Pumpkins

Eva posing with the giant pumpkin outside of her gymnastics facility

We carved our pumpkins last weekend... and took the easy way out instead of carving detailed stenciled pictures on large pumpkins as we have done in year's past. (Call us lazy!)

On your mark... get set....

Dave and I each carved a small pumpkin, while the girls painted their even smaller pumpkins. Small is good... less pumpkin guts to get rid of!

...Go!

Having the girls paint while we worked with our knives proved to be another good idea! It kept them busy and we all finished at about the same time.


Next year, I will try a tip that I read on a blog: cut the bottom of the pumpkin out rather than the top. Remove the guts from the bottom and leave the stem intact. When you want to light it, simply light a candle and put the pumpkin over the top. The candle will be on a flat surface and the pumpkin won't roll around. Brilliant idea!

Amanda's First Recital...and more.

Today was Amanda's debut performance as a pianist!

If you remember, Amanda had a few short lessons last year... but I soon realized that her fingers just didn't have the strength to push the keys down so we put lessons on hold.

A few weeks ago, Amanda came running up to me and excitedly asked if she could have a piano lesson. She had set her piano books up on the rack and was ready for me! I figured,"What the heck? Let's give it another try."

And this time, things went much better! Her fingers still aren't very strong and she has a hard time keeping a round hand shape, but we can work on that. After her first "lesson", I overheard her teaching Eva about forte and piano. (By George, she was actually paying attention!)

Last week, she declared that she wanted to play in this year's Costume Recital, held during Halloween Week. She chose a song that would work well with her Fairy costume called "The Magic Tree House", which was about make-believe and rainbows. The chosen piece contained single notes as well as note clusters (playing 3 keys simultaneously) and moving to four different octaves. After hearing her play it for a few days, I decided that she was indeed serious enough about it to actually perform at the recital.

So this afternoon while Eva napped, she played through the piece one last time and got dressed in her fairy costume, complete with fairy wings and a rainbow-colored headband. She was ready! I lost track of how many times she said,"I am so excited to play in the recital!"

I had eight students performing, two of whom were playing in their first recital. I always start with the beginners and end with the most advanced, so that meant Amanda was first.



She did a great job and I was bursting with pride. However, I can't believe I stopped filming before the applause and her bow! What was I thinking? I guess I wanted to make sure I clapped for her... and I needed both hands for that. Poor planning on my part.

I have to say that this was probably the best recital in recent memory! I only had one student who was a bit shaky in her playing due to counting issues, but even that was minor.

My students: All girls this year!
(Amanda's strange expression is actually due to a mouthful of apple slices!)

My students arrived dressed as Tinkerbell, a gnome, a wizard, two cats, an angel, a doctor...and of course, the fairy. Each student had to play at least one piece that corresponded to their costume, so Tinkerbell played a piece from "Peter Pan; the wizard played the theme song from "Harry Potter", etc.

After the performances were finished, we ate red velvet cupcakes decorated with candy corn, apple slices with caramel dip and pink party punch. Each student also received a small goody bag on the way out the door.

**
Also today, I secured a date, time and place for our Holiday Recital in December! We will once again be using the church next door, which is incredibly convenient, not to mention a fantastic facility with great acoustics. Next week my students will begin learning Christmas music, which is always a lot of fun!

**
Last night was our third meeting of Piano Club, and all five of my adult students were in attendance this time. It was another fun-filled evening with great conversation and delicious appetizers/desserts. Such a great group of women... and to watch the camaraderie and friendships grow is pretty exciting.

The theme of the evening was "Minor Music", meaning music in minor keys. As I sat in my wingback chair, the farthest seat from the piano, I couldn't help but feel like a proud mama as I watched my "children" walk up to the piano one by one and perform their pieces.

Each and every one of them performed at least one piece, and quite well, I might add! Even the so-called beginners played with poise, confidence and feeling. By the end of the night, I watched with amazement as my most advanced adult sat at the piano with my newest adult peering over her shoulder. The two were engrossed in conversation, discussing the various signs, symbols and notation in the music. It was a pretty neat thing to witness.

