Where were we?

Now that the rant is over, where were we? Oh yeah... fun stuff I do with the kids and cute pictures of the baby. =)

Yesterday the girls and I ventured wayyyy out of our neighborhood to go to Amish Country in southern Ohio. I, having always been a city girl, thought that they were only in really rural parts of PA until I met Klint, who grew up next to them. Let me tell you how funny I thought it was when I saw a buggy hitched to the Ashland Walmart?! Anyhow, I wanted to learn more about them and knew a friend who adores a farm there. So off to Yoder's Amish Farm we went!

The day was perfect, not too hot and the girls were delighted with all the baby animals running around. From beagle pups to kittens, ducklings, and foals... this was heaven for them! We walked around a real Amish home and school, took a buggy ride, ate a picnic, and played hard. Afterwards we even went to get some yummy ice cream with Grandma Jan (our wonderful friend) and plays an excited game of Eye Spy in the store, lol!

It was so much fun to see how differently other cultures live as well as to walk around and watch the girls explore freely. I really enjoyed learning about the homemaking of an Amish woman and definitely cam home thankful for all the modern tools to make my day easier! I can't wait to go again and have Klint along to take more photos... it wasn't very easy getting good shots with Miss Moira in the sling, grabbing the strap!

It's a Zoo Out There!

Today we went to the zoo and enjoyed the 75 degree (and non-rainy) weather!

It was so nice to see everyone out and about,

let the kids burn off some of their cooped up energy,

and we got to see a surprise animal- the zoo's new male elephant Willy!!!

The Cleveland Zoo has been working on the new elephant exhibit called Elephant Crossing

for the better part of 2 years, expanding the area and adding new animals to the herd.

This is the first time that we have had a bull elephant since 1962 

and the zoo hopes to breed the elephants in the future.

The kids and I have been looking forward to this exhibit since they started construction

but the opening day is May 5th,

so it was quite a surprise to see Willy in front and the girls in the back!

Here are some other photos of our trip where the kids met a screech owl named Hooty,

visited Austrailian Adventure with the kangaroos,

and toured the Lorakeet Aviary!

Ahoy Me Hearties!

Today we journeyed to The Great Lakes Medieval Faire in Geneva, OH. Since Gabby is still really into pirates and such we figured that this would be a perfect early birthday present for me and luck was on our side because we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. I was really pleased at how big it was (towards the end it was getting hard to waddle around) and how authentic everything felt. Not only were all the vendors, craftsmen, performers, and men manually running the rides in costume but at least half, if not more, of the visitors were in costume as well! And what costumes these were... we saw faeries, knights, bar wenches, gypsies, and plenty of lords and ladies. I couldn't imagine how hot the costumes became, but you never would have known it from the smiles on everyone's faces.

I loved how the whole faire was laid out, in sections like the Fairy Forest, Pirates Cove, and the Knight's Encampment. (Here is the map if you are interested.) Pirate's Cove is where most of the kid's activities were and it was really cool to see the little ones jousting, fencing, and taking part in all the piratey goodness.

And let me tell you about the food.... HOLY Turkey Legs! Since being pregnant means being anti-meat I didn't partake in the leg, but Klint got one and was in no shape to come close to eating it all. There was tons of great food there though for me and girls, especially yummy desserts!

Next year we know to buy tickets in advance to save money, bring lots more water to drink, get the kids an all access pass to the Pirate's Cove, and have plenty of singles to tip all the performers like the HILARIOUS Fire Breather known as WonderFool. OMG, I was laughing sooo hard at this guy!

So here are some of the awesome photos that Klint took, we truly had an awesome time!! 

Apples to Apples

(pics courtesy of Melissa!)

Yesterday we went apple picking at an awesome orchard about 30 mins south of Cleveland. I am seriously a HUGE fan of this particular farm- Pick N Save. Not only do they have an enormous selection of apple trees, but the prices are beyond reasonable, they have a beautiful Friesian horse who loves to be fed apples, and there are even honey hives and chickens to look at! (Yes, I am a city girl and yes, chickens intrigue me!)


Last time AJ and I went with some great friends we got about 11 lbs of apples... and ate them all in 2 weeks. So this time around we got almost 20 lbs to cook, snack on, and make into lovely desserts! AJ loves picking apples, especially the bitty ones that she fondly calls her "baby apples". I love the realness of it all, the smells of the fallen fruit, and knowing exactly where they have come from. I was unaware that apples you get in the grocery store are actually LAST year's apples.... ugh! No wonder they have to color, wax, and chemical the heck out of them!


So look forward to some posts about apple crisp, apple dumplings, and such.... oh and be sure to send some links to YOUR favorite recipes my way!!! (20 lbs is a LOT of apples!)

Pumpkin Picking At Honey Haven

Today we went pumpkin picking down in Ashland with Klint's mom and brother. It was a HUGE farm that had sooo much to do, from a giant corn maze, to kids crafts, and of course food! I had the best barbecue beef sandwich as well as a fresh apple dumpling topped with ice cream. Yum!
The girls had a blast riding a horse drawn wagon out to the pumpkin field and choosing their own muddy pumpkin. A chilly but fun day!

Little Apple Pickers

Yesterday we went apple picking with one of AJ's good friends, Sophia, and her parents. We went to a wonderful pick your own orchard and had such a fun time watching the little ones carrying their buckets and trying to pull the apples off of the trees. AJ and I picked over 11 lbs of apples! (So if you know any good recipes for apples, send them this way!)

Busy as a Little Bee

So after a really really hectic weekend and start to the week I am back! Last Saturday I went to a street sale, a city art fair, worked a craft show for a little while, and bought a really cool hammock. Sunday it was off to Niagara Falls, NY for the day (a great trip but a long time in the car with little ones!), and then back to caring for my little ones. Went to an Usborne Meeting where I met some great women who are out to put books in the hands of every child in America, watched Sphere with the hubby, and went to a county fair today.... WHEW!!!

So here is what is new and upcoming:
* Trying to book some e-shows and home shows for Usborne...if you have kids, love kids, or just love kids books then PLEASE email me to see how you can get FREE books!

* Having a group of kids over tomorrow for some crafty fun, I think it is slime making time!

* Finishing up my Favorite Things Swap package- I have had so much fun picking out things that I have to tell myself to stop!

* Waiting for my car to get fixed... it had the fuel tank replaced today but they don't know if that is the problem....I hate having only one car and not my gas guzzling SUV! ;- )

*Working on the invites for Gabby's Party- we decided to go with the Wicked Witch/Wizard of Oz theme... can't wait to design the cupcake toppers...

I think that is about it... I leave you with some pics from our trip! =)