Pumpkin Carving

We took our little pumpkins and went to the Stirmans annual carving contest... Knowing the kids would each want a pumpkin we designated one to carve (John's job) and we got potato head stick ins for the kids to do so we could all enjoy a whine free evening. It was such a fun time and the kids played way into the night in the big bounce house. Same time same place next year!

I purposefully took a picture of John holding a bag of fritos. This is frito pie and maybe I am just unaware of this but apparently its quite the thing that all the cool kids are doing. You make a big pot of chili and then pour the chili into the bag and add shredded cheese. No mess no fuss! Sounds like a plan to me.

Daisy

Today we had our first Daisy (Girl Scout) meeting. My friend Kim and I are the leaders of the troop and we planned some fun activities for the girls. They got their uniforms and their first badge since they learned their promise. Another older troop came by and assisted the daisies. All in all it was fun and everyone seemed to enjoy!

Gentlemen

Years ago John and I worked for a family who were so great to us. The dad one day told John that he should bring me Friday Flowers and that is something husbands should do. So John always the gentlemen took this idea and ran with it. Well ladies just so you know he has passed on this info to our little boys. Now the boys love to give mommy flowers. Today Christopher asked Daddy "can we go to the store and buy Mommy flowers, please?" They both picked out flowers and then on the way home fell sound asleep. John took a picture because he said it was so sweet - they were so thrilled to surprise me.

Well Girls, these two boys are going to be charmers!!!!

School Festival

We had Ella's school fall festival tonight and it was so fun - after the cake walk that is. We did the cake walk and didn't win and Jack was just crying his little heart out because he didn't get a cake.

There were lots of toss games and I was proud of their aim... Good jobs kids!

I worked at the nail booth painting lots of little kids nails, and of course my kids needed them done too. Here they are with their lovely manicures.

Sweaty

Soccer practice in October in Texas is not for the faint of heart... 90 degree temps and these poor kids drip sweat as they are running. Christopher thought it was great that his hair was so wet, I could spike it. If he was getting a picture taken you can be sure the other two were getting theirs done as well. Here are my sweaty boys and my lovely girl!

Bird Song

Ella loves music class at school and it seems that everyday she is coming home with new rhymes and songs to teach the boys. I think this one is so cute. She does such a great job!

Fall Festival

Today we had a fall festival in the park. The kids did a costume parade and decorated pumpkins, treat bags and cookies... They had fun playing and having a mock Halloween. We went bike riding later and had all day playdates. Fun stuff. Christopher says to me "Mommy when I ride my bike my heart beeps.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have had some inquiries to the pancake pen... WILLIAMS SONOMA oh and while your there pick yourself up and cherry pitter... Best invention ever!!!

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and every year I miss home. I miss the beautiful fall weather and the leaves turning and of course my family... John and I do the best to every year celebrate with our family and teach them their traditions. The kids know they are Canadian and I asked Christopher at the store yesterday are you American too? Nope, I'm Texan! he said... They are so funny.

We took the kids on this major bike ride yesterday and they had so much fun and it was nice because Texas finally had a cold front come through... No more sweating walking to the car.

I am so thankful for Alexia and Brian who have celebrated major events with us and are so much a part of my kids life. They celebrated with us and we are thankful for them, they are like family to us. Next year her dad is coming and bringing his cranberry sauce... So sorry we missed him today!

The vintage pearl

You might not be able to see very well but it is a heart with a pearl in the middle and then Ella, jack and Christophers names are around the outside of the heart. Its exactly what I wanted... Love it!

My necklace has finally arrived... I have waited weeks for this to arrive and VOILA its here.... the vintage pearl and Grandma Ruth came through...

Spiderman

We have two spidermen in our house. Both boys want to be spiderman and they wear their costumes everywhere and all day. Its cute, the costume has padded muscles and they like to run into each other...

On a side note, I have a Jack story. I actually have so many of them that I can't keep track. Typically when he ambarrasses me I remember them.
Today we are in line to order lunch and there is someone ahead of me and two people behind me. Erin has already ordered and is sitting down. The boys are standing nicely waiting our turn. Christopher is to my left side and Jack is standing behind me, totally normal as Jack typically tucks himself in between my legs. All of a sudden out of the blue Jack in his not quiet raspy Jack voice says "MOM, YOUR BUM IS STINKY! nice, thanks Jack, and me who is not a quick reaction says while enjoying the surrounding laughter "well then sweet boy take your face from my butt! I tell you I showered this morning and he was totally making it up. Silly boy! Christopher always the lover says mommy I think your bum smells like roses...

PANCAKE PEN

I got this new nifty gadget called a pancake pen. The kids think its awesome and so do I. You just fill it full of pancake mix and then you can draw and write- here is a sampling of our drawings. They ate every bite!

Game Time

First of all what a week. I don't think I was home for more than 5 consecutive minutes and it was so busy. I remember thinking once school starts and we get into a routine I will get all these things done. That is a funny thought. I am barely getting the minimum amount required (laundry and dinner) done. Oh well...
Today was our first soccer game. The boys did great at practice so I was excited for the game. However there was a major problem - mom gets to practice soccer too, but I can't play on the field. Therefore that meant Christopher was not playing either. It was a diaster, I was so frustrated. I wanted to pick them up and put them back on the field and actually did once or twice, but they would just keep running off. We finally came up with idea that Jack could hold the coaches hand. That worked but he wouldn't let go. To make things worse we had a double header, so the first game wasn't great but they were absolutely not playing again. I am thinking by the middle of Nov. we should at least it on the field. This is why I should have coached their team. I think I am having more fun with soccer than they are, actually I know I am!!!!

Billy Bear

The boys have a class pet and its great because he's soft and fluffy and you don't have to feed him. His name is Billy bear and they boys couldn't be more excited to have him come stay with us. They take him on our usual outings and record in a journal his stay with us. Here a few photos of Billy and the kids!