Halloween Festivities

Keira, Campbell, Ava, & Peyton
(Ariel, Kitty, Queen & Barbie)

Friday was full of Halloween celebrating.  Spicewood Country School held its first Halloween parade & sing along. Campbell & her friends looked so precious marching around, holding hands, singing & making all the hand motions.  Mrs. Bird was dressed as Little Miss Muffitt. All the kids had memorized the nursery rhyme and said it as one of the kids acted like a spider sneaking up on Mrs. Bird. It was very cute.

Silly boys playing charades.

Our good friends, the Schultz hosted a Halloween get together after elementary school.  The kids wore their costumes and there were all sorts of activities, games & food.  Boys are crazy when they get together, in case you didn't know that already.

Conleigh & Campbell held tight during the shrinking islands game.

Then last evening our neighbors hosted our occasional neighborhood happy hour. I was just too pooped though, so I layed in bed and the rest of the family went over and enjoyed the fellowship. I hear more games were played to celebrate the season.

Thankfully, we were able to have a relaxing morning before hitting the soccer fields. A shout out to Conleigh & Campbell for their support of Alex on the soccer field. They have been so good about going to the games and hanging out on the sideline. Alex & his team did a great job today, and stomped the competition.


 

It was great to not have anything else we had to do today. We went & got Alex his bike that we gave him for his birthday. He chose orange, no surprise. Then we loaded up all our bikes and went to the school to practice riding, run and play on the playground equipment.  Everyone got some exercise.  Campbell was beyond exhausted at the end and almost impossible to reason with. She promptly fell asleep on the couch.  Conleigh & I went by the bookstore and she chose a few chapter books to get involved in.  Since then, we've been hanging around the house. I'm enjoying flipping between the World Series (go Rangers!) and the Baylor/UT game (go Baylor!).  Alex is continuin to build with all his Legos, Campbell & Conleigh are taking turns on the computer & it is a great evening.

Tomorrow, we're hosting Halloween pre-trick or treating activities at our house. 11 kiddos and all the adults that go with them. :)

Happy Birthday Alex!

My Dear Alex.

I love you so much. Your skin is almost as soft as the day your were born six short years ago; that is hard to believe considering that you are defiitely a boys boy. You get dirty, play rough and smell like...a boy!  You have a caring and sweet demeanor. If one of your sisters is hurting, you will offer to trade places with her to make the pain go away.  You love your friends and have many of them that you love to play with often. I'm listening to you now play make believe with your new Legos with one of your buddies. 
Last night you determined that you do not like cake. I kind of knew that already because you don't ever choose cake, but last night when you were to get the last piece of your birthday cake, you announced to your dad that you just don't like it.  We'll have to get creative next year, maybe pumpkin pie.
I love that you still ask if I will cuddle with you.  I want to do that every chance we get. 
You are also a sports guy.  Soccer is your game right now, but you also enjoy basketball, riding your bike and baseball. I hope I can steer you clear of football for a long, long time.
You are enjoying kindergarten, both the academic and the recess time.  You also like your teacher a lot. You even wanted to invte her to your birthday party. I love to hear you tell me the things that you have learned,  and I like to help you when you are working hard to learn more.
I'm thankful that the 'i love you's' flow freely from you Alex. You are a grateful little boy and I am beyond thankful to be your mommy!

Love, Mama

Meow! Campbell the Kitty - Take Two

Campbell got to wear her Halloween costume to dance class today.  She chose to be a kitty againthis year.  She is one darn, cute kitty.  She even did her make up all by herself.           Ignore the leaky pumpkin on the step. He is now a goner.

Campbell has loved this scarecrow since the day we put him out. I think it must be because he is about her size and she can look him in the eye. This scarecrow has gotten lots of love & attention from Campbell.

 Below are the cute girls from Campbell's dance class.  The teacher was dressed as Big Bird.

Jedi Training - Success!

