Lifelines

On our way home from Farmer Charlie’s yesterday (was that just YESTERDAY? YEESH!), we saw signs for the Velvet Ice Cream Factory in Utica so we swung over that way to surprise the kids with a end-of-summer treat.

They were surprised and I was too–by the LINE!
It was quite crowded and I hate crowds, blah, blah, blah.

So it was a fun stop but Graters is a fun stop too and at least there we can zip over to Cold Stone or DQ if the half the town is waiting for their OWN tasty treat.

I’m a girl who like options, what can I say?

Ice creamin’:

(And with all those options, three of us picked lame flavors. Vanilla (Creux), vanilla (Greer), and chocolate (me). Experimentors we are not :))

Luxe thinks we are exhausting.
I’d have to agree.

Chas has been picking apples for as long as I can remember.
Long enough that HE used to be the tyke super excited to “climb” the trees for the juicy apples at the top.
The enthusiam for the craft of apple picking has definitely lessened.
But he’s still the same sweet kid.

Luxe is porkin’ out these days.
Shhh.
Don’t tell her.

Charlie is the best multi-tasker around.
I can’t remember an apple picking adventure where someone wasn’t dangling from one of us :)

Creux wasn’t the only one who heard nature calling and answered.
Though I’ll say that boys have this one MUCH easier than girls.
Squatting in fields is NOT a favorite past-time of mine, for me or my daughter!

Creux and I scooted off alone for a few minutes.
These little ones are so preciously excited about stuff like this so I wanted to spend some time indulging us both with his sweetness.

He does this funny winking thing when he smiles sometimes.

And this is probably in bad taste but he sort of reminds me of a midget Hugh Hefner when he does that–I just see him old and in a robe, winking at young blondes.
I hope I’m no longer around when that happens.
Ahem.
(Chas, you should have no idea who this person is and don’t you dare Google him either :))
(For real. Do. Not. Google.)

I found these two waiting patiently for us in the field.
Sweet.
Charlie’s a good daddy.

And one for the books!

Apple picking at Farmer Charlie’s–14 thumbs up! :)
(Some big, some little, and one very teensy.)

I’d first heard of “Charlie’s Apples” (of Windy Hill Apple Farm out in Newark) two years ago from another homeschooling friend.
She’d gone with her family and raved about Farmer Charlie and his apples.
(Homeschooling friends know EVERYTHING, I swear.)
The big draw was that these apples were grown using organic practices and since apples are high on the list of what my kids love and since we eat the skin of those apples (and therefore anything coating it), I only purchase organic ones as a rule.

Ah, but organic apples are nearly impossible to find grown here in Ohio.
On his website, Farmer Charlie says that the challenge to do so is “daunting” which is why he has the only commercial orchard in our great state.

And he may call himself “commercial” but the feel of his orchard is anything but.
It’s behind his house, in fact.
I could see his wife cleaning her windows at one point when we walked out near the raspberry bushes.

(Which are picked clean, I’ll have you know, but I sampled two small berries and wanted to yank the mother bush out of the ground and whisk it home with me.
VERY tasty, those little organic flavor sensations.)

It’s a small orchard, certainly with far fewer apple varieties available than Lynd’s, but the atmosphere is a world apart.

The last few times we’ve gone to Lynd’s, we’ve left irritated.
It’s become so crowded and very commercial in feel.
I don’t like having to watch out for traffic when we’re apple picking and it was getting to the point where there were lines and lines of cars trying to get in and out and lines and lines of pickers trying to get their apples and it just plain old started to suck.

I vowed never to return.

And I won’t, not for my main picking.
I’m sure we’ll pop in here and there on (what we deem) slow days at some point and I even have two field trips scheduled there for my co-op and I’m happy with that.
I tried to get out to Farmer Charlie’s last year, even scheduling a field trip there last September, but he had a bad crop year and canceled.
I’ll try him again next year because…

We just loved his apple farm.

It was another gorgeous day out, there wasn’t a soul around us, and we had rows and rows of apples all to ourselves.

We saw only one other family there during the hour or so that we poked around the orchard.

And there was even the token “farm dog” running around and picnic tables set out by the token “farm pond.”
Just the perfect, perfect setting for a perfect, perfect day.

We’ve found our apple place, that’s for sure.

Farmer Charlie’s trees are filled with beautiful apples though I will say, you can definitely tell that these are “the real deal.” They’re not as perfect as commercially grown apples because, well, they’re natural.

We took home half a bushel of organic apples for only $14.
And tonight we made our first pie of the season.

We’ll absolutely go back.
Absolutely.

We heart Farmer Charlie and his fantastic organic apples.
(And I think you should all run, run as fast as you can to his orchard to support his ethical growing practices and his pesticide-free fruit. Plus, he’s a sweet man. Enough said.)

