Magic Moments

 My baby turns 5 today! Five is always the saddest birthday for me because it really feels like the little years are being left behind. Since Cade is the youngest, there is an extra sadness about it, but we're spending the day celebrating Cade and being thankful for everything he brings to our family! Cade is our comic relief. He is witty and quick to laugh. This morning our kitty, Chester, wouldn't stop stealing Kit kats from the candy jar. Cade said, "It's because he thinks they are for KATS!" He's quick to play on words and that displays just how smart this little kid is. Yesterday Marme said, "Cade, eat all your lunch so you can be fast and strong." Cade replied, "I don't want to be fast or strong, I want to be agile."  Cade is affectionate like his daddy and each night we lay with him until he falls asleep. He asks that I lay a certain way so he can snuggle in as close as he can get. He came running into our bed after having a bad ...

 One of my most favorite places in the world is Apple Jacks Orchard. We spent Cade's birthday there (more about his birthday when the pictures upload) and it was his very first time at Apple Jacks. It makes me sad that he hasn't been there before since Aiden and Sage have lots of memories and pictures from this orchard, but it was so sweet to be able to spend his birthday at the orchard. Apple Jacks has replaced most of their older varieties of apples with the apples people demand now...Honeycrisp, Zestar, and Sweet Tango. The apple trees were heavy with apples and I don't think I've ever seen the orchard look so beautiful. We went with Grandmommy and Grandpa and we came home with 20 pounds of apples, apple salsa, honey and jelly. I try not to even speak about covid because I hate it so much, but of course covid has effected the orchard as well, so there was no cow train to ride or wagons to pull. They also weren't serving lunch, which was just kind of a bummer. We ...

 School started and the days are running together just like they do in the summer time. Educating three children is no joke and takes me a pretty big chunk of time. Grandmommy and Grandpa are staying through the month of September so I send the boys over to the red cabin and they get to do some school with Grandmommy.  Grandmommy is in charge of the extra curriculum that I want to do but rarely have time to do after all the essentials are finished. It's a special time they have together and I just love it so much. We started slowly last week and I am still modifying our daily checklists. We'll reach our stride soon enough.     First day of school. Cade is doing well with reading and Clementine is a patient (but not necessarily)      willing participant.     Cade can handle the kayak pretty well. He can turn and paddle and cover a small distance. More practice and he'll be more efficient and confident. Last week we made a really fast trip to I...