Over lunch today, Natalie asked me, "Who is John McCain?" I told her he may become the next president of the country, to which Hillary replied, "No, Barack Obama is the president!" Either Nick Jr. is running election ads or these kids really do pick up on everything. What's even more surprising is that Hillary can even pronounce Barack Obama!

It's been pretty quiet around here. Nothing too blog worthy. The girls were home with me all week. For the past two years, I was working three days throughout the week and Saturdays. But I'll be home now during the week and will work just Saturdays. A question people often ask me (when they see or hear how close in age the girls are) is, "How do you do it?" And I usually answer by saying that they are pretty quiet kids, even at home, or that I have a lot of help, which is true - thanks Nana Rich and Nana Marie! But I'm just now realizing that the truth is, I was getting a break three days a week. That helps a lot! So needless to say, I was nervous to see how this transition would go on the kids, but more so myself. Everyone made it through the first week in once piece. It's amazing how much you can accomplish around the house in one week when you have the time. No more feeling like I'm constantly trying to keep up with work and the house. I could get used to this. Let's just hope all the weeks to come are as quiet as the last. Grocery shopping, a farm, the park - it's nice getting to spend time like this with the kids.

I was trying to get a nice shot of the girls together. But without fail, someone had to strike a pose!

So I'll settle for this...

or this...

and definitely this!

Here's hoping to Mallory not ditching her nap anytime soon!

Marini Farm

Today we went to Marini Farm in Ipswich. I was anxious to get the girls to the corn maze because I knew they would love it. I also needed to get to their marketplace because Auntie Kelli has me hooked on Honey Crisp apples. If you haven't tried them, you must find them! I don't particularly like apples but these are the best out there. We had a lot of fun with Charlie and Auntie Jenn - the twins told me they would like to call her that now :)
The last two pictures really make me laugh. Natalie was giving her best poses - without any prompting! Funny girl!

Applecrest Farm

Jay and I took the girls to Applecrest Farm on Sunday. I was expecting a crowd but had no idea how packed it would be. There was bumper to bumper traffic just to get in - I'm glad we took the back roads. The girls had their faces painted for the first time and then we were off to pick apples. They loved the tractor that pulled us out into the orchard. We even saw one of Daddy's friends and one of Mommy's cousins! It was a great day and the weather was beautiful!

Crazy Girls

Just a typical morning...rushing off to daycare!

Had the camera not been within arms reach, this shot would never be possible.

Happy Friday!

Future American Idol

Here is a song written by little Hillary herself. The funny thing is, if you ask her at any given moment to sing a song, it is usually something very similar to this. I will always love you/never forget you is a common theme in all her music!

Flash Forward

No, that's not Rosalie in there. Mallory is just practicing being a "big sister". Just a couple more months. Febuary 12th to be exact...at 10 am! No, my doctor is not psychic. He scheduled my c-section. In the last few days she has really been flipping and kicking. I forgot how nice it feels. Did I ever mention how much I love being pregnant? I better enjoy it while it lasts!

Surprise

Last Friday at school the girls received their first delivery. Edible Arrangements delivered a Dora fruit basket to Mallory's classroom and a Big Bird basket to the twins' room. The girls were beaming when I picked them up and the teachers told me all about it. Today when I picked them up, we were given the empty basket to take home. This was the note that was sent along with the fruit. I thought it was pretty cute and true for the most part. Thanks Daddy!

The Fair!

We went to the fair on Sunday night. The girls had a great time. They went on a few rides (Mallory wasn't quite tall enough for all of them), had cotton candy and snacks, went to the petting zoo and saw the giant pumpkin. The girls even saw a teacher from school! I think we were all about ready to leave towards the end because it was so cold. On the way out of the parking lot they waved goodbye to the fair. See ya next year!

Flu Season

I just wanted to post something for all of the mothers of young children who read my blog. Flu season is upon us and many are already starting to get their flu shots. A nurse was in the salon today and mentioned Thimerosal-free vaccines. I had heard about them once before, but didn't know much about them. Thimerosal is organic mercury that has been added to many vaccines since the 1930's. As autism became more widespread, many linked the Thimerosal in vaccines. From what I've read, Thimerosal was removed by the FDA from most vaccines by 2003 and anything left in stock has expired or was removed. But Thimerosal is still used in some vaccines, including the flu vaccine. They have started producing Thimerosal-free flu shots but supplies are limited. Even though Thimerosal has not been linked to autism with proven evidence, The Public Health Service and The American Academy of Pediatrics believe it is a good idea to remove mercury based preservatives from all vaccines given to children under the age of 6. Which is good enough reason for me. Next week Mallory will receive the Thimerosal-free flu shot and the twins will have the flu mist. The mist is never produced with Thimerosal but Mallory is too young, three and older at my pediatrician. Some offices may tell you that there is no evidence linking Thimerosal to autism but it is your right to choose. It's definitely something to think about. But quickly because the supply is very limited.

Here is a link about Thimerosal - http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm

And a link from the National Autism Association - http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/thimerosal.php

Working Hard for the Money

What's in that canteen you ask? Acorns of course! Last night while I was on the phone, Hillary and Natalie were frantically searching the house for a bucket to collect acorns. Since Mom was completely ignoring themdeep in conversation, they managed to find this water jug and slip outside while Daddy was out there. In the back of my mind I'm thinking, "I know I asked Jay a few weeks ago to rake this one little section of the yard that is filled with acorns, but he really wouldn't pick them up one by one - would he?" Thank God no, although it wouldn't have shocked me. Apparently at the birthday party, Uncle Derek, who is an avid hunter, realized that we have a specific type of acorn in our yard that he'd like to hunt with. Still don't know if I'm getting all that right because this is coming from two four year olds. Two very money-hungry four year olds. Because really, do the twins pick up or clean unless there is incentive? Usually not. In Hillary and Natalie's words, "Uncle Derek will give us 20 bucks to fill up a bucket with acorns." I was laughing and laughing because they seriously do not forget a thing. And also because the water jug was just not enough. They wanted to gather more, more, more! Pretty soon we'll have the whole Maxwell family out there picking acorns and we can quit our jobs. Ya know, live off the land?

Uncle Derek are you reading this? Pay up - Natalie means business!