It's almost Halloween!!! Part 2

In addition to prepping for the big Halloween party that is here tomorrow the kids have a Halloween party at school today (mostly just a parade). I sent them in their costumes and they will have lunch and then I will go back down for the parade.

The Police Officer & Madeline


Preston was thrilled to dress as a Police Officer and Maren had a 360 change of heart in the last 48 hrs and is Madeline! She looks adorable and is really enjoying the yellow hat although she prefers to wears it with the black ribbons down in front of her face (I pick my battles and this is not worth picking).

I can't guarantee she will be wearing Madeline tomorrow for ToT or the party but if not she will be an adorable U of M Gopher Cheerleader. Again I can't complain because she really wanted to be Dora the Explorer but a blond blue eyed girl in shirts and a tshirt (in MN in October) just would not have worked.

Coloring at school




School Parade

Playing Doggies

Cold & Windy

It's amazing how a warm spring, great summer and beautiful fall make you forget what winter is like here in the great white state. We are getting a blustery reminder with high winds (30-40 mph) and believe it or not snow flurries!

But it was beautiful yesterday so we played outside most of the day and even managed to get the garage cleaned out. We really only need to cut back the wildflowers and put away our outdoor furniture and we are ready for winter.

Today we are inside with both fireplaces going and just relaxing. I expect we will munch on a bunch of snack food and maybe play some board games and of course watch football.

Holiday Cards in the Making

Haircuts

We are off for kids haircuts this morning - P really needs one and Maren not so much so we may skip hers. Otherwise just a normal Friday - some work, some cleaning, some kids stuff.

I still need to head to a sports store (preferably a used one) and get ice skates for the kids. We are going to get both of them out on the ice and see what happens. We have a pond practically in our backyard and soon to be 2 ice rinks about 3 blocks away at the Community Center.

Haircuts were a success! Maren is willing to pose because she is staring at the 8 lbs of candy Nana sent.



Preston is also an eager participant because he things he will get another piece of candy.

Halloween Costume Try On's

So when we ordered Halloween costumes 2 months ago (I'm a planner) Preston wanted to be a Police Officer and Maren was undecided (she is only 2) so I bought her Madeline (cute lil French girl with the blue dress and yellow hat).

Fast forward to this week as we are trying on the costumes - Preston is thrilled to be a Police Officer, he loves the whistle (me too) and the handcuffs. Maren refuses the Madeline costume (which as adorable as she would look I'm ok with) and says she wants to be Dora. My problem with Dora is the costume is orange shorts and a pink t-shirt which isn't that great. It's freezing here and not sure anyone would know who she was as Dora has dark hair with bangs not a blond bob.

I did manage to get a U of M cheerleader outfit on her and she used her pom-pom to do the fight song. She went with GR to a game a few weeks ago and loved it so this might be the answer.

What!?!?!?

Maren is playing with some toys while I work in the office.

I hear "dammit, dammit, dammit"! I ask Maren what are you doing, she says "Playing and I can't get this to work". I ask what are you saying then, she says "Dammit, Dammit, Dammit". ohhhh.


hmmm, I wonder where she heard that.

Wonderful Weather

We have had wonderful weather - sunny falls days, beautiful leaves and warm/dry. Of course as I type this we have a dreary, rainy, cold day which I admit to loving! Kids have been having fun at school and playing outside in the leaves. Their school picture came back and are cute, especially for me not being there to fix hair, wipe noses etc.


brother & sister


can't believe he is almost 5 and wants to start Kindergarten


first year of preschool only 2 more years to go

I checked the 10 day (yes, I know its the 10 day) forecast and they are saying 30/40s with snow on Halloween. Not the best when you are having a huge Halloween party outside, I'm sure I can make it work.

Alacazam!!!

Preston lays a small blanket over a stuffed dog.

Abracadabra, Hocus Pocus, Disappear! exclaims Preston

Preston lifts the blanket up.

"Darn, your still there, how did that happen?"

May your weekend be magical!

Errand Day

I basically left all my errands for today, not really on purpose it just ended up that way. Which means I have to hit Target, pick up our pants, get my brows waxed and then clean up the house. Preston has school today so I will just have Maren with me.

I'm also hoping to get some fall pics with the kids today or tomorrow, the leaves are fantastic right now. Kids are eating Kashi Strawberry waffles right now and they smell super yummy. I'm having a cup of tea and trying to catch up on the little things.

