Chocolate Chip Cookies

Last night Holly & I spent some time together making chocolate chip cookies. Holly adores cooking and we do try to spend time each week together in the kitchen cooking or at least helping with food preparations. So, tonight was cookies - she had fun! The cookies turned out really good too... making for a perfect evening!

Your Taste Buds Change

Tonight while serving dinner I told Holly she still needed a bit of steak on her platter. While discussing it this is the conversation that occurred:

Holly: "I don't like steak anymore"
Me: "What do you mean? You used to love steak."
Holly: "No Mom, I don't like all that juice stuff that is on it."
Me: "When did that happen?"
Holly: "Mom, when I was a little kid I liked steak. You told me that when I get older my tastes change. Now I don't like steak."
Me: "Huh..." <---trying not to laugh
Holly: "Sorry Mom, that is just how life is."

The wisdom of a four year old!

Signs of Fall In Our Yard

The Pumpkin Patch

Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful day at our local pumpkin patch, Maris Farms! The weather was sunny and cool - a perfect Fall day. We had Grandpa Hawk, Grandma Annette, Kristina and Sarah join us too.

Holly was beyond thrilled to get a start in the kids zone enjoying the corn pit. She loves the sea of corn to romp in, bury herself in and use the little scoops in. This year though it was dusty... really, really dusty. She came out completely covered in a film of white corn dust. Her black socks looked like a creamy color, her dark blue jeans were super light blue... it was kind of blech. But, she had fun and that is what counts, right?

Yes, those were black... as in *new* black socks. LOL!

We also enjoyed the water pump duck race, feeding the goats on the ramp, watching the little pig races, the bouncy pillow and the super slides. We even spent a good amount of time in the huge corn maze... but I think we made record time this year with Holly as our 'leader'. Honestly, she did a pretty good job.

And, we had to cap the day off with choosing the perfect pumpkin. A good day!

New Hair Cut

Holly's hair has grown out super, super long.... to a scraggly hair do. It was time to find a kids salon that would do a good job. A friend recommended a salon and today we stopped in and we left with a cute little girl sporting a new inverted bob. She is enjoying her short hair!

Cattle Drive Parade

We recently enjoyed a local tradition for our town, a Cattle Drive Parade that celebrates the opening our state fair held in town. It is a wonderful parade, just the right size for kids. The parade actually starts with a small cattle drive led by a couple of cowboys... it really is the coolest part of the whole parade. However, you'll still see a lot of horses, local schools, clowns and fun entertainment. It was a beautiful day that was great for being outside and the kids had a great time!

Overgrown

Thought I'd post a couple photos of Holly's garden... that is pretty much over grown! It is simply amazing to think of how much her garden has grown this summer!!! We planted a lot of perennials and filled with some annuals, but next year I plan to add more perennials over annuals - simply because they are easier for long term.

Her garden is full, very full - of both flowers and yes, I'll say it... weeds! However, a true cottage garden is not a thinned out immaculate garden - just my style. We have found several little critters in her garden such as extremely cool bugs, potato bugs galore, snakes, frogs, bees of all kinds (too many really) and even some rabbits. It is a buzz with life - a perfect place to explore!