This post is written with you in mind. It is also an opportunity to win big.

Let me introduce you to a dear friend, fellow blogger, and passionate mother, Joy. She blogs over at Treasures where she is sharing her gift of writing with her passion for orphans. I am writing to ask if you'll join me in reading.

Joy says, "I want more readers. I need more readers. I really want to be an advocate for orphans." There is no need to plead me to read as I definitely draw hope and promise from her posts. But, can I invite you to read?

Now, for your opportunity to win. Joy is giving away two Barnes and Noble $25 gift card. Visit Treasures and I'll let Joy know I sent you. That's your ticket to very good odds in one of two $25 gift cards being given away. Drawings will be held on December 5 so head over straight away!

Here are the Ballston Babes hard at work with Joy and Emmeline on a Treasures project of shoeboxes for eight children in an orphanage in Ukraine.

Interview with Rowan:
1. What did you do on your birthday?
I got lots of presents. I went trick-or-treating.
2. How old are you now?
4.
3. What do four year old's do?
Ugh, play.
4. When will you be 5?
On January 2nd.
5. What is your favorite color?
Red. Someone else likes red too, can you guess it? Dad, and someone else. 6 people. Mrs. Rowe doesn't like red, she likes orange and pink.
6. Where do you go to school?
At the 4 year-olds class. In Ballston Spa and at,...I'm gonna call it Brick Church because it has rocks on it.
7. What is your favorite thing to do when you play?
When it's a cold day in the summer I like to come inside and get warm. I like firetrucks.
8. How many books do you read each day?
One and when I go ni-nights I read 5 books.
9. If you could spend one day with anyone who would it be?
Mommy or Daddy.
10. Who loves you?
Mommy and Daddy.

We celebrated Rowan's 4th birthday last Monday with special moments,
with caramel apples,with friends, and lots of smiles!Interview with Rowan, the now 4 year old, to follow in subsequent post.

Happy Halloween!

This Nascar driver waits all year to Trick-or-Treat! It finally arrived.
Snow White, without much memory of how this whole thing works, caught on in no time!Now, let's hope they don't run to the neighbors tomorrow asking for candy!

A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!

I love my home, being at home, and being all homey. It's true. When the chance arises in the fall to have coffee on a Saturday morning while 'preparing' for winter I am all over it. This year I am all over homemade apple sauce. Thankfully, the entire family is too. Alan cut and boiled, Rowan and Evangeline milled, and I processed. 1/2 bushel of apples from our local orchard is now our very own delicious homemade apple sauce. Nothing added but a pinch of sweet cinnamon. No canning just yet; it's the easy freezer sauce for us now. Though, I might be swayed to canning in the very near future. In addition to our apple sauce there is also plenty of apple crisp on hand and at least an apple a day for all of us. We are nearing the end of our upstate New York apple harvest so what else to do today but head back out this afternoon to pick-our-own at Saratoga Apple. See you at the orchard!

Lots of around the town action for us once again!
A day trip to the lake house allowed for some much needed play time with Pops!A dear friends' Pablo birthday party with a mini bounce house, pizza, and Pablo cup cakes. Everyone is happy (but looks tired!) at a birthday!Rowan's first field trip to the local pumpkin patch and fall farm fun! It was a beautiful, clear, crisp morning for fresh air fun!After attending the Keller Williams Kids concert at The Egg in Albany there was beautiful weather to play around with on Empire Plaza. We love the capital district!

It's fall and we are back in the swing of things in Saratoga County which means an unlimited supply of free events for the family and children each weekend. Last weekend the town community day offered food, fun, and a display of the local services and community groups at a neighborhood park. Daddy took Rowan and Evangeline to this event. The fireman still are an amazing site for Rowan and he treasures every time with them.Two weeks ago Mommy took Rowan and Evangeline to the local tech park for electronics recycling and technology fun. Mommy was excited for the electronics recycling and the children were excited for the hands on fun. Before we even entered the amazing tech campus building the children were taken by the windmills for wind energy. One of the highlights inside the event was the demonstration by our high school robotics team. Rowan loved the robot and its skills. His face says it all.

I know we are just in nursery school but back to school is so exciting for our little guy. Rowan thrives on routine, engaged activity, and friendship with his peers. The Church Mouse Nursery School at First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa is an amazing place for our little ones to learn and know God's love.

Now that Rowan is in the 4's class he'll be going on field trips and yesterday he came home with 'homework'. Wow! We know that this year will not only a great time of learning for him but a lot of fun too!

The daddy-bus was delayed so Rowan took

matters into his own hands to get to school.

This is Evangeline showing her excitement for the first day of school too.
She was devastated when she learned that she was not attending with Rowan.
Soon after she settled in fine to learning with Mommy at home at the little table. :)

A Morning at the Track

Another amazing part of having Saratoga Springs in our backyard; The morning backstretch tour of Saratoga Race Track. After breakfast on The Porch in the clubhouse or just to line up for the tram the entire morning experience is enlivening!

First, we watched this horse get a new pair of shoes.

Then, a view of the warm up track and to the stalls (some pictured here).

Every worker walking the grounds is a professional at their task. And the other professionals, the horses, were busy working on warm ups, cool downs, morning meals, and resting with their pets (their companions at their stalls).

The children enjoyed the walk and watching the horses (especially watching a loose horse gallop past)! Mommy and Daddy and friends enjoyed learning about the horses and history and being a part of the morning community of the backstretch!

The Rudnicks stomping divots after the 3rd chukker

Guest blogged today on MaltaMama!

Head over and check out my account of our time at the Saratoga Polo Match on Sunday.Rowan keeping an eye on the match with his own horse play in hand.