Let the Fun Begin

This afternoon we trudged through the snow, across the street, to the Lynch Girls annual Halloween party.

I had with me....Aerial, The Little Mermaid

Dorothy

And, Cinderella.

The girls had a great time and were so excited to see their friends! Here is a happy reunion with Alice, Cinderella and Dorothy.

Here is a group shot....Don't you love that Travelocity Knome on the far left??

They had storytime with Mrs. Katy.

And, they ate delicious cupcakes.

It was such a fun afternoon of crafts, games and just being out of the house! Thanks so much Mrs. Penny. We loved it.

3 Things about TV

Due to our shut-in status, we have watched MUCH more TV over the last several days, than we normally would at our house. The extra dose of TV, has reminded me, why we usually limit what and how much we watch. Here are 3 things that have bothered me on TV over the last 3 days.

1. Nickelodeon, why in the world would you make Dora's newest adventure, Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom, a Prime Time special? Do you realize that Dora's audience is asleep at 8:00pm?

2. Toy Story, why do you have to say "Stupid" over and over again, when I have repeatedly told my children that this isn't a nice word and they aren't to use it?

3. To Comcast On Demand, I might actually want to call Comcast on this one. When I am scrolling the On Demand menu and in the children's section, I shouldn't have to be concerned about the previews you are playing in the upper right hand corner. I feel like the Menu Section should be safe place for everyone. But no, you are currently playing a preview for The Proposal (which I loved). Why in the world would you preview the scene were the two main characters bump into each other coming to and from the shower. There is at least a full minute in the preview with the 2 characters completely naked and covering themselves with their hands. I changed it as quickly as I could, but not quick enough because my Reagan was happy to report, "Mommy, that man is naked!".

Tell me, am I over-reacting or would you call Comcast about that one?

Winter White, Except It's Fall

We had a great, big snow day today!!! I think I could have lost Reagan out there! The snow is up to my knees and still falling fast and heavy. The predictions say we could have 20 inches by tomorrow afternoon.

I wasn't ready for a snow day....since I don't particularly like being trapped at home. However, the last two days have actually been a nice change of pace. I haven't once uttered the words, "Hurry up" or "We're late". I feel rested and relaxed. We have been in our PJ's for two days. There has been lots of playdough, arts and crafts, cookie baking (tried again today, fail again, I am blaming it on the altitude), storytime, movie watching and just playing. The girls and I have just enjoyed time together.

This afternoon we headed outside to attempt to shovel the driveway. I am now even more thankful for my sweet husband, who takes care of that job. I knew if I waited for him to get back, not only would he not be able to get in the driveway, but he would also have a HUGE job on his hands. So, as Gracyn took her late afternoon nap, I bundled the girls up and we headed out. I was making progress, but that is HARD work. Thankfully a nice neighbor came over and helped me finish the job. The girls had a great time playing in the piles of snow and helping shovel.

Looks like another day inside tomorrow. Despite the weatherman's warnings, I was in denial that this would actually happen and didn't go to the store. So, mealtimes may be a little sketchy tomorrow....Cheese-Its and Oreos it is!!! Just kidding....I do have a few things, it will just be slim pickings!

Why I Don't Cook.

Those of you who know me well, know that I really don't like to cook....don't like it and I am not that good at it! But, also if you know me well, you know that I am a BIG fan of the chocolate-chip cookie. Nothing fancy....I just like Pillsbury slice-n-bake. I usually eat a few of them everyday. Today, however, since we were going to be in the house all day with Addison's fever, I thought I would get adventurous and make homemade cookies with the girls.

Take a look at my dough. Now, I don't do this often, but I am pretty sure the dough IS NOT supposed to be soupy! I checked and double checked and I feel certain that I followed all the directions. Now granted, I had 3 small su chefs, reading with me, but still....it really wasn't anything too difficult. I tried to be optimistic as I ladled my soupy dough onto the cookie sheet. Take a look....here is how it turned out.

And closer....Not good. My girls were laughing and asking why it had bubbles. The worst part is that I didn't have any slice-n-bake for back up. So, all that hard work, one cookie sheet, that could never be cleaned in the trash, and an hour later we had no cookies! It will be awhile before I try this again! And, if the weather man is right, I am going to be snowed in here for the next few days, with no cookies!

Rollin' and More

Between snow days and sick days (ours and our friends) we have spent lots and lots of quiet (and not so quiet) time indoors. One afternoon we copied my friend Rebekah's cute idea and the girls made life-sized self-portraits. I taped butcher paper down to the floor and then traced their bodies. They spent the next 1 1/2 hours adding their clothes, hair, faces and accessories. Now we have beautiful art for our upstairs hall!

Sometime during the project I put Gracyn on the carpet in the middle of the family room. When I peaked around the corner a few minutes later, she had rolled clear across the floor and was working her hardest to push buttons on the DVD player!!! Mommy wasn't ready for that yet!!!

