Monday, September 6, 2010

First Day of Preschool at Forest Park Montessori

First day of preschool.

Keira immediately sat down and started doodling.

Forest Park Montessori (FPM) has a large backyard with beautiful gardens which the kids tend to.

Trish and Keira learning about insects.

This is the same pink tower I had when I was in preschool!

James did a great job matching numbers with objects!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Michigan Trip

Keira loved running after and running from the seagulls on the shores of 
Lake Michigan!

Pirate James dug for treasure and built sand castles with help from Ben.


We had so much fun flying kites!

Keira enjoying her lollipop....wonder what she's thinking.

Wooohooo, hold on tight!!

We went for a wild ride in the sand dunes!!!


We strolled through the farmers market in Ann Arbor.


Fairies and superheros hike through the woods.



Keira loves flowers.

Show off!

We all got in this canoe and paddled around the lake.

Apparently, the children got a little bored in the hotel room and stuffed their apples into the air conditioner!

Ben split his pants, haha!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Grape Picking and Canning

The kids, my mom and I went to this small farm in Missouri and picked grapes.


We made lots of grape jelly.  It was delicious!

Friday, July 30, 2010

Our Garden Grew!!

The kids loved going out to the garden to see what was ready to pick.  Not only do the kids like to pick their veggies, they love eating them as well!


Peppers


Tomatoes

Gigantic cucumbers!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Fourth of July!!

We took a short walk to watch our neighborhood parade.  The kids are still a bit young for fireworks, so we avoided them this year.

The Anheuser Bush clydesdales led the parade!

Thing 1 and Thing 2 scored some candy...success!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

We love Grant's Farm!

Chillin with Dada on a hot summer day



 Keira is in deep thought as we ride on the Grant's Farm train.  Time to look for animals!


 Our favorite animal at the farm is the tortoise.



 These goats are crazy!  They will eat anything- milk,shoes, shirts, fingers....


 Super James!!!

Monday, May 31, 2010

VIsiting family in Seattle!


We had a blast visiting our Seattle family!  Top to bottom, left to right Aiden, Grandpa Ben, Grandma Helen, Cousin Colin, Aunt Corinna, Sean, Aunt Ruby, Brook, Ben, Cousin Maddy, James and Keira



Aunt Wilo has a summer home outside of Seattle.  James found a crab!



Ben, Keira, Brook, James, Aunt Wilo, Cousin Hunter, Aunt Corina, Cousin Juliana, Cousin Maddy, Cousin Colin, Brent


 Kids had a blast playing in the bubbles.  This picture was made into a canvas and is hung on our wall at home.



Cousin Hunter!

Friday, April 30, 2010

Farmers Markets in St. Louis

The following is a list of some of our favorite local farmers markets! A new market will open this summer in Webster Groves, can't wait!!

Webster Groves Farmers Market — South Old Orchard Avenue near Gazebo Park, 314-566-6011, webstergroves.org/farmersmarket When it's open — 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, June 3-Oct. 14Details — 25 to 30 vendors from Missouri and Illinois selling local produce, cheese, eggs, poultry, baked goods, flowers and art. Live music and a children's tent; weekly specials from nearby merchants on market day.

Clayton Farmers Market — 8282 Forsyth Boulevard (west parking lot of Straub's), 314-315-5001, claytonfarmersmarket.comWhen it's open — 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays, May 22-Oct. 30
Details — 25 to 30 vendors featuring food and food-themed products from Missouri and Illinois. Emphasis on the homegrown, homemade and handcrafted. Tenth season, with a celebration on opening day. Planned activities for the rest of the season include a seed swap and corn-shucking contest.

Ellisville Farmers Market — Bluebird Park, 225 Kiefer Creek Road, Ellisville, 314-435-9445, ellisville.mo.usWhen it's open — 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, May 13-mid-OctoberDetails — About 15 vendors selling local produce, honey and prepared vegan and vegetarian foods. Hands-on children's market sponsored by the St. Louis chapter of Slow Food.


Kirkwood Farmers Market — 150 East Argonne Drive, 314-822-0084, kirkwoodjunction.comWhen it's open — 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 25. Harvest Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays in October. Pumpkin Patch 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily in October. Christmas Market 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, November-December.Details — Local and broker-supplied produce, plants, flowers, jams and other retail goods. Food stands, including Cafe Manila and Tropical Moose Shaved Ice. Peach Festival, July 17; Dog parade and dog merchandise, Sept. 25.

Maplewood Farmers Market — 7260 Southwest Avenue (Schlafly Bottleworks parking lot), 314-241-2337, schlafly.com/market.shtml When it's open — 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 27 Details — 15 to 20 vendors featuring fresh produce, local meat, cheese and honey. Live music in Schlafly's outdoor beer garden.

Market in the Loop (University City) — 6655 Delmar Boulevard, University City, 314-863-2418 When it's open — 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday year-round Details — Local and brokered produce.

Farmers Market of Wildwood — 221 Plaza Drive, Wildwood Town Center, Manchester and Taylor roads, 636-458-0136, wildwoodfarmersmarket.com When it's open — 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays, May 15-Oct. 9 Details — About 20 vendors selling locally grown produce, baked goods, seafood and arts and crafts. Live music.

ST. LOUIS CITY
Soulard Farmers Market — 730 Carroll Street (at Seventh Street), St. Louis, 314-622-4180, stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/soulardmarket When it's open — 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, year-round Details — St. Louis' oldest farmers market. Local and broker-supplied produce; butcher, sausage and seafood stands; baked goods; plants and flowers; a spice and specialty shop; and several flea-market-style fashion and apparel stands. Cooking demonstrations by Soulard's restaurant some Saturdays through October.

Tower Grove Farmers Market and Bazaar — In Tower Grove Park, west of the pool pavilion, 314-772-3899, tgmarket.org When it's open — 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, May 8-Oct. 23 (until 2:30 p.m. opening and closing days)Details — Up to 50 vendors selling local produce, meat, eggs and cheese, baked goods, fresh pasta, coffee, crafts and more. Free yoga classes.

Washington University Farmers Market — medical campus, in front of Barnes & Noble about one block south of Euclid and Forest Park avenuesWhen it's open — 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursdays through mid-October (some vendors arrive earlier or stay later) Details — 6 or 7 vendors selling locally grown fruits and vegetables and honey. Open to the public. ST.

Planted a garden











Ok, so we planted a garden! Tomatos, peppers, chives, cucumbers, zuccini, cabbage. We also have 3 blueberry bushes and 3 raspberry bushes. the kids had loads of fun picking out the vegetables and planting them. James loves to dig in the dirt and play with worms (I try really hard not to freak out). Keira will play in the dirt but hasn't warmed up to the worms yet. We will keep you posted as to if anything actually grows! Poo Poo, this garden is for you too, we can't wait for you to come over and pick wth us!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

It's been a while, but we're back!

Here are some pics of Miss Keira in her Easter dress. Typically she's a little tomboyish, but today she has made an exception. Enjoy!