Christmas on the Beach

We are back from our Christmas Vacation. The Grizz wagon pulled into the driveway last night. It was unseasonably cold this year, but Little Man would dig in the sand if it was snowing. The oil efforts are still in full force. They flipped the beach right before we got there. The clean-up crew told us they would probably be there for years to come. We saw the dolphins, but no sting rays and only a handful of jellyfish. Strange. I am sad to be back to the grindstone here at home, but with this crew, there is never a dull moment to dwell on it.

Monkey's prayer

This morning at breakfast, Bella asked to pray. Well Monkey wanted to pray too. Hers went like this Dear God.....and I love mommy, daddy, Bella, Little Man, Little Bit,Ms Dianne, Grandpa, Pops, GiGi, and....and Especially Me!

Christmas Elf

The Christmas elf has left a note and a treat everyday, since Dec. 1st. He can show up anywhere and the kids get so excited to find him. The first note read.... It's the first of December and everyone knows that Santa is watching for kindness to GROW. Find things to do and find things to say that show that your kindness is growing everyday. Look for treats and warnings too. I am the Elf of Christmas and I am watching you.

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving day has come and gone. Another year and turkey under our belts. Getting the family all together really shows how fast everyone is growing. Little Man helped me set the dining room table. The table used to be my Granny's, in the farm house, in Ballston Spa. The plates we used were my Great Granny Anderson's. I love having old things that stir up fond memories around me. I am thankful for many things this year, but the biggest is that God's plan is greater than our plans. He truly has the whole world in his hand.

Halloween Fun

I know Halloween fun has gotten out of control, when the actual night of Halloween, they are not excited about saying Trick-or-treat. We did trunk or treat, Longview Rec center, downtown festival, and neighborhood trick-or-treating. Ella changed her costume three times. She was a witch, candy corn and a mermaid. Harrison was a clone trooper this year. Sophia was a cat.
We also went to Limoland to get pumpkins. That is always a good time.

Monkey turns 3!

Sophia had her third birthday party at Discovery Gymnastics. She had a blast. It is hard to believe that she has gotten so big. Thanks friends for such a great day.

BooHoo

We just returned from a surprise trip to the beach. We didn't tell the kids we were going and they didn't figure it out until Lamberts. Bella wanted to know why there were so many pineapple trees (hehehe). The condo was so nice and the kids had a blast. They always do. There is definitely oil in the water. Scott actually wrote oil in the water at one point. Lots of BP workers still making the clean-up effort look good. It's hard to tell just looking at the water. The dolphins came each morning, which was a good sign that maybe things will be ok.
Now that we are back, Pops gave Little man a 4-wheeler. He is actually really good at it. He cruises around the school board parking lot.
Monkey is sick. She caught what Little Man had for 7 days last week. She is a good sport, but you can tell she is feeling yucky. Her birthday party at the gymnastic place is Sunday. I hope she feels better by then.

Corn Maze

We went to the Rippavilla corn maze this weekend. The corn is a little short this year, but perfect for the munchkins. It is in the shape of a barn with a sun and cloud. They had fun trying to find the circle for the sun and then the bumps for the cloud. Great for map skills.

First Tooth

Little Bit has her first tooth. It has poked through. She is not even drooling like the others did. Little bit is such a laid back baby. She loves to swing at the park and has just started the babbling of dadadada. What a blessing she is.

Trains

The trains are back in town. Each spring and fall the trains come to our county park. You can ride on these little trains. Monkey, Litte Bit and Bella rode the trains today. Little Man was in school. Scott is taking Little Man tomorrow. He can't wait. Friday lunch, ice cream money, prize box, trains... He is busting at the seams to get to Friday.

Monkey is Gone

Little Man pulled his first stick yesterday. This caused him to lose recess time, lose Friday lunch, lose treat box and he was not allowed to bring ice cream money either. Doesn't this seem a little harsh for talking too loud. I was a teacher for years, so this is not a "my child does nothing wrong" thought. He is also a kindergartener. I'm just saying. :)

Labor Day

We are laboring away today. This cooler weather has brought out a desire to be outside getting everything ready for winter. We went from 90's to 70's. The waterslide is packed away and the garden plants are being pulled. We finally had three green peppers. We skewered them last night for dinner and then had smore's for dessert. Little Man loves the fire. He is our little camper.

