Addie's First Field Trip

When Addie's first kindergarten field trip turned out to be to a pumpkin patch, I was thrilled. Because what could be cuter than that? And yes, I would like to be a chaperone, thank you very much!

Turns out the farm (and I use that term loosely- it seemed pretty commercial to me) was a pretty far bus ride away (which of course thrilled the kids but I didn't love her being on a bus that long). The parents met them there, and that turned out to be a lot of parents because the whole kindergarten class went (and that is 8 classes!). 

My group was Addie, Zara, and Gloria. Turns out chaperoning Zara was not the easiest of jobs. But I chased them all over that pumpkin patch, and they had a great time doing the bounce pillow, hayride, duck race, big slide, and all the other things.

Thank goodness for a gorgeous Fall day, and for letting me keep up with all three kids. Cute class picture at the end.

Loved spending time with my kindergartner, and it was a little hard watching her board that bus to head back to school. I wanted to whisk her home with me. But turns out there was drama on the bus ride home because Zara's pumpkin fell and rolled the whole length of the bus and she had a big meltdown. So glad Addie didn't miss the chance to recount that story in great detail. :) 

First field trip in the books!

School Updates...and a First

All of my children like school! This is a first, I'm sad to say. But thank goodness it has finally happened!

Luke acclimated much more quickly to school this year, and I dare say is actually enjoying the 2's class? As you can see he is participating and has a smile on his face...well this is an exciting development, Luke! It is wonderful to drop him off and know he will be happy while I'm away.

Turns out that Addie is having an awesome year. She adores her teachers, and her class is well-behaved and very bonded. Plus it's helpful that Ms. Spink sends home lots of pictures so I know what they're learning and I can see how happy she looks. 

In the biggest surprise of the school year, Collins loves 3rd grade! I purposely didn't tell her how hard I heard third grade was going to be and how intense it was with all the testing. It has proven to be intense with all the testing, but she doesn't get too worked up about the tests. And she really enjoys the independence given in the third grade and the cool projects that they are being assigned (a lot of Google slide presentations). She is thriving so far with the work and has a new desk at home where she can do her homework. 

It's still early in the Fall semester, but so far all the school updates are good. Fingers crossed it stays that way!

Cats are Wild (and so are the Kids)

It was a quick game, set, match in Raleigh, and then we were on the road to Davidson. Cats tipped off at 1 p.m. so we had no time to waste! 

We made it right on time and found a good spot to watch the start of the game...

We were excited to spend the weekend with the Slossons, and it's a good thing that these girls didn't see how scary this Wildcat looks behind them. It looks like it's going to eat them!

Of course, the kids had no interest in Davidson football so we wandered around campus...and ended up at Ben and Jerry's (funny how all paths lead to ice cream).

The girls attempted a wild slumber party, and got the wild part in but not the slumber part. Libby and Paige ended up in their own beds because turns out the floor is not comfortable to sleep on all night. Addie needed Brian to sleep with her because she got a little scared. We will work our way up to an all nighter. We love going to Davidson and spending time on campus and with our friends. It's always great fun!

Sweet Baby

Look at this sweet baby! Sawyer could not be cuter, and I cannot wait until I can snuggle him.

Last Soccer Game

We were all excited for Addie's last soccer game until we realized that it was in direct conflict with State's only Thursday night game of the season AND Brian had already invited his friends up from Charlotte for a massive tailgate party and gotten them tickets to the game. GULP. Hard decision time.

Of course, Brian chose Addie, but I felt bad for him. He doesn't get to do that many fun things with just friends anymore, and he was really excited about this. But he was not going to disappoint his daughter on her last game of the season. So he canceled his friends coming, didn't tailgate, and just went to the football game. It all worked out in the end. And Addie played great her last game and received her coveted trophy! End of season for the Banana Slugs!

New Look

Bad news. This is Luke's new look. EVERY DAY. Can't convince him to wear anything else. I would be okay with either the top or the bottom every day, but the full red suit is just too much. And it's the wrong team. When he goes to fish it out of the dirty laundry every morning, I just take a deep breath and remind myself to pick my battles. Luke, thank goodness you are super cute because that's the only way you are pulling off this outfit all day every day. I just pray that at some point you will tire of being very red!

C's Fall-tastic Slumber Party

She gets it honest. 

Collins: "Mommy, can I have a Fall-tastic slumber party where we eat fun Fall foods, paint pumpkins, watch Hocus Pocus, and eat monster mix?"

Mommy: "Yes, and can I help plan it? And can I attend?"

Turns out that Collins gets as excited about themed parties as I do. These shortbread witch fingers are proof of that. And is it normal for a 9-year-old to think up these ideas? I really like the way her brain works.

She invited Peyton, Mirabella, Alice, and Reeves over for a Saturday night sleepover, and I can assure you it was wild (and loud). It started with a themed fashion show contest...

and continued on with a pumpkin painting contest...

then jammies, "Hocus Pocus", a fire pit, monster mix, and a whole lot of squeals and chatter. 

I secretly wanted to attend! But alas, I had to watch the fun from the kitchen. Did they go to sleep at a reasonable hour? No. Did they make a huge mess? Yes. Did they have a fantastic time and celebrate all the fun Fall things? YES! Nice party planning, Collins.