Mr. Expressive

I asked James to run through some emotions today and here's what I got:

HAPPY

SAD

GOOFY

MAD

SURPRISED

ANNOYED AT HIS SISTER

LOVING

I did a similar post when he was about a little more than a year old. You can see it here.

Swing!

Ella started using the big swing this past weekend!

One last time in the baby swing before it came down; now we have two big swings!

Such a big girl! (Is my heart supposed to be this happy and hurting this much at the same time?)

Our Annual Apple Picking Trip 2010

It was a blast, like always. This is the third year we have been back to this orchard. Wanna read about our 2009 and 2008 trips? (I'll tell you that it is pretty crazy to see basically the same photos taken of the kids each year, and how much they have grown. James was two the first time he went, and now Ella is two!)

Our 2009 Trip

Our 2008 Trip

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

I Wonder . . .

Why James' hermit crabs never come out of their coconut shell home?

(hee hee)

Oh, and I have been messing around with my Blog design (have you noticed?)
It needs a change . . .

A Vintage Pollyanna Update

I have to say I am overwhelmingly pleased with how my new blog, Vintage Pollyanna is being received. I don't think I could have known how much interest there really is out there in Blogland for vintage, thrift, craft and baking all thrown into one blog.

I've had over 15,000 visits in 5 weeks. That is astonishingly high for a little blog just in its infancy (and being that I know a little about social marketing and blog networking, I am really flabbergasted by the numbers.)


My good bloggy friend Kim over at Small Words surprised me by featuring my blog on her blog. Don't you love that? One friend supporting another? It makes me so crazy happy I almost can't stand it. Thank you, Kim!

I just finished a few fun button necklaces today, made from buttons out of Mom's shop. I think she would have loved them, especially since she got me started on button bracelets a few years ago.


I know that my Mom cab see what's going on down here in my little world--I know that she is aware of how well the kids are doing, how happy and silly and loved they are, and I also know that she is keeping a loving and watchful eye on Chris and I, on my Dad and on my sister Amy. I know she must be aware of how much she is missed. Every time I post on Vintage Pollyanna I feel like I am connecting with her, and that is a really wonderful feeling. Love you and miss you Mom.

Those Curls!

Priceless.

First Day of James' 2nd Year in Pre-K

He was SO EXCITED to go back to school!


Chris took the day off and we rode our bikes (kids in the bike trailer) over to school. He was really happy to see Mrs. B., one of his teachers. I mean, he doesn't look ecstatic or anything, does he?


Mr. Cool in front of the school building.

Gotta love that cocked eyebrow. He looks full of trouble, this one!

Happy first day of school, buddy!!

XOXO

Mommy

Our First Fair of the Season

I love fairs. I love the agricultural exhibits, the animals barns, the tractor pulls, the fried dough, the pig races, the midway rides, and especially, ESPECIALLY the look on my kids' faces!

This past weekend we visited the Three County Fair in Northampton, MA. It was fabulous. I also really like the smaller fairs, and this was one of those.

W e started the visit with some lunch--fried pierogies, sausage and peppers, hotdogs and cheeseburgers and apple crisp. While we ate we watched a little magic / juggling / acrobatics show. James was quite taken with this--especially the guy who could balance a wheelbarrow on his chin.


See? I loved how intently he was watching. This was about when he turned to me and said he wanted to be on stage. I think my heart skipped a beat at that very moment!!


We visited the animal barns--and Ella went NUTS when she got to pet some cows. I was so busy trying to keep her from running headlong into every animal stall that I didn't get many photos. But I did get this one. So cute!


We also took the kids to ride some horses--they wore helmets and everything. James really enjoyed it (of course he is a pro because his Grandpa always takes him!)


Tah-dahh!!!


Ella was so excited to ride that she nearly had a fit! Then once she got on she was really serious!


I love this shot.


She cried and cried when she had to get off. I only wish that she could have a pony like I did when I was a little girl!

Here is a fun shot from one of the exhibit barns.


Chris really liked this souped up tractor.


And here is our favorite, the Farm-All!


I really liked this shot--the patina on these little engines was great, and you have to love that Simplicity logo.


Something about these tractors all lined up makes me smile like crazy. I guess I really am a farm geek!


We also got to see a Monster Truck show! Here is Ella clapping for the quad race. The event was too lound for her, so we left before the Monster Truck racing began, but James and Chris stayed.


Here are two of the trucks in mid-jump.


And here is the headliner, Bigfoot in the air.


I think James really liked this part of the fair the best! What do you think? (he is reading this over my shoulder as I type and he just said "Well Mommy, it was a tiny bit loud for me.")


The best part of the day?


Making memories with our kids.