princess birthday

Claire celebrated turning 6 by being a princess the whole weekend. It started out at her birthday party which was a "princess party". She, along with 9 other girls, were in little girl heaven as they all got to dress up and have make-up and nails done. On her actual day she showed off a new princess dress that a friend had given her. She loved all the attention and after every present she opened, she said, "awesome" in her very 6 year old way.

a halloween memory

During our school's Halloween carnival this year, I remembered last year's carnival, and I want to write a memory down so my boys can read it and remember. Last year I was standing alone for a minute waiting on the Mimi to arrive. The kid's spanish teacher, Senora Cindy, came up to me and said, "I am so glad I caught you alone, I have been wanting to talk to you about your boys". She went on to say that in all her years of teaching she had never met such polite, kind, smart, friendly kids. At this time she had been teaching Carter for 5 years and Jared for 3. She complimented them and me for raising such wonderful boys. She said she had always wanted to tell me this, but when I was around her, other moms were always with me. She then said that the year before, when her daughter needed braces, she thought to herself, "well, if Allen can raise such fine young men, I know I can trust him with my daughter's smile" and she went to Allen's office. She told me how they talked about Claire all the time and she couldln't wait to have her the next year. I was use to their homeroom teacher's singing their praises, but this was extra special. She made my night. And I think I let the boys have an extra treat that night.

sheet rock and stone

Here are some photos I have taken in the last little while

(I am trying to show different rooms)

view from back of kitchen looking into dinning area

showing Allen's parents our master bedroom

bonus room and door to finished storage room

the stone is going up



I went by today to pick up mail and had to take a picture of the
trees that are next to our house-that you can see out dinning area windows
The last few weeks have been crazy with the house. Final ok's on cabinets and tile took
a lot of my time and sleep. Last week paint became the main focus...and still is today.
I found out we get a few rooms painted other colors in our budget-good news, but I wasn't
prepared to make those kinds of decisions right now. And we continue to debate the pool.
I am still enjoying the experience and even have had time to finish my Psych. 321 class.

All that Halloween fun

OK, here is our Halloween festivities run down:

First, Allen and Julie got to enjoy being Robin Hood and Maid Marian at an adult H. party

(do you recognize some super heroes?)

Next the whole family showed some Volunteer pride at the trunk-or-treat

Then it was time for the school Halloween party
(Claire decided to be a witch)

Last but not least the big day was here

Boy, I am tired.

fall fun

The other day the kids were out enjoying the nice weather and Carter came running in yelling, "mom, come quick!" and I thought- ok, I knew this day was coming, I knew one day someone would break a bone and today is the day. But then he said, "and bring the camera". I went outside to find the kids in the tree. They were so excited and proud of themselves, especially when they got Claire up. I am happy that this simple activity brings them so much joy.

good morning

I woke up today and found a witch doing dishes.

I hope she has fun at her halloween party today!

straight A doughnuts

I finally remembered to take my kids to Krispy Kreme on report card day to get free doughnuts. When the lady asked if they wanted the doughnuts in one/two big boxes or separate boxes for each child, Jared answered quick and loud-separate boxes! A new side of him I must say. And on the way home they all marked their territory. Carter was thinking out loud about when he could eat his stash, saying "...one for snack and then one for dessert tonight, then snack tomorrow and dessert tomorrow...". When I reminded him that he could have one for breakfast, he put two hands in the air and yelled "breakfast!! I forgot breakfast!!" Doughnuts are one of those special foods that are socially acceptable to eat all through out the day. And that makes us all happy.