better

Tess had a little rash on her face last week (who am I kidding, it wasn't little) and I wanted to get some photos of her for future reference - or to show to the doctor. Of course she was in the mood to cooperate ["picture, mommy! picture"], so maybe i'll edit this one a bit and get it in a frame one of these days.

Everyone in this house is mesmerized by those eyes!

F-I-N-N

We were kinda surprised last week when Finn just - ya know - wrote his name in the driveway.

He told the whole neighborhood!

Apple Picking II

We went back to Reisingers Apple Country yesterday to re-up our apple supply and pick raspberries (and look at the foliage along Seneca Lake!) F and T enjoyed the wagon for the first 15 minutes or so then we picked and picked and then treated ourselves to MORE cider donuts. All in all a very successful autumn Sunday.

The best part was when they held hands in the car on the way home but I didn't get photographic evidence.

I Play Purses

I often bring Tess into my room to buy some time while getting ready. Until recently it was enough for her to sit in front of the shoe rack and pull off every pair, occasionally trying them on. She started getting bored with that though, so I gave her a few handbags to play with and this is definitely her New Favorite Thing. She says to me several times times a day, "I play purses!" As in, let me play with your purses! Quickly!

Yesterday I was cleaning off the porch and cutting the herbs up to freeze and it reminded me that her other favorite thing is "I taste basil" and proceed to rip off 2-3 basil leaves, stick them in her mouth and gag on them. I'm glad she likes basil, though. It's a mainstay iin our house.

Japanese crayons

One of the benefits of the Wags 6 living in Japan (we try to find good reasons!) is that they have access to super awesome art supplies such as the pastel crayons Finn received for his birthday. Those combined with the huge rolls of paper from Ikea and we may just get through the winter.

Here they are drawing a knuckleboom loader. Oh, and Tess's new words are "excavator" and "bucket truck." Not a huge surprise, right?

Happy G

Finn just drew his first letter for me! He said it's a "happy g" and if you look closely it is indeed a blue G with a purple smiley face. As soon as he can write his name he can get a library card, so maybe that's not too far away!