trick-or-treat

We took the girls to the church tonight to do the "trunk-or-treat". Reese was extra tired because she didn't get her afternoon nap, so we decided not to make her mad by stuffing her into her costume. We just set her up in the stroller with her blanket. We met up with Reagan, Reilly, and A Hildy (UMatt and AJenny were handing out candy from their trunk) and made our way through the parking lot gathering lots of candy along the way. After each person would give Addison candy she would say, "thank-you...Happy Halloween." I didn't prompt her at all, it was so funny. I told her to say thank-you to the 1st trunk, but she added the Happy Halloween and remembered to do it the rest of the night. After getting our treats we went inside and ate hot dogs. Each of the trunks were decorated and the girls had to vote for their favorite. I think there was a tie for them...the farm trunk with live chickens and goats and the Berenstain Bears trunk. They had actual bear costumes that looked just like the characters. The girls had to make sure to say good-bye to them before we could leave.

checking out the chickens...

Reagan and Reilly petting the tiny goat...

SpongeBob was handing out candy, too.

Charlotte and Wilbur gave out candy, too.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all of you. I tried to get some pictures of the girls before we left for daycare this morning, but it wasn't easy. Chad had practice at 6 this morning so I was on my own. Addison didn't want anything to do with a picture (surprise, surprise). The girls were all decked out in their Halloween garb and looked so cute. At least Reese and Presley had some smiles for me. Hope you all had a great one. Trick or treat pictures coming later...

1/2 birthday

Today is this little cuties 1/2 birthday...6 months old. Wow. How fast time flies. What a good little baby we have been blessed with. Seriously so laid back. Goes with the flow without complaint. Barely makes a fuss. Such a good little eater and sleeper. Sleeps all night and wakes up with a smile on her face. She loves her cereal and is learning to like some baby food. She's likes drinking water from her cup too. She can now sit up pretty much all on her own too, and loves to stand with help. She has great big smiles and laughs...especially for her sisters. She had her flu shot this week and goes back in a couple more for her follow-up shot as well as her 6 month check-up. I will post the good info then.

yum-oh

Tried a new recipie tonight... Deee-Licious. Give it a try. Super easy and tasty too, can't beat that.

party at pre-school

Presley had her 1st Halloween party this week at pre-school yesterday. The kids were to wear their costumes to school. Our friend Nikki went and took a few pictures of the kiddos. So cute. Presley asked to be Cinderella (big surprise) this year. Looks like her friend Maddie was too. Grace is the fireman and then Dawson is Indiana Jones. :) Sounds like she had a great time. The girls have their daycare party today so more good times.

thank-you

Thank you to whoever Boo'd us last night. ;) The girls had lots of fun fighting over... I mean sharing nicely the flippin' frogs game. No really they liked them a lot and even took them in the bath with them and tried to play with them there. :) Presley thought it was pretty neat that someone just brought us presents, left them on the porch, rang the doorbell and ran away. :) Addy just liked the gifts and the candy and could care less how they got there. ;) I did happen to catch sight of the run-away doorbell ringer as he or she raced back to the get-away car, but don't worry I didn't mention any names... :) Fun. Thanks again.

another week

come and gone... Last week was pretty much a blur. It was so busy. Monday I had my first parent/teacher conference after school. Tuesday was the 1st night of gymnastics classes for both Presley and Addison. It was Presley's 1st class going by herself without us going in. She did great. Addison did great too. She had a little rough start, kind of scared not sure what to do, but about 5 minutes in she was laughing away doing everything (except bunny rolls) that she was supposed to. The teacher would just laugh when it was Addy's turn because Addy would wait in line and look up at me and say, "My turn?" Then she would walk up to the teacher just a giggling. So cute. Wednesday was 1/2 day of school and then conferences all afternoon and all evening. Thursday was another 1/2 day and then meeting with the contractor (getting new roof and gutters thanks to the hail storm on Father's Day). Throw on top of all of that Chad starting basketball... it was busy. This weeks looking to be more of the same. Tomorrow Reese gets her flu shot, Tuesday gymnastics, two Halloween parties, and then trick-or-treating. Plus I have a field trip tomorrow to a pumpkin patch with my students and looking at the radar doesn't look like it's going to be a fun one. Talk of snow?/rain? and COLD. Not fun. (update: no field trip...too muddy...re-scheduled for Thursday...weather looks much better...high of 60)

