Halloween 2009

Tonight we went to our church's Harvest Festival. Thank goodness it stopped raining! It got pretty cold, though! Carah dressed as a hippie, complete with white patent leather platform go-go boots. She walked around in them for about 30-40 minutes before she swapped for her crocs! Cate dressed as a rock star with pink hair! Caleb dressed as Aubie, the Auburn mascot. He was so cute, but refused to wear his tiger hood. Oh, well!

I brought his wagon for him to ride in but he wound up pulling it the whole night. He eventually caught on about how to trick or treat. Who knows how many suckers he ate?! At one point during the evening he and I gave out candy from a friend's trunk. He was so sweet handing out candy to trick or treaters.

We left pretty early in order to get baths and wash all the pink hairspray out of the girls' hair!

Cate's First Field Trip

Today all the kindergarten classes went to Owen Farm on a field trip. It was chilly and overcast but it didn't rain (at least until we were leaving!). Cate had such a good time with her friends. First we found our way through the corn maze. Next we learned interesting facts about cows, sheep, bees and chickens. Then we got to see some farm animals like pigs, calfs, a donkey, chickens and goats. After that we went on a hayride. The views were so beautiful with the leaves changing colors and the valley with a river running through it. When we got back from the hayride we ate lunch and then let the children play on the huge slide and playground. The teachers decided since it was so cold we would head back to the school a bit early, which was fine with me! All in all it was a really fun day!

Circus Time

Caleb wearing the ringmaster's hat

Look out Charlie! We're riding on the MTA!

Carah with Tom the Head Clown


Popping bubbles with Tom the Clown

Cate watching the circus waving her wand

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus!

Ball of Death - At one point there were 7 motorcycles inside! Very Scary!

Our Family (with 2 clowns!)

Grandpa & Grammy with Caleb & 2 clowns!

While we were in Boston we went to see the circus. It was such a fabulous show! We took the MTA into the city which the children loved and ate at a delicious Italian restaurant in the North End. Then we got to the circus early for the pre-show. A lot of things to see! We had really great seats and it paid off during the tiger's performance. The Head Clown, Tom, came over and asked Carah if she were shy and started talking to her. He asked Danny & I if she could come with him and perform in a trick with him. WOW! The next thing we know she is out in the ring with Tom following him around and popping bubbles. She did great! She said later than she wasn't nervous at all and wanted to join the circus when she grows up! I don't think they teach that at Auburn (but maybe she can go to Alabama to learn to be a clown!). Caleb enjoyed the show as did Cate. They both just sat and watched, mesmerized! We all had such a wonderful time at the circus!

Playtime at Grandpa & Grammy's House

The children love playing at Grandpa & Grammy's house! They have a lot of toys and a fun place to ride bikes. Grammy started to teach Carah to type, which she loved! Cate enjoyed the Gabriella from HSM dress-up clothes and practically lived in them! Caleb (of course) wanted to play outside all the time so G & G took them to a local park. We had such a wonderful visit!

Trip to the Farm

While we were in Boston visiting Grandpa & Grammy during fall break, we took a trip to Davis Farmland http://www.davisfarmland.com. We try to go every time we travel to Boston. There are lots of farm animals to pet and some rare animals to look at. The girls always love to ride the ponies, but Caleb didn't want to! He did pet the bunnies, much to our amazement!

This year Carah found a racetrack with 4-wheeled bikes! The girls loved this and can't wait to come back next time! Caleb enjoyed riding the ancient John Deere tractor, though it's partially buried for safety!

Keeping up with Caleb

Caleb certainly keeps up busy! He's been getting into things around the house more and becoming more independent. A week ago he got into my make-up and actually applied some! He loves playing outside and has figured out how to climb up and slide by himself! He's very friendly and makes a friend wherever he goes!

New Trick

Last night Danny worked out a new trick for the children and him to do.

Caleb is crying because he was promised a cookie if he would do this just one more time but he didn't understand why he couldn't have his cookie right then!

Do my eyes deceive me???!!!

This is what I saw walking home from the bus yesterday...

It's almost as if they love each other!

Independent Caleb

Yesterday morning Caleb sat in his booster seat to eat his breakfast, just like every day. About half-way through eating he said he wanted to get down ("Out!") so I let him down, figuring he was full. He gets up into another chair without a booster seat and slides his plate over to where he's sitting and continues eating. It's as if he was saying, "I don't need a booster seat. I am a big boy!" I heartily disagree but let him eat there. He sat in his booster seat again at lunch and dinner! I'm all about keeping my little ones little as long as I can!

Cate's First Day of Kindergarten

I have to include a picture of her lunchbox

Look out Kindergarten!

Looking pretty in pink

Cate & Mrs. Crystal

Sitting at her place

Today is Cate's first full day of kindergarten. She got the same teacher Carah had, Mrs. Crystal Cummings. Cate is very excited about having Mrs. Crystal. She had decided she would be in Mrs. Crystal's class and didn't want to listen to logic that she may get another wonderful teacher!

She woke up this morning and had half of a chocolate-chip bagel and orange juice. She got dressed, made her bed, brushed her teeth, let me do her hair, and she was ready to go at 7:10 a.m., 15 minutes before we usually leave! Needless to say, she was READY to go! We took a couple of pictures at home and left. When we got to her room she found her name at her table and sat down. I heard a boy say "Shut-up" and that made me want to grab Cate and run out to buy homeschooling material, but I resisted. I trust that I've taught her well enough to know right from wrong! I know she'll have a great year!

I did get upset as I was trying to sleep last night. It's so final...her days at home with me are over! I am excited for her as she starts school but I'm mourning the loss of care-free days at home. I felt the same way when Carah went to school and I guess I'll feel the same when Caleb goes, maybe even more since he's my last child at home! So you moms out there who are sad that your first born is starting school, it doesn't get any easier when the 2nd, 3rd, etc. go! I thought it would but I was wrong!

Cate lost her first tooth!

Throwing a fit


Finally out!


Look what I can do now!

Showing off her tooth

After a week of trying, begging, and bargaining Cate finally let me TAKE her tooth out. I didn't need to pull, it was that loose! Now she can start kindergarten tomorrow having lost her first tooth the night before. She just had to wait to put it under her pillow until she'd showed her friend Molli. So the Tooth Fairy will come tomorrow night. She did ask if the tooth fairy would know to not come until tomorrow night.

Tomorrow is Cate's first day of kindergarten. I am feeling a little sad about it. I will miss her smile and giggle but I know it's time. I will post pictures of her on the first day tomorrow!