Halloween 2009

I was so happy that Charlotte wanted to wear the red coat I made for Aaron two years ago. It was sooo cute on her. I did make the queen costume that she wore to the ward party, but I thought this costume was the winner.

We tried out trick or treating in our new neighborhood this year. Jonathan, my cousin Marissa's son who I have started watching everyday, came with us too.

We started the night off with lots of family and chili and cornbread.

Our neighborhood turned out to be pretty good. We didn't go very far and the kids had plenty of candy.

Then when we were finished we came home to watch ghostbusters.

Ward Party

Well, after an unplanned month long blogging break, I am back......with lots of catching up to do! I have 13 posts scheduled to post and that only catches me up to before our cruise, which will be several more. I may schedule two a day so that I can at least be caught up by christmas. Check back often!

Our ward party was not unlike any other. Chili cook off, pumpkin carving contest, face painting and trunk or treating.

But, it was a free dinner and another excuse for the kids to dress up! Elsie and Charlotte had a hard time deciding what to wear for Halloween so this gave them the chance to wear two different costumes this year.

Field trip to the Fire Station

I was able to go on Aaron's first Field Trip this year. These were the four boys in my group.

We walked to the Fire station a couple of blocks away. I volunteer in his classroom every Friday so I already know the kids in his class and how well behaved they are, but they were even on good behavior with all the excitement that was going on. The worst thing that happened was that Adam (the boy in the blue sweatshirt) was walking kind of slow.

Aaron's class started off the year being a 1st/2nd combo. Within the first month the second graders were relocated to another classroom, but because of that they hand selected well behaved and independent thinkers. There are no problem children in the class and his Teacher, Mrs. Lee is able to push the kids beyond first grade expectations. His class is doing work that is much more advanced than all the other first grade classes at the school. I love Mrs. Lee, she is a very kind and warm teacher and she uses love and encouragement to help the kids reach higher.



Back to the field trip



The kids were so good....they listened to the fireman (one of which we happened to know!) answered their questions, and waited patiently.













They all had fun checking out the fire truck and all it can do. Aaron said his favorite part was spraying the water hose!

more from my Elsie

quotes from yesterday:

"Go away!.....I don't want to watch you looking at me!"

"Good job wiping my bummy Mom!"



(and here's a cute picture of my baby and my baby sister just for fun)

this girl

A while ago a friend of mine was telling me about how her daughter was very particular about how she did her hair. She would have to do it over and over again to get it right. I remember thinking 1) I'm so glad Charlotte isn't high maintenence, and 2) Why in the world would she let her daughter demand that from her? (Sorry Kelli!)

Well, my time has come. Elsie came to me with a brush and hair ties and a clear vision of what she wanted. She tried telling me.........she tried showing me........but I couldn't figure it out.

Finally, after many tries, many frustrations, and many "no mama, like this!", I realized that she wanted her hair to fall in her face.

Whatever

I was just so happy to have figured it out.









She even insisted on wearing her new do to soccer practice.



this girl......what am I going to do

The 80 dollar Pencil

What is the best thing you can hear while getting ready for work you ask? "Nick..... there is a pencil in the drain. Can you get it out?" To which I reply, "oh yeah, no problem". So being the handyman I am, I took off the trap, removed the pencil, and put it back together again with new washers (so as not to leak of course). The parts went together beautifully........ except.....they were so old they broke apart. Then I thought, " I will just replace the trap and pipe from the wall."



Nope! It was a custom made part from 1959 so I had to take more off and continue replacing parts. Push came to shove and my trusty saws-all finished the job. Long story short and two weeks later I had put together a new drain for the bathroom.



I love owning an older home. More importantly, I Love Pencils!

(post by Nick)

let her eat cake

The real reason I have first birthday parties for my babies..........

to watch them eat cake!















Not too much damage.........especially when compared to Elsie.