Halloween 2014

Halloween being on a Friday made for a super crazy, but super fun day. We started with Mark's dress up and parade at school. The kids were so cute! And his teachers were juiceboxes, how awesome is that?!

Then it was off to Gianna's school for her parade. She's the Elsa waiting for the parade to start.

Then we went to her classroom for snacks and games. Here's she's making her friend a mummy.

Then it was home for some afternoon trick-or-treating...these little ones start early. Unfortunately I made the mistake of letting Joe try on Mark's costume the day before so he had no interest in being a shark.  (Side note: later one of the parents was shocked to learn that Gianna's hair was not a wig!)

I'm so glad we've made enough friends to have a great trick-or-treating group. The kids had so much fun! The houses here are much farther apart than the townhouses of our old neighborhood. I definitely enjoyed the exercise, but the kids quite literally collapsed in this stranger's yard after about an hour.

Joe much preferred hanging out on the porch at home, greeting trick-or-treaters. I wish this picture came out a little better. I love it!

Joe was much happier being Captain America the next day. 

Soccer Fall 2014

We've spent so much time on the soccer field this fall, it deserved its own post. You'd think I'd have more pictures with all the practices we went to, but really it was more about feeding Joe snacks and making sure I didn't lose any of my children. In all seriousness, Gianna and Mark really enjoyed soccer this year. Gianna really improved this year. We're so proud! Mark's age group was more about having fun and practicing skills and he LOVED it. He told me he wanted to have soccer every day. I don't think he understands that staying on your feet is actually more helpful than falling while playing soccer. But falling is his specialty, so getting to roll around on the grass for an hour every week is a super fun time. 

October 2014: Apple orchards, fun with friends, and glove obsession

October was a busy month and, as usual, it is too hard to get these pictures in a good order so I'll just caption and story-tell along the way!

Doug took Gianna and Mark each on a separate breakfast date. Here's Gianna enjoying her waffle with ice cream. I think this is known as the breakfast of champions. 

Enjoying some downtime with a full lap! 

When my mom and dad visted we went to an apple orchard. It was great! It didn't cost a fortune and they had yummy snacks and the apples were terrific, especially in a crisp!

Joe got this hat from Grandpa and Grandma. He loved it. I've never seen a baby who loves wearing stuff on his head so much (hats, masks, goggles, etc)

The hayride was super fun!

Maybe Joe will be a farmer some day, he took right to it!

This is how we roll before swimming lessons. (Joe is not taking lessons, but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy the gear!)

Our old neighbors came to visit us. The weather was terrible, but that didn't ruin a great afternoon with great friends!

 Mark's class went on a field trip to the grocery store. It was as adorable as it sounds! The employees were so kind and the kids got tons of samples, so Mark was in heaven! He loves to try new foods. His favorite errand is going to Costco, just for the samples, never tried one he didn't like!

At a play date (yes, we're making new friends here!), Joe discovered the joys of a microphone. He loves music and will dance to anything...even lame grocery store music!

The cold days are upon us! They seem ready to brave the elements! In true Joe fashion, he loves his winter hat. He also loves his gloves. It would normally be a good thing that a baby doesn't take his gloves off, but when he WON'T take his gloves off that's a whole other ball game. It all came to a head one Sunday when he found the gloves before church, threw a fit when Doug took them off to put his coat on, wouldn't take them off once he got to church, and then wanted to eat cheerios with them on and was furious when it didn't work. I think we've successfully weaned him off the gloves, so he knows they are only for outside, but he didn't learn all that without a lot of tears! Good grief!

Gianna's 7th(?!) Birthday

My baby girl turned 7 on September 29! We had a Sunday tea party to celebrate the occasion. We had just 3 girls join us, which was just right. They decorated cookies, painted mugs, did a treasure hunt, made candy necklaces, and ate cupcakes. Just the right amount of sugar I think :) They all had a great time and Gianna loved it. 

Getting an early gift from us so she could enjoy her Barbie dream house all weekend. 

The spread of pink food!

 A girl and her crafted mug.

Opening presents.

Everyone enjoyed the cake!

Me and my birthday girl! Happy 7th Gianna! You're the best. We are so proud of what a kind, hard-working, and loving girl you are. You make us smile every day!

September 2014

We spent part of labor day weekend at a money pit fun farm. The kids had a great time riding ponies, bouncing, and playing around. Doug and I liked the country store. :)

We celebrated the last day of summer with breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts. Clearly they hated it ;)

 The first day of second grade arrives! Gianna is growing her bangs out...she looks so grown up to me!

We have to walk now that she goes to the neighborhood school. It's great exercise and no one seems to mind, especially with this sweet ride for the boys. Mark could run to California and back if it was part of a transformer game or something like that, but ask him to walk 1/2 a mile to school and he is suddenly too tired. Thus, the purchase of the new stroller (used, at the bargain price of $20; I couldn't be more pleased!). 

And she was off with friends! She had a great first day! Her teacher seems wondeful. I'm so happy for her!

The following Monday was Mark's first day of Pre-K. When we first moved I put him in a weekly playgroup and he hated it! So I was pretty nervous that he wouldn't like school here (even though he liked it in our old town). To my delight, he loves it and wants to go all day every day!

Settling in to his classroom. He did great! We love his teachers too and our super happy with this choice of preschool!

Joe doesn't even need school. Look how smart he is building towers. I'm looking forward to spending time alone with this cutie!