Fall Festivities

As Summer has turned to Fall, outdoor festivals do not retire, but rather continue on, adding pumpkins and hay to the music, food and petting zoo mix of activities. Sheboygan's Riverfront Harvest Fest also had complimentary hair braiding from a riverfront salon owner. I love how it shows off their summer highlights.

 Lydia clapped along with the Dixieland band while we had our BBQ pork sandwiches.

 Lydia's pink pony is smelling Abigail's purple flower.

 There you are, Abigail! :)

 On our way back home, we stopped at the Harvest Fair in West Allis,

 where Mr. Pickles put on a silly healthy eating show.

 Our primary means of transportation lately has been this little red wagon. It is Lydia's school bus during the week, and their very own hay ride at the fair.

 On Monday I was able to bring Lydia to the pumpkin farm I took Abigail to last year while Lydia was at school. The combination of teacher in-service and continued great weather created the perfect opportunity. (It's better to go there on a weekday when it's not crazy busy.)

Lydia was enchanted, and it was just what Abigail needed to snap her out of her relentless fit (she must be getting sick!)

 ...follow the yellow brick road...

 Olaf-Lydia

 Lots of fun scenes, and with music, they were magical!

The kids raced through the maze. Lydia liked to stand on top just to make a plan, then jump down.

 How Tall This Fall:

3 feet 1inch for Abigail; 3 feet 6 inches for Lydia

My little loves, my little pumpkins 

Happy Autumn!

Labor Day Weekend Picnic

 We got "our spot" at Kohler-Andrae State Park for our Labor Day Weekend picnic.

smiley fun with shadows in the sand

It's close to the beach, parking, and restrooms.

Grandma & Quincy

Violet

Abigail

Aaliyah

Lydia

And we didn't have to move spots due to downpours this year. Yay!

So sweet to watch them grow up together!

First Day of Kindergarten

First day of Kindergarten at Deerfield Elementary with Mrs. Benz! The red apple name tag lets everyone know that she belongs in the kindergarten classroom with the big red apple (there are three classes). We gave her a hug and a kiss goodbye at the front of the school! She is brave, she'll be great!

Abigail's new preschool teachers, Teacher Liz and Teacher Monica came over for a visit with Eddie, the teddy bear to show how he's ready for school with his backpack. Abigail ran off and came back with the book that looks a lot like Eddie. I didn't get a smile out of Abigail because she wouldn't stop talking about the teddy bear! She warmed up to the teachers well and will be excited for preschool at Prince of Peace to start next Tuesday.

Last Hurrah

Abigail really enjoyed painting an old frame and easel. She was into painting every surface and looking back and smiling at her work! She's going to excel in preschool!

 Grant Park Beach Divas #1 and #2

Yes, I'm ready and super excited for Kindergarten...just as soon as I finish relaxing here at the beach!

I'm stirring the soup. It smells delicous!

Look, a feather for you, Momma!

Wis Dells

We thought we'd take a trip to the Dells next year, but Ben's coworker offered us tickets to Mt Olympus and Top Secret that were about to expire. Why not take one last excursion before the summer ends! :) Mt Olympus was definitely fun, but the kids were a little young to appreciate it all. Lydia went down a big double tube slide with me twice. Ben enjoyed the big slides inside, but the feel was cavernous. The two outdoor lazy rivers were the family favorite!

We may have had more fun touring Top Secret, a gimmicky attraction that lets your imagination explain how the White House ended up upside down in Wisconsin Dells! 

The girls were amazed by furniture bolted to the ceiling.

Lips are sealed! We can't tell you what else we found out!

We can tell you that Buffalo Phil's with the train-delivered food and drinks was a hit! While Top Secret is a place you only need to see once, if at all, Buffalo Phil's is one we'll for sure want to revisit.

Green Meadows Petting Farm

 We love this petting farm. It not only has the animals, it has charming country fun.

tractor tire swing

horse tire swing

well pump duck races

airplane teeter totter

bicycle go round

roller slide

sweet kitten

endearing duckling

brushing the donkey

hand washing & line drying

OK, this is Lydia's latest thing. She wants us to video her with either our camera or hers. I cut off the end bit, but it ends up looking like an instructional youtube video.

"Then take your pinner," hehe :).

pony ride

The fairy garden was new from last time, and so enchanting I almost want to put one in our yard somewhere.

'Keep Calm and Believe in Fairies'