Fall Break

Audrey had a week off of school, so I decided that we were going to have a staycation, at least the kids and me.  We started a bit early by skipping school the Wednesday before the break and heading to the Children's museum (I had two free passes that would expire). That is a FUN place. We'll be heading back for sure.

Monday of the actual week off, we met my friend Anneka and her kids and one of Anneka's friends at the zoo. They got us in for free, which was so nice. We looked at some animals, but we loved the carousel and splash pad. Can you find all three of my kids in the first picture? I had to find them by swimsuit, so good luck.

 Tuesday Ian had preschool, so Declan and Audrey and I ran a few fun errands, including new clothes and Halloween costume for Audrey and Home Depot for planting materials. During Declan's nap, Audrey and Ian planted their seeds from a library program. A week later the seeds have sprouted beautifully. The kids are so excited. We also bought a snapdragon plant to play with. Audrey's wearing all black because she might be a ninja for Halloween. That or pink spidergirl.

On Thursday evening we took a picnic dinner to the park behind the library and also fed the ducks. Then we went to a special library program, after which we played at the playground area in the dark. It was a really fun night. (Mr. B was working, teaching night class)

Friday we met Anneka and her kids at a pumpkin patch farm. We had a great time choosing pumpkins, riding the cow train, playing in large boxes of dried corn kernels, feeding baby chicks, and jumping on bounce houses. Zoom in on Declan's truck/corncob picture. He has a cute smile.

Saturday I decided I don't want to do anything fun for awhile. I'm too tired and it's all kinda overrated. 

Laura and Dad visit

Here are some pictures from Laura and Dad's visit.

Ian

Poppy and Declan

Audrey

Laura and Ian

Audrey is just pulling a face--it's not cold AT ALL. Probably was around 100 degrees.

Making a pie for my dad.

Art contests and royalty

Audrey won the kindergarten division in an art contest at school. The school wanted posters to promote red ribbon drug free week, so kids submitted an 8x10 idea and the top 10 winners got to make theirs into a poster, which will hang in the hallways at school next week. Yay Audrey!

Audrey and Ian came downstairs last Saturday announcing that they were king and queen. Here are their imperious faces. And a video of their royalty, including some bonus glimpses of Declan.

A visit from family

My dad and Laura came for Labor Day weekend to spend some time with us. I was so ecstatic to have two of my favorite people around. The kids were enchanted as well.

Sumo wrestling

Daddy's tee shirts plus two pillows a piece. Ha!! They were so hilarious.

Audrey

"Mom! Take a picture of me holding these cups with my chef stuff on!"

Self portrait

Self portrait. Take two.

Playing at the park

After living here a couple weeks, we had a day that cooled off enough to play outside for about 20 minutes. Here we are at the park just a few houses down from our house.

I try to include random pictures of myself that my kids take, even if I don't look my best, because I think it's good for our family memories to have some record of what we parents looked like too. So here you go. Mom with baby observing bush.

Audrey goes to kindergarten. On the bus!

Here she is on her first day!

Sassy and totally confident.

First day riding the bus!! (The third day of school; I took her the first two days to help her feel comfortable).

She LOVES the bus. And she wants to wave and blow kisses until it pulls away out of sight. I LOVE her riding the bus. Makes my life soooo much simpler. Yay for happy student Audrey!

Road trip fun

Aunt Laura mailed us the most awesome road trip package imaginable for our trip and it was a huge success. These are pinwheels the kids made. I wish I had a picture of everything. Endless and wonderful activities. Laura is something special.

We spent the first night in Tupelo, MS, which is Elvis Presley's birthplace. This house, actually, is where he was born. There's a whole monument. It was a fun diversion.

Here's a statue of Elvis at 13 with his first guitar. I believe he left Tupelo around this age. 

Declan at Elvis's birthplace. Glad you weren't born in this shack. 

The best part of Tupelo was the yummy barbecue we had! The kids got restless after eating, but Declan couldn't seem to eat enough, so I took them outside to stand on a barrel while Mr. B fed Declan.

We had a pit stop at some Native American store with cool statues. Oklahoma, I think.

Another statue.

Like it says, folks. We had a fun stop here, got the kids some toys at the gift shop.

Ian at the Continental Divide.

Grandpa with Declan. I don't know how we don't have many pictures of Grammy and Grandpa. They are our superheros for helping us out with this trip. The kids were in high heaven having them around too.