Pieces of Us

HALLOWEEN!!

Halloween was SO much fun this year. I think this has been the best year yet. The older three kids are now at an age where they can really get into dressing up and planning their costumes.
This year AJ was a fireman complete with an ax. The three girls were a blast from the past in 50's Poodle skirts and ponytails.  They were so adorable. They all got a lot fo candy and prizes at the harvest festival. They got to do crafts there and also play games like "Fishers of men" fishing and tossing Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fiery furnace.
I know they had a memorable time.  Maddy enjoyed sitting by the door when we got home and giving candy out to the trick-or-treaters that came to the door.  She is getting so mature and responsible!
Tomorrow is the girls 6th birthday.  I cannot believe they are six years old. Tonight I removed the carseats from the van.  It will be so strange seeing only two carseats instead of 4. :(
We are going to take the kids to Olive Garden (their choice) for lunch tomorrow and then to the mall to do a little shopping.  It should be a lot of fun.  The only hard part is that their daddy is out of town and will miss the actual day. We went ahead and let them open one of their gifts from us-their Christmas dresses.  They loved them!

Poodle Gals

Here is a pic of the girls trying on their Hallowe'en costumes!

Pumpkin Patch

Tomorrow I will post my pumpkin Patch pics and write about our fun day. :)

E.T.A.Pictures are not cooperating so I will load pictures of my fall layouts tomorrow instead!

She speaks!

Ginny can now say her first phrase!  She says, "Thank You!"  It sounds like da-doo but she is definitely saying Thank you.  She says it ever time I give her a cookie or her baba.  She is growing up!  Now if only she would get the courage to walk!

"Indian" Dinner

We are studying Indians (Native Americans and  we DO call them Indians because the time period we are learning about also called them Indians) this month so the kids and I decided to make a feast. We went to the store and I let them choose the vegetable that they thought would be present during an indian meal. I also incorporated a bit of science into the shopping trip by giving each child instructions such as, "Find me a vegetable that is a root and bring me three of them." or "Find me a vegetable that is a flower and bring me two." They had a great deal of fun browsing around the produce department and choosing food for our dinner  We ended up with carrots, acorn squash, popcorn, cornbread and corn.  Water to drink.  Gabby informed that Indians did not drink soda- "there were NO stores!".
We ate our meal and then Gabby entertained us with some dances she had made up and she wore her Pocohantas outfit.  She looked so cute with her long straight brown hair.  It was a very fun evening and I think the girls will remember it for along time.  Maddy cracked me up when she said, "I am a little Indian.  I have Indian blood.  It's from my daddy!"

For Sandi

This post is for Sandi, who is creeped out by my horse pictures.  Hi Sandi!!

OK, in fairness to Sandi I will reveal my own phobia.  I hate boats!  And birds!!

Our new addition.

My kids were blessed with a wonderful gift this week.  My wonderful sister was given a sweet Appaloosa mare named Snip and she is sharing her with us!  The kids are so excited!  Yesterday was the first day they got to ride her and they were grinning from ear to ear the whole time.  Gabby is a nutral born rider.  Her position is already so good.  AJ is all boy and uses his time on horse back to spot things from way up high.  Maddy was very afraid and would not ride at first.  I was not there as I had gone Christmas shopping.  When I returned Maddy was depressed and was told she would not ride. Maddy has done this a lot with swimming, ice skating and other things.  I knew it was time to conquer these fears before she got too old.  So, I let her lead Snip around for a bit and then put the bareback pad on her.  Maddy did get up on her back and after that she had the biggest smile ever! We could not get her down.  Now she is asking me when she can go ride again.  I am so proud of her for conquering that fear inside of her.  Genevieve got to go for a ride too. I am sure I will have many stories about our new friend Snip in future posts.  (Snip is not our only addition this week, I should also introduce Wiggles and Giggles, out two new Bettas.)

The King

The girls have been busy with the arts and crafts lately.  Making many different things out of tape and construction paper.
I have had to leave the kids with Mike on a few occasions in the last few days.  Everytime I come home Mike is wearing a paper crown! "Daddy is the King!"  they say.  Mike says, "I only get to be the king when you're not here so I might as well wear the crown." :)

Little

I was so tired this morning.  I could hear Ginny squaking in her crib.  AJ was rummaging in the kitchen.  I drug myslef out of bed and got Ginny up and brought her to the kitchen.  AJ had the milk out and had gotten a bottle out for Ginny.  He was trying to get it ready for her.  What a sweet brother.  I told him he was such a nice boy to make a baba for his sister in the morning.  He said, "Yeah, but I didn't pour the milk because my muscles are little."  He is so cute!

YUCK!

Being sick stinks! My head is so stuffy and yucky and I can't breathe.  Thankfully mom took the older kids last night so I could get some rest.  I just needed to veg.  I have a huge pot of soup on the stove but my sense of taste is off so I can't tell if I am seasoning it right. TOmorrow I have to go to a wedding three hours away.  I hope I feel better by tomorrow.  At least the sore throat is gone now.