Homework, Weekend, and Teeth

We had a very fun-filled busy weekend. Nonny came to visit. But first off though......

On Thursday at preschool Everett was given his very first homework assignment. He had to decorate the feather for the classroom turkey. The instructions were he was to do it all by himself with very little guidance. So I gave him a few craft items and this is what he came up with. 

Last weekend my mom brought her two dachshunds with her. Suprisingly Maggie got along with both of them, which was great. So in honor of my mom's dachshund I put Eleanor in this cute dress.

Last weekend was a breath of fresh air for our marriage. Eric and I have practically had no time alone since Eleanor has been born, and even before that. So Friday night we had the opportunity to attend an event at our church. It was called Secret Church and was on marriage and family. It was a simulcast with David Platt as the speaker. It was amazing. And long. Seven hours to be exact and worth every minute. On Saturday we got to sleep in a bit and then went to Panera Bread for breakfast and then went shopping. Eleanor came with us, but it is still so much easier with one child! When we got home my mom and I went to the aboretum to hike one of the trails. It was such a gorgeous day and the sky was so blue!

We spent a lot of time doing this......looking at a map! 

Everett has fun when Nonny comes to visit. Especially when she gifts him with gingerbread cookies in the shape of a turkey!

Saturday evening Eric and I attended our friends annual Autumn party. It was fun to get out again on our own.

And none weekend related, but worth noting....I took Everett to the dentist today for his 6-month check-up. I actually took all three children.....by myself.....to the dentist.....and it wasn't a disaster. I am happy to report that Everett has no cavities and in the words of Dr. Jackson has "handsome teeth."

I am looking forward to a bit of "down time" with the children this week full of stay-at-home activites, crafts, and baking. 

Thankful

For the month of November, we started a thankful tree. Every day this month I will ask Everett what he is thankful for and I'll had a "leaf" with the his response on the tree. So far this is what we have:

1. School

2. Mama

3. Daddy

And while Everett was in preschool this morning, Hampton and I made this......Autumn bark! It is so good. It is white chocolate mixed with mini pretzels, dried cranberries, and candy corn. 

The boys loved them! I can't stay away from it either. 

Last night I had so much fun making some seasonal hair bows for Eleanor. She looked so cute in this pumpkin one today.

But she looks cute in anything if I do say so myself!



Aboretum in Autumn

The other day the air was cool and the skies were clear-so we decided to take a late afternoon hike at our favorite spot, the arboretum. Well we were looking for a picturesque spot for a few good pictures. Well the arboretum delivered, or Fall delivered.....either way it was gorgeous. Happy November!

Trick or Treating with Friends and Other Fall Things

We had a very fun weekend. I would like to say that Saturday was relaxing, but as Eric would agree-we are far from ever having a relaxing day again. But that is okay. It was relaxing for us. We had plans, but they fell through. However we had great family time. 

Eleanor is enjoying the playmate. It just hit me the other day to take it out of our storage room and give it a try. She is happy.

Saturday while the boys napped I went to the bakery and came home with these festive cupcakes. 

They were enjoyed by all. 

And the boys took a walk in the cool weather. The downward slope of our neighborhood's road helped Everett with his tricycle riding abilities. 

And Monday I decided spur of the moment to take Everett trick or treating. I wanted him to experience it and make a memory. And that we did. I called up our friends Sally Ann and Abigail to join us. So the now neurosurgeon (he decided to not wear his lab coat, so this is what he became) and the ladybug hit one of our local neighborhoods to gather the goods.

They did such a great job! There were plenty of "trick or treat" "thank yous" and "Happy Halloweens" and by the end they went up to a house and did it all by themselves-while the mamas stood on the curb.

There are some scary costumes out there and the littles were a bit phased. The costume that stuck out was a boy with a huge scary pumpkin head. In Abigail's words, "He not good." We got away from him and quick. 

Eric, Hampton, and Eleanor stayed at home to man the fort and hand out candy. When I got home Eric reported that we had run out. Our neighborhood got hit hard this year and we weren't prepared. We had to be those neighbors who had to turn out their porch lights. He also reported that Hampton had a hard time saying goodbye to the children, as he had wanted to go with them. I did run him across the street to our neighbors to "trick or treat." How cute is this gorilla? What is even cuter is when he says "tweet!" for "treat."

Eric got it! A picture of the boys together in their costumes. Not perfect. But together however. 

Happy Halloween and once again......Happy Autumn!

Fall Preschool Party

Everett had so much fun at his preschool party last week. I am happy to say he didn't disassemble his costume and looked pretty darn cute! I was happy that Hampton, Eleanor, and I were able to attend as well. The kids did a little march around the gym in their costumes, had a fun snack, and also sang some songs with their music teacher. Everett is so well behaved and I got the report he is a good listener.  

Can you spot Hampton? This boy loves to be wherever people are. He kept waddling up to the music teacher while they were singing to try and strum her guitar. I had a hard time keeping him contained. He loves other children and is so social. I know he'll love preschool one day as well. In fact, when I was packing up Eleanor and Everett, I had turned my back for one second and Hampton had disappeared! I ran out of the classroom and found him walking outside with another class. That crazy boy! 

And just for good measure, a sweet picture of our sweet girl. I love dressing her up.

Today's Happenings

It is the end of the day and I am exhausted, so this post may be all over the place. We had a good day. No where to go until late this afternoon. A great day enjoying each other at home.

I didn't think Everett's costume last year would fit Hampton, but surprisingly it did. I guess he will be a gorilla for Halloween this year.

Everett is going to be a doctor. I asked Eric to put his costume on him tonight in prep for his party at preschool tomorrow. He came in and said, "I need 60ccs of cuteness stat!"

 He loves his costume and Hampton kept following him all around the house tonight.

 This afternoon I took Everett and Eleanor to the doctor. Everett has been stuttering lately and even though I am a speech pathologist I wanted to get his thoughts. After talking it out, we are just going to give it time. Eleanor was there for her 2 month appointment.
The doctor was running behind this afternoon and we got a little bored waiting. We had read every book, so we decided to entertain ourselves by making funny faces in the mirror. Everett said, "there are two Everetts!"

 Eleanor loved looking at herself in the mirror as well.

 After an hour, this is Everett "I am bored" face.

 Still waiting......

 Sister is doing great! She weighs 10 pounds 6 ounces and is in the 50th percentile for weight, 75th percentile for height, and the 50th percentile for her head circumference.

 I love her dress! She had to get 3 shots today. Overall she is doing great. Our doctor was pretty impressed she can sleep 8-9 hour stretches at night. The Lord knows we need that!

So I made some Rice Krispie treats for a fun snack this afternoon. Everett was so excited to get a "masmellow" treat.

And this guy was loving them as well.

 I don't know why I always crave these in the Fall.

 We are loving this book. Everett requests it everyday.

And today for our craft we made these pumpkins. It was the first time I allowed Everett to handle the glue and he did really well.

All day long Everett talked about how he is excited for his preschool party tomorrow, so I can't wait to hear how it went. He told me there was going to be games, and treats, and he gets to wear his costume. I have a feeling Christmas this year is going to be very fun!