Apple picking made me fat

We went apple picking as a family last weekend. While Matt and I tried to tell the kids not to pick too many apples, we lost that fight and brought home WAY more apples then we could ever eat before they went bad. What is a girl to do? Make apple crisp.
I love apple crisp. In the last three days, I have made four apple crisps. One was for a party, one was for my work and two were just for us.
I had Will and Abby help me make one. In the parent magazines, the EXPERTS say that if you involve your kids in food prep, they will try the food. That didn't work with the apple crisps as my kids act like I am making them try the plague.
So, if Will and Abby won't eat them that means that I have eaten a whole apple crisp myself, which means that I have eaten a whole stick of butter by myself. I know I am nursing, but that is ridiculous.
I am never going apple picking again. Or at least I am never bringing home this may apples ever again.

Mommy wants to take your picture.

My kids love to pose for the camera (who doesn't). I turned around to see what the kids were doing and had to snap a few shots of a normal Tuesday at the Perryman house. Here are some good pictures I will use to embarrass them in their teen years. I love my look. A classic shirt worn in a new way.

Vogue. Or do the robot.

Will: Check out my guns, ladies.

Abby: I can's stop smiling, I am so pleased with myself.

Going to the State Fair

So Matt suggested that we take the kids to the fair. What the heck, Harper is now two WHOLE weeks old so I agreed. (Yes, I might be crazy).

Even though it is September, it is very hot outside. Even though I am still not 100% up to speed we walked the whole way. Even though we planned not to spend all of the $120.00 we got out of the bank, we knew we were just kidding ourselves. With all of these things stacked against the fair, the kids had a blast and I got to eat an elephant ear (that was my dinner--being a grown up is cool).

Here are a few pictures from the rides and the fair. I 'volunteered' to ride the rides with the kids and I had more fun than they did on some of them. I am too old for rides that go around and around, or anything that says 'whirl' in the title. They give me a headache (yeah, that makes me sound old). I am not too old for roller coasters but my legs are too long for the kid-sized ones. I squeezed in for the sake of the kids.

Welcome to the World, Baby Harper

Harper Elizabeth is here! She was born on Thursday, September 10th at 9:30 pm. I was so glad she came one day before her due date. I went into labor after about 1pm while at work. I got to the hospital around 4 and got my epideral (YES!) around 6:15. Harper wanted to come out forehead first so she took some pushing and the doctor had to manually turn her (again, YEAH for epideral). In the end, she was worth all the work.
This little girl is awesome. She has been a great baby so far. Will and Abby love their little sister and want to hold and love on baby Harper.

We could tell from the start that Harper would be a very chill little person. She doesn't cry much and she sleeps at night(three hours at a time but I will take it)! I keep waiting for the wailing to start, but I have been lucky so far.

Just like Will and Abby, Harper is already showing signs of looking just like Matt. I expect beautiful long lashes and big brown eyes.

Visiting Mommy's office

Will and Abby came to my office for family potluck night. They are both a bit sweaty from running up and down the hallway with all the other little kids.

Like brothers and sisters I used to know

We were riding home from Target yesterday and I told Will and Abby we could all have a piece of candy after we carried in the groceries (yes, two starbursts are a great bribe to get them to help with the groceries).
Will cheered: "yeah, candy!"
Abby repeated: "yeah, candy!"
With a wicked smile, Will then leaned over to his sister and said, "Abby, you don't get any candy," which made Abby cry. Why, why did he do that? I am now calming Abby by promising candy and yelling at Will not to bother his sister.

Immediately, I flashed back to my brother tormenting me through my entire young life. So it begins at ages 2 and 4.

Shouldn't I brush my teeth?

I just withheld brushing teeth as a consequence tonight. It was in reaction to Will using his tooth brush as a weapon to make Abby cry AFTER I had asked him to stop...twice. Yes, I feel like I have hit a new low point in mommyhood.

On the other hand, I think it worked.