Home Brew

These pictures are in reverse order of the whole brewing process, but you get the idea. Pops and I made beer yesterday. Well, we started the process and it's happily bubbling away in Pops' basement... The bottom picture is of our last brew-- a stout-- that looks and smells great, but not such a good tasting beer. We're hoping our English Bitter Ale will be more successful!

Homecoming

Fifteen years since I graduated from UMaine. Lori, Jane, and I got together for the weekend. Did some tailgating, football game, craft show, walked around campus, eating, drinking, and general merriment. It was a fabulous weekend!!!

Another Hiker

Ben has been attending Wonder Awhile Nursery School three afternoons per week and really enjoying it. He's already been on three field trips-- two of them on big yellow school buses! This past Wednesday he went for a hike up Mt. Pisgah in Winthrop, and I was able to attend as a chaperone. It was another beautiful day, and it was so cool to hang out with his class (and his new friends). It was also Ben's turn to bring snack, so we spent the morning baking chocolate chip cookies. And, um, they were pretty good, if I do say so myself....

Table Rock

Pops and I made our annual hike in Grafton Notch up Table Rock. It was a great hike with really beautiful weather. Another year-- well done, Pops!!

Outdoor Time

The boys have been lucky to have more summer weather. They've been enjoying being outside, as always, and I'm a little nervous about when cold weather comes (and we're stuck inside more). Spencer loves the slide and Ben has become an expert on pumping his legs to get the swing super high!

Fall is here

We went to Longfellow's Fall Festival yesterday afternoon. I loved the colors, and the boys loved the balloons. We had some cold weather last week, but it's warm and muggy now, so we're not finished swimming! I remember a few years ago swimming on my birthday (I think I may have posted a picture). That seems late in the season, but it's always a possibility (especially if Jay has his way).
We've had quite a bit of change happen lately, with Jay starting his graduate studies at UNE and me "retiring" from my job at MMCC to stay home with the boys. We're gearing up for some major changes, but we're also excited about it all.
On my first day of being a full-time stay at home mom, Ben came down with a 102 fever. He's feeling better today, but just has low energy. He was up a couple of times during the night, so I was so tired when Spencer got up at 6am that, when I got him out of his crib and went to sit down in the rocking chair in his dark room, I missed the chair all together and we both went down. Hard. He cried at first (I believe he was scared), but then he started giggling-- guess he thought it was funny. Me, not so much. But nobody was hurt so I have to be thankful for that.
The boys are growing like weeds- it's hard to believe Ben is 5 and Spencer is over 1.5 years old! Ben is attending Wonder Awhile Nursery School a few afternoons/week, which he really enjoys-- he's already been on a school bus for two field trips! And Spencer is very independent. He's started using quite a few signs (eat, thirsty,more, boat, plane, train, thank you, nurse, bird, please...) and it's been helpful. His major form of communication continues to be screeching at the top of his lungs, but I'm learning to ignore that and encouraging him to use his signs instead. Sometimes this is successful, sometimes not.
Both boys are very funny and curious though, and we spend a lot of time exploring outside. I've been anticipating the change in colors, and look forward to walks in the woods to collect red leaves.

Spencer

This is Spencer's "cheese" face. He thinks he's making such a pretty smile!
Spence had a great time at Five Islands- exploring the rocks and walking through the woods...

Ben

Ben went to his "orientation" at Wonder Awhile Nursery School, where he starts school this week. He'll go three afternoons per week.

Ben has learned to ride his bike with no training wheels, and he's frequently asking his Daddy to "make challenges" for him-- jumps and tricky trails to practice on. He puts in a good couple of hours/day on his bike.

Pops and I took Ben to the Windsor Fair this year where he "won" a stuffed shark. We had a good time, ate some junky food, and watched the horse races.

And, in very exciting news, Ben got his gold stripe belt! He's graduated from Little Ninjas to Karate Kids and is still very much enjoying Karate.

part 3

Pizza at Flatbread
My toes on the porch

A view from the porch... we really did spend a lot of time out there.

Summer Vacation part 2

We had lunch at Silly's in the East End twice (yes, it's THAT good)-- buffalo sauce on everything. I was in heaven. We also ate dinner twice at The Green Elephant-- my new favorite restaurant.

