this year so we went on Sunday.  Sandra and Steve came with us last year when we rode the train. 

Each day they were, Sandra and Steve gave the girls a little present.  They got play food, cute dresses, coloring books with stickers and play dough. 

They also brought mini cupcakes for us to make.   We had fun making (and eating) the cupcakes.

The weekend went by way too fast.  Even though it's been about a month since they were here, Jenna and Rachel often talk about Aunt Sandra and Unc. Steve.  Because they drive a red car, if we are somewhere (anywhere!) and they see a red car, both girls will say "Red Car, Aunt Sandra, Unc. Steve!"  I even heard this from the backseat today on our way to the library.  Hopefully we'll be able to see them again soon!

"White Kitty", Apple Picking and More!

It's been pretty chilly here the past couple of days.  Not long ago we had the AC turned on and now the heat is on.  The air smelled so fresh like Fall this morning.

Before I write about some of our fall activities, I wanted to introduce the newest member of our family.  This is Oliver or as the girls like to call him "White Kitty."  About a month ago, my neighbor called me and asked if we would like a kitten.  There was a stray outside her son's preschool.  She took him home, gave him some food and took care of him for the afternoon.  We went over to see him and he is a beautiful, completely white cat who LOVED people and seemed to be OK with kids.  That evening we went to the store and bought new kitten supplies and decided to bring him home.  The poor thing was covered with fleas and ear mites so he stayed in our spare room for a few days until we were sure he wouldn't get Fiona sick. Oliver is so friendly and loves Jenna and Rachel.  It's been good for them to learn how to be gentle with a pet. Fiona's still not so sure if she likes him.  He wants to play with her and like to jump on her and she hisses at him.  It's good exercise for her (she's getting fat!). Hopefully they'll get along and become friends!  

In my last post, I wrote about the girls helping me with baking.  Their aprons came in the mail and they are perfect!  We've made pumpkin bread and apple bread recently.  

Growing up, my mom made us play dough to play with.  I made it once when I was teaching preschool so I decided to try it again.  I found a recipe online and it made nice, soft dough.  Jenna and Rachel love playing with their blue play dough! 

 A couple weekends ago, we visited an orchard and picked apples and brought home some pumpkins.  It was the same place we visited in August to pick peaches.  The girls loved it!  They were able to get apples right from the tree and drop them in our bag.  When we got home, I made applesauce   Over the next few days I made apple pie and apple bread too.  Yum!

Trying homemade apple sauce.

One last picture that makes me smile.  They look cute in overalls and were having fun with Daddy!

August update, a little late

I was so good about trying to blog twice a month.  August was busy and I didn't get around to writing! I'd like to publish this blog into a book because I've written so much about the girls so I want to make sure I write something each month!
The girls love to help in the kitchen. I let them push chairs to the island.  They help me dump ingredients into the bowl and mix with the spoon.  My great Aunt has the BEST zucchini bread recipe and we've made it at least 5 times since the beginning of August.  I have it memorized!  They can name the ingredients we add.  Rachel loves to say salt!  Jenna likes the brown sugar.  I just ordered them some aprons to wear when helping and they should be here soon!

Helping mix zucchini bread

My mom came on August 18.  The girls love their grandma!  We were busy everyday, going to the park, a book fair, storytime, and going out to lunch.  My dad came the following Thursday, on my birthday.  We went to a local peach orchard and had fun picking peaches.  It was the end of the season but we were still able to find some on the trees.  I loved having my parents here and the girls had so much fun with their grandma and grandpa.

Feeding ducks with Grandma

Sneaking a taste of birthday cake

Grandpa and his girls

Grandpa and Jenna

Just being silly!

What's new with Jenna and Rachel?
After being so worried about Rachel walking late, she has really caught up with her sister.  Jenna's still a little faster but Rachel can keep right up.  At the nearby park, they love the big slides and can climb the stairs and slide by themselves.

Their talking has really blossomed.  They often speak in two word phrases, often using the word "please".  "Up, please, daddy."  "Drink, please."  They don't use signs any more because I am usually able to understand what they want or need.  Rachel and Jenna both know most/all their letters (I think) and still like to do the starfall.com website.  Rachel loves her flashcards with letters and animals.  Jenna likes to build tall towers with her blocks.  Even with small temper tantrums here and there, they are both happy girls who love to play, look at books, and snuggle.  They make me smile every day.