Eventually her hard work paid off and she scored a DVD....Praise Baby actually.

Here she is the next day, when I put her in the floor in her room. She rolls and rolls until she is under the bed. She thinks playing with the bed skirt is the most fun ever! Look at that grin....is it possible that she already knows she is up to stuff and that we think it is precious?

And, here is what was happening in the next room. While Mom and Dad were busy marveling at our baby's mad rolling skillz, Addison and Reagan dumped out most of the contents of their "jewelery" drawer!!! It is amazing how fast a mess can be made around here!

Finally....same clothes but a new day. Baby girl is worn out from a morning at the park with Daddy. Tommy was trying to keep her awake long enough for me to make it home from my errands to nurse her. She feel asleep, on the couch, legs straight in the air, in the middle of a diaper change!

It's A Girl...

Not another one, just lots of girly behavior from the ones we have!!! Last night, as we were getting everyone ready for bed, Addison disappeared into another room. A few minutes later, when Tommy and I went in there, we found her hiding behind the rocking chair.

We asked her what was wrong and she answered, "Reagan hurt my feelings". "What did she say?", we asked. "Well, I don't remember," was the reply, "But I know she did!!!"

Yet another eye-opening moment for the Daddy of three!!!

Happy Fall

A Pumpkin Patch Bust

We attempted to take the girls to a pumpkin festival this morning, but it didn't go all that well! It was an unseasonable 86 degrees today, and while you will never hear me complaining about heat.....86 degrees, sunny with no shade it really warm here. We didn't have sunscreen and Gracyn was strapped to me. Next, there were tons and tons of people there. I can't even begin to guess how many. We loaded the girls and made the LONG trek to the actual event, only to find LONG lines to do anything. They played a few games and then we talked them into going somewhere else to get their pumpkins. I couldn't imagine making it all the way back to the car loaded down even more!!!

We then decided to hit a much smaller little pumpkin patch at a church near our house. We had a great time!!! The girls were finally about to just play with lots of pumpkins and run around. They had a few crafts and a face painter. Pictures from the fun event coming soon!!!

Rompin' and Rollin'

Last weekend, we went to Romp in Roll to celebrate our friend Nora's 2nd birthday party. The party was lots of fun! The girls had a great time climbing on the equipment, jumping in the bouncy castle and playing games with the instructors! Thanks for a great party Miss Nora!!!

Randomness

~I am going MIA for a little while this weekend. Tommy has been traveling alot and I need a break. He got me the new Nicholas Sparks book, and I am going to hide somewhere in my house and read it cover to cover. That's how I like to read, which means I can't read very often. Tommy is going to man the girls and I will come out every few hours to feed Gracyn. I am giddy with excitement....silly, but it's like a little mini-vacation!

~A few weeks ago, Tommy had a PGA tournament on the TV in the basement while we were playing with the girls. Addison was asking all about the players and who Daddy wanted to win. Yesterday, Tommy was working at home and we could hear him on a phone call. Addison says at random, "He's talking to the one in the red shirt, the one he wants to win, you know...Tiger Woods!". Apparently she thinks her Daddy and Tiger are tight!

~What does a resourceful 4 year old do when her Mommy isn't available to assist her with her #2 in the potty? She has her 2 year old sister do the job. Yes, that's right. While I was off nursing the baby, Addison enlisted Reagan to wipe her bottom!!!

~Just a few hours before I got an email on how to prevent H1N1, which mentioned several times not to touch your nose or mouth, I looked across the room to find Addison bent over Gracyn's carseat. Gracyn was enthusiastically sucking on Addison's nose!!! I am pretty sure that will spread disease quickly.

~Forget all the candy treats and incentives for Reagan's potty training. She clearly doesn't care about them. I have decided that IF I ever get the girl potty trained....I should get a prize!!!

Happy Weekend!!!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

We won't count that dusting (that didn't stick) a few weeks ago, which occured on the last day of summer, and we will call today the first snow of the season. My family is thrilled. They couldn't wait to get bundled up and get outside. Tommy is always ready to take them out to play in the snow. I didn't really know Addison planned to roll around in it, or I would have put her in her full snowsuit...her legs may have been a bit chilly in the ballet tights. Reagan was quite excited this year. Last year, she only liked it for a minute and would bail as soon as she got a little chilly. She stayed out for a long time today. Gracyn had no opinion....but she looks super cute in that hat! It is only the beginning.....here comes winter.

I am trying to embrace it and love it like the rest of my crew. However, while they are thinking about playing in the snow, sledding and skiing, I am thinking about hats, gloves mittens, snowboots....etc. I think about wet floors and wet feet. I think about shuttling kids around to their activities in the freezing, wet snow.

At least this year, I know not to head to the mall when a blizzard is in the forecast. They aren't joking around with those "winter storm warnings". And, another plus....I had hot chocolate with my girlies today!