Pumpkin Patch!

We love going to the pumpkin patch down the street from our house.  They have a little, little corn maze perfect for the kids, lots of wheelbarrows to play with and load up and many tractors to play on, little ones and big, and they provide hay rides around the farm.  And, oh ya, they have pumpkins!

Braden loved this little tractor and Molly hopped in for the ride!  I now get asked if they are twins, even though they are over two years apart.  Molly is just so tiny and Braden is huge.

Every kid gets to pick out their own pumpkin!  The trick is remembering who picked what when it comes time to carve them!

This picture makes Garry sad.  He thinks Emma looks too big, too grown-up in this picture.

Macey found a good one!

Braden hauling in the picks.

Beautiful Molly!

One last picture!

It's So Great To Be Eight!

We had a great time celebrating Emma's eighth birthday!  Actually, it was more than a day.  It was actually pretty much a week.  Before her birthday she received the Dragon Leader award.  And then the next day she had a special VIP time in her classroom where she was able to make a poster and share with her second grade class some things about her and what she liked.

I picked her up early from school, and we went to the bookstore to have our customary hot cocoa at the cafe and so she could pick out a book.  She picked one on drawing, of course.  Then we met up with Garry and went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.  She was able to sit on the saddle while the staff sang happy birthday.  It was fun!

She came home to quite a loot of gifts!

And a few days later she had a birthday party with friends.  We borrowed a projector from my sister, and they watched Barbie Princess and the Popstar on the huge basement wall with popcorn and pizza and a pinata.  Fun times had by all!

And the next day she got her ears pierced!  She has waited and waited for this for a long time and took it like a champ!  She did not even cry!  

We love Emma!

Dragon Leader!

Every month Eastlake Elementary recognizes two students per class and they are given the Dragon Leader award.  They get donuts with the principal, they get to shake her hand, and they get a certificate.  They are chosen for being good students, good examples, and good leaders.  This October both Emma and Macey were recognized from their classes.  It's a big deal because I believe they were the first two chosen from their classes since they were off track when the program started.

The girls are amazing students.  They love to learn and have made good friends.  I am so proud of them.

In the bottom picture Emma is waiting to be called by Principal Tanner with her friend, Megan.  Braden walked up to the stage.  Waiting for his certificate like he knew exactly what was going on.  Well, maybe in 5 years, little buddy.

Oh Nursery

At the end of September, Braden turned 18 months old and was ready for nursery!  He had already spent a lot of Sundays there but since he was not of the legal age, we felt inclined to stay in there with him.  But, hooray! it was finally time for his solo debut at nursery!

He loves this little teeter totter.  Last Sunday a little girl got to it first.  It was the worst day ever in nursery for the poor little guy.

The Blessing Of Little Worries

Lately I have been surrounded by little worries.

We have had some water from the upstairs bathroom damage a patch of our ceiling.  It has leaked through the ceiling and damaged some of the drywall in our family room ceiling.  I have talked to four plumbers and had two come to the house -- no one can really tell where the water is coming from.  And the plumber that came by yesterday was convinced we probably had mold.  He warned it would cost thousands of dollars and the area would be quarantined for days.  I had a water remediation expert come this morning.  No permanent water damage.  No mold.  Needless to say, that plumber is not my favorite person.  The water remediation expert suggested we patch the area, paint it, and just recaulk around the bathtub really well.  So instead of being out $2,000 it looks like I am out $10.  We still do not know what definitely caused the initial damage, but I guess we'll just continue to watch it!

I have also had problems with Comcast.  Everyday for a few minutes I lose Internet and phone service. It used to just happen once a day.  Now it happens around four times a day.  It has gone on for three months.  We've placed multiple phone calls and had three home visits.  We'll have another one on Monday.  It's pretty annoying.

I feel that Emma is overloaded with her activities, Macey is not getting enough time to play with her friends, Molly is not having enough fun during the day, and Braden is into everything and has me pulling out my hair by 9 AM.  Early nap, anyone?

But I realized today that the fact that I am able to dwell on these little worries is a sign that I do not have any big ones.  Because when big ones come around, there's no time to worry about the small stuff.  So thank goodness for annoying little worries!  Sometimes the small stuff stinks as well, but I am trying really hard not to sweat it!

Driving Mr. Braden

Braden does not play with toys.  Well, at least not for very long.  He finds the utensil drawer or the pantry much, much more interesting.  The other day he sat and played with these big legos that he has in a wagon for a few minutes.  Tears sprang to my eyes.  I felt like going out and buying every single lego in town -- anything to keep him occupied and, well, out of the pantry and away from the clean utensils.  The other day he ate a whopper, slobbered chocolate all down his shirt and hands, and then resorted my laundry.  And it went right back into the washer.  Sigh.

He's a busy kid and cannot be bothered with trucks and balls and the Star War characters I keep throwing his way.  He would much rather take the stool from the bathroom and climb onto every counter that he is not allowed on and try to see what I have tried to hide from him for 18 months.

One thing does entertain him -- the van and the jeep.  He loves to run out there and pretend to drive!  It'll be fine until he figures out that he needs a key.  Because he is very good at snatching items off of counters now.  Especially whoppers.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

So I am a little busy and do not spend much time, at all, outside.  Which is too bad.  I have friends that seem to spend a lot of time with the kids in the backyard.  Maybe one day.  I foresee a great future that involves me, comfy patio furniture and a good book.

I did make some improvements to the backyard this year.  I planted over 30 Oriental Lily plants, and they did really well.  I also started a strawberry and rhubarb garden over in the corner of our yard.  Pie anyone?