Each and every one of them is at a different skill level, but the support and encouragement is equal across the board. Even if I have to give up teaching for a while after the baby is born, we hope to continue getting together for Piano Club. When I came home and gave Dave a recap of the night, it struck me how much fun I have been having at these meetings!

The decision as to whether or not I will continue teaching after January has been weighing on my mind a lot lately. Last night, my students let me know in no uncertain terms that they are hoping for my quick return. In fact, the peer pressure was pretty overwhelming - and the abundance of compliments made me feel guilty about ever stopping. I guess only time will tell...

As I drifted off to sleep last night, I couldn't help but think "This teaching gig is a pretty cool thing."

Free Halloween Coloring Pages

I've been busy printing out Halloween coloring pages/cards for the girls. Here are a few sites I've found:

http://familyfun.go.com/printables/coloring-pages/holiday-coloring-pages/

http://www.landolakes.com/halloween2008/Free-Halloween-Coloring-Pages.cfm

http://www.hersheys.com/trickortreats/activities/coloring.asp

Subscription to Parents Magazine - $5.00

I just received a notification today that Amazon is running a special deal on Parents magazine. From now through 10/31, you can get a 1 year magazine subscription for just $5.00.

Order your 1-year subscription to Parents Magazine for just $5.00 before the deadline.

I just ordered mine. This would be a great Christmas gift idea for any new parents...

Nor'easter + High Tide = EXCITEMENT

Last weekend they were predicting especially high waves due to the combination of an approaching Nor'easter and the lunar effect on the tides. (I probably don't have that terminology right... but hopefully I'm close with my explanation.)

Dave really wanted us to see the waves at high tide, so we packed the girls up in the minivan, made a quick stop for chicken McNuggets (as if we were buying popcorn to watch a movie) and headed down for the promised show.

We were not the only ones with such a curiosity. Cars and trucks were lined up all along the seawall to witness the excitement.

Once we had parked along the seawall, I immediately understood the term "Brant Rock Car Wash." The water was coming up over our car and splashing all the way across to the other side of the street. In the road, you could see debris like seawood and small pieces of wood that had been spit out of the ocean's ferocious waves.

It was pretty fascinating to witness the ocean in a "bad mood" as opposed to the many peaceful beach days we experienced this past summer.



Dave assured me that "this was nothing" but I was still impressed. Eva, however, was not. After just a few minutes, she complained that she was scared and wanted to go home.



Even though I have lived here for 6 years now, I still feel a sense of wide-eyed excitement and mystery toward this coastal lifestyle. I'm willing to bet I will never fully shed my "Farm Girl" skin...

Halloween Party

Earlier this week, the girls and I were invited to a Halloween Party hosted by one of Amanda's classmates. The girls were so excited to finally put on their Halloween costumes, which had been hanging in the closet for a good month now.

Amanda was a fairy and Eva was Snow White. I'd like to say that they each chose their own costumes, but the truth is that Mama found the respective costumes at a Consignment Sale. Because both the sizes and prices were right, that's how the decision was made.

Eva was initially very disappointed in my choice because she really wanted to be a " scary monster." However, she warmed up to the idea once I found a red satin headband for her to wear with the dress. Luckily it wasn't too difficult to persuade Amanda to don the fairy costume since she is all about Tinkerbell these days. And when I allowed her to wear her flower girl tights and shoes with the costume, it was a done deal.

Ready to leave for the party!

The Halloween party was held at Jay's house, overlooking the ocean and seawall. The outdoor set-up was ideal, as was the weather. Between the snacks, party games, swingset, sandbox and trampoline, the kids would have been content to play there all day long. (And I admit that I was enjoying the opportunity to sit outside and have coffee and fresh fruit while hearing the ocean waves roll in.)

A fishing game in the garage

The kids all loved the trampoline.
And see the ocean in the background? Talk about fresh air!

The view from the deck

As I've said before, our social calendar is constantly booked now that Amanda is in Preschool. But this was one event that I didn't mind at all!

Take Your Parent to School Day

Today was the annual "Take Your Parent to School Day" at Amanda's preschool. This is a special event that gives parents a chance to see the classroom, etc. Since I went last year, Dave got his turn this time around.

I didn't get many details about what went on today, but it sounded like they both had a good time. It was only an hour long and Amanda repeatedly complained that the day was "too short!"