Here’s “some”.
Hopefully I’ll get up “more” later.
But I need to shower and the Luxie Clock is running down fast on me…

Apples are hard to eat with braces!

See that car? It’s ours.
See anyone else?

Yeah, we didn’t either :)

Oh, he was sweet this year.
He was all about finding good apples and all about letting us know when he didn’t.
There were several, “EWWWW, dat’s NASTY!” comments flying around.
Cute little apple man.

And like you didn’t know I’d have one of Rhyse in the damn trees, right?

Today we picked Libertys and Jonafrees.
Beautiful and y-u-m-m-y.

And just a few of us, enjoying our time together with our kids.

We had the best day–the best weekend, really.
We all needed this.
A LOT.
I feel like I can breathe again and am ready (as ready as I’ll ever be) for this marathon week ahead.
Some weekends fly by and it seems like we’ve done nothing.
But this one?
This one was terrific, from start to finish.

Charlie’s dad hosted a Labor Day picnic last year at this same time and it was such a hit with their combined families (his and his wife’s) that they did it again today!

Last year, things were a bit neurotic for us.
Mainly it was hot, the pond proved to be a drowning hazard and Creux was a WRECK of a boy.
Charlie and I chased him all over that park, away from the water and away from the ducks.
I just remember being hot and pissed.

This year though things couldn’t have gone any better!
We brought along our own wheels for everyone (we had bikes, blades and scooters) to help keep them happy and occupied, the weather was just fallishly wonderful–sunny and warm but breezy–and Creux was on his very best behavior.

Luxe, though she stole the show, was rather crabby, however.
Everyone wanted to hold and love on her a bit and she just was not having it which really stunk because I know so many were anxious for a smidge of Luxie Lovin’.
(I know the Fresh Baby crave well and am totally indulgent with other non-newborny mamas. Though with family, I barely have a chance to hand her over because she’s usually being pried from my grasp before I even know what’s happening. Bunch of babynappers!)

Anyway, I have a moment’s peace–my darling HATES her car seat and so she screamed her head off from the picnic to my mom’s where we dropped off the four olders, to the restaurant where we had dinner (just the three of us!), back to my mom’s to pick up everyone but Greer (not a chance of her leaving my mom) and finally all the way home.
All that to say, my gal is just tuckered out from all the excitement of the day and all the yowling in the car.
I could probably blog all night if I wanted, just this once.

I’m not going to but I will toss up a few from today.
There’s more fun in store for this gang tomorrow–a surprise awaits.

Until then, here’s today:

It’s amazing to me the power of a baby.
Luxe was able to round up this bunch of men MUCH easier than I ever have been able to.
(Normally I have to coax them and they will reluctantly participate but only after I say, “I know it’s annoying but you’ll be happy I did this one day…” I don’t think any of them believe me, for the record.)

Anyway, there was no coaxing here.
They saw a baby and they came.

And look at this fine display of traffic stopping!
We walked up and Charlie and Luxe were literally consumed by adoring family members, all anxious to meet our baby.

You can see from my vantage point, way the hell off in the distance, just where I am in the pecking order of importance!
Someone stepped on my foot in an attempt to get closer to THE CHILD I PRODUCED and they didn’t even notice me (or my nearly broken) foot, they were so intent on Fresh Baby oogling.
I could have been on fire and I don’t think a single one of these baby lovers would have even heard the sizzle.

Grandpa was cute with her.
Despite there being so much competition for Luxe, he was not fazed in the least. He simply handed Cookie his drink and reached for that baby.
Grandpa’s got dibs, you see.

Marie was there.

Marie was Nancy’s (Charlie’s mom) right-hand woman when all of the Martin kids (there were six in total, spanning eighteen years) were young–helping her take care of the lot of them during the day.
Charlie has the best Marie memories and stories–she’s an honorary Pavey/Martin.
And she might just be the sweetest lady on the whole planet.

When Luxe wasn’t fussing, she was photographing.
Or being photographed.
I think she thinks my camera is another sibling.
(And she wouldn’t be totally off-base in that thought ;))

Uncle Greg beat Aunt Susan to the baby punch.
Susan was not pleased.

The boys, all three of mine plus their cousin Spencer, spent most of the time dredging up critters from the pond.

We now have many tadpoles in our tank.
Sigh.
It’s a losing battle.

I caught my OWN critter right here for a photo.

Rhyse is tremendously indulgent of me and my camera.
Chas will complain but Rhyse just smiles.
Maybe he knows it’s a losing battle, too :)

And Susan may not have gotten to Luxe before Greg but she definitely scored the most face time!