Yoga at Lila East End Yoga studio for two classes (great studio!!)...

We stayed at the West End Inn for three nights and our favorite room has a porch where we spent a lot of time reading, and petting the neighborhood coon cat.

What we did on our summer vacation:

Jay and I got away for a few days, sans boys (thanks to Nana & Pops!!!).
We stayed in Portland for three nights and managed to eat out a lot, walk around the city, do a little yoga, visit a few coffee shops...
And Jay gave me a tour of the UNE campus-- he starts his graduate study NEXT week!

The Dempsey Challenge

So I've signed up to run in the Dempsey Challenge in October. Just a 5K, but daunting none-the-less... I started my training today (after not having put running sneakers on for- months? years?). I've decided to do a program called Couch to 5K, mostly because they have a cool app for my iPhone, but turns out to be pretty do-able for this out of shape Mamma. The first work out was completed without too much huffing and puffing, so it looks like I'm on my way. Of course, all these events require fund raising, so I'm posting my link here if anyone feels so inclined to support this journey. I am also happily collecting cash and checks for those of you who wish not to donate online. No donation is too small. If you can't donate at this time, please just wish me luck.

The catalyst for my joining the Dempsey Challenge came from work (thus why I'm on the "Team MMCC" - Margaret Murphy Center for Children) as we've been doing fund raising for a co-worker who is losing a battle with cancer. However, cancer has hit my own family from several angles, so it is a cause near and dear to my own heart.

Thank you for considering a donation, and thank you, in advance, for keeping me in your thoughts as I train (and sweat) and then do the run on October 8th.

Scenes from the Lake

Some favorite things:
Ben likes to eat kale straight from the garden.
Spencer likes to water the plants. Naked, of course...

Harley-Man Quilt

The last few years my Mom and I have gone to the Maine Quilt Show's opening champagne ceremony... This year she surprised me with this amazing quilt of Harley!! And she won a 3rd place ribbon! I had no idea that this quilt was even in the works and was so touched and surprised when I saw it hanging among the other wonderful quilts in the Augusta Civic Center. I am truly touched and proud and happy- -this quilt is an impressive likeness of Harley. Mom did an amazing job. The show is a great opportunity to see some works of art and is running all weekend. If you get a chance, you should see the show (and the Harley-Man quilt!). Thanks, Mom...

Summertime

The boys enjoy playing in the mud after a rainstorm... We had just gotten out of the lake when they discovered this fun mud hole...


Spencer's first kayak ride with Daddy. And Ben was following along in the float! Ben and I got out a kayak a few minutes later and went for a ride ourselves.

Boys in the Wood(s)

Jay and I have been having some fun with our new phones & the camera 'stuff' that can be done with them. Here's a few funky pictures of three Jewett boys: Ben being a goofball, Spencer being very intent with his play, and Gilbert being... well... Gilbert.

Testing- I'm attempting to post to the blog via my "mobile device"... Will it work? The wonders of modern technology!

Facebook Hiatus

Hi all,
Just wanted to put it out there in cyberspace that I am, in fact, taking a hiatus from Facebook. I have not de-friended anyone, I have merely deactivated my account for the time being. I have lots of good books, a few tv shows, and some family stuff that I am hoping to catch up on. Not having the distraction on Facebook will help make those things easier. I hope to have a little more time to update the blog as well, so keep checking for news.
As always, email me if you want to get in touch.
:)
KDJ

Corn on the cob

Ben's favorite...
And it's Spencer's second attempt at it--- this time I think he got the hang of it.

Ben's first T-ball game

It was a little windy and cool Saturday morning, but Ben had a great time at his very first T-ball game.

Outdoor Boys

These two boys LOVE to be outside-- in fact, if the door opens and Spencer isn't allowed to go outside, there's pretty much a tantrum to follow. This morning Daddy was leaving for work and Spencer wanted OUT, so we got dressed (it's cold out there this morning--38 degrees) and spent about half hour outside. Spencer and Ben discovered the tractor and wanted to play on that, and then we got some potting soil ready to start some seeds (better late than never). I had to drag Spencer inside in order to take his nap. I hope to get them outside again, but we're supposed to get rain this afternoon...