Scarecrow Fest

Yesterday we went to the Scarecrow Fest with Em, Jeff, and the girls. We LOVE going to the Fest and look forward to it every year. The weather was perfect too - nice and cool without a drop of rain!



First we hit the Farmer's Market and got some goards and some yummy treats! Cake on a stick anyone? Yumma!

Kenalyn was very excited to have a stroller full of pumpkins!

As is our tradition, we had to go to the fountain and throw in some pennies. Of course, the boys were chucking them at poor Abe Lincoln in the center of the fountain, but the girls opted to just throw it in the water. Since it was Kendalyn's first time doing that, she didn't realize you throw in your gourds too, so Em had to fetch one out of there. :-)

Even though Avery was in her stroller, she had to get in the picture too!

Our sweet kiddos by the fountain. :-)

Since Em and Jeff were there, we took the opportunity to get in a family shot. Those don't happen often.

Took one of them too. So cute!

This year's scarecrow theme was monsters. The minute we saw an "IT" scarecrow we just had to take a picture!!!!

One of the local shops really shined with their halloween decorations! Look at the giant tarantula about to eat Livie. She loved it!

They had a petting zoo too, which my kids loved. Kendalyn liked looking at them, but was a little shy about actually petting them.

There was a building that was torn down a few years back that the city opted to NOT rebuild on, going for a nice gardeny area instead. This area was covered with booths with local sellers. We bought lots of bows from a gal I love at Kids Ruhl. I get almost all my bows from her. The kids found this corn thingy and they had to get their picture taken here.

So did Kendalyn and Avery. :-)

Along our walk through the many booths, Livie found this rock and had to be a Yeti. I mean, what child wouldn't, right? I took a picture of Pete taking a picture. Made me laugh.

We stopped at a downtown Pub and got some grub for lunch. I totally forgot Noah's insulin - first time I've done that! - and I didn't realize this until after he ate lunch. Darn it!!! So, we stopped in at the new bouncy house place that opened down the street and let him go crazy to bring down his sugar. Worked like a charm and the kids LOVED it!

One of the booths was all about Juvenile Diabetes. We later found this scarecrow of Jaws for the same booth. Noah HAD to get his picture taken by it. He wanted to donate money to their cause for obvious reasons, but he spent all his money on monkey barrettes. Maybe next time. :-)

This wasn't fitting with the theme of monsters, but I loved it. Nothing like Wizard of Oz scarecrows!

For some reason Madie and Noah loved the "Children of the Corn" scarecrow. Maybe they'll be horror movie buffs one day!

And, since another of Livie's loves is mummies, she had to get her picture taken with one. She's pretending they're buddies, reading the newspaper together. We were there for like 4 hours or more, so everyone was pretty tired and ready to go home by the time we left, but it was a great afternoon! So glad the Spichers could join us. :-)

Band Geeks Unite!

As a former band geek, I am so excited to say that Madie is joining the ranks! Yesterday she got signed up for band and will be playing the flute.


It's so fun to see her try her hand at something musical like that. She's a beautiful singer, but am anxious to see what she does with an instrument.

My only experience with flutes is that my 2 best friends played it. I was a trumpet player myself. So, starting next week she'll begin practicing! Can't wait!!!

One of her friends, Michael, is playing the saxophone, so he had to show her his instrument. His mom and I just smile as we watch our kids growing up. Hard to believe our kids will be turning 11 this year and are now old enough to be in band. So much fun!

Sweep the Leg!

Yesterday I went up to the Chicago area to see my best friends! My bestie-in-law, Ricardo, was competing in the Karate World Championships as part of the US team.



We were his cheering section. :-)

Ricardo had been up there for several days, so Alexander (his and Michelle's son) was very, very excited to see him again.

He began practicing on one of the mats. It was really cool to watch him. This was him mid-kick. :-)

Everytime I get together with Michelle and Teresa, we have to have a picture taken together. Steve, Michelle's step-dad, had to make sure it wasn't a "normal" picture. ;-) I think I look quite nice with bunny ears!