Susan is a BIG baby lover, and lucky for her, we’ve been providing her with a “fill” every few years.
There’s been a never-ending supply of little Martins for over a decade–sort of like the all-you-can-eat baby buffet.
Except here you have to wait a few years for your “seconds.”

Uncle Jon and Aunt Jacquie would have loved on this darling all day long if she would have stopped yowling for a minute!

They’ve a new grand-daughter way out in Seattle (Hi, Briana!) that they haven’t seen yet so this was sort of a baby fix for them too as they are incredibly excited to get their hands on little Indigo Joy in a few weeks! (Briana, if you come home for the holidays, let me know and we’ll see if we can’t scoot over to Indiana for a few days.)

Marie got a very sweet Martin send-off.
It’s always so good to see her.
Always, always, always.

Chas and Aunt Susan caught up a bit.
She’s a wonderful aunt–terrificly interested in their goings-on.

It’s great to catch these two (well, three) just hangin’.
Charlie is the youngest of all of Jon’s kids and they have, through the years, carved out a sweet relationship together.

And I’ll leave you tonight with Luxe.
She’s officially two months old if you’re counting by dates (September 5th) or nine weeks tomorrow if you’re neurotic person like me who enjoys confusing the hell out of people by counting the numbers of “Mondays alive.”

Happy Long Weekend, everyone!

We had an absolutely lovely afternoon with Charlie’s family, spent at Woodside Green park (which is really very, very nice!) today.
The weather couldn’t have been better.
And the company wasn’t too shabby either :)

As usual, I pressed for a family photo–you just never know when you’ll find an accidental Christmas card shot, right?
(Boy would my family LOVE for me to choose another “already taken” one like I have the past two years. I don’t think they’re going to get as lucky this time around as I feel like something holidayish but it doesn’t hurt to try!)

Gorgeous day, tons of fun.

Let me first just say that I can’t believe that William is three.
And I can’t believe it because that means that Creux is just six weeks behind him in this momentous event!

It seems like just yesterday Jenny called me to tell me she was pregnant.
I knew she’d been trying.
And then I called her with MY news only a short month-ish later.
She knew I hadn’t been :)

It was such fun to share a pregnancy so close together.
And now, we watch these boys move from toddlers to preschoolers!
(Look out, CO-OP! Actually, look out everyone!)

William had his party on Sunday and MAN, was it hot.
Jenny threw a super fun bash for him but regrettably, I didn’t see much at all.
Though the original plan was for Charlie to come with us, he had to work which really stunk.
I knew I’d probably have to stick around inside the house (where the party wasn’t) with Luxe due to the heat so I’d been hoping that he could come and man the others.
Normally I feel really comfortable with my kids around Jenny’s pool but with 18 kids in attendance, I was a nervous wreck.

Just this past May, I watched one of Jenny’s kids’ giant pool floats slip right over the top of Greer, who was swimming, vested, in the pool.
She wasn’t underwater at the time–she was just near the float and it had no problem riding right on top of her and pushing her down.

It was truly a miracle that I happened to look over at that exact moment–not only was I in the middle of a conversation (distracted) but I typically focus more on Creux in the water.
It all happened in the blink of an eye but I looked, it went over her, the three kids on top had no idea, and much to my horror, I could see her struggling underneath.

To tell the truth, it’s amazing that I didn’t go into labor right then and there.
But I didn’t, I bolted out of my chair and stood screaming like a lunatic, “GET OFF, GET OFF, GET OFFFFFFF!!!!”

Having experienced that heart-stopper, I had a hard time being indoors and trying to peer out windows while my kids were swimming with everyone else’s kids.
(Though I know other adults were watching out for mine, it’s still not the same comfort as having their dad there, keeping track of those damn (but fun) pool floaties.)

I did come out here and there during the party and managed to capture snippets of the good times!
A snow cone maker, a face painting center, a jump house, some water play stuff…and LOTS of “Thomas the Train” decor (I’m sure I forgot something?)…I think William had the time of his life and I know my kids did, too!
(Though I really must add that this is only just a smidge better than “normal days” over at the James household. It surprised me none to see pics on her blog of the jump house blown up inside THEIR house before it was moved to the backyard. These people are just fun, I tell you.)

My pictures aren’t all that great since I missed so much but I tried to capture what I could in a couple of five minute backyard cruises with my camera.

Happy 3rd Birthday, William!
I hope you got everything you wanted (I know you did), I hope you had the best time ever (I know you did) and I hope you know just how much you are loved (I know you do, at least by Greer!)

Look at these cheeks!

Whenever my children wandered into the house, I snapped a photo.
I wanted to get to them before the pool did!

Here I am lamenting over William and Creux turning three and just LOOK at these guys! Teens! ACK!