Pics of the kids latest school art work - Preston as a police officer and Maren's fire dog.



Happy Wednesday!

Fought it off

Preston ended up with a headache so he napped and went to bed early, both kids slept good and woke up a bit cranky but after some yogurt and OJ are back to their normal selves. I'm under the impression they fought off whatever was bothering them which is really good news. I need to put the final touches on a work project today and then tomorrow when P is in school have a couple errands to run. Both kids are off school Thursday (and Friday if they went) for Teacher Meetings.

Happy Columbus Day!!

Rainy here so I'm making a mini-thanksgiving for dinner - mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes stuffing and green bean casserole.

Preston is at school and Maren is taking it easy I think she is fighting something off. Otherwise just enjoying the cooler weather set to come this week - 50's!!!

Busy Weekend

We did the Apple Orchard/Pumpkins on Saturday and the kids had a blast.







The kids sang in church this morning as part of the Preschool Singers, both were nervous but Preston came through. He held Maren's hand and went up and for the first time in his preschool career sang!! He looked like he wanted to throw up but he did it and Maren even sang a bit so I deem it a complete success and am incredibly proud of them. So proud my weepy PMS self all but practically cried like a baby!





The kids are so excited for Halloween and even more excited for Grandma to visit that weekend. When I told Preston she would be here soon he literally thought soon meant in the next few minutes! I love having company and am thrilled to have Gram here for Halloween and then Nana for Thanksgiving. I'm sure both weekends will be full of good food, good memories and good pictures!

Apple Orchard

Christmas Lists

Preston & Maren made their list for Santa today, and most everything is from the same place so that will make it easier for Santa

www.ttgo.com

Preston
#847 Trace & Draw Projector - bought by Grandpa
#437 First Words Match up
#154 Telling Time clock
#631 Interactive Map - bought by Grandpa

Maren
#505 Bath Fishing
#246 Microphone
#617 Little Stampers - bought by Grandpa
#1124 Horses - bought by Grandpa

Other options

Preston
Any Knex sets
Magnatiles – 100 pc set or working trucks - bought by Grandma/Grandpa
www.magnatiles.com/products.aspx

Maren
American Girl Bitty Baby - Bought by Grandma/Grandpa
or any Bitty Baby clothes or accessories
www.americangirl.com
Anything horse related


I have been saving up a variety of toy magazines so when I had a few minutes of work I set them with a marker and the mags to circle what they wanted. Preston circled most the magazine so we went back through and found the things he really wanted!

The Toys to Grow On was by far the biggest hit in fact it has a few things we will probably order to have now (some writing and math things that he claims he can't live without).

And yes, I realize it's only October but my shopping has been done for months so I'm already in the Christmas spirit!

One of those weeks

It's been one of them, nothing really specific just always feeling behind, nothing ever working right the first time and mostly playing catch up in every aspect - YAY!

The kids have been great, Maren loves school and is doing so well. Preston literally almost cries when he has to leave and begs to stay after the other 2 school days (He only stays after the 2 days Maren isn't there since she isn't ready for that long of a day).

We have been working on some Halloween/Fall decorating around here. We also decided to throw the kids a huge Halloween party with all their friends in attendance.











First we have the Halloween tree, lit with purple LEDs. Then ghostly Kale which is right up with mums as a fall fav!!! Spooky spider and ghost with a bit of fall thrown in on the chair and to top it off the giant spider web.

Nice week

It's been a nice week, the weather is perfectly fall which lends itself to long walks and playing outside with sweatshirts on. The kids have had a blast at school and Maren is fitting in great and enjoying it. Preston continues to learn so much and he LOVES school (cries when its time to come home, not sure what that is saying). I think he will continue to blossom at Kindergarten next year, he is going to a full day program similar to what he does now that will provide extra art, music and gym time.

Here's the 3 pumpkins that we grew this year, I cut back the area 3 wks ago because it was taking over the house and the pumpkins still managed to turn orange even off the vine.



Here's the kids last night as we bundled up for a walk, last night was our first frost warning (it didn't happen only got down to 42).





We decided to throw a big halloween party for the kids (and their friends) so currently in the process of decorating the inside and outside of the house for a fall/halloween feel. Here's a small sample of what we have started with.



Otherwise not much, planning on a trip to pick apples and pumpkins soon which means a load of great pics of the kids!