Nine

Alice turned nine the other day. She woke up to a room filled with white balloons, post it notes all over the house full of things that we loved about her, a surprise visit at school during lunch, a dinner date with her mom and dad, cake and presents. Poor little Laura tried her hardest to not to rain on Alice's parade, but not being able to blow out the candles was almost too much for her to take.

Well....maybe next year.

There are so many families out there that have great, beautiful, creative family pictures. We're not one of them. I don't like spending money, but I'm thinking that sometime in 2012 we need to fork over the $$$ for a decent picture.

So while this won't be on the Christmas card, stayed tuned in for 2012. That will give me plenty of time to get my act together. I hope.

Not Good

Something tells me we might be trick or treating in the wrong part of town.

One on One Time

One on one time with Mark at the fall festival.

One on one with Laura at Busch Gardens.

One on one with Alice at her favorite museums, The Natural History and the Art Gallery.

A Good Day

It was a normal day, nothing too big going on. We jumped on the trampoline, read stories, ate hot dogs outside, and ended with a bath with dollar store glow sticks. These are my favorite kinds of days.

Weekend Project

The other day I came across this nightstand for FREE and turned it into a play kitchen for the kiddos.

They played with it for 5 hours this afternoon! We have tiny pots and pans with tiny food to create with. They're all neatly stored behind the little curtain. There is a slight chance I love this more than my kids do.

My Girl is Five.

This is a big deal for our Laura. She's five now and her world is about to change. She now gets to go to Kindergarten, like tomatoes(to her only 5 year olds like those), and learn to trim her own nails.

Talent Show

We had a family talent show with my brother's kids, mine, my parents and a good family friend.. who sang us a song. Along with a lot of piano solos and duets we also had a harmonica number, an old fashioned duel, more singing and a polka by my mom on the accordion. More on that later...you'll want to stayed tuned for it. Just when you think you're mom can't get any better she pulls this dormant talent out and blows us away.

Just My Girls

Taylors and Bringhursts

I've said it before...

...he's mine.

Ready to Dance

Laura's dance class has their recital soon and had their first dress rehearsal for it today. She's never been on stage with the lights and an audience before. She was a little bit nervous, but she did a great job.

Random

Alice and her buddy Logan eating smores on a HOT, HOT day.
Laura's preschool graduation. (I was the only cheap parent who didn't buy a gown.)

Mark trying to make it through a whole soccer game.

Making lunch in the playhouse.

Getting into the playhouse.

Trampoline+Sprinkler=Fun