Braces!!

On Monday Carter had his braces put on his front teeth.  

He looks like such a big kid!  We are still in the adjustment period and it's hard for him to chew.  He has had a lot of yogurt and soup the past couple of days.

But it means that I have brought him soup for lunch the past two days.  From what I understand the first two days are the worst, so we should be on the upswing from here.

But he had a great time today wearing his uniform to school and assisting at the flag ceremony.  Thank you to all the veterans!

Our week and some tidbits

Dawson's favorite book lately has been Scooby Doo and the Creepy Chef. We have read it nearly ever night for weeks.  He has decided to emulate the creepy chef by running around talking in the same sing-song rhymes as the creepy chef yelling "ha ha ha and ho ho ho" or "Tra la la."  He even picked up two balloons and told me he was going to beat me with his egg beaters ( just like the creepy chef.)  

He is so proud of himself!  He learned to do the monkey bars, just like big brother and sister!  

This poor kid had three teeth removed under sedation.  He bounced back so quickly and I think he really enjoyed the ice cream and Scooby Doo marathon.  I cuddled with him on the couch for most of the day because in his groggy state he kept touching his wound, which the doctor did not want him to do.  So I had to keep a close eye on him.  But the minute I would get up to use the restroom or get a drink, he started pulling out his stitches!  

Carter has been eagerly anticipating Veterans Day.  We have had a countdown going and the first thing he says to me when he wakes up in the morning is "7 days until Veterans Day.........6 Days until Veterans Day............5 days until Veterans Day."  The reason for his excitement?  Well, the cub scouts wear their uniforms to school and get to do a flag ceremony.  He loves to show off his uniform!  And just in case you were wondering there are only 3 days left until Veterans Day.

On Friday I went to watch and participate with both kids in the Race for Education.  When I spotted Carter he was happily wandering around the track with his class.  Ava was in a clump of little girls all holding hands and walking together.  She was also invited to a birthday party this week and it cracked me up because she has had her outfit planned and laid out at least four days in advance. 

Ava has taken to carrying pinky......in her pajama pants.  I had to take the above picture to clearly document the bulge.   


And now:  time for a Sunday night dance party!!!!

Trick or Treat!

Some pictures from our Trick or treat fun!

Moaning Myrtle, Hermione, the Golden Snitch and Harry Potter

Mike was a hilarious golden snitch.  I have no words.  But this was all his idea and the liquid courage in his bottle contributed to a good time.

Doc didn't go very long, but he was very happy to return back home to eat!

My army soldier

And Hermione who was so very excited!

We went with family, and although I didn't get a picture of everyone together here is the closest.  Cousin Andrew drove his tractor from house to house, Uncle Jason was a native American, and baby Abbie as a tiger from Daniel Tiger.  We had a wonderful time with everyone!

Pumpkins!

Spooky Fun - Halloween Parties!

First we had Dawson's preschool trunk or treat event.    It was a very nice little event held after school so that everyone could attend.  There was pizza and cupcakes and a craft to do. Then his teacher announced each child and their costume as well as their siblings too.  Due to rainy and windy weather we did the trick or treating inside the school. 

The soldier, Mrs. Norris (cat from Harry Potter) and Harry Potter

This year I am able to go to Carter's Halloween Party and Ava's Valentine Party.  In Carter's class we did the mummy wrap game.  Here he is being wrapped up with another student by his teacher.

Can't even see him!  He had a blast doing this game.

Enjoying his snack

Carter showing off his ghost and pumpkin that he carved in his group.  He choose the fish nose and they named their pumpkin fishie (the fish nose was something they did in FFF.)

Although I couldn't be in her class, I took a picture of Miss Ava post party.  She was rocking her black cat shirt and candy corn bow.  She loved the game they played with the vampire teeth and marshmallows.

Happy Halloween!  More celebrating to come!

Pumpkin Patch with Explorer Girls

Ava is participating in a scout-like group called Explorer Girls.  Ava has really enjoyed the meetings so far and for October we met at a pumpkin patch.  This was in the afternoon before Mike was home, so I was able to bring the boys with me.

Funny story about this picture, while the girls were lined up and smiling Dawson and Carter were close by playing pumpkin bowling.  During a quiet moment Carter yelled at Dawson "Holy Smokes, you're good!"  It caused a chuckle throughout the group.  It was sweet to hear big brother pumping up little brother's bowling skills.  

Wow, another pumpkin picture.

It was just a quick trip but we did get to lasso some steers, walk through the corn maze and take a chilly hay ride.

These slides built into the side of the hill are so much fun!  It was a great way to burn a some energy before bedtime.    

Silly Stories from the week

This weekend Ava, Dawson and I were discussing our favorite songs.  Here are Dawson's:  

1.  The Littlest Worm (a song I learned in girl scouts)

2.  Carol of the Bells by Transiberian Orchestra

3.  Bad Blood

Quite the eclectic mix!

Recently Mike was playing a math facts game with Ava and Carter.  It was supposed to be a competition to see who could answer the question first, so Mike was allowing Ava and Carter the opportunity to figure it out first.  Well afterwards Ava wrote this note to Mike:

Why

Do you not know your facts?  You should know it now.  10 + 10 I know that it is 20.  4 + 4 = I know that it is 8.

Don't worry Ava, Daddy knows his math facts!

Speaking of math facts, this little boy is so interested in math right now.  We've been playing an addition game together, and I think it is the cutest thing now that he has figured out how to use his fingers to solve problems.

Yup, she is my daughter.

We went to play at the park at the clubhouse this afternoon and she brought her new book.  Eventually I convinced her to put it away and get a little exercise.  But the minute we started walking home she decided to walk and read at the same time.  That takes talent!

Camping with Scouts

Carter went to a camp out this weekend with scouts.  It was really chilly, less than 32 degrees at night.  But Mike and Carter found a really good way to combat the cold: two sleeping bags zipped together with mummy bags inside and camp rolls to keep them off the ground.  Toasty warm!

S'more time!

Apparently they had a great time at the nature center watching hawks get fed and learning the names of different animals.  They also did a lot of hiking.

They found a geocache!

And it snowed.  That did very little to put a damper on his fun.  He had a great time!