butterfly houses

I finally have the kind of backyard that is right up Leslie's alley - very Michigan-esque.  Soft grass, trees, rocks, flowers.  So far we've managed to keep the fire ants at bay.  We are very happy - and Leslie is thrilled to share it with Ella.  A little friend who shares her love of wee things and nature.  These two have been busy, as of late, constructing houses.  Butterfly houses.  A house for Sammy.  I miss Michigan in the hot Florida summer but it kind of rocks around here in the late fall.

Playdough Monsters

Botanical Gardens

perfect day

learning new things

giving the flowers a drink of water

being the center of attention :)

. . . and a spot of tea to finish off the morning!

Our Week in Photos

Our week started out with rain and had us snuggling in for two days - making applesauce, watching a Disney movie, and playing lots of board games!  Luckily, our weather turned sunny and spectacular in time for our Thursday story hour at the library and our fabulous Friday outing at the pumpkin patch and park.

pumpkin patch

Today we ventured across town to the pumpkin patch at St. Monica's - the next best thing to a "real" pumpkin patch up north :)  The mini wheelbarrows were a big hit.  Ella also loved all of the scarecrows that were scattered around the patch.  The only thing missing was the little farm building that serves doughnuts and cider!

busy october

enjoying the backyard and the somewhat cooler weather

blowing (and popping!) bubbles

reading Halloween stories and making Halloween monsters

fun at the park

making haunted houses

writing (and receiving) letters to/from Mrs. K, our pen pal and book buddy

. . . and counting down the days till Halloween

going to the zoo, zoo, zoo . . .

That Raffi song has been playing in my head.  Wonder why?  Ella and I had such a great day at the zoo on Friday.  We fed the giraffes & the ducks, rode the boat to monkey island, saw honey badgers and alligators and . . . We can't wait to go back :)