Yesterday friends of ours had a baby so this afternoon Carsyn and I went to see beautiful baby Claire. She is sooooooooo precious!!! She looks just like her big sister Charlotte. We couldn't be happier for this sweet family!!!
c was the photographer...
I know, I know. I look good holding a baby! :)
Sorry there are none in our future!
Last night we put Reagan and Carsyn's teeth where the tooth fairy would find them (the first 2 nights their bowls were in a dark spot). The girls thought the tooth fairy must have either been lost in the dark or really busy. Excellent conclusions!
As I was laying with Reagan she asked, "How does the tooth fairy get in the house? Does she open the door and come in? I don't think Daddy will like that!"
I said, "She's magic. She doesn't need doors or windows she just comes in."
For a second I though Reagan would be frightened. The thought of something being able to come into our house at any time and take something.... hmmm....
She quickly recovered, "Well, I hope she leaves dollars!"
THAT was a close call.....
she did leave dollars for both my sweet girls (C lost tooth #8!)...
On the way to school this morning we heard on the radio that the (arrogant) Yankees lost the first game of the series last night. Naturally we were cheering. Jordan (our carpool friend) said, "You don't like the Yankees?" Such a silly question- my sweet, naive little Cardinal's fan. I was about to launch into my Yankees speech when Reagan pipes in...
"We don't like the Yankees. They have the most money of any baseball team and can buy whoever they want and it's just not fair!"
Then Luke adds...
"If the Yankees were playing the Cardinals we would definitely cheer for the Cardinals!"
Apparently "our" disdain runs deep.
This weekend was Dale's birthday. I had laid out a plan months ago about whisking him away for a fantastic weekend just the two of us. Chicago, eating out, sleeping in, seeing sights (catching Devan's soccer game) etc.. A much needed break for both of us- the last time we went away was 3 years ago for our 10th anniversary! Plans were set, then canceled, then set, then it got complicated so we ended up deciding not to go.
Soon after that decision a friend called and invited me to "The Lake" for a girls weekend. I respectfully declined. What loving wife would leave her husband on his birthday weekend with three kids- alone? As I was telling Dale about Lisa's girls weekend he immediately said, "You're going. It's my birthday gift. I would LOVE to spend the weekend with the kids." (insert "awwwww... what a fantastic husband!") So, after spending ALL of Thursday in the kitchen preparing food for my family, I woke on Friday and was whisked off to "The Lake." It was a lot of fun. Movies, games, talking, shopping, yummy food, late nights, bad beds/pillows. It was a great condo with a lake view. Beautiful day on Saturday and good timing. Thanks Lisa!!!
So, I get home. Lots of screaming, MOMMY, MOMMY!!!, hugs, kisses, and tales of the weekend: AWESOME time with Cori painting pumpkins, making cookies, Saturday soccer game- Carsyn scored 2 goals, Rams game on Sunday. We head upstairs carrying my bags, check Aunties blog to see more pictures of our new baby cousin and as I am checking email I hear crying (not abnormal). Then Carsyn says, "MOM!! Reagan is bleeding! LOTS AND LOTS of blood." I look over and see blood coming out of her mouth. I go to the stairs and pick her up- too much blood to see what it is. So we blot and attempt to spit- splatter blood ALL over my bathroom. Then I see it....
Reagan's loose tooth has been knocked out. Awesome!! Oops, look again. The tooth next to the loose one (which was NOT loose) was knocked out too. Split the gum and everything. Beautiful. More blood (but very little crying) and three different stories later we piece together what happened. Pretty sure she's fine although we will call the dentist in the morning to see about the split gum. Carpet's fine- blood came out like a dream. Welcome home....
Yesterday we made an afternoon trip to the pumpkin patch with friends. It's our first time this season. The kids had a great time- so did the moms. I recommend always going with a group of moms. It's way more fun to stand around and talk then to just stand around waiting for your kids to finish playing. After playing we look at all the pumpkins. There are so many different kinds these days. Have you seen the white ones? or the blue ones? and the gourds, oh wow!! I could have spent $500.... Instead we walked away with a small wagon full. (see pictures below)...
carsyn was at school...
stewart
luke loved watching the goats...
stuart...
l, r and jacob...
r loved these pumpkins...
l and sarah...
WOW. she is growing...
the corn maze...
i love this picture!! fast forward to the teenage years. i hope these 2 will be close friends...
wagon ride (we saw a baby zebra!)
the pumpkins/gourds i bought.... :)
ok- so i only wish i bought all of those!!!!
Yesterday Mrs. B set out to make apple pies with the entire JK class (2 classes equaling 34 four year olds). Thankfully she has much experience in this area. There were 5 stations: mixing the crust, rolling the crust, peeling/coring the apples, mixing the pie filling and finally putting it all together. Many parents were on hand at each stations to help (and watch the germs as they flew about recklessly). 6 children came at a time and got to experience every station. It was a lot of fun to help guide them along the way and watch their excitement. It was also a lot of fun to be finished at 10:30. It reminded me that some have the God-given gift of teaching/loving/nurturing 34 four year olds- and that someone is not me. Mrs. B and Ms. W should be paid double....
did I mention they made their own toque's? that's a fancy word for chef hat.
reagan LOVES art so her hat has a lot of detail- including the whole world....
reagan mixing the crust...
sarah mixing the crust...
r rolling the crust...
r getting ready to peel and core an apple...
mr. m and henry...
peelings!!!
adding to the filling...
annie adding cinnamon...
r tasting apples...
mrs. b and r putting filling in the crust...
grayson eating the extra filling...
r's group and their delicious pie!
After lunch they got to eat warm pie and vanilla ice cream. It was delicious!
Reagan, "does not care for pie." and she made sure everyone knew it!
This summer one of our goals for Luke was to learn to ride a 2 wheel bike. We started off strong- practicing every day. Then as summer continued on we found other things to keep us busy. The other night I said to Dale that I wish he would have mastered it (he was right on the edge!) Since it is surprisingly warm this week this afternoon Dale pulled out the bike. He helped Luke on, walked with him for a bit then and away he rode! Never to look back...
the start...
mastered!
he LOVES to ride his bike!
For whatever reason I am not interested in blogging. I have not even picked up my camera for 8 days. It's not that great photo ops have not occurred- cause they have been numerous: like R's loose tooth, L's lego set he put together all by himself, C's soccer game when she scored ANOTHER goal, or the fact that R has been dressed in the same clothes for 3 days- pink long underwear, a pink newborn bib, a pink hat, pink socks, pink crocs AND a pink ladybug watch.) Maybe my lack of interest is due to the nasty weather last week. Whatever the reason this season continues so I thought I would post a sneak peek of our family photos taken by fresh art photography.
6 years ago today after a few short hours a labor our little Luke came into the world... (sorry I have not mastered the scanner!)
The first few months were filled with a lot of crying (by baby AND mama). He must have gotten it all out then because he has become a sweet-natured, gentle kid. He loves his sisters, working with his dad and watching/learning about birds. He also enjoys reading, playing with legos and is fantastic at basketball and baseball. He is a very special boy! We are SO GLAD God placed him in our hands.
Today we celebrated with a family party. It was a Wii theme...
uncle brought the projector and his Wii- so we had gaming going on in 2 places!
watch out!
silly boys...
my second attempt at fondant- VERY successful (thanks sara!)
micah just picked up the whole thing and went to town...
adults turn...
i-chatting with grandma and grandpa...
