Halloween and Other Stuff

Buzz & Woody

Buzz, Woody, & the Vampiress

The festivities at our house.  We have the best neighborhood for trick-or-treating.  We had about 250 to 300 kids, the most awesome haunted house across the street, a neighbor that has a full-out buffet, and decorated trailers heading up and down the street FULL of families & friends.  I'm tellin' ya, if your neighborhood isn't this much fun, head our way next year.  Our parents came in for the weekend and they said it was the most fun Halloween they have ever had!

Part of Jenna's teacher's gift...travel size tissue holders and personalized hand sanitizers.  Please keep Jenna's teacher in your prayers..she lost her father last week at the age of 57 to stage 4 prostate cancer.  She is such a wonderful woman and a fabulous teacher.  We love her dearly. 

Put your orders in early...I'll be sewing some Christmas tisse holders and pairing them up with some holiday decorated sanitizers.  I'll post them as soon as I get one done.

A proud member of the Daisy Scout Troop 1785...her handmade tie-dyed troop shirt.  She thinks she is sooo cool.  She came home last night hooting and hollering about working towards a Turkey Badge.  I can't help but giggle at her cuteness!

A last minute attempt at Daisy Scout snacks.  Mini waters, goldfish crackers, & individually wrapped brownies with...

personalized troop stickers.  The other mothers thought I was all fancy.  I had to admit that I only made them 'cause I had to cut the brownies so small...some little guy put his fingers in the cooked brownies.  I had to do something to make them look a little less pathetic!

We had the most fantastic weekend with our parents.  Today, we're celebrating our littlest guy's 2nd birthday.  How did my baby get to 2 already?!  He shares his birthday with our good friend's son, Colin.  We're going to CEC tonight to celebrate Colin's birthday and then on Saturday, Joel will host his County Fair birthday party.  I'll keep you posted on how that goes.  Thanks for stopping by...hope your Halloween was as spooktacular as ours!!!!

Jenna's 6th Birthday

 Jenna decided on a bowling party for her 6th birthday.  It was by far the easiest, least expensive party I've ever thrown.  She wanted the Route 66 mini lanes and the kids had a blast! 

 Gabriel in deep concentration.

 T.R.O.U.B.L.E. with a bowling ball!

 Singing "Happy Birthday."  She had the cutest shirt on that my friend Jennifer made for her...you can check it out here.  She spoils us with cute stuff, go order something from her, you won't be disappointed!

 Every birthday photo of Jenna since her birth has included her BFF Tyler.  They just crack me up together!  This is Gabriel and his BFF Ethan, below.

We had such a nice, relaxing afternoon...thanks to all of our friends that were sweet enough to spend their Saturday afternoon with our little girl.  She really loved it!

To Make the Grandparents Happy

 He's not right...seriously, he thinks that rock-climbing the fireplace is a good idea.  And brushing his teeth in a pj shirt and his bricks (what we call his sneakers...7 1/2 EXTRA wide) while playing Polly Pockets.  He keeps us on our toes!

 What goofballs!

And my sweetheart with her new haircut...how did she get so old?!  One of her bottom front teeth came in and her baby tooth still did not fall out.  Guess we better start saving now for braces!

Classy Cupcakes

 My sweet friend (and co-teacher) Marian had a birthday this weekend and I was asked to make cupcakes for our little get-together.  First, let me start by saying that this was an all-girl affair and it was being held here, so the white cupcakes with buttercream icing that she requested were definitely not going to work.  Marian LOVES pistachios, but we have a little guy in our class with a tree nut allergy, so we don't get to eat them as much as we'd like.  I found this recipe from Martha Stewart and I topped them with a cream cheese buttercream icing.  They were delicious and oh-so-classy looking.  I will definitely make these again.

I had such a wonderful afternoon with some very lovely ladies and I just can't believe I live less than 15 minutes from such a beautiful place and I've never been there.  It certainly won't be the last time I visit.

Happy Birthday Marian!

Warning from the Gingerbread Man

So it was Jenna's turn to take home the gingerbread man yesterday.  We were warned that the gingerbread man is afraid of  dogs and cats that chew and he doesn't like water or having his arms or legs pulled on.  So, we decided to give him a fun night on the town...riding bikes, reading our new American Girl catalog, dinner at Pie in the Sky, dessert at Sonic, an episode of Wow Wow Wubbzy we haven't seen before.  A full and exciting night.  We had to journal it all in the "Adventures of the Gingerbread Man" book."  As a P.S. to the teacher, we added "Mrs. M, please add 'almost 2-year-old red-headed little boys' to the list of things I'm not really fond of.  I appreciate it!'"  As you can see from the photo above, the G-man had every reason to be frightened!!!

First Day of Kindergarten

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So excited to go!

(someone else thought they were starting Kindergarten too...

and don't worry, I know his hair is crazy, there's no helping it!)

Our new backpack & lunchbox...drove like a mad crazy woman to our local Pottery Barn Kids to get them 'cause they were on back order online.  The little Miss insisted she have THESE for her first day.  I made her some matching bag tags and she was ready to go!

Goodies for our teacher!

She has a super teacher and she's at the most wonderful school...we're so excited for the upcoming year!

Sonic~99 Cent Sundaes

After 8 p.m. Need I say more!