Lefty

We've suspected for quite some time that Wyatt was going to be left handed.  His Pediatrician told me that hand dominance wasn't really decided until age 2-3 although I don't really agree with that - he's always favored his left hand.

Thankfully, Ben is left handed as well so he will be able to show him how to hold a pencil, cut with scissors (btw -- thanks Meme for buying him some lefty safety scissors :), throw a rock ball, swing a bat etc. 

But those are the dad jobs.  I think as far as the mom-things goes, I've already screwed him up.  When I was showing him how to use a fork, I'm pretty sure I had a tendency to guide him w/ his right hand.  When I set his bowl of yogurt by his plate, I put it on the right-hand side ... because that is just so natural to me.  Often times he picks up food w/ his right had - probably because that is what I've encouraged without thinking. I'm sure there are other examples but those are the ones that come to mind right away. 

So ... a pat on the back for me, right?  I've already managed to screw up my child by age 2.

But, he's a smart kid ... he'll figure it out and so will we. 

Also, I have tell a funny story that I definitely don't want to forget.  He can now sing his ABC's .... not perfectly but he's got the majority of the song.  I discovered this one afternoon when Ben was out of town.  We were playing outside and Wyatt suddenly started singing.  He did it again and again - I was so proud of him!  So, when Ben got home last night he of course wanted to see it for himself.

We were sitting on the bed in our room and Wyatt started singing.  Then mid-song he looked over at Ben's nightstand and saw one of his police cars ... so this was how the song went.

"A B C D E F G, H I J K L M .... oooh! police car!"  And just like that, he got derailed.  Hilarious!

Burt's Pumpkin Farm

I'm skipping back to Apple/Pumpkin weekend again but I think I might continue documenting my dinners.  Especially the ones that I really like so I'll have a reference for a week when I'm in a food-rut!

After a full day on Saturday at the Apple orchards, the kids were so tired!  Wyatt slept in until about 8:15 that next morning which is EXTREMELY unusual for him.  I'm glad he got the rest he needed, but it did derail our plans of being at Burt's right around the time they opened! 

We took this pic at the cabin right before we left.  They loved the bear!

We got there to find a  packed house, but we still managed to get a few pictures without a million people in the background.

One of my favorite pictures of Wyatt ever is of him in this very same pumpkin patch last year.  He has the sweetest smile so I was determined to get another one this year.  I (quickly) resorted to bribery -- a smile earns a skittle.  We went through A LOT of skittles that day, but totally worth it!

We tried and tried and tried to get meme and papa with all 3 kids.  I think this picture turned out pretty good!

I love this one of Ben and Wyatt.  I think this smile was the result of being tickled + the promise of candy but hey .... whatever works, right?

We had to do the usual wheelbarrow picture.  I like how this one turned out of the 3 of us!

And 3 kids in the wheel barrow of course ....

We took pictures and looked at pumpkins for a while and then got tickets for the hay ride.  Since we had 6 adults with us this year, we were able to let the kids run around a little while a few people held our spot in the (very long) line.

Finally it was our turn.  Wyatt was SO EXCITED about this hay ride. He loves tractors and really all vehicles so this was just right up his alley. One of his favorite things to say is "big rock down there, tree" (he means that there is a big rock, down there by the tree).  I think that is what he and Ben were looking at in this picture!

Meme and Papa

Family photo ... love this one!

After the hay ride, we were all hungry and tired so we all picked out pumpkins and left with our haul.  Can you believe all these pumpkins?  I don't even think this picture includes the ones Kimmie and Dave got.  We've all clearly bought into this pumpkin craze of late!

It was a fun weekend and we can't wait to do it again next year! 

Fun Weeknight Dinners

When Ben is away for the night (he travels for work on occasion), things get pretty wild round' my house!  Wyatt goes to bed pretty early so when Ben is gone, I have free reign of the house from about 7:15 or so.  And let me tell you ... things get crazy.  I usually cook something really fun (a.k.a. ben won't like) for my dinner and enjoy my food and a glass of wine while catching up on my twitter feed.  After dinner, I go upstairs ... watch something awesome (a.k.a. terrible) on TV, and go to bed early.  Usually before 9!  Oh and I also turn the temperature in the house waaaaaaay above what Ben would consider acceptable.

Anyway, here are some of the fun meals I've had recently.  These are the nights when I typically try out my Pinterest recipes!