It was nice having a long 3 1/2 day weekend. We got lots done around the house. Finally got the rest of our outside things put away, the house cleaned from top to bottom, and the sprinklers blown out. Spent a lot of time cleaning up the house inside and out, and playing games together. Today we worked out cleaning the basement so while Chad and I were busy, we turned the Wii on for the girls. Presley especially loved the "ride the cow game".

pumpkin patch

We took the girls to the pumpkin patch today after naps. We didn't need any more pumpkins, just wanted Addison to have a chance to visit. Presley has already been with her pre-school, but Addison hasn't been yet. Mom and Dad B. called when we were on the way and decided they would meet us there. We went to the same place as last year. The girls really like it. Lots of things for them to do. The big difference between this year and last was last year it was probably at least 90 degrees last year and today was a wonderful fall day. Nice and sunny and cool enough for sweatshirts. We got to see the animals, they especially liked the kitty, bunnies and ponies. The girls went for pony rides too. Then on to the farm maze. The girls took turns holding the clue card and were running from animal to animal, crossing them out on the card as soon as they found an animal. After the farm animal corn maze the girls and Mawmaw went for a ride on the cow train.

no sound

There is no sound coming from me except little squeaks. I've completely lost my voice. It was getting a little froggy yesterday, but got much worse today. I decided to try and work anyways, thinking it would be ok, but by the end of the day, nothing was coming out of my mouth. :) Thankfully I have a program assistant in my class that works with one of my special needs kids and an aid that floats around between the 3 kindergarten classes who were able to help me out. I went ahead and made sub plans for tomorrow just in case my voice is still gone. I don't have any specials tomorrow, so I won't make it without a voice. I had to change lots of my lessons today to accommodate the no voice, but don't think it will work for a 2nd day. Still don't have a voice tonight, so it looks like I'm getting the day off. I'm just exhausted though, didn't realize how much it takes out of you trying to communicate to 20 students without really being able to talk. Thankfully the students were extra good today and really quiet. I don't feel too bad - just a headache and a little sore throat. I felt much worse this weekend, but sounded ok then. Hoping if I do indeed take the day off tomorrow that resting my voice will do the trick. We'll see.

and so it begins

Chad had his first basketball coaches meeting tonight. Tomorrow is inventory day, and next week starts try-outs. :( Sad for me. Now it's back to me most nights by myself, the only difference this year is that I have 3 kiddos instead of 2. I forgot how lucky I am to have a husband who works the same hours as me most of the time and is such a hands-on dad - willing and happy to help with EVERYTHING. Wondering now why I decided to go ahead and sign up both Presley and Addison for gymnastics that start again next week? :)

This is what Fall looks like...

at our house. Our family of 5 - now represented in pumpkins. :)Since we had the day off yesterday for teacher prep-day to get ready for conferences next week, the girls helped me get the last of our fall decorations out front and in the house. They had lots of fun "setting up" everything. I absolutely LOVE fall. The cooler weather, the colorful leaves, they yummy smelling candles... just something about this time of year.

Here is a picture of Presley's "babies".Presley's perfect pumpkin she picked out from her field trip.The girls' bats from daycare last year...notice how I REALLY let them help me decorate...the light is a little messed up. ;)The girls set this up on top of their toy box.

We have been busy working on some "fall cleaning". Putting away most of the summer toys outside, switching out our summer clothes for fall and winter, and doing deep cleaning of the house. Love the feeling when my check-list is full of checks. We still have a few more things to do outside, but the inside is done (at least I think). Got a big tub full of clothes for a garage sale next year. Finally feel like I'm caught up. Now if only I could get myself motivated to work on conference memo's for parent/teacher conferences next week....at least I'm finished with the report cards.