Water balloon tossing:

How I spent my time, when I wasn’t peering out windows:

Emma and Greer:

Rhyse:

And you-know-who:

(Not pictured: Chas, who was busy gabbing in the deep end, far away from my zoom lens.)

These photos were taken last Sunday after our visit to The Wilds with the James family.
We went back to their place for pizza and swimming and since I’m currently too tired to find my camera to show you what we’ve been up to since yesterday, I’m digging in my archives.

Our backyard is filled with fallen leaves.
ALREADY.
I can’t believe that summer is over.
I said this the other day to Charlie, “Where did the summer go?”
“It’s right there in your arms,” was his reply.

And it feels that way.
It sort of feels like we missed summer somehow.
Hmmm.
Well, I think I feel that way but I might be alone in that sentiment.
Lots of people stepped in to help make sure that my kids had some summertime fun and didn’t just sit around the house while Mama nested with baby.
Thanks, People Who Summer-Funned My Kids.
You know who you are :)

Anyway, there won’t be many more wet and wild posts–at least for awhile!

It went fast but what I DO remember was a ton of fun and I am very, very sorry to see it go.
(Except for the heat. That heat was horrible and it can just scoot right on down the road and not come back ever again. I thought we were being barbequed alive.)

It was an amazing summer for my Littles, with BOTH really taking off in the water. Looking back at our trip in early May where we could hardly even get Greer off the pool stairs, she just blossomed over the past three months. She’s not a strong enough swimmer to be out in the deep end un-vested but she’s well on her way.

Creux definitely takes his cues from Greer, too. If she’s willing to do something then he’s all in. If she’s not, he thinks whatever it is a bad idea. (And trust me, it takes a LOT to convince Creux that something is a bad idea.) He can swim un-vested in the pool too–but only if we’re right there in the water. He has a high tolerance for half-drowning himself–meaning, he does fine but swallows most of the pool in the process and sets my nerves on the highest setting allowed.

I’m not sure what she’s so worried about in this photo but I just like it for some reason.

(Maybe she’s realizing that her care-free summer days are ending? That’s the look I’ve been wearing for days now. I saw a squirrel racing through my yard yesterday with a huge nut in his mouth and I dropped my head to the table in defeat. It will be snowing before I know it.)

Sweet Emma and sweet Luxe, enjoying the end of the night together.

Jenny & Gang, thanks for all the fun this summer–we’ve had a blast with you guys!

God, what is WITH the whole animal/fly thing?
It’s like the nastiest thing ever.

Like “Oh, look at the cute horse! What, you can’t see the cute horse? You can’t see that cutiepie because of the SEVENTEEN THOUSAND FLIES COVERING IT???”

Yeah, me neither.

Here’s the camel:

These animals were making me CRAZY standing in the road like this.
They literally would not move, until the bus bumped up against them.
I wasn’t sure if they were just stupid or suicidal.
(But I mean, THESE horses have it good. They could be standing around in the bazillion temperature heat, hitched up to a pole, giving sweaty, screaming toddlers a ride at the zoo all day long. Maybe they need to know this, just in case they ARE suicidal.)

Case in point: cute baby horse barnacled to its mama, FLIES, FLIES, FLIES
(This might have been more obvious to me because Creux was screaming, “Wha’s DAT? What ARE dose??” repeatedly and at top volume. I’m not sure he even saw horses; honestly, I think he only saw those stupid flies.)

I know you can only see like four in this photo.
I cropped the rest out because I only wanted the heads in the shot.
But trust me.
FLIES, FLIES, FLIES.

The kids were hilarious when there was something *special* to see out the window.
They were scrambling all over the place, the whole pack of them!

(I do not think we were an enjoyable group to travel with at all. Our families combined are a) huge b) really, really comforable with one another c) LOUD AS HELL and d) consist of two toddlers who missed naps and both had meltdowns over the course of the day)

I also don’t think these two chatter-boxes learned a THING on the tour.
Except maybe all of the entire contents of the others brain because they just talked and talked and talked for hours.
About what, we’ll never know but I seriously doubt it had to do with the declining populations of those flie-covered horses.

This little guy was super sweet though.
His nose was glued to that window non-stop, trying to spot far off rhinos and zebras.

Up next, we let this looney gang out of the bus.
One long trail leading to water.
All eight of them running full-speed ahead.
Two mamas shouting annoyingly over the distance, “Do you have them???”
(The “them” refers to our little guys. The “you” refers to anyone who might be able to save them should they fall in before we get there.”
And two dads who are laid-back and clearly not worried about children climbing over fences and drowning.
(These guys need to go on field trips alone with their kids. We’ll see how laid-back they are when they consider that if they don’t pay close attention, they’ll have to explain to their wives that they don’t know HOW their child/children were “accidentally” eaten by alligators that day.)