Orchard Turkey Burgers topped with melty Gouda and  a side of Roasted Brussels Sprouts.  Washed down with Kennebunkport Pumpkin Ale YUM!  (Actually the pumpkin ale was just okay)

My recipe made 4 turkey burgers, so I attempted to feed one to Wyatt the following night. (He thought it was poison)  and then I re-purposed another for this fan-freaking-tastic meal.  Gouda-topped orchard turkey burger on whole wheat truffled toast; roasted asparagus with Himalayan sea salt, and whole-wheat couscous.  And another KBP Pumpkin Ale OMG.  I'm making that again fo-shizzy.

Turkey-Pesto meatballs on top of roasted spaghetti squash and a side of lemony roasted broccoli.   Originally, I had made these meatballs for Wyatt, but like turkey burgers, these things are poison.  (And I officially concede:  the kid won't eat turkey in any form)

This Chicken Tetrazzini wasn't quite health food, but it was delicious.  (Guess who wouldn't touch theirs though?  Like many things I attempt to feed him ... spaghetti noodles are poison.  He wanted "different" noodles) I didn't buy fresh Brussels sprouts b/c I'd discovered a stash in my freezer.  However, I'm officially swearing off frozen Brussels sprouts --- fresh really does taste infinitely better! 
 

And, on nights when Ben is home this is a more accurate picture of how we eat!  Smoked Chicken Wings and (frozen) french fries!  The wings were amazing (and actually healthy since they weren't fried) but the fries ... notsomuch.  I struggle w/ frozen fries!

Hillcrest Orchards 2012

I'm severely behind on the blog, but we've had a lot going on recently.

A few weekends ago we did a Burkett family weekend up in Ellijay, GA.  My parents rented a little cabin where we stayed and we spent one day at Hillcrest Orchards and the next at Burt's Pumpkin farm.  While my favorite of the 2 was Burt's, I think the kids actually enjoyed Hillcrest more.

Warning:  I'm about to dump about 13 million pictures in this post! Sorry :)

We all went up to the cabin Friday night and the kids enjoyed exploring the cabin a little bit before bed.

Saturday morning we were up extra early .... late bedtimes do none of us any favors! Mom cooked Wyatt and Ben's favorite breakfast - pancakes and bacon and we all got ready for the day.

We did take some Christmas card pictures but I can't share those yet!

Ben headed out to do a little fishing on the Coosawattee River while we headed out to the orchards.

We thought this wagon would be great for the kids to ride in, but Ellie is the only one who actually used it much.

We started out at the jumpy place.

Wyatt quickly got bored with that and went to "ride" all the tractors.  He was slightly disappointed that they didn't make noise!

Then we rode the tricycles.

Then the petting zoo.  The kids all loved this!  Wyatt was mostly interested in the kin-kins (chickens).

Then the slides.  We stayed there for a while and I think Kimmie and I both had to bless out a gaggle of little bullies.  I have very few playground experiences where I don't have to go all Momma-Bear on some little s*&t!

Then we sat on the bull.  I think the bull-man thought I E's and W's mom because he asked me if i wanted to get on the bull with them.  So I did!

Then they rode little ponies.  Wyatt LOVES horses and I believe this was one of the many highlights of the day for him!

Dad spent much of the day toting Wyatt around.  And Ellie too .... sometimes at the same time!

We took a quick snack/lunch break

Then we went to the orchard.  Wyatt must have eaten 3 apples straight off the trees!  (I did try to catch him in order to clean the pesticides off best I could ... wasn't 100% successful though)

Then we ran.  If you wonder what my life is like on the daily, this is a good idea!  Except replace the grass in this picture with a street.  And replace my smile with a scowl and me yelling  "JACKSON WYATT YOU BETTER STOP RIGHT NOW!"  This is a much nicer picture!

Then we ran some more!

We did manage to stop all the shenanigans for a minute or two to get a picture of Mom and Dad with all 3 grandkids.

The kids were all tired and it was way past nap time, but we had promised Wyatt a tractor ride so we stayed to do that. 

After a stop in the store for apples, etc we peaced out ...

Wyatt fell asleep with Dad holding him and WOULD NOT let us lay him down in the wagon so dad had to tote him all the way to the car!  (And he wondered why he was sore the next day)

We got back to the cabin and explored a little bit.

 Here is a glimpse of what the fisherman was doing.  I think he expected to catch trout, not Bass, but nonetheless it was a successful fishing day. 

 We roasted marshmallows.  (BTW ... marshmallows and beer??  not a very tasty combo)

 We sat on the swing (and ate more marshmallows)

 And ran some more

And threw rocks into the stream

 After a quick dinner we came back and got the kids ready for bed.  How cute are their matching Halloween PJ's???

What a fun day in North Georgia!!