Here are a few photos that Dave came home with.

This is the building that Daddy and Amanda built.
(Is it any wonder why both girls LOVE building towers with Daddy?)

Just like at home, Amanda heads right for the dress-up clothes. And how fitting that she chose to read a "Mix and Match Fashion" book.

Special Time with Daddy

A visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Each year, we make the short drive to Bog Hollow Farm in Kingston for their Columbus Day weekend festival. This year, it just so happened that the cousins from California were still here so we made plans to attend together.

Amanda, Cora and Eva

The kids had lots of fun on the fire truck, the hayride, crawling through the straw tunnel, trying to find their way out of the maze and digging in the sandpile.

I'll let the photos speak for themselves:

Paul with Eva, Cora and Amanda

Joe, Mandy and Cora

On the hayride

Joe and Dave

Amanda chooses her pumpkin...

...as does Eva.

Dave, Katie, Leif and Toby.

The Newest Addition to our Fleet

After realizing that we could not fit a third carseat into our car, we made the decision to begin searching for a minivan.

Well, perhaps searching is not the right word, since we never officially began to look or even test drive anything. It was merely on our "to do list" of things that had to happen before the end of January when the new baby is due to make its appearance.

Step one in the process was t0 sell the Volvo station wagon and one of the Audi's. Much to our surprise, the station wagon sold almost immediately. The Audi, on the other hand, has not generated any interest.

Still, out of curiosity, Dave happened to look on Craigslist a few weeks just to see what was out there in terms of minivans in our price range. What he found was an astonishingly good deal on a Toyota Sienna. We hoped it would be as good as the ad stated and made the drive down to the Cape the next morning to take a look at it.

Everything checked out and we bought it on the spot. Dave took care of the license, registration and insurance right away and we were good to go!


After putting on new tires and having it detailed, it feels (and smells!) like a brand new car. During the past week that we have been driving it, we are thorougly in love with it. I admit that I was initially sad to see the Volvo go... but I actually love driving the minivan even more than the old wagon.

What a huge relief it is to have all of the "necessities" for the new baby! (Well, everything but diapers, that is!)

Now if we can just sell the Audi, we'll be in great shape.

Meeting the Cousins

We were very happy to find out that Dave's Aunt Betty and all of his cousins would be making the trip from CA to MA for Jason's wedding! The last time I saw all of them was for our own wedding, five years ago.

Obviously that meant Amanda and Eva had never met any of them, so we were excited for all of them to meet.

The day before the wedding, we made a quick trip down to Kingston to see their beach rental house. What an amazing place! Amanda and Eva got to meet Lily, Cora and Oliver and play for a short time.

Amanda, Eva and Lily on the tire swing

Later in the day, the whole California crew came over to our place for a cookout. What a fun time! They are a great bunch of people and we shared a lot of good conversation and laughs.

Amanda and Eva immediately bonded with their cousins with the dress-up clothes and a picnic. Talk about a bunch of cute and well-behaved kids!

Cora, Lily, Eva, Amanda and Oliver ("Bowie")

Amanda was especially smitten with Cora, who is a full year younger than Amanda, but that made no difference.

Amanda and Eva will really miss their cousins when they leave later this week. We're going to miss them too!!

The Wedding

It has been a whirlwind of activity around here over the past few days! We are starting to return to our semi-normal routine as the guests begin leaving, one by one.

I know that many of you (particularly family members) have been anxious to hear about Jason and Angelina's wedding. I took a TON of pictures and now it's just a matter of sorting through them.

In a nutshell, the wedding was absolutely wonderful! Things went off with barely a glitch and it seemed like everyone was genuinely happy and having a great time.

Amanda could not have been any more beautiful in her role as the Flower Girl. She had her hair done professionally with all of the other girls and couldn't wait until it was time to put the gown on. Omi did a wonderful job of making a pink princess gown for Amanda and it fit her perfectly.

All dressed up and ready for her first limo ride

Katie (Maid of Honor), Amanda (Flower Girl) and Angelina (Bride) in the limo

It's almost time for the wedding to start and Amanda looks nervous.

A quick photo with Eva and then it's time for us to take our seats!