CBS

Today was our first day at Community Bible Study. We had a great day with the ladies and the children had a blast in their classes. Monkey however decided to cry. I think because she is taking Asthma meds and amoxicillin she had had enough. Thank goodness that everything else went off without a hitch. Who knew that praying for all the other children to have a good day in class, I should have been praying for my own.

Smokey Mt. getaway

We just returned from our fast weekend away in the Smokies. We stayed at the Oak Tree Lodge. They had this perfect waterpark for the kids. Sophia even went down the waterslide a few times. They rode rides at the track, drove to the top the mt., found the Apple Barn, fed the ducks at the Mill, ...... We packed the weekend with family stuff. Loved the weekend, love the family.

Bella's First Day

Bella had her first day of preschool today. She loves it. She marched in without turning back, just like Harrison did. It is a delight to not have them kicking and screaming, but a piece of me wishes there was a little bit of a peek. They are in good hands. God will put his hand of protection over them. Too bad my time with the other two was filled with 6 month check-up a month over due, clearing bins for the CBS children's program and picking Bella back up for a short first day. Ahhh, someday I will reminisce about being in the car all morning. Right?

Open House for Bella

Bella and I went off to Open House at her pre-school tonight. She is our shy child, so even though she has the same teachers as Little Man last year, I wanted her to have her experience there. She found where she is going to hang her bookbag, put her school box holder, etc. After, Bella wanted to go out for ice cream. We decided to have girl time and go and have dinner. Off to O'Charley's we went. Just the two of us. When I asked her what she wanted to do after dinner, she said, "Shopping." Good Girl Bella! We went shopping and found some really cute outfits. She is our tender-hearted child. She is so proud of herself for being big enough to go to "Little Man's school". We will have to work on the part where she says that it is his school. Small steps.

Two Teeth

Little Man informed Bella that you don't lose teeth, you have to pull them. A very accurate interpretation. It was Open House at his school tonight. He was so proud to show me around his classroom. The first place he went is the Monkey board. He informs me everyday who pulled a monkey. Thank goodness he hasn't pulled one yet. He proceeded to show me his nametag, school box, coat hook, etc. You are a sweet one Little Man.

BooHoo breakfast

Little Man's school had their BooHoo breakfast this morning. Little did we know that it meant that we were to eat in the cafeteria Scotty and I. Why would we want to do that? The kids were not even invited to go. We high-tailed it out of there so quickly. Very Strange!

Too Cool for School

Little man loves school. He informed me today that they play with playdough there. He said, "I don't make sound effects, because I would move a stick." Maybe I need to get some sticks here at home. Bella is a little lost without Little Man. Her and Monkey are so sweet without him around. The third wheel is definitely true here. Monkey needs Little Bit to grow much quicker. She needs a playmate when the other two are being thick as thieves.

Tears

With a crack of thunder, pouring rain and no electricity we start the public school adventure. Little Man got out of the car this morning excited for his first day. I, on the other hand, teared up as he entered the school building. I am so proud of Little Man. He was confident and so ready to start school. My tears not only came from the growing up part, but also from the stuck to the school schedule. From now on, we will need to be out the door by 8 and around to pick him up at 2:45. Thank goodness school is so close. We have been spoiled by our willy nilly days of the zoo, jump zone, museums, friends, pool, etc that we are going to have to get accustomed to this new life. Wish us luck.

Two sick, two off to play

Today we woke up to Monkey feeling not quite right. She ate some breakfast and then proceeded to barf all over me. Great start, right? After changing, I was holding Little Bit and then she did the same thing, as her bigger sister. Twice in one morning. Thanks to our dear friend, she took the older two off to the Jump Zone to play. Thanks Amy! Tomorrow is Little Man's first full day of kindergarten. He is so excited. Where did all those years go?

Star Wars Birthday

Little Man is so excited for his first sleepover birthday party. He asked for a 3-D Star Wars birtday cake. I tried to talk him out of the 3-D part, but he had his mind made up. The next hurdle is for all the boys to sleep. Wishful thinking right?