We celebrated Alex's 6th birthday today (a few days early).  We had a Jedi Training Academy and Peter did a fantastic job!  He dressed as a Jedi with a borrowed monk fleece (can you say hot?) robe. He wrapped his waist and legs with ACE bandage and wore boots. It was a great costume.  It is amazing to me how the little boys in our neighborhood listen to him.  Granted, he has been most of their sports coach for one sport or another, but they all listen to him and do what he says.  He had them line up multiple times and 'deactivate' their light sabers.
Our first training activity was with water balloons.   The trainees tossed water balloons between each other.  A few were able to catch them, but mostly they popped. It was cute.  Then, Peter had chalked three big X's on to our new sidewalk  & the kids stood pretty far back & had to toss them & try to hit the X.  They all enjoyed it.

Alex launching a water balloon at the bullseye.

 Young Padawans & Master Jedi take aim at the bad side of the force.

Next was the dart throw.  When we were at Six Flags a few weeks ago, Alex really wanted to do the toss the dart at the balloon game. Our compromise was we would try to mimick that game at his party & saved our $ at Six Flags.  I was a little nervous about the real, steel darts, but it worked out fine. All the kids eventually popped a balloon, and many on the first try.

Next came the Jedi training in the front yard.  Peter had the boys spread across the yard learning light saber moves.  I was cracking up with all the video cameras and photos being taken.  After the young padawan's were trained,  The Jedi Master felt a disturbance in the force, the trainees walked to the backyard where they met Darth Maul & Darth Vader. Each trainee took their turn fighting the dark side.  In the end, the good guys won! I think all the kids had a ball, and we really appreciate all the help from our friends especially Eric (Darth Maul) and Mr. Boyce (Darth Vader).

Above, Conleigh & Emma take on the dark side.
Below - Time for cake!

Alex got to open his presents with his friends swarming him. It was just a great party. I can't believe my baby boy is six! He is so sweet. I hope it stays that way for a long, long time.

Mommy with the Yoda Soda (green hawaiian punch, vanilla ice cream & a dash of sprite).

We love you very much Alex!



Principal's Pride Friday

Conleigh & Alex both received the Principal's Pride Award at school yesterday. 

 Alex & his bud Matthew exiting the ceremony.  Alex received his award for cooperation. He comes home each day to tell me what kind of compliment bracelet he received that day & usually reports that he got a purple (the best behavior) that day.

Conleigh received the recognition for Creativity which is perfectly representative of our girl!

Look what we splurged on...

 We bought a golf cart!  We had a great time cruising the 'hood today!

It is all decked out with lights, seatbelts & is 'lifted' -- that's golf cart lingo for big tires and really high.

Impromptu Rock Concert

The kids are really enjoying our new patio. Alex goes out there unprompted and shoots hoops. We've all been enjoying this fall weather, and tonight the kids found three brooms and started lip synching to the radio. So cute, and so funny! I named their group, "The Sweepers."

Alex decided to be the spotlight guy.

Soccer Sunday

and church, and birthday party, and pick up Conleigh from sleepover with Katie & Grace and soccer, and dinner outside on our new patio. Busy day and time to get ready for a busy week ahead.

Halloween Par-taaay at the Hardin's

We hosted our Sunday school Halloween party tonight. It was a good time. 15 people came and almost everyone dressed to impress. Peter made some burgers that everyone enjoyed and we played charades. A good time had by all.
Charades - Two words.... Bo Duke and the Sheriff... Some of the ladies dressed to impress...
We are thankful for such wonderful friends at our church.
After the party, Alex had his turn wearing daddy's mustache and wig.

Thankful Thursday

This morning Campbell went and tried out a mother's day out class at Cheer Station. She & her best buddy Keira went together. It was so cute to see them cheer and dance. They both had a great time. While they were running off their energy, I went and enjoyed a facial. I've never had one and had bought a 'groupon' back in August that covered almost the price of a facial. It was heavenly. The lady who did the facial said my skin is dehydrated. I shouldn't be surprised. I've really done a poor job lately of taking care of my face.
Conleigh has a brownie meeting this afternoon & Campbell was invited over to a new friends house to play later, so Alex & I will have a little time.
I also told Peter I would cook dinner. We're going to have elegant chicken & aspragus. We'll see how that goes.
Althought I feel scattered, I am going to work on focusing on what is going on RIGHT NOW because these three little people will be different tomorrow.

Freedom

The 33 Chilean miners are free from their underground hell of two months. It brought tears to my eyes to see them come to the surface with such high spirits and thankfulness; not to mention watching them embrace their family members who they could have never seen again.
This happy ending is a true testament to never giving up & to focusing on what is important!