Amanda fulfilled her flower girl duties without any problems and even decided to walk down the aisle without Eva, her "assistant." I was fairly certain she would be too nervous to do it on her own, so I was proud of her.

Waiting to catch a glimpse of Daddy coming down the aisle with Uncle Jay.

Jason (Groom) and Dave (Best Man)

Jason and Dave wore Lindsay plaid vests (made by Omi) under their tuxes, and had matching pocket squares. It doesn't show up very well in this photo, but they looked really sharp.

When I caught my first glimpse of Amanda walking down the aisle, she literally took my breath away and my heart gave a start. I could not believe how grown up she looked.

She didn't seem nervous and as you can see, she was very meticulous about scattering rose petals perfectly in a line. I wish I had taken a video but I was simply too caught up in the moment. I managed to get a few pictures before she arrived at the end of the aisle.


I think she forgot all about scattering the petals once she saw me taking her picture!

I just love the look of pride on her face now that her job is done.

Waiting for the Bride to come down the aisle, with Eva by Amanda's side for moral support... or because she wants to be part of the action!

Introducing... Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay!

Everyone commented on how happy Jason and Angelina were after the ceremony was over. It was really nice to see.

One of Dave's friends took this picture and it's one of our favorites!

Dave did a great job as Best Man. He was nervous about his speech but it was beautifully written and focused on the theme of "Building a Home, figuratively and literally." Even though he forgot to propose the toast at the end of it, it was something to be proud of.

Amanda and Eva were in their element, dancing and twirling all night long in their fancy dresses. Every now and then, they would take a quick rest... eat a few bites of their dinner... and then they went right back to the dance floor. Unfortunately the photos taken during the reception didn't turn out due to the lighting, so I have limited coverage of that.

Eva, Amanda and Lily with Angelina

In the meantime, I am busy creating a photo/video montage as a surprise for Jason and Angelina. I am hoping that the wedding guests share their photos with me so I can hurry and get this done before Jason and Angelina arrive home from their Hawaiian honeymoon!

Now that the wedding is over, we all feel a great sense of relief. We are enjoying our time with Uncle Lothar and Aunt Inge (from Mainz, Germany) and Grampy. We have spent the past few days visiting mostly with the California cousins, who rented a mansion of a house on the beach in Kingston. Amanda and Eva are having a blast getting to know their 2nd cousins, Lily, Cora and Oliver. Yesterday we all went to Bog Hollow Farm together... pictures to follow soon!

Apples, Apples, Apples

Last night, it was chilly enough that I had to close all of the windows before going to bed. It was downright chilly!

When I flipped the calendars to October this morning and then stepped outside, it definitely felt like Fall had arrived! I even debated starting a wood fire in the barn. The cool, crisp air got me in the mood for some baking.

After breakfast, I asked the girls if they wanted to do a baking project with me. I didn't have to ask twice.

I scoured the internet and my cookbooks for some unique apple recipes, but ended up falling back on the old stand by: Best Ever Apple Crisp. Truth be told, I didn't have the energy or patience for anything more involved than that, but some friends came up with some good ideas, including baked apples and some scrumptious looking apple dumplings. We still have half a dozen apples left so we'll have to try these next time!

Amanda and Eva took turns measuring and mixing the ingredients, and then we popped it in the oven. As it baked, we talked about the different types and colors of apples and then made an apple-related craft.

Anything involving construction paper and glue is bound to be fun for them and this was no different. The girls tore red, green and yellow paper into little scraps which they then glued onto a blank apple picture to make a festive Fall mosaic.

Eva is very diligent and focused when doing crafts!

Amanda commented that making mosaics was really fun, like coloring... but using paper instead of crayons and markers.

Amanda got to work right away, making it her mission to leave no white on her apple.

I think they turned out pretty well, don't you?

Ta-dah!

After they had finished their crafts, both Amanda and Eva (well, mostly Eva) were begging to taste some of the apple crisp. I served it warm with whipped cream on top.

Soooo good!

After being quarantined in the house now for four days with two sick kids, I thought I'd be going stir crazy by now.

But I actually have to side with Amanda this time.

"Sick days are REALLY FUN!"

Nonetheless, I hope that we get back to normal soon. Being sick is the pits!