Ricardo waited for his turn on the mat. His part that day was on forms. He doesn't actually hit anyone. He goes up against another guy and they do the same routine and they get judged on who does better. They narrow it down until someone is declared the winner.

Gotta tell you, my karate education has been from the Karate Kid movies. Though, I think that's definitely a great learning tool, it might not be the total karate package. ;-) So, I really enjoyed seeing how it's really done yesterday. Ricardo did a fantastic job too!

He won unanimously every time yesterday. Today, I hear, he didn't win the competition, but he did a great job yesterday and, I'm sure, kicked butt today too. We were all super-proud of him!!

Here was his complete cheering section. From left to right, his sister ChaChi, his dad (who came up from Venezuela for the first time in years to see him!), Ricardo, Alexander, Michelle, Michelle's mom Ranee and step-dad Steve. Michelle's sister, Melanie is next, then me and Teresa. It was such a fun day watching him and cheering on the USA!

After he was finished for the day, we hung around, so we could see the opening ceremony for the rest of the event. Ricardo, his dad, and sister were chatting, so I took a quick picture. Ricardo's dad was their karate teacher for years and years. Both he and sister run the karate school in Indy. It's definitely a family affair. :-)

After waiting around for a little while, we found out it was going to be a lot longer than we had anticipated before the ceremony, so we said our goodbyes and decided to go shopping instead.

First stop? The mall! We had to get lunch. And, what better place to go that Aunt Annie's pretzel place. Yum!!!

We did some shopping, then said our goodbyes. Had to take a quick pic (sans bunny ears) in the parking lot. :-) It was such a fun day together!!!

Because the event and mall shopping was literally a couple miles down the road from Jill and Adam's, I stopped by to visit them. I had promised the boys some flubber a couple weeks ago, so I fulfilled my promise and brought them each a container of it. Ty was very, very excited about that!

When I got there, they had just gotten back from a very busy day of Homecoming events! Trevor and Ty decorated their van to show their spirit. Had to take a picture of their awesome artwork! I got home later that evening around bedtime. So glad I got to go up and enjoy a day spent with friends and family. Next World Championships won't be as easy to get to, since they'll be in England, so I was really glad I had the opportunity to go up and cheer Ricardo on! Hope his time on the US Team is an awesome one!!

Another Year

Today was the start of Madie's 7th yr in dance! Hard to believe it's been that long! She was excited about getting back to her routine again. She's created really sweet friendships with the girls there. They've all been in the same class since they were little. Hope it's a great first day for her!

Reflections

I chose to post a picture of the 9-11 memorial as opposed to pictures of the tragedy 10 yrs ago, because we all know what that devastation looked like. I don't think I need to see more images of that today. I wanted to see where we've come since then. To see what beauty is there now. Two or three years ago I posted a blog entry about where I was and what I was doing on September 11th. There my kids can read my story. But, today, after lots of reflecting, I thought I'd post about what this day means to me now.

It's honestly hard to believe it's been a decade since that happened. The emotions that come from remembering are still very fresh and very raw. I've spent the week reflecting on the events of that day and the days that followed. I've watched several shows on that day. Watched the George W interview about 9-11 and the thing that really stuck out to me is how unified we were in the days and weeks that followed. You couldn't find a flag in a store anywhere, because they had been sold out. Everyone wanted to show their American pride. There was a solidarity that I've never felt before. People were a little nicer to each other. They cared about their fellow man more. They felt 9-11 in their souls.

I shared some footage today with Madie and Noah, because I felt they were old enough to begin the process of understanding. To them, the explosions caused by the planes were things from movies. There is no real tangible way for them to begin to grasp the enormity of what happened to our country that day or why it affected us so deeply. But, I hope as the years continue on, as they get older, that the seed planted today in them about what happened that day will grow and they will recognize the sacrifice and the honor of the people that died and served there.