Pumpkin Painting

After we picked our pumpkins and did the front yard photoshoot, we painted them on our new patio in the backyard. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a great time. At the pumpkin patch, we lucked out and they were going through & finding pumpkins that had seen their better days. I offered to take them. I figured we can throw them away here at home but have fun painting them before they are trashed.
Campbell's masterpiece.
Conleigh getting ready to paint pumpkin #2. Alex painted a small one & then went for the poke the pieces in & create an instant vampire! We have painted, glittered, pom-pomed and heart decorated pumpkins everywhere!

Pumpkin Pickin'

Our church has a pumpkin patch each fall. We picked a good day to check it out -- Monday, Columbus Day. It was very quiet. Beautiful Conleigh
Alex, our October baby.
I told Campbell to open her eyes and this is what she did...

Zoo - Boo!

Aaaaahhh! Their underwater with the hippos!
Even after drying on the hotel air conditioner all night, my shoes & Alex's sneakers were too wet to wear all day at the zoo today, so we detoured to Target & purchased two pair of sneakers and socks for me & socks for Campbell.

Onward to the San Antonio Zoo.

Once again we enjoyed beautiful fall weather. The animals were out & about and the kids expressions and explanations of the animals were priceless.

Highlights included seeing the hippos being fed, the black panther, monkeys (of course), birds of every kind, porcupines, snakes, and on & on. There was no giraffe, camel or guinea pig :). Here are some pictures to tell the story.
Conleigh brushing the goat at the petting zoo. This picture is of Conleigh & Alex, oops! I mean two goats with their horns locked! :)
A Victoria Crowned pigeon (above w/Campbell & mommy).
Beautiful bird...don't know what it was!
Momma with her chickadees outside the small aquarium.
Daddy & the kids enjoying an ice cream break!
We found a homegrown Mexican restaurant to hit before heading back to Austin. Home Sweet Home.

Gettin' Away

We had a great family getaway this weekend to San Antonio. Yesterday we spent the day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The children were very excited when we told them yesterday morning. The weather was beautiful and we were not in a hurry (which always helps). We lucked out, and I had told our neighbor on Friday night that we were planning to go the next day & she had 2 complimentary tickets that expire in November, so she shared them with us. Score! That was a nice price break because Looney Tunes are crazy on the pricing of food. Plus, I didn't realize there were so many games in there. Poor Alex was tortured all day because we said no to playing said games. As a compromise, instead of him trying to pop a balloon with a dart yesterday to win a cheap stuffed shark, we are going to attempt to play a similar game at his birthday party in two weeks.
Conleigh is our roller coaster rider. She & Peter rode the Road Runner Express and she loved it, so last night before we left, she & I went back and rode it two times. It was a really fun, and not over the top coaster.
Alex is definitely not a roller coaster rider. He was pretty conservative in his willingness to try things.
Some of the highlights of the day were trick or treating with Scooby Doo, the Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion ride, The Gulley Washer and bumper cars. Campbell wasn't quite tall enough to ride the bumper cars, but she was a good sport about waiting. Our family after getting completely soaked on the Gulley Washer.

After being at Disneyland in March, Peter & I were less than impressed with the cleanliness of Six Flags, the customer service (one person was running most all of the rides), and the upkeep of the property. The children didn't notice and had a terrific time.

We stayed in a Marriott nearby. We've come to terms with the fact that we need five places in beds for people to sleep. We are not a family of four. Thankfully, we've found the SpringHill Suites and it accomodates us beautifully (we stayed there in Cali in March as well). Even with five pillows on six perfectly sized places to sleep, we had to rearrange a bit. Campbell slept with Peter, and Alex slept with me. Conleigh almost always insists on her own bed all the time. Sweet Alex was happy that we got to share last night, and going to bed he said, "yay. We can cuddle." Heaven for a mommy to hear.
Zoo adventures tomorrow.

The New Front

Here are a couple of shots of our new entry. We really like it. The steps are 14 inches deep and just easy to walk unlike before. The landing by the front door is seven feet wide. I've walked people out more in the last week than in the last five years when I would hang my head out the door and say goodbye. We've received so many compliments from our neighbors.

The new patio coming up.