Sledding...

We took the kids in search of some snow this weekend because we have not had enough for sledding around here this winter. Crazy, huh? We found a great big hill with perfect snow right in the middle of Grandma and Grandpa's! The kids had so much fun ~ we are hoping to make it an annual tradition!!

Show and Tell... Jazz!

This week in her dance class it was show and tell... It was so much fun to watch them practice for their upcoming recital! Super cute girls ~

Show and Tell... Ballet

They wear these beautiful yellow costumes, she'll look just like Belle!

Show and Tell... Tap Dance!

She says tap dancing is her favorite...

Lots of fun...

We have had a lot of fun this past week. Grandma, Aunt Whitney and our cute little cousin Emery came to spend a long weekend with us. We started by celebrating a double digit birthday! I can't believe I have a 10 year old ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We enjoyed taking this little cutie pie out to lunch a few times. I can't believe how big she is... She is even adorable when she is throwing a tantrum!

We enjoyed a fun family night with special numbers like these... Grandma danced the Hula with our little lady! Seriously, this has got to be one of the cutest things ever!

And another musical number with the cello and Grandma on the (computer) piano..

We have such a fun time with Grandma when she comes to visit!

There is nothing she won't do for her grandkids~

Grandma brought out her fancy chocolate fountain for us to enjoy... YUM ~

We had so much fun with a toddler running around the house and can't wait to see Emery again this summer! Thanks for visiting us everyone.

Another Fieldtrip

He said this was his favorite fieldtrip... I think it was because he got to eat something delicious at the end. I also liked this fieldtrip, because I got to sit with grown-ups and eat something delicious too! Thank you, Pizzeria Uno!

Happy Birthday ~

Gift...

He makes me so proud...

Jingle Bells...

Let it Snow ~

Our first snow... after a few hours it finally started to stick a little. The kids had so much fun playing outside and talked about how much they love the snow! I should remind them of this day when it is April and still snowing in the Northeast! I guess I need to get ready to welcome winter.

Happy Birthday to us!

We started the day off with one of my favorite breakfasts... Cinnamon French Toast and Orange Julius ~ courtesy of our amazing 9 year old chef! We got ready and headed to the movies where we saw Planet 51!

After the movie we ate lunch at McDonalds - not my favorite place, but since I share my birthday with the (not so) little anymore man, there are a few sacrifices I have to make. Thanks, Tidwell Family for the McD's gift card!

We ate a delicious store bought Mickey Mouse cake... which he picked out all by himself! I refuse to make my own birthday cake ~ selfish, I know!

Thanks to everyone who helped make this birthday special for both of us!

Buffalo Days...

This morning, the little monkey and I were able to visit a local Tipi maker with his preschool class. The kids had so much fun walking around the grounds, feeding the horses, and looking at the huge Tipi.

We also had a lot of fun sitting inside the huge Tipi, getting warmed up by the indoor bonfire, and listening to the local Native American tell stories.

I thought he would be hesitant to feel (or pet) the different animals, but he surprised me and was very willing and interested in everything.

We felt a buffalo, coyote, and a little fox (pictured).

It was our favorite field trip so far... so interesting and so much fun!

Report card time...

She has a great attitude towards school and is anxious to do her best. She is working hard in Reading Block and has taken many Accelerated Reader tests already. She has also been writing more in her journal and always pays close attention to detail. In math, she can add sums to 12 and knows her double facts. She enjoys participating in class and is a great helper.

He has made a positive transition to fourth grade. I truly appreciate his hard work and dedication to excellence. He is a joy to work with.

Remember last year?

Plucking the Cello ~

This week they are learning to pluck a familiar tune...

Do you know what song it is?

Halloween Festivities ~

Friday was a very busy day... I woke up early to start a pot of my delicious chili for our church Halloween party and chili cook off. I had to start it early because we all know it's best if it simmers for a while.

After the oldest two kids were off on the bus, the little man and I headed off to preschool for his Halloween Party. He was very excited to trick or treat at preschool. My little clone trooper doesn't like attention (until you get to know him... then he becomes quite the jokester) so he didn't want all of the parents looking at him - He got a strange look on his face when they were about to start singing their cute holiday songs, and I knew something was about to happen. He bursts into tears and runs towards me... I guess he is not quite ready to perform! I caught this picture about 25 seconds before the drama began! Lucky me ~

After the preschool party, we headed to the first grade Harvest Party.

We brought in these yummy treats for the kids... while working wonders on these little crispy treats, I thought to myself... "Why am I doing all this? They are just first graders!" Then, my little lady comes into the kitchen and says, "Mom - I love the beautiful detail of the orange swirls!"

That made it all worth the extra effort!

The fourth graders also had a harvest party ~ one that was the most boring party ever (his words exactly)!! They colored small pumpkins with markers and had cheese sticks, grapes, carrots and asparagus - with a small cup of sprite! I'm all for healthy schools... but let them have a PARTY!

We ended the day with our church Halloween Trunk or Treat and Chili cook off. The kids were excited to dress up in their costumes and get a head start on candy collecting. It was a fun party!

** Saturday Morning **

Holiday breakfasts are big in our house and usually consists of colored pancakes transformed into a holiday shape of choice. This year I shook things up a bit! We don't eat much sugared cereal in our house...

so I thought these would be a big hit!

Just before noon, my big kid and worlds fastest trick or treater got sick ~ the bad kind of sick, the kind nobody deals well with... thankfully for him, his dad took his trick or treat bag out for him to collect some candy!

Happy Halloween!