In the decade since 9-11, my family has grown. Madie was just a few months old at the time and now she's a thriving 10 yr old. Noah and Livie were just a hope in my heart and now are funny, smart, happy 8 and 5 yr olds. Pete has been to China and I started a new job after 10 yrs as a mommy. We've faced diabetes and an ill parent. Life has gone on. When I think of 9-11, it will always be mixed in with the emotions of grief, but I also will remember our pride and our strength. The bravery and sacrifice of the people on 9-11 and the years following through the wars in Iraq and Afganistan, we know as Americans that we stand together as a nation in times of heartache and tragedy. I will forever remember this day as a day that our country became a country of one. We were ONE America. And, for that, the terrorists gave us more than they planned or wanted. I honor those who died that day as the heroes they are. I remember September 11th.

Night at the Mansion

Last year at this time, Madie went to this event at the mansion in town. We stumbled upon it and signed up. She came home that night with a basket of goodies and so much to tell us about! They got to dress up in period costumes and do a bunch of stuff all tied to the late 1800s. She loved it so much, we made sure to look for that event again this year and signed up both Madie AND Noah. It's for 8-12 yr olds and they only take up to 10 kids, so it's pretty special to be a part of that group. :-)



This was Noah's first time alone with his diabetes since his diagnosis. He went to a concert last month, but ate before he went. This was the first time he was away for dinner. I was a little nervous, but I knew he would know what to do. We packed him a lunch and sent snacks in case and he did a fabulous job! Gave himself the right amount of insulin and everything. :-) He also snuck in a couple of snickerdoodles that they were serving, but that was ok. He was fine. You can see from the picture that they were very, very excited about going!

When I came to pick them up (it's a 4 hr event), this is what I found. :-) How cute are they?!! Noah was the only boy there and this uniform fit him perfectly! Madie was dressed as a servant girl. I loved it!! They got to do all sorts of things, from making a quilt pattern (Nana T. would be so proud!) out of scrapbooking paper. They used a real quill pen with ink. They cooked up an old-fashioned dinner of venison stew and skillet cornbread. They planted flowers and picked some herbs to use in the stew. They got to see an old Toll House on the I&M Canal. They got to explore the mansion and hear stories of the war. All the adults there are dressed up as well, so it's a really neat historical experience for them. Livie was very sad she didn't get to go, but I told her as soon as she's old enough, we'll send her! Want all my kids to be a part of this annually. They do new things every time. And, as much as I love history, I want my kids to love it as well.

I remember last year being so impressed at the stuff they got to bring home and this year was no different. Madie got this big basket full of stuff from homemade popcorn to a beautiful little embroidered hankie and a silk fan. Noah got this bucket with the popcorn, some cookies, recipe cards, and a piece of brick from the chimney that broke off when it was struck by lightening. Between that and all the other goodies in there, they walked away with one really terrific experience!

My First Day

Today was my first day of work in a decade! First time since I became a stay-at-home mommy I've had a job, other than volunteering. I won't lie and say I wasn't nervous, but once it got rolling, it was fine. I have big shoes to fill, so I think that's why I got nervous. It was almost that excited nervousness that comes before Christmas morning. Like I was waiting to unwrap something really special. :-) The kids all seemed to have a great time, especially for their first day at school. That's a pretty big deal for 2 yr olds! Some came in a little hesitant at first. Some came in crying. Others came in ready to go! They all show different emotions when starting something new at that age. But, I think they all left with smiles on their faces. :-)


I have an 8:30am class and a 10:30am class. We do the same thing for each class. Each day we'll have new things for them to do, but the schedule will stay the same, from storytime to center time to music. It's all lots of fun and meant to keep the activities moving along for them.

The water table today was a hit with the 8:30 class! This is the science center and will be filled with different things each week, but today it had water and measuring cups and spoons. Messy, but fun!

I've discovered that playdough is always a fav. There has not been one time that any of these kids have had playdough in their sight that they didn't swarm the table to play with it!

