Apples, Fargo, & Rambling.

I tend to do a lot of rambling on this blog... probably while it's titled, "ramblings" of an exhausted domestic engineer. This week, I'm especially exhausted. Gavin & Samantha have been battling colds, Gavin especially. I dislike September. It's either 60 and beautiful, 80 and hot, or 40 and cold. It's a different temperature every day, and therefore, my kiddos get sick. Now, I'm fighting to keep a cold from developing. To top that off, Maggie hasn't been sleeping well, and I can't figure out well. She's up and down all night. In and out of my bed and her bed. Back and forth, kicking me, very restless. We've cut out Scooby Doo at night, thinking maybe there's some bad dreams, so I don't think it's that... maybe she just wants her snuggle time. Needless to say, I'm tired. This mommy wants a nap!

Last weekend was the Apple Festival. This is our fourth, I think, time going... we went the year before Samantha was born, with our niece, Bella, and then every year since. Here are a few pictures from the fun (and cold!) day:

Bundled up baby boy!

Maggie & Gavin

My sweeties in the orchard, barely cooperating for a picture!

Mommy and her girls

Let's get this over with so we can ride the ponies!

He'll be ONE tomorrow! Where does the time go?!

Pony rides!

Yesterday I headed to Fargo, North Dakota (no folks, it's nothing like the movie!) for Dakota Odyssey of the Mind's first presentation. The turn out wasn't what we were hoping for, but we did get a great lead, and were invited to a PTO meeting in October, where we'll present the program again, and hopefully get some more interest. Until then, all you Dakotans out there, and any one else, check out my website: http://www.dakotaodysseyofthemind.com/ and see what it's all about. OotM is nationwide, and is AWESOME to say the least! But don't just take my word for it... sign up! (http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/)

Samantha is really excited about a new cousin. Please excuse her mouthful of food, which she told me she had swallowed before we shot this video. She wants a girl cousin. I think it's because she likes the name my brother and sister-in-law have picked out. Jason & Casie are making their sister wait impatiently until birth to find out what the baby's gender is! This little sweetie should be here sooner than later!

Gavin turns ONE tomorrow. This mommy is a little sad. I get sad on my kiddo's birthdays. I don't like them getting older... soon they'll be driving and leaving me and going off to college and making me a grandma. Haha. Ok, so later more than sooner, but just the same. I can't believe Gavin will be one tomorrow, and that Samantha is three, and Maggie is two. Where did my babies go?

Yesterday I was getting ready, in the nude, it's what I do.

Samantha wakes up and comes in.

"Whatcha' doin' Mommy?" -My hair.

She begins undressing. Grabs her hair brush.

"Now I'm JUST like Mommy."

I guess I need to change my routine.

And thank goodness for Mommy mode brain:

The wind was blowing very hard the other day and we were on a walk.

"Mommy, Gavin really likes to be blown."

- Why yes, Samantha, the wind is blowing hard!