Friday, November 8, 2013
Pumpkin Carving
Pumpkin carving was a little delayed this year and got done JUST before Halloween. We started off letting them pick their own stencils and then we kind of cut it out. Then we realized that they weren't getting any creativity and very little part in the pumpkin carving process. So we tossed the stencils (except Molly's whose was already done) and let the kids design their own. It was one of the best ideas we ever had and I believe it'll be the way we do it from now on. The kids had so much fun and their smiles and giggles were infections.
Halloween 2013
Normally I like to have a little hand in the kids' costumes and help them decide and guide them to something fun. This year, they had total control. And that was fun too!
Thomas: The ninja (year2)
Joshua: The magician
Katie: Minnie Mouse
Molly: Cinderella
All so fitting. Each kiddo was perfectly content with their costume and we had a great great Halloween. We ventured off the tradition a bit this year. We had dinner with my family (my mom, dad, brother and his family, and grandma) at IHOP. The kids had an absolute blast. We then went back to tradition.
Halloween at greatma's.
Then off to grandma Alice's...
This year my brother and his family joined us for trick-or-treating in grandma Alice's neighborhood. It was so much fun being together and trick-or-treating with all the cousins together! We were out for about an hour and then the kids' buckets were full and we went home. A great Halloween for sure.
Thomas: The ninja (year2)
Joshua: The magician
Katie: Minnie Mouse
Molly: Cinderella
All so fitting. Each kiddo was perfectly content with their costume and we had a great great Halloween. We ventured off the tradition a bit this year. We had dinner with my family (my mom, dad, brother and his family, and grandma) at IHOP. The kids had an absolute blast. We then went back to tradition.
Halloween at greatma's.
2006
2007
2008
2009
2011
2012
2013
Then off to grandma Alice's...
**I looked for my 2006 picture with grandma Alice and grandpa Lyle, but couldn't find it. Then I remembered that grandpa Lyle had taken the pictures that year. And then afterwards realized he didn't have a memory card in. *giggle* Remember grandma Alice? What a memory!
2007
2008
2009
2011
2012
2013
Like Mother Like Daughter?
This kid will be the death of me. Her attitude, her sass, and disobedience keep me searching for new parenting strategies. But her smile and sweet side make me thankful she's mine.
My mom likes to comment that she's just like her mama. I hope so. Because I clearly grew out of it. ;)
My mom likes to comment that she's just like her mama. I hope so. Because I clearly grew out of it. ;)
The Writing On the Walls
My facebook post reads like this:
"Something is wrong with me. So many mamas would cringe at the wall. It's not something that bothers me. And as I prepare to paint over it I reminisce about the boys doing it at age 3 and the adventure they must've had. I know. I'm weird."
You see, we want to move. And so we are preparing the house to go on the market. The playroom was one of the first places we started to work. When the girls were first born, the boys would go up there and play. At one point they found some sharpies and drew all over the walls. Oddly enough it didn't bother me (too much). I was likely overwhelmed with the girls at the moment, and thought to myself that at least they were happily engaged in something. So, as we prepare to move on to a new house, I had to paint the walls. And paint over those markings and drawings that they had done. And my heart hurt just a little. Another phase that I must say good-bye to. No more writing on the wall. I'll miss those little boys (in fact I already do). I'll miss those writings on the wall.
"Something is wrong with me. So many mamas would cringe at the wall. It's not something that bothers me. And as I prepare to paint over it I reminisce about the boys doing it at age 3 and the adventure they must've had. I know. I'm weird."
You see, we want to move. And so we are preparing the house to go on the market. The playroom was one of the first places we started to work. When the girls were first born, the boys would go up there and play. At one point they found some sharpies and drew all over the walls. Oddly enough it didn't bother me (too much). I was likely overwhelmed with the girls at the moment, and thought to myself that at least they were happily engaged in something. So, as we prepare to move on to a new house, I had to paint the walls. And paint over those markings and drawings that they had done. And my heart hurt just a little. Another phase that I must say good-bye to. No more writing on the wall. I'll miss those little boys (in fact I already do). I'll miss those writings on the wall.
Was 2005 Really EIGHT Years Ago??!?!?!?!
But they started so tiny?
And they were such adorable babies and toddlers?
And yet at 8 years old they are so much fun.
Thomas is a sweet kid. You don't always get to see it because he's such a boy. But he's the first to snuggle me, the first to help his sisters, and has such a tender heart. That being said, he's active, a complete goofball, and now understands and applies sarcasm. Oops. ;) He loves soccer, basketball, playing his DS (video games) and playing with friends. He's so social and wants to always be with someone doing something.
Joshua is a sensitive soul. When he makes a friend, he makes a friend for life. He is funny, dramatic, and altogether awesome. He loves taking civic theater classes (acting), soccer, doing magic and essentially ENTERTAINING! He likes to make people laugh!
As always, they each got to pick a theme for a party.
Thomas chose pokemon. I made pokemon cupcakes for the party at the base. There were FORTY-FIVE people at the party. And it went without a hitch. We were able to let the boys invite whomever they wanted and it showed us that they have some really great friends!
For the family party Joshua chose Harry Potter (we read the first book and watched the movie recently). Many people came to the party and the kids had a great time.
My Mama- Grandma Patti
I try to keep the blog all about the kids. A record of sorts about their childhoods and things I don't want to forget. The things they say, the things we do as a family, etc. But, to some degree, I also want to record events that take place too. Not knowing the journey, not knowing the path, we never know how this will affect us in the end.
My mama, grandma Patti was diagnosed with breast cancer in October. She quickly had surgery to remove the tumor. It was caught very early. The cancer was very small. The prognosis very good. The plan was to remove the tumor, do radiation, and call it good. After surgery they discovered that the cancer had spread to one lymph node. This prompted more conversations. Another test is currently being done (today is November 8th) and the results will be back shortly which will give more information as to whether or not chemo is needed.
We made shirts to support grandma and her fight.
My mama, grandma Patti was diagnosed with breast cancer in October. She quickly had surgery to remove the tumor. It was caught very early. The cancer was very small. The prognosis very good. The plan was to remove the tumor, do radiation, and call it good. After surgery they discovered that the cancer had spread to one lymph node. This prompted more conversations. Another test is currently being done (today is November 8th) and the results will be back shortly which will give more information as to whether or not chemo is needed.
We made shirts to support grandma and her fight.
September Training= Single Mommy
I think Dan's been gone for trainings/deployments about 6 of the last 18 months. It's really nothing compared to the soldiers gone for long deployments, but for this mama, it's been a lot! Dan's missed half of the girls' birthdays and about 1/3 of the boys' birthdays. This time he was gone all of September to complete his officer training. It was only a month, and it happened to be the first month of school so we were really busy! But we missed him a lot!
He missed the first day of dance for the girls.
He missed Joshua's first day of hip hop class.
He missed the first day of dance for the girls.
And so much more! And when he got home we were so very very excited. Meeting him at the airport was a real treat!
First Day of Preschool
The first day of the last year of preschool. I'll never have another first day of preschool. *sniff*
Last year was a struggle. So, we changed locations and started doing a co-op this year. That means that the parents are active participants in the school. As in, we volunteer once a week and we have a say in the budget, etc. It's really kinda neat.
On the first day (in September, yes I'm behind on blogging) they were really excited. And really really nevous! But, because I know they are better with slow transitions, I stayed the entire first and second day and then weaned out of the classroom. With great success!
Last year was a struggle. So, we changed locations and started doing a co-op this year. That means that the parents are active participants in the school. As in, we volunteer once a week and we have a say in the budget, etc. It's really kinda neat.
On the first day (in September, yes I'm behind on blogging) they were really excited. And really really nevous! But, because I know they are better with slow transitions, I stayed the entire first and second day and then weaned out of the classroom. With great success!
Coincidentally, the preschool is housed in the same location as our wedding! So, we have a picture of Dan and I walking out of this door on these steps in our wedding attire. It's really neat to be in the same place. Like coming back home. ;)
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