We even got some time to do some fingerpainting. They made some really neat pictures! It was a really fun first day and I'm so thankful to get to be their teacher! Doesn't hurt that I have a fabulous co-teacher that has been doing this class for years and can guide me when I need it. :-)

Bring on the Tapping

Today was Livie's first day of dance class this year. She was very excited, because she gets to take tap! She's been wanting to take tap since she began 2 yrs ago. :-) You'll notice the footwear. She found those in IN this past weekend. They are her Yeti shoes. They are actually slippers, but she insists on wearing them everywhere. Who am I to argue? Here's to a great year at dance!!

Picture Day

Today is Picture Day for the kiddos. I am usually OCD enough that I plan a full week in advance what they will wear. I was so behind the ball that I put something together last night for Madie and Noah and something this morning for Livie.




I think it turned out ok. :-) They look super-cute and ready to have big smiles for their pictures. Madie hated her hair in last year's picture, because it was too poofy. So, this year she wanted it straight. Think she made a good choice. It turned out nicely.

After taking that picture, Livie said to me, "If the teacher lets me, I'm going to look like THIS in my picture" and she proceeded to make a monster face. She told me last night when I was getting outfits together that she wanted to dress up like a Yeti. Guess she figured since she wasn't allowed to dress up like one, then she could make a face like one. :-)

Not Simply a Gingerbread Man

When emptying the kids' folders after school yesterday, I came across this very mad gingerbread man that Livie made. When I asked her why this gingerbread man was so mad, she said, "Because it's a vampire. Oh, and a ninja too. It's a vampire-ninja." You see my daughter, with her long ringlets hanging down her back. She wears lip gloss and little dresses and she draws blood-sucking, black-wearing, Chinese star-carrying gingerbread men. Nice.

Down to the Trolingers

After we saw Ted, Suzy, and the kids, we headed up to see Nana and Papa T. We got there around suppertime and managed to have some daylight to play outside.



We made lots of chalk drawings!

Noah's really into hurricanes right now, so he drew Tropical Storm Lee and it stretched all the way to Nana's front door!

While we were outside making the chalk drawings, Uncle Andy and his family showed up. Allyssa got to play with that now infamous flubber until bedtime. They came at just the right time too, because it got really yucky outside, with lots of thunderstorms and rain.

When we got back from my parents on Sunday, Aunt Jill and her family were there waiting for us. Once again, out came the flubber! Do you see a pattern this weekend?? ;-) Allyssa was there too and she played with it again, as did Trevor, Ty, and our kids.

I thankfully went to "Once Upon a Child" with Em on Sunday and bought the kids some warmer clothes, because the forecast was calling for it to be in the 60s. Heck! It was in the low 50s! Glad I got them when I did! Pete or Adam or someone lower the basketball hoop, so we played out there with that for a while before heading to over to walk the Greenway. Madie kept shooting the basketball backwards and made quiet a few shots like that!

Like I said, I'm glad we went shopping on Sunday, because we got Noah this jacket and hat and Livie her pullover. They were getting ready to pump up another basketball, so they all could play.

After a few rounds of basketball, we headed over to the Greenway. We always like to walk on this, because it's really close to their house.

But, as you can see from the picture, it was really cool and windy. I wasn't complaining though! It's my kind of weather!!! :-) Let's hope fall is right around the corner!

The kids always look for something special while we're there. This time is was wooley worms.

We found these two right at the onset. They found a couple more at the end of our walk too. I've never seen a blonde one like that before. The black and brown one was black on both ends and brown in the middle. That should mean that we have a bad winter at the beginning and the end, but a mild middle. We'll see!

Daddy was trying to make Livie warm by the lake!

Once everyone else got to the house, the boys stayed outside and played basketball. I think they lowered the hoop for themselves, so they could dunk it and not really to help the kids. ;-) Pete and Adam played a couple rounds that afternoon.

And, gee, what could that be AGAIN?! Yep. Flubber. I think my list of flubber-wants is up to 10. :-)

With all the grandkids there (with the exception of the little boy still in Francy's tummy!), we had to take a picture with Nana. Getting 6 kids to look at you and smile is a feat in and of itself, but I think we managed to sneak out a couple good ones. :-) it was a really great weekend and we